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People Who Think They Can

People who think they can
I want to be just like those
Who think they can
I want to be not so far away
From where I'd planned to be by now
Time has a bad habit of flying
I was sleeping when it passed me by

I was dreaming of what
I would wear when I got there
It's not easy being green
In a world where you have to
Tread on other people
Just to find a place
To put your wares on
Show it's not required
That you sing, write or play
Just wear the tightest one
And smile in that certain way and
Think you can

Guitar solo

I wanna be not so far away
From where I planned to be
Good things come to those who wait
I'm going to lift my head
And keep my back up straight
And when it matters most
And I can't be found I'll just
Climb to the top
And you will find me
Hanging around with
People who think they can

- The Waifs

Folk Fest Day 4

On Sunday I decided to let myself sleep in, and didn't show up until 1:00.

First I caught the last little bit of a Gospel session featuring Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Betty Lavette.

Then for the afternoon mainstage I saw David Bromberg and Angel Band, who was quite good.

Then I saw a concert by Show of Hands, which was one of the two best sessions of the festival in my opinion. These guys are great.

Then I caught another good session featuring Ron Kavana, Greg Brown, Chumbawamba, and David Bromberg.

After that I had to work from 6-9:30. I caught the last few songs by The Blind Boys of Alabama, who were really amazing. For the last performer, Sarah Hamer, I went and sat near the top of the hill and smoked a joint.

At the final Party was Salif Keita, Baka Beyond, and Amos Garret and the Festival House band.

Show of Hands

Party with Salif Keita

Baka Beyond

Folk Fest Day 3

My Saturday started with one of the two best sessions of the weekend. This was K'naan, Show of Hands, and Chumbawamba. Chumbawamba was the big suprise of the festival for me. Like most people, I was only familier with them as the one hit wonder who did Tubthumping (I get knocked down but I get up again) in the late 90's. They have gone competely acoustic now and area a very good folk band. They're also quite political. Their drummer once poured a pitcher of ice water over the head of the Deputy Prime Minister of England, they recorded a spoken word album with Noam Chompsky, and they sold a song to General Motors donated the proceeds to an anti General Motors Campaign. I was also blown away by Show of Hands, they're probably my favorite band that was at the festival this year. They are one of Englands most successfull folk/roots groups.

After that I wandered around for a bit catching a few different acts at different stages, before volunteering from 2-6.

On the mainstage tonight was Betty Lavette, Feist, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Cockburn, and David Gray. The best act was David Gray, he put on an amazing show.

I didn't stay too late at the party on Saturday, just saw one band, an African band called Lagbaja.

Chumbawamba

David Gray

Folk Fest Day 2

On Friday my shift was from 2-6, so I was finished before the music started. I first caught a session featuring The Waifs, Paul Kelly, Sandy Scofield, and Lynn Miles. I really like The Waifs, they're a folk rock group from Australia who have played the festival several times. Paul Kelly is also from Australia and is also very good.

The next session saw was Bill Bourne, Baka Beyond, Karine Polwart, and K'naan. K'naan was the act I was most looking forward to seeing this year, and I was not disapointed. He was born in Somalia and came to Canada as a refugee when he was ten. His music is a blend of hip hop and traditional African music. Baka Beyond also really impressed me. The members are from six different countries and they play a mix of Celtic, Gaelic and West African music.

Then on the mainstage I saw Susan Tedeschi, The Neville Brothers, and Hawksley Workman.

After the mainstage, I was off to the volunteer party. I saw the Holmes Brothers for a bit, then went up to the quiet room and saw a good acoustic jam session featuring Ron Kavana, members of Show of Hands, Baka Beyond, and others. Then it was back to the party room for a great cajun band called Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys

Vicky Simpson from The Waifs

K'naan and Baka Beyond

The Neville Brothers

Folk Fest Day 1

Well another Edmonton Folk Music Festival has come and gone.

On Thursday I volunteered from 6:00 - 9:00, So I missed most of the acts. I did sneak away to catch a couple songs by K'naan. And after my shift I saw part of the Waifs' set, and then Linda Ronstadt, and both were great.

More to come...

Heritage Days

Today I went to Heritage Days. I was expecting to go with someone but got brushed off. Oh well, I had a good time anyway. Here's some pictures I took.

Folk Fest

Today I picked up my volunteer shirt, schedule, etc. for the Folk Fest. I'm excited, the Folk Fest is my favorite time of year. This year in particular I'm looking forward to seeing K'naan, The Neville Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, The Waifs, Bedouin Soundclash, David Gray and David Bromberg. I've looked over the shedule and pretty much have my weekend planned out already. The session I'm most looking forward to is K'naan with Chumbawamba and Show of Hands on Saturday morning. Unfortunately I'll have to miss the blues set on Saturday afternoon, which looks really good too.

It's a Strange World

"It's a strange world. Some people get rich and others eat shit and die"

- Hunter S. Thompson