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Born Too Late performing on the Vista Star. Photos by Jill Fisher.

Has it really been three years since the S.S. Rock (AKA Vista Star) set sail for a Sept. 1 sunset cruise? 

Back then it was one of the warmest days of the season, this year, on Thursday, Sept. 4, it was cold and rainy. 

Back in 2022 we got to hear the music of three bands: Damien, Teague Alexy And The Common Thread and New Salty Dog. 

This time there was only two bands, Saltydog (formerly New Salty Dog) and Born Too Late to entertain us. And that was just fine. 

The purpose of this year’s cruise was to thank all the dedicated Sacred Heart Music Center volunteers. It turned out to be a gift to all of us who love music, whether performed at SHMC or on a boat. 

Both bands played crowd favorites, with Born Too Late on the lower deck, sans bar, presumably because some of the band members are still under age. As usual, Rokkyn Nelson-Kavajecz was the primary vocalist. Her brother Traxx played acoustic guitar and sang. And at this gig I discovered there were some newer members: Wade Grawe (electric guitar), Axel Swanson (bass) and Jevin Joki (drums, previously with Indecent Proposal). 

Known for covering classic rock and country songs that predate them (which the band’s name alludes to), BTL played “Don’t Let Me Down,” “Proud Mary,” “What’s Going On?” “Drivin’ My Life Away” and Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me, Babe.” 

Scurrying between the upper and lower decks, I didn’t catch them playing any of their original compositions, of which there are plenty.

Meanwhile, Saltydog on the upper deck played many of their original songs we have come to know and love — especially “jillybones”! 

They also played some covers, such as the Cactus Blossoms’ “One Day” and an amended version of “Look Who Just Walked in the Door” (Look who just walked on the boat).

Saltydog

For those still unfamiliar with this top-notch band, the six members are: Jacob “Curly Jefferson” Mahon (electric guitar), Sam Deters (electric guitar), Gavin St. Clair (keyboard), Calvin “Calzone” Lund (bass), Bryan “Lefty” Johnson (congas) and Owen Mahon (drums). 

They were in great form as usual, keeping the upbeat vibe going throughout the cruise, with only a short break to check in on what BTL was up to. 

There’s something special about music on a boat, where the audience is captive for the two-hour cruise. The energy just seems compounded somehow. I am not alone in hoping that we have the opportunity for another music cruise on the Vista Star before three more years go by.

For the second week in a row I made it up the shore to Silver Bay for Nelson French’s production of the Scarlet Rivera and Chris Mulkey Band concert on Friday, Sept. 5. 

Due to the cold, blustery weather, the show was moved indoors from City Park to nearby Reunion Hall — thank goodness! The Curmudgeon joined me as we were drawn to this event by the opportunity to see Rivera live. We had, of course, seen her in the Martin Scorsese film Rolling Thunder Revue and knew of her famous meeting and subsequent work with Dylan. The song “Hurricane” from Dylan’s 1976 album Desire is likely the most famous of her work with him.

Scarlet Rivera and Steve Conte

As it turned out Chris Mulkey had to cancel this appearance, so it was a new combination of players who performed on this evening. However, two regulars who play with Scarlet and Chris were able to make this gig: Ed White, from Los Angeles, on bass and Greg Davis, presumably also from L.A., on drums. 

The newcomer who filled in for Chris turned out to be punk/glam rocker Steve Conte, who, perhaps, is most famous for being the lead singer in the revived New York Dolls band (2004-2009). 

Hearing that Conte had completed a gig in New York at midnight, got a couple hours of sleep (max) before jumping on a plane to get to this small town event in time for the 7:30 show was impressive. Even more so was his performance, “on fumes” as he put it. 

Indeed, despite never having played with these three players, he certainly brought his A-game. Moreover, he outshone Rivera, who was featured on only a few of the songs played.

“I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” by Dylan was their opening number. Then it was a surprising turn to Creedence Clearwater Revival with “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” That was appropriate given the weather these out-of-towners experienced on their arrival in the Northland. 

The band went on to play a range of classic rock ‘n’ roll and blues hits: “I Want To Be Loved” (Muddy Waters), “Someone Like You” (Rod Stewart hit), “Mercedes Benz” (Janis Joplin), “Pride and Joy” (Stevie Ray Vaughn), “The Weight” (The Band), “Honky Tonk Woman” (Rolling Stones), “Bad Moon Rising” (Creedence), Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” (Otis Redding), “Great Balls of Fire” (Jerry Lee Lewis) and “Let The Good Times Roll” (Ray Charles). 

None of the songs recorded by Conte were included on this evening’s playlist. This was to be expected since it was the first time these four had played together.

Scarlet Rivera and band

Interspersed amongst these tunes we got to hear Scarlet sing her original composition, “Never Go Back Home,” inspired by Woody Guthrie’s work and the devastation of the dust bowl era. Its refrain, “all blown away,” was wistful and melancholy. 

She noted she was just back in the states after touring Europe with Woody’s granddaughter (Arlo’s daughter) Sarah. 

Another tune that Scarlet sang vocals on was her almost hip hop original “You Are My Lifeline.” One of her biggest fans believes it has the makings of a country hit. 

The C said it reminded him of Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” She also sang Dylan’s “Not Dark Yet” and, near the end of the concert, “Forever Young.” 

I suppose it was too much to expect “Hurricane” to be performed, but it was a bit strange not to have Rivera’s fiddle playing featured more. Since her time with Dylan, Rivera, who was classically trained on violin, has delved deep into jazz, fusion and Celtic music, while keeping her hand in with R & B and rock. 

As for her singing, her voice sounds like it has suffered the effects of time; though I’m not familiar with her vocals from earlier days, she is 75 years old.

  Is it Groundhog Day or what? 

Saturday, Sept. 6, saw the C and me back at Rugged Spruce in Mahtowa for the second week in a row to see Boxcar, another of the Northland’s top tier bands that always impels me, if not everyone, to dance the evening away. 

We were worried it would be a washout, due to on and off rain showers as we headed south on I-35, but we got lucky. By 5 pm the skies were clearing and the 6 pm start time allowed for nearly two hours of rain-free music. 

I’ve reviewed Boxcar a number of times, noting it nearly always plays all original tunes in the country rock vein and most of the numbers off its most recent album, For Madmen Only including “Deluth” with a lyric referencing Charlie Parr. 

As they wrapped up their show with a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” it started to sprinkle, putting an abrupt end to the show. 

UPCOMING: Since I will be traveling the coming week I will miss all sorts of promising music events happening in these parts. 

If you enjoy getting over to Madeline Island in Wisconsin on occasion (like me), you might want to put Sept. 11 on your calendar as Saltydog will be playing at Tom’s Burned Down Café. It’s located within a couple blocks of the ferry landing. 

And then there’s this year’s Great Northern Squash Festival out in Chaffey, Wis., Sept. 19 and 20. This year it will feature music by Boss Mama, Salty Dog, Misisipi Mike, Shane Nelson, Jim Hall, Lake Effect String Band, Russ Sackett and many others from both near and far. If you get there, be sure to be on the lookout for pickup band performances. I remember that it was one of the highlights of the Woodstock-like festival last year.