Folk Fest review - Friday

It was a great night! I really have to talk about Michael Franti and Spearhead... they were amazing. It turns out that Franti went to Iraq to perform and see what was going on. He told a story about how when he got to Iraq they officer assumed he was with the Red Cross... Franti said no.. the guy then figured his dreadlocks meant he must have been with the UN... Nope. Finally the officer asked him what he was there for.. "Tourist". Well Iraq presently doesn't have a tourist visa and they had trouble finding the right stamp for Franti's passport.

He talked a little about how he had so many mixed reactions and was nervous playing for a group with machine guns over their shoulders. However he found most of these guys wanted to come home because essentially "the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people can't be won with a machine gun in your hand."

Anyway if you like modern reggae, pop, ska, folk etc. you should check him out... It was an awesome way to end a Friday night.

Click on the title to go to the group's webpage.

Folk Fest review - Friday

It was a great night! I really have to talk about Michael Franti and Spearhead... they were amazing. It turns out that Franti went to Iraq to perform and see what was going on. He told a story about how when he got to Iraq they officer assumed he was with the Red Cross... Franti said no.. the guy then figured his dreadlocks meant he must have been with the UN... Nope. Finally the officer asked him what he was there for.. "Tourist". Well Iraq presently doesn't have a tourist visa and they had trouble finding the right stamp for Franti's passport.

He talked a little about how he had so many mixed reactions and was nervous playing for a group with machine guns over their shoulders. However he found most of these guys wanted to come home because essentially "the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people can't be won with a machine gun in your hand."

Anyway if you like modern reggae, pop, ska, folk etc. you should check him out... It was an awesome way to end a Friday night.

Click on the title to go to the group's webpage.

Folk Fest Review Day One

It was excellent except for the rain... Too bad missed Rodney Crowell being political. Anyway we had quite the thunderstorm.

I will tell you Hawksley Workman was excellent. He was charming and creative on stage and he will go far.

It really was a treat to here the Dixie Hummingbirds...they are a real institution.

Garnett Rogers' guitar was amazing.. some great folk songs.

Folk Fest Day 1

looking forward to it!

Here's the lineup
Jaojoby
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Hawksley Workman
Garnet Rogers
Rodney Crowell

Can't wait to see the Lover/Fighter himself ... Hawksley Workman.

Anyway Tonight will be African Dance, soothing Gospel, great Canadian Rock, great Canadian Folk, and modern acoustic American Country! I love this festival!
Anyway if I have time I'll let you know how it was.

Edmonton Folk Fest Preview - 3

The Spirit returns....

Spirit of the West makes its return to the festival after 6 years with a new look. Geoff Kelly and John Mann are back (although it seems that John has been moonlighting as an actor again) with whole new group. You can read their whole history here.

They have written some incredibly Canadian songs... in fact Far too Canadian is perhaps the best example of their recognision of Canadians tendency to self depricate.

So what is happening with them... Well since they lost their shirts on the 1997 recording Weights and Measures it seems that they haven't had a wholly new album. Hit Parade was just that, and it seems that they are mostly doing solo projects (John and Geoff that is). Its been 19 years since the sounds of Aberdeen graced the EFMF hill. I certainly hope that some of the best Celtic sounds of SOTW will be heard this weekend.

Its hard to pick one song that defines them so I decided to pick from 1991's Go Figure. They were going more mainstream and yet remain with their political roots. Also I think this song is most appropriate commentary for the coming US Election

D For Democracy (Scour the House)
You with the jaundiced eyes, drunk on your own reflection
propped up with desks and flags, 8 chairs short of perfection
lines are drawn here, there and everywhere
none of your own volition
unrecognized you pace your shadow
stripped of all your definition

Scour the house, flip the wig,
Shake the tree, until your whereabouts are known to me

You've been abused and cheated,
shat on your beyond defeated
Those who rise stand in your name
Then treat u roughly once they're seated
Your pen in one, their sword in the other
satisfied the blessing is given
in god they trust only their way one way
afraid of the other isms

Scour the house, flip the wig,
Shake the tree, until your whereabouts are known to me

The grass is always greener
under the western sky
But your Norman Rockwell nation
is being choked by weed and vines
Look here the old grey mare
She ain't what she used to be
Look here the old grey mayor
He's all he's cracked up to be

Scour the house, flip the wig,
Shake the tree, until your whereabouts are known to me

Edmonton Folk Fest Preview - 2

All I have to say is Ani!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ani DiFranco is the Righteous Babe, political, fearless, feminist. She is the embodiment of post-feminism. Not only that she is a brilliant writer, both illustrated in song and poetry.

Some of her recent work includes contributing to the Peace not War CD. Self-Evident is a scathing critique of the US's reactionary post 9/11 actions.

Her most popular album was probably Not a Pretty Girl. This album made it to the mainstream enough that 32 flavours was rerecorded and released as a top 40 hit. Her first albums were good, but Not a Pretty Girl was really the full realisation of her songwriting capabilities. Plus Not a Pretty Girl the song came about just when I needed it the most.

Her latest release is called Educated Guess. This album returns to her folk roots and spoken word prowess to commentator about the way the world is. Although more stripped down and all Ani. Read more about Ani's new album.

My favourite from this album right now is Origami....

i am an all powerful amazon warrior
not just some sniveling girl
so no matter what i think i need
you know i can't possibly
have a need in this world

come and come for that sweet sweetness
i'll be your never ending vending machine
i could never need to be alone
never need to be my own
as much as you need your queen

i know men are delicate
origami creatures
who need women to unfold them
hold them when they cry
but i am tired of being your savior
and i am tired of telling you why
and since when did this me me me become the be all and end all of me
oh listen to you talk to me
long time love has got to breathe, babe
you got to let it ebb and flow
if you want a ball to bounce
you gotta let it go
just let it go
i know men are delicate
origami creatures
who need women to unfold them
hold them when they cry
but i am tired of being your savior


BTW Ani is on The Majority Report tonight.
and i am tired of telling you why
words and music by ani difranco © 2004 righteous babe music / BMI