Musings and Music Reviews
If the world was fair and just Suzie Vinnick would not be a “Canadian treasure.” She would not be known for winning the Canadian Maple Blues Award ten times, or for receiving dozens of other Canadian music nominations and awards. Nor would she be someone’s favorite “female” roots and blues artist. No, if the world were fair and just, Suzie …
Only once in my life did I vote for a U.S. president that won. Not once have I ever voted for any record to win “best something” and seen that album win. Until this year. The album in question was Both Ways by the now Juno-winning Donovan Woods, so seeing him in concert performing (mostly) songs from that album was …
“It’s like a party.” – Annat Kennet, my traveling companion “It IS a party!” – Me People who live in almost total darkness for three quarters of the year don’t need much of a reason to have a good time in the middle of the summer – when it doesn’t get dark until around 3:00 a.m., but the Dawson City …
Here are a few truisms about folk festivals (and music festivals in general, but particularly folk festivals). You’re not going to be able to hear all the music. If you try, you won’t have any fun, and you’ll never see any full sets. Even with the most precise, pre-planned schedule, you won’t ever hear everyone you planned to see. Also, …
Let’s start with a list of all the artists I saw during the day: Donovan Woods (2x), Mariel Buckley, Guy Davis, Gordon Grdina’s Haram, Little Miss Higgins, Dawn Pemberton, Petunia and the Vipers, Small Glories, and Leonard Sumner (I think I may be leaving a few out). These were all in workshops (themed mini concerts with a few artists). I …
Is there a more beautiful setting for a festival than Jericho Beach in Vancouver? From the comments of every performer who gets up on the main stage at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, I think not. It’s got water, beaches, mountains, trees, wooden pedestrian bridges over ponds, blue sky, puffy white clouds, a shimmering downtown in the distance, spectacular sunsets, …
So it’s the night before the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and time to make some decisions. I can’t see everyone. Too many artists and too many playing at the same time. There’s only one of me. I’ve made lists and tried to come up with some sort of schedule but I know I won’t be able to stick to it. …
Warning! Listening to Both Ways, Donovan Woods’ new release, while driving could be dangerous. You may find yourself making a wrong turn, forgetting where you’re going, or worse, forgetting that you are even driving. If this happens, immediately pull over. Wait until your heart stops feeling like it’s coming out of your chest. Donovan Woods doesn’t sing. He quietly whispers …
There was no marching band. The stage lights were set to “on.” There were no backing tracks, no auto-tune or costume changes. No vocal gymnastics or endless melismas (many notes for one syllable. Think Whitney Houston). There WAS heartfelt, straight-forward singing (in tune), beautiful songs, unrehearsed stage banter, set list spontaneity, and even (god forbid!) a few mistakes. Welcome to …
If you were one of the 70 people at the Anza Club in Vancouver on Friday, CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE A WINNER! You just witnessed a consummate artist perform a great show in an intimate living room-type setting with great sound and an audience that no one needed to shush. If you took Taj Mahal, Randy Newman, Chet Atkins, Lyle Lovett, Elvis …