FESTIVAL REVIEWS

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"This was our first visit to a festival that is rapidly earning a
reputation as one of B.C.'s primary music events. Over the past few
years - since Artistic Director Doug Cox too over - Island Musicfest has
presented some of the biggest names in roots music, and this year the
line-up was especially tempting, so off we went - with our tent,

We arrived on Saturday around 5pm, and heard Karan Casey and her band in
fine form. Karan is one of Ireland's finest singers, and her new CD,
"Chasing The Sun" (sadly, a very appropriate title for the weekend!)
contains some truly stunning songs - most notably "The Brown & The Yellow
Ale". This is one of many songs she learned from the Irish singer and
collector Frank Harte. It is a sort of 18th century "Indecent Proposal",
where a couple are met by a stranger who asks to borrow the woman for an
hour and a day. Leaving the decision to his wife, the singer is alarmed
that she chooses to go with the stranger, and when she returns and
recounts her experience, the husband is so stricken with grief that he
dies. It is a song that bears repeated listening, it has such stark
imagery, yet is a short, simple tale. Karan Casey was Harte's
chosen chanteuse in the mission to preserve this amazing legacy.
Perfect choice, for her voice is crystal clear, highly expressive,
and passionate.

We managed to get the tent put up during the next set - Shari Ulrich & Roy
Forbes - in one of the three camp sites. Ours was the Volunteers Camp
Site, adjacent to main stage, and not plagued by late night invasions
suffered in the main camp site - sadly. It seems that the festival has
reached capacity - around 8,000 per day - and has in a sense become a
victim of its own success. It is most unfortunate that we can't seem to
enjoy events like this because of the behaviour of a mindless few
hooligans.

Saturday's concert concluded with memorable sets by Ladysmith Black
Mambazo and R&B veteran Bo Diddley. The South African legends demonstrated great showmanship and of course wonderful singing,
and enthralled the audience with a long set - whose highlight was their original version of "Homeless". Bo Diddley is 76 years old, and he was backed up by Doyle Bramhall's Texas Blues Band. He was great fun! I wonder why he sang "He Bo Diddley" three times, rather than "Who Do You Love?" or "I'm A Man" or one of his other signature songs, though. His rap song was brilliant, and a
reminder that he was very much a pioneer of the genre.

There are seven stages at this festival, so there was lots to choose from
on the Sunday. One of the highlights was a traditional song showcase, with
Renbourn & McShee, Karan Casey, Maria Dunn, Ken Hamm, Deanna Knight, and Dave Somers. Karan and Jacqui sang some truly stunning unaccompanied
songs, Ken Hamm and John Renbourn played some amazing guitar licks, and
Maria Dunn added a touch of humour and Canadian history with her songs of
Alberta's working women. Again it was Karan Casey who brought the house
down, with another of Frank Harte's translations from the original Irish -
"Donal Og".

The daytime programming on the main stage concluded with TOFU, and their
melodic, poetic sounds. Contrast this k"naan, who also use spoken word and
hip-hop beats, but whose message was a little too angst-ridden for me.

After dinner our first main stage highlight was Eliza Gilkyson, who has
just released two new CDs, "Paradise Hotel" and a retrospective of her
earlier albums. She is a marvellous story teller as well as singer and
songwriter, and she was in fine form, weaving tales of love and obsession
and political estrangement in and around her songs. I must get my hands on
her new CDC immediately! Like Karan Casey, Eliza Gilkyson is a woman with
a lot to say, a compelling voice and presence, and I am a more than
willing listener!

Next came the Prince of Polyester, David Lindley, playing solo on his
customary array of exotic stringed instruments. New, extended versions of
"The Jimmy Hoffa Memorial Building Blues" and the encore, "Cat Food
Sandwiches" were the highlights. The latter contained some truly revolting
references to back stage food. I won't spoil the surprise. Just go to see
him at Rime on July 29th, but be careful what you eat before the show!

Keb' Mo' was next. I had only seen him once before - at the Winnipeg Folk
Festival a long time ago. I had no idea that he was THAT good! He played a
wonderful set of laid-back acoustic blues and originals, and I rushed off
to the CD tent to grab a couple of his discs just before they closed for
the weekend.

The closing act was Texas drummer Doyle Bramhall with his blues trio. They
had backed Bo Diddley the previous night. This time Doyle was front and
centre on vocals as well as drums, and the former band mate of the late
Stevie Ray Vaughan delivered a powerful set of Texas blues and R&B.

Afterwards we had great fun - fuelled by Merridale's glorious Merri Berri
Cider - chatting away with Karan Casey and Niall Vallely and co. about all
sorts of music and tales of the road.

It was appreciably warmer when we retired to base camp, but just as the
sun came up it started raining, and boy, did it rain! We eventually found
a break in the downpour long enough to pack a wet tent and head south in
search of warmer climes (and Merridale's Cider Farm and Bistro!)

Many thanks to Doug Cox and his extremely friendly and helpful staff and
voluneteers. Island Musicfest is assuredly one of BC's finest festivals.
Comparisons with others are futile. Each festival has its own special
aura. Each can be enjoyed with considerable relish. I don't know if I
would camp there again (but with better weather I might be tempted) but I
will certainly return in future years. (I also heartily recommend
Merridale's Cider Farm, with its delightful Orchard Trail and its
faeries - the cider and food are pretty darned good, too!)"

"Hi! It was my first year at Music Fest, and "hats off" to everyone who
did such a wonderful job in planning! It was fabulous! Much more than I
expected! I know I'll be back again!

I absolutely LOVED the Sunday morning Gospel Choir! My favourite
event of the whole weekend! Next would be "Ladysmith Black Mambazo",
then "Cousin Harley", "the very young girl with the powerful voice"
(forgot her name); and many of the others were also very excellent -
great variety!

Todd Butler is an awesome emcee!!!! I think he should sing in between
every act! Actually, I think he should be a mainstage performer! (AND
sing in between every act!) I'm still laughing about the Saskatchewan
song... and the joke about the "club" on the steering wheel! That was
fabulous!!

The volunteers were so friendly! The activities for the children were just fantastic! Part of me wished I was a child again to participate in some of those wonderfully creative activities!

The "outhouses" were the cleanest I've ever been in! I'm sure that
doesn't sound like a big deal, but imagine what a "damper" it would put
on the weekend if they were "gross" and you'd want to "hold it in"
rather than going in there... being uncomfortable for long stretches of
time! :-) It's one of those things that seems insignificant .. but I
sure appreciated it!!"

"Huge thankyou to the organizing committee for another fantastic weekend - great lineup, and major kudos for booking K'Naan - possibly the first 'Rap' act at Musicfest, but he even had a bunch of us middle-aged 'anti-rap' stodges bouncing and clapping to his amazing poetry and messaging. Hassan Hakmoun was incredible also, and his jamming with Jeremiah McDade and others on the Grierson stage was the best live music I've heard in years. And the Bayou Swamp guys – superb. "

"I want to thank you ALL (and I know the you ALL includes hundreds of people!) for hosting such an amazing weekend. We came up with our 16-year old daughter, and her very good friend. The four us of had a brilliant time - and will still be tingling from such an incredible music hit for weeks and weeks to come!"

"Just wanted to let you know I was at the Music Fest, First timer, with friends 8 of us altogether, We all had a great time and hope to be able to come again next year.

The music was great the food was also great. Nice to have so much variety with both. Also thank you for the great camping facilities and well looked after portapotties. All was great.

We camped in the farthest area by the entry gate and had a great time there. All was great
Looking forward to coming and camping again and spending the weekend on site next year.

If anyone complains about anything I suggest they may be winers."

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