Sweet Soulful Saturday Evening Songs
**Photos have been added!
RED ROCK, ON – Saturday, August 7th, 2010 – The bluesy sound of Cindy Doire’s voice opened up the main stage yesterday evening. Another beautiful evening the crowd looked on as Doire pumped out a sweet soulful song about a friend of hers in Toronto.
The crowd, a little bigger than Friday, enjoyed the bilingual songs that Doire performed. Along with her guitar, another stringed instrument added almost a Spanish sound to a classic French waltz. Her debut album La vie en bleu was available for sale at the Music and More station.
Brock Zeman and guitarist Blair Hogan serenaded the crowd with songs like ‘Raise Your Hands’ and ‘The Rain’; a new song, joked Zeman, that will be on the new album being released in 2018. Cindy Doire joined the duet to finish the song ‘The Rain’. The three singers combined their voices to draw tears from some of the big-hearted folkers in the crowd.
Jory Nash, hosting the evening, said that he is proud to be a folk music artist even though there are not that many rock star moments to be had.
“But I finally had one!” Nash exclaimed. He went on to tell the crowd about his rock star moment in a crowded elevator. A gentleman recognized him and said something like “Wow, you are Jory Nash, my wife and I love your music……it’s our do it music!” The crowd joined Nash in his laughter.
Bearing a banjo, built by Nash’s father, and nothing else, Steve Schellenberg performed his rendition of Hush a bye, a classic lullaby known to all. With a gracious applause Schellenberg stepped up the pace and played and upbeat jig-style tune that had everyone’s toes tapping.
“People always ask me where the ideas of my songs come from,” Schellenberg said. “Truth is, I just don’t know.” He went on to explain that not every song comes from a personal experience. “This next song is about things I have never done, places I have never been.” The song ‘Hit the Ground Running’ demonstrated Schellenberg’s strong country roots.
Folkers young and old scattered the Marina park, many of them nice and tan from the ominous sun that blessed the festival. Kudos goes to this year’s artistic director Liz Harvey-Foulds who was applauded by the crowd for her contributions to this year’s festival. Harvey-Foulds anticipates that she will be away teaching in China next summer and has announced that Jennifer Ives will be the acting artistic director in her absence.
“We will work together to program the festival,” Harvey-Foulds said. “But Jennifer will take care of business while I am away.”
The current volunteer committee hopes to ensure the festival continues on for decades.
“New blood brings new ideas and new energy,” Harvey-Foulds shared. “So do think about becoming involved in the festival on a year-round basis. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll meet some wonderful people.”
Heather Bishop, a champion for women’s and gay rights, graced the stage with her stories and strong presence. The Manitoba woman has spent her life trying to make a difference through her music. The crowd laughed in unison as she told a story using a clever play on words in her rendition of ‘Rinder-Cella’.
As she began a classic waltz, the crowd joined in harmoniously singing the Tennesee Waltz; enjoying a standing ovation, she exited the stage with a smile.
As Big Dave Maclean and his band began setting up Jory Nash performed another interactive song with the crowd; a rendition of My Girl. After a bit of convincing and practice Nash finally got a satisfying ‘My Girl’ from the crowd.
With the sound of authentic country blues, Maclean took the stage and started the show with his rendition of ‘Never Goin’ Home’. He belted out his true Blues sound and it echoed against the rock like thunder.
Joined by Manitoba Hal, a performer for today’s (Sunday) stage, they performed the 1927 hit, Atlanta morning, which was dedicated to Liz Harvey-Foulds. With this classic song Manitoba Hal belted out on the ukulele as Maclean pounded on his steel-bodied guitar, a sound that spread through the park.
Rita Chiarelli, the queen of the blues, took the stage with a strong performance; she even began to fill the designated dance area with dancing folkers.
“I feel like I am making love in a hurry!” Chiarelli exclaimed. “I only have 45 minutes to give you everything I got.”
Chiarelli’s epic hailing and soulful blues sound captured the audience’s attention. With songs like Rest My Bones Chiarelli brings alive her performance with emotion. Her facial expressions and powerful strumming helped everyone feel the music.
The Auditor General is a young North Shore-born group. The four artists brought a blues/rock/alexisonfire sound. Cheered on by the youngsters of the crowd, the group belted out some unique, youthful yet wise ‘rockin’ blues’.
“We are glad to be here tonight,” the lead singer said. “And I am pretty sure this is the biggest crowd we have ever played for, so Thank You!”
The young, up and coming band intrigued young listeners and reinforced the saying, ‘Young or old, all you need is folk.”
Finishing the evening was Slap Johnson & the Trowellers. The group packed the designated dance area. The group is celebrating their 24th anniversary of their musical institution in Thunder Bay. Their talent was demonstrated in their seasoned sound.
As things began to wind down folkers began to trickle back to their campers, tents and boats to get a good night sleep for today, while the exuberant crowd enjoyed the last moments of the night.
The festival continued today from noon to 5:30 p.m. feauring performers like Kim Churchill, Manitoba Hal and Ian Tamblyn.
Photography by Charmaine Beaulieu, OntarioNewsNorth.com
[cincopa 10704604]
