Okay, let’s face it, I’m old. I’m old like “I saw Joan Baez in concert” old. So for me the idea of folk music brings forward a memory of when music was a movement. People like Joan (Baez and Armatrading) Bob (Dylan of course), Peter, Paul and Mary, Jackson Browne and others were pointing out how bad the world was getting. Meanwhile artists like Ferron, Paul Simon, Janice Ian and Don McLean were teaching me how the quiet moments of our lives were perhaps the most perfect. And don’t even get me started on Leonard Cohen. The man was a god of poetry.
And my education about folk music sort of stopped there. The new British invasion hit, and I was dancing in the nightclubs to Pet Shop Boys, Culture Club and Alison Moyet. (Seriously, look her up. She’s awesome) The folk movement moved on, and I kind of became oblivious. Truth be told, while I’ve had my head buried in the sands of time, some really great performers have emerged.
Artists like Jeremy Dutcher. What an amazing voice this man has. He’s an Indigenous artist trained in the classical (read “operatic”) tradition who returned to his roots. I don’t need to understand everything he sings to be moved by his voice. And I mean moved.
And while I’m on the topic of beautiful vocalists, ever taken a listen to Dobet Gnahore? Her voice is a smooth pillow you can rest on, but her beats are enough to get you up on your feet. Think Sade, but more energetic. She is a perfect example of why we cannot close our borders. Born in the Cote D’ivoire, her family fled to France when civil war erupted. She’s won multiple awards for her artistry, so I’m obviously late to this party. I’m not sure if she’s performing with her band: Na Afriki, but either way, with band or solo, I will be following the sound of her voice. That beautiful voice…
Barney Bentall is on the program. I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing him live, but I will be taking this opportunity now. He’s kind of retired to his ranch in BC, so I have no idea what kind of sacrifices the programmers had to perform to get him out here, but I’m all in, and plan to be front and centre when he takes the stage
There is so much amazing happening this weekend that I don’t know where to start. But I will be there Friday morning, and I will stick around long enough to be re-educated on what modern folk music has to offer.
Some of the performers I’m looking forward to: James Vincent McMorrow. Haunting voice. If I listen carefully to his lyrics, his songs will remain with me for life…
Hayley Wallis. Another Indigenous artist who is crossing boundaries into the mainstream.
And I am really looking forward to Shan E-Punjab Arts Club. I may be old, but you will see me bouncing around. My dance training may be decades behind me but I hope my energy can keep up.
I Hope to see you there too. I will tell you all about it as I experience it.
