August 23, 2006
The Cockatoo and the Apple Tree
Berkeley is settling in and I think Gogoi is starting to adjust to having a new buddy. The antibiotics have kicked in. Got a couple of "I am jealous and pissed" bites on my finger from Gogoi that got infected (FUN!). She is living up to the Amazon parrot reputation of being jealous.
Last week, the apple tree in our back yard was trimmed and I gave Berkeley a couple of branches. After 10 seconds of being really freaked, she started playing and chewing her way to happiness.
Gogoi unimpressed and not into chewing trees. Almonds GOOD - branches BAD. New bird in the house - Blech!
Posted by songdawg at 8:26 PM | For the birds
EFMF 2006 Wrap Up
Here are a couple of photos from the Edmonton Folk Fest. Of course, if you want to check out some pro photos, they are now up here.
One of the highlights for me was seeing Feist. I can't count how many lines of code I have written while listening to Let it Die.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder - amazing musicians and a great show.
Bruce Cockburn was a class act - I loved the way he invited the Wailin Jennys up to sing back up.
Posted by songdawg at 8:08 PM | Festivals
August 11, 2006
Edmonton Folk Fest 2006
Well, it was a little wet. And wet but warm is a lot better than wet and cold :) Tonight I am going to dig out my waterproof pants - live and learn. This year I am going spend more time sitting on the hill instead of standing close up - last night I shared in the Lawsons' hospitality and sat back to soak up a wet but beautiful evening of music.
One of the nice surprises for me was K'Naan. Great songwriting.
One of my favourite lines (and I am loosely paraphrasing - they were much more eloquent) goes something like Christians, Muslims and Jews fighting in wars ...who will be left to praise the Lord?
I caught a few strains of Mark Sterling's acoutic blues during the stage change as I was walking to get myself some dinner and get out of the rain for a few moments.
Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul were an interesting blend - technically awesome in a "I could jam with Bela Fleck kind of way". Impressive.
I spent the whole time listening to the Bedouin Soundclash just grooving to the bass player Eon Sinclair. Loved his bass playing - he had a very cool bass guitar - it was white - looked like a hollow/semi-acoutic type body and had an F-hole at the top. Not sure about his other gear - ampeg head I think. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I think the Tweener was Bill Bourne - always great to hear.
The Waifs are back and playing more of their unmistakable music. They were such a surprised hit the first time they were here - certainly a crowd favourite. One hilarious moment was during the last song, Vikki who was singing lead accidently disconnected her mike. She recovered and hopped right on over to Josh's mike without missing a beat. They have a great sound and it was wonderful to see them again.
The band during the next setup was Show of Hands who got to play quite a few songs - the setup for Linda Rondstadt was a little long but I enjoyed getting a good taste of Show of Hands' music. One of the members had a double bass which is always nice for me to see :) One of their songs 'Country Life' really struck me - I think I will pick it up on cd this weekend. After they left the stage there was a little lull before Linda Ronstadt and I could hear the crowd humming Show of Hands' last tune. Always a good sign.
Linda Ronstadt was wonderful - as expected she played a mix folk, cajun, bluegrass, rock all with beautiful vocals and heart. She brought a ton of great musicians to back her up (including a bass player who was playing an Eminence electric upright). My wet butt was starting to freeze so unfortunately I left before any introductions were made. Who was the man on the fiddle playing the sweetest music???
It was a great night - I got home and tried to unwind by making myself a nice cup of tea and playing with the parrots. Got a chance to catch up with Marshall, news from the road is that he is in Nanaimo enjoying his adventures and having a great time.
Posted by songdawg at 7:51 AM | Festivals
August 8, 2006
Del McCoury Delivers The Promised Land
Found in my inbox from Mike Noll of the Shady-Grove mailing list:
This is for all the die hard DEL HEADS, you'll get a
kick out of this, Del McCoury Band and Amazon.com teamed up
to personally deliver the "The Promised Land" CD to a
unsuspecting fan in a UPS delivery truck.
View at:
Del McCoury Delivers the Promised Land.
FYI: They just posted a great interview with Del McCoury
over at Jambands.com Del talks about the process of
recording a gospel record, playing with jamband legends
Phish and working for Bill Monroe.
Check it out at
www.jambands.com
Posted by songdawg at 7:51 AM | Music
August 7, 2006
Blueberry Bluegrass Festival 2006
Another great year for the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival. I had a great time with Woodbend Bluegrass playing on Friday and an amazing time soaking up the great music on Sunday. Del McCoury was HOT and did a great job closing the festival.
Four Chords of Wood A hilarious bunch of guys with a great traditional sound.
Four Chords of Wood - Phil Shaver (guitar), Aaron Murray (mandolin), Dave Klassen (bass), Tim Cook (banjo), Paul Elliott (fiddle)
Tribute to the Bluegrass Gentlemen on the side of the stage.
Hit and Run Bluegrass from Colorado
Hit and Run Bluegrass - John Frazier and Steve Roy
Hit and Run Bluegrass - Rebecca Hogan
Hit and Run Bluegrass - Ivan Rosenberg
The Del McCoury Band closed out the festival with a smoking version of Rawhide.
Big bright moon to help the jammers find there way. The Northern Lights were out too. Beautiful.
Posted by songdawg at 9:39 AM | Festivals
August 6, 2006
Calgary Folk Fest 2006
I had a wonderful time at the Calgary Folk Fest. Here are some of the highlights...
Robbie Fulks - High-energy and hilarious alt-country singer-songwriter. Has been teaming up with Donnie Barnes which would be quite the sight to see. This picture looks so serious - probably the only moment in the show when he wasn't hamming it up.
Hearing Ronnie Hayward was a definite high-point of the weekend for me.
Setting up for the Prairie Home Companions workshop with House of Doc, Romi Mayes, La raquette à claquettes and Ronnie Hayward. That's at least 15 people to setup.
More Prairie Home Companion session setup - can you spot Rebecca Harder's (House of Doc) shoes?
One of the best surprises for me was Romi Mayes. She writes great songs - if you get a chance catch her show.
Ronnie Hayward pouring on the rockabilly charm.
D. Rangers in concert
Jaxon Haldane playing the Saw.
Salt
Wash-bucket bass - someday I will get around to building one...
Rubinchik's Yiddish Ensemble and the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band.
Mark Rubin of the Ridgetop Syncopators and the Rubinchik's Yiddish Ensemble
Ridgetop Syncopators concert
Ridgetop Syncopators concert
CKUA broadcasting live on site
The D. Rangers appearing live on Craig Korth's Fire on the Mountain radio show on CKUA
Erynn Marshall and Chris Coole
Couple dancing to the old-timey sounds of Erynn Marshall and Chris Coole
Chris Coole's Fiddle Sticks debut.