Summerfolk 2014

I was a first timer at this festival this year, and have already put it on my calendar to go again next year, despite the cold on Friday and pouring rain on Saturday.  Now, that's the sign of a fantastic festival!!!  

Did you attend the audience vs. performers game Down By The Bay?  Seeing Drew earn my team points with his "My Funny Valentine" rendition was a total highlight of the festival for me.

Another moment that made me happy was to find the wonderful musical petting zoo, an interactive exhibit of FOLK instruments.  At least 100 unique instruments!!!  It makes sense to me that Todd's Musical Petting Zoo is well received at FOLK festivals across North America, including Summerfolk, Mariposa and Home County, year after year.  Todd Crowley is an exhibitor, not a vendor, which I see as a shame in some ways, because I think the zoo helps to sell instruments, or at least sell the idea of playing a folk instrument.... What's the difference between an autoharp and a zither?  I can't wait to visit again to find out! 

I remember seeing a cello in action, and at least one fiddle.  I know there was at least one concert-sized ukulele, a banjo uke and a baritone uke, because I played each of them for a while.  Is there a difference between a bazooki and an octave mandolin? I think I tried both... as well as a regular mandolin.  With I was trying out the hammer dulcimer I said to the zoo proprietor that if this was MY zoo, there would be a laminated card taped to every instrument that told us what it is, where it comes from and a little bit about how to play it, ha.  I was happy to find the Merlin in tune and to have it in my hands when a celebrity passed by because you can't make a bad sound with that thing, and it really projects!  I think I browsed an accordian, charango, cuatro, harp, kantele, limberjack, psaltery, requinto, and a vihuela.  I forgot to try the saw, but enjoyed meeting the tres.  I thought the drum and percussion section was a little lame.  Was that because of the weather? I'd never known before how drum heads have to be protected from damp, rainy weather, even more so than all the stringed instruments... 

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At the late nite/early morning campfire, I don't know why I didn't think to borrow a guitar! Instead of continually crashing and burning on uke, with botched and unfinished tunes, because I have been practicing too much piano lately ha. D'oh!  For sure another of the magic moments for me was when Aimee did 100 Miles (both nights), and I also loved joining in with Heather singing accompanied by tuba and two harmonicas!

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It's true I broke my festival tradition of random wandering by ear, and checked out all 4 of the sets Danny Michel and Six Shooter had mentioned on facebook and twitter in advance.  I was glad I did, even though he never did pass around any of the percussion toys in his workshop suitcase!  I got to sit on Adam's couch for that workshop, while he borrowed my umbrella to return back stage - putting his djembe into said carrying case for him afterwards was hilarious, because I was trying to fit it in upside down!

Did I mention I really liked Allysha Brilla's music?  Groovy guitar, clarinet, saxophone and a delicious voice to singalong with -- And, the rest of her band was also really awesome!

Other highlights from the various stages included:

Seeing Union Duke from Toronto again was a blast, big-city rocking bluegrass-country, with banjo, boy harmonies, chicken-pickin’ electric guitars and a fast driving, heel-stomping beat. I love the tambourine cymbal technique!

Coco Love Alcorn was so, so awesome - especially at the gospel set with her tiny trumpet and extraordinary and stunning voice, and a fresh sounding mix of jazz, soul and folk.  What a playful, witty, joyful, genuine, and compelling performer.

Mike Stevens and Okaidja Afroso with their complex interlocking rhythms of Africa that meet the soulful and rich melodies of North American blues and country. 

Quique Escamilla is a powerful guitar player with a voice and passionate delivery to match, that fuses traditional Mexican styles of music such as ranchera and huapango with modern flavours of rock, reggae, ska, pop, jazz, cumbia, bolero, It was interesting to learn about the various social and political issues such as human and civil rights, immigration reform, global conservation, anti-racism and Indigenous rights that he supports.

"The strongest heart is a tender heart," Metis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume offers a catchy, moving singing voice and guitar style in her  accessible roots-pop arrangements.

24th Street Wailers blew me away. A most original and exciting band with a woman on lead vocals and the drum kit, one of the best guitarists I have ever seen - another young woman.  The quartet had tight grooves, inspirational energy and an unadulterated live show.

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It was also fantastic to meet an occasional jam buddy, and be thus encouraged to join in the Jumble Jam.  Out celebrity song co-writer was David Sereda.  Whether a cappella, solo at the piano, or with his stellar ensemble, David’s joy of singing is irresistible. He blends folk, gospel, soul and pop with a restless flair.  Ours was a piano based tune - I wish that I had a photo of our turn on stage to perform it.  I remember being willing to share a mic with Barry but not with one of the other singers, who's voice wasn't such an easy match for mine, and thus a whole new mic and stand had to be brought out, which made me feel so high maintenance I asked them if they could also bring me a new hat.

Gonna drive, gonna drive across the prairies to the mountains

So alive so alive I can almost taste the sea

Gonna drive gonna drive thru the mountain to the the coastline

So alive so alive wanna feel you close to me

                           floating thru the afternoon

                             knowing i will hold you soon

Seattle in the Summertime (with echo)

Seattle in the Summertime (echo)

 ~ spicy bazouki and bell solo

I'm never gonna go back again X2

Seattle in the Summertime etc etc  including la la la's

[G] Gonna drive, .... across the [Em] prairies to the [D] coastline

We're alive ... [ same chords]

[F]And I'm never gonna  [C]  go    back  [G]  again ,

[F]And I'm never gonna  [C]  go    back  [D]  again ,

[G ] Seattle in the summertime  [Em  D]

It is true that I did buy myself a nice new warm layer from Sylph!