Philadelphia Folk Festival: Reports from the scene

[CameronCat]

Hi all

Just finished another tour of volunteering at the 53rd Phila. Folk Fest; I've been at it for many years, and this was a good one. I work on a crew that needs to be there several days prior to the weekend, so I'm on the grounds a lot. Something I noticed this year is that the number of kilt wearers is increasing -- the affliction is spreading!

Many of the guys on a variety of crews (and a couple of the musicians as well) were wearing kilts through the week and weekend. The surprise to me was how few tartan kilts were present. Most of what I saw -- almost all in fact -- were black or tan pieces by Utilikilt, Amerikilt or others. Except for the official piper who starts the show, I saw only two tartan kilts all weekend on attendees. One was a nicely done PV Isle of Skye worn with a polo shirt, scrunched socks and biker boots; perfect for a day outside. The other rig was rather awful, perhaps a fashion plaid or Auntie's drapes repurposed, worn with a Jacobite shirt and an attempt at a fly plaid. It looked costume-ghastly in its entirety.

On the music front, we had an abundance of fiddlers this year (Yay!). High point was of course Natalie MacMaster with her band. If you've not seen her in person, take the first chance that comes by. She's that good, and YouTube doesn't do her justice. She did a 55 minute set and stood still for perhaps a half-minute of the time. She is always in motion, bounding and dancing around the stage. Trying to photograph her with a cell phone is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle -- can't be done!

Another group with an amazing fiddler is "Ten strings and a Goatskin." That would be fiddle, guitar and bodhran/ small drums.
They're pretty astounding and I'd love to put their fiddler in a room w/ Ms. MacMaster ... you'd have to search for survivors.

If you're into American old-timey music, check out the "Orpheus Supertones", a group of excellent musicians and players. They specialize in "back porch music" that's just plain fun.

Obviously with 5 daytime stages and 3 mainstage concerts, we had a lot of great and varied talent. If you're interested, the complete lists are at http://folkfest.org. It was a great time and I'll be back next year.

[pbutts]

Tell us more...who else was good? My college roommate grew up working the festival and we went out to volunteer a number of summers in the early '80s.

[CameronCat]

Tell us more...who else was good? My college roommate grew up working the festival and we went out to volunteer a number of summers in the early '80s.

Heh! ... how long you got to listen? Three days of music and well over a hundred performers. My notes, in no particular order:

Janis Ian still has it; she did a very good mainstage set and a couple workshops. Scot Archie Fisher brought Garnet Rogers onstage to do a couple tunes including Stan's "Witch of the Westmoreland." Tommy Emmanuel from Australia was very good, playing some very thoughtful tunes. Shemekia Copeland did a humorous and tear-your-hat-off gospel/ blues set that had the crowd dancing. The Rebirth Brass Band laid in some good New Orleans street music. Tempest tore the place down on Friday night with their high energy, dare you to sit still performance.

Saturday afternoon highlight was the "Songs of Pete Seeger" workshop with Janis Ian, Josh White Jr, John Flynn and several others. It was just what Pete would have loved, a very participatory group sing with a lot of story telling thrown in as well.

Some of the acts were a little more rock-and-rolly and not to my taste. They book 'em to attract the 'yoof' market ... (One group prompted a member of my crew to ask no one in particular, "Do they actually play music or is it all just drums and screaming?") But taken on net, this year's festival was a particularly good mix of trad and modern music.

Hope they can do the same next year.

[pbutts]

Archie Fisher brought Garnet Rogers onstage to do a couple tunes including Stan's "Witch of the Westmoreland.".

Now I'm jealous. We got to see both Archie and Garnet a couple of times out this way in the mid-80s (just after Stan's passing). Missed them at the Ark this spring, too....damn. Glad you had fun.