Hollerado put on a typically energetic set of their smart guitar rock. They remind me at times of Weezer. I suspect if they'd come around 10 years ago they'd be huge; as it stands there was a small (for Bluesfest, I'm talking about a few hundred people) but appreciative audience, including Louise Brown, who is a major fan and fielded a water bottle tossed by lead singer Menno Versteeg.
Hollerado, MBNA Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
They brought in some of the Uplift Gospel Choir to add vocals to a vocals to a few songs like Fake Drugs and Americanarama.
Uplift Gospel Choir with Hollerado, MBNA Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
I planned to go to the Black Sheep Stage, but with a few minutes to kill I decided to watch some of Paul Reddick's performance. He was on next at the Telecommunications Giant Stage. I reviewed and enjoyed Paul's Villanelle when it came out a few years back, and his rootsy blues-folk has its appeal.
Paul Reddick, Rogers Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
That said, I figured a good time was to be had watching Woodhands perform. They didn't have any female vocal accompaniment for this show (unlike a previous gig I caught at Club SAW), but still had the crowd dancing through a rainshower that lasted up until they performed a cover of Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue.
Woodhands, Black Sheep Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
That done I went over to see Becky Abbot perform on the main stage. She brought a sultry touch to covers of Neko Case's Hold On, Hold On and Lucinda Williams' Changed The Locks. She has a nice voice and as I've observed before looks smashing, but I far prefer the originals.
Becky Abbot, MBNA Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
I did a circle around the Bluesfest setup to return to the BlackSheep Stage, which included a brief viewing of Louisiana Red on the Fast Food Chain Stage and a brief pause to contemplate the T-shirts (sample motto: "Jesus Never Tapped Out") at the Hard Rock Stage, which was given over to gospel acts. He's playing again today in the Barney Danson Theatre
Louisiana Red, Subway Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
The Deep Dark Woods are a Saskatoon band sometimes described as "alt-country". Judging from their performance on the Black Sheep Stage, I'd say they've listened a lot to the The Basement Tapes. Their show was quite entertaining, though it too was accompanied by a start-to-finish rain shower.
Deep Dark Woods, Black Sheep Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
After that there was still a few minutes of Otis Taylor's set at the Telecommunications Giant Stage. He was doing a good job of impressed the youngsters waiting for Ludacris to show with his psychedelic blues.
Otis Taylor, Rogers Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
I wondered a bit more. I was surprised to see Papa Mali performing on the Fast Food Chain Stage. Turns out he is also part of Rhythm Council. I didn't catch enough of the set to say more.
Rhythm Council, Subway Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
I went back to the Black Sheep Stage to see what That 1 Guy was all about. First he played a song on his boot. Then he played a song on that piping gizmo he uses. The lyrics struck me as a bit like a nursery rhyme. It was a very rhythmic performance - let's say he's the Les Claypool of pipe and boot. He's also playing again today in the Barney Danson Theatre.
That 1 Guy, Black Sheep Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
After grabbing something to eat I settled down in front of the Fast Food Chain Stage to watch David Lindley. I'm a big fan of his work with Kaleidoscope, and he's an acknowledged master of a variety of stringed instruments. He covered Blind Willy Johnson's Soul of A Man, Warren Zevon's Seminole Bingo and Bruce Springsteen's Brothers Under The Bridge, separating each with an interesting and sometimes amusing introduction. Although Ludacris' set occasionally bled in, for the most part it was an entrancing demonstration of his colossal skill as a musician and his compelling voice. I think I'm going to catch him again today at the Hard Rock Stage.
David Lindley, Subway Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
After that I just hunkered down and waited for Drive-By Truckers to take the stage. I have all their albums and both their DVDs, so you could say I'm a fan. I thought they played an awesome set and the rest of the crowd seemed to agree. Best of all, they ran out the clock on their encore, playing for an hour and 45 minutes in all.
Drive-By Truckers, Subway Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
Drive-By Truckers, Subway Stage, Bluesfest, July 18, 2009
Always good to see a performer live up to your expectations.
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