River Rock: St Marys

Kate and I took three friends to the River Rock Music, Art and Food Festival held just outside of St Marys on Saturday August 15. This festival was organized by the folks behind Lucid Musing Photography -- the venue was their farm on the West River Road.

The festival was very well organized and attendance was limited. I understand some 500 or so guests were there. There was lots of space on the grounds so perhaps next year there will be more present. We met several friends who were only able to stop in briefly.

There were lots of vendors set up under the trees; wine, beer and cider vendors; some good food including Graham's corn and The Wicked Pickle. And, of course, as a music festival, some very good music.

The day started low key with an open mic of interesting amateurs who are learning guitar at Deep Water Music. Then we moved on to more professional acts which are documented in this album. We were especially impressed by Mountain of Wolves, Broomsticks and Hammers and the closing act Samantha Martin & the Delta Sugar.

The fiddle player from Broomsticks and Hammers joined the set with Mountain of Wolves. He was an accomplished performer who fit right in even though he didn't know their tunes. Very impressive.

Samantha Martin's band include Danny Nash on drums. I spoke to Danny as I had recognized her from shows she had fronted at the Fred Eaglesmith Summer Picnic (which happened to be the same weekend).

It was a lovely day and a well organized fete. I hope Lucid Musings has turned a bit of a profit and hope to see the show repeated next year.

This photo album is a small sample of the day.

Kasey Chambers: The Ark, Ann Arbor

Click on photo for Photo Album

Kate and I travelled to Ann Arbor Michigan to see Kasey Chambers and her band at "The Ark" on August 12, 2015. Kasey is an Australian singer in the "Americana" style who we have wanted to see for many years. When we've been in her homeland we've missed seeing her because she's just too darn popular -- she sells out large venues over there.  And they're usually sold out well before we find out. The Ark is a more intimate environment with seating for only 400 or so and we got tickets early. It was a powerfully vibrant show in an intimate environment with an audience who held onto every word, every moment.

The show started with Kasey's dad Bill Chambers who sang a few tunes solo as the opening act. He urged us to buy his CD's as he needs the money more than she does. One funny slip up ... he forgot the chorus to a tune he's been singing for 10 years or more!

Kasey's band lineup this tour includes her dad on guitar, Brandon Dodd on guitar and Josh Dufficy on percussion (they're a young duo that go by the name Grizzlee Train) and a bass player (I've lost his name). Kasey played songs from her recent album "Bitttersweet" as well as tunes from her various albums over the last many years and several new tunes that were very well polished.

Brandon Dodd sang with her on "Rattlin' Bones" a song written with her husband Shane Nicholson -- they're no longer a couple. And the Grizzlee Train were able to play a few songs of their own.

As I said, it was an attentive appreciative audience. None of that bar room chatter where people ignore the performance and yell at one another over top of the music. The band, of course, had a standing room encore -- Kasey said we needn't have done so, they'd be out anyway!

Kasey has a powerful voice with quite a range. She tells us she had been off for a while to rest her voice and recover from surgery on her vocal chords. She sounds as good as ever but gosh you worry when she belts out a loud one. That's got to be hard on your voice.

Our friends Deborah and Jerry, who kindly put us up at their place, said it was probably the best live music concert they've ever been too. I'd have to agree, it was indeed!

Here's some photos from the concert.