Born from Birds

After watching the Great Lake Swimmers I went off to take a quick gander at renaissance. The band was actually born out of the Yardbards, but had a near-complete overhaul early in their career and its true roots are in Phase II of the band, inaugurated with the arrival of guitarist Michael Dunford and other members of The Nashville Teens who were called in to fulfill a performance contract. There were many arrivals, departures and returns before its true heyday in the early half of the 1970s, and the current band can boast at least two majore players from that era.

And here they are, Annie Haslam and the aforementioned Dunford.



We also have David Keyes on bass, a more recent recruit, and Tom Brisling, keyboardist for many (including Marshall Crenshaw, intriguingly enough).



The whole lot, playing Mother Russia.



I soon made my way back to see Andrew Bird's set. Bird's always an interesting performer to watch, though having seen him before the surprise factor wasn't quite as significant. Still, it's pretty amazing to see him construct his loops, though even without his music would be easy on the ear.

First, a snap of Bird's horn and his monkey.



Bird fidddles about.



The man and his monkey.



Percussive action!



Andrew sings!



A shouty bit!



... and some guitar action.



And that's that, other than a few quick snaps of Steve Hackett not worth exploring further.

• Show reminder: Polarity could go either way at The Rainbow.

A little rain must fall

Thursday was one of those days ... woke up feeling exhausted because of the heat, staggered around town looking for a fan, biked off to Bluesfest, broke a bike light, got a flat tire, put in a new innertube, then blew that too. There must be some something sharp I missed when I inspected the tire. About the only thing decent about today - aside from the music - was a gentle dousing of rain that apparently presages relatively cooler temperatures.

Anyway, this is a photographic run through the Ottawa music scene, not a literary run through my neverending complaints, so here's a few Good2Go photos. I had hoped to arrive early and catch more of there set. As it happened I parked my deflated bicycle while they were doing their cover of Fever and only got to hear a couple of tunes.


Good2Go at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

The BushPilots' Rob Bennett was there to kick in some extra guitar.


Good2Go at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

Off to see Great Lake Swimmers, who played a very pleasant set of mostly gentle country rock. Actually they reminded me a bit of Shearwater and Red House Painters, although frontman Tony Dekker's vocals boast a sweeter sound. There was an appropriate shout-out to Riverkeeper between songs.

Tony and violinist Miranda.


Great Lake Swimmers at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

Erik Arnesen on banjo, standup bassist Bret Higgins and drummer Greg Millson.


Great Lake Swimmers at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

When they were done I popped back over to the Subway Stage to snap a few pictures of English prog-rockers Renaissance. They were playing their hit Mother Russia as I zipped by.


Renaissance at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

Then it was back to the Hard Rock Stage for Andrew Bird. It's been quite a while since I've seen the loop-loving violinist, late of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. As he pointed out, the last time he was here was with The New Pornographers at Babylon 10 years ago. He had a giant rotating horn and was sounding good. Not so nice was the cloud of insects that desceneded on the stage as he began his set. Unfortunately I was not feeling good, so I started off home after only 15 minutes.


Andrew Bird at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

I snapped a few photos of ex-Genesis man Steve Hacketton my way to the bike lockup ... actually mostly members of his band ... I though he had a lady bassist, but it turns out to be Nick Beggs of Kajagoogoo in a pinstripe dres and pigtails.


Steve Hackett at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

Guitarist Amanda Lehmann and Beggs.


Steve Hackett at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8, 2010

After that I went off to change my flat tire. I promptly got another flat and had to walk my bike home. D'oh!

• Show reminder: Mother's Children release their swanky new album at Ritual. Lucid 44 and Bear Witness are at the Avant-Garde; Gerry Griffin and Heather Houston are at Irene's;the Elmdale House hosts Riding Shotgun and The Shanks.