Concert and Album Reviews by Deborah Holland
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 …