WET BUT WONDERFUL
Stanfest great event, as always.
The 2017 Stan Rogers Festival has come and gone.
This was my 21st year at the festival and it was the soggiest by far, with three days of rain that closed some of the day stages and moved a number of events into the confines of the Canso Arena.
Having said that, most regulars expected to run into some form of ‘weather’ and were prepared, but two days in rubber boots is not really my style. The music, on the other hand, was fantastic.
Terri Clark sure knows how to do a show. In an event that was moved into the arena, she took the stage solo and held the audience in the palm of her hand — just her, her songs and her great stories,
The star of Sunday’s closing show was Bahamas, an Ontarioborn artist with a gifted writing style, a witty stage presence and wonderful voice. A delight to listen to, he was a stranger to many in the audience, myself included, but he went away with
a lot of new fans.
You expect the better-known East Coast singers to give solid performances and they didn’t disappoint.
Bruce Guthro, Old Mac Luedecke, Erin Costello, Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier all wowed the audience. It was also a pleasure to meet and hear James Gordon in person. I’ve been a fan of his for many years.
There were a number of acts that really got my attention this year, including Brianna Gosse, a Newfoundland artist with a wicked voice. Penny and Sparrow did a version of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall To Pieces” that almost made you forget the perfection of the original. William Prince is a gifted writer with an amazing voice who stood out in whatever setting he appeared.
North Preston’s The Sanctified Brothers wowed their showcase concert and rocked the arena during the Gospel Hour. And their pianist, ECMA winner Reeny Smith, blew the roof off the arena with her rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” For me, that was the stellar moment of the weekend.
Several new acts stood out, including the Salt and Light Bluegrass Band, a North Carolina family group (ages 11-21) who charmed the audience with their talent and presentation. Also, Nick Earle and Joe Coffin, a blues duo from St. John’s, N.L., wowed everyone with musical skills, song selection and maturity. Listening to them it was hard to believe they were only 17 and had just graduated from high school the week before.
I want to mention the energy of Black Umfolosi 5, a song and dance quintet from Zimbabwe, and The Flummies, a combo from Labrador who have been
around forever.
The stories and wonderful harmonies from England’s The Young’un had the audience enthralled.
Finally, up and coming Dylan Menzie was in a showcase called Songs I Wish I’d Written. His version of “Whiter Shade Of Pale” had my hair on end and got a standing ovation from the audience.
So StanFest was a sawoff — the music was wonderful and the weather wasn’t. Next year the weather will be better.
From StanFest I moved right into KitchenFest and caught three shows at The Old Triangle in Sydney and one at the Louisbourg Playhouse with great music every night.
Evans & Doherty did an excellent
show on Monday, Mike Barron, Collie Rankin and Cyril MacPhee rocked the stage on Wednesday and Mairi Rankin, Ryan J. MacNeil and Trevor Kellock held court on Thursday. On Tuesday I enjoyed Joanne MacIntyre and Coig in Louisbourg where Coig showcased its new CD. Not a bad way to recover from StanFest.
So, after that I went to Halifax for a private party where a new band called Plaid & Black entertained. Good vocals and song selection. Great party as well.
Now to rest up for RibFest this coming weekend. Dan MacDonald has been involved with the Cape Breton and East Coast music scene for more than 40 years. He can be reached at creignish_hills@hotmail.com.