Ahira's Hangar

I do not know if this counts as a concert or not, but they had this guy come out during one of the intermissions during the hockey game at Joe Louis last night and he sang this song. I do not usually listen to top 40 country stuff, so am not familiar with ths singer...

This song is one that Taras would approve of.

Last night's opening concert of Winnipeg Folkfest was fabulous. Normally it's a four-day event, but yesterday was an extra because Elvis Costello could play that night. I didn't know his music too well, but I was glad I went, because he absolutely rocked the place. He even gave a 40-minute encore. I was very impressed! The night's opening act, the Lovell Sisters, a wonderful (and HAWT!) female bluegrass trio from Georgia, also joined Elvis for a couple of numbers. When they let people crowd close to the stage, I happened to be there already, so luckily I got a good view of Costello's performance. Heh, my eardrums didn't suffer too much (I don't think). A most memorable night of music-making.

Well, Folkfest 2009 has come and gone. Aside from some rough spots, overall it was another fantastic marathon of good music. Got home around midnight; this was the first time I stayed right to the end. There were many good performers, plenty of new discoveries for me.

Steven Page, Arlo Guthrie and Loreena McKennitt headlined the closing concert. McKennitt actually replaced k.d. lang, who withdrew from the festival due to some family medical problem. That suited me fine, since I love McKennitt's music but had never seen her live before. Steven Page didn't really interest me, so I skipped his set - besides, it gave me time for supper. (Folkfest has excellent food vendors.) Arlo Guthrie doesn't do it for me either, but the Guthrie name is like royalty in folk music so I felt obliged to check him out. Well, his songs didn't win me over, but his chats in between songs did: Arlo sure tells great stories. I enjoyed his funny account of his first day at Woodstock. Also liked his insights into songwriting, especially when he humourously (and humbly) compared himself to Bob Dylan. Great stuff. We could've just listened to Arlo talk for the whole evening. Musically, McKennitt was for me the highlight of the night. That said, she wasn't the most spontaneous of personalities - unlike, say, Guthrie. Same could be said of her concert performance. It was very polished...but maybe a tad too polished.

Anyway, I feel the true "folk" heart of the festival is in the daytime shows, when I can wander around the different mini-stages, or just plant my butt at one and see the different acts that come through. There's a sense of closer connection to performers on these smaller stages. The dilemma is that there are always interesting acts I miss completely, simply because I can't be at every venue at once.

Wow. McKennitt has an amazing, ethereal voice. Must have been amazing to get to hear her in concert.

Definitely. McKennitt's voice is one of the most distinctive I've ever heard.

I am so freaking excited.
Beorn's first full-fledged-all-out-with-amazing-light-show concert.
TSO in Orlando tonight!

I must remember to bring ear plugs for Paul and Beorn to dampen the sound.
Me, I'll take full throttle please.

Here are some videos to get hyped up!

I bet you guys will hav a wonderful time, Menolly!

going to see TSO on the 30th this month, looking forward to it!!

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!