MyWeek in Music April 25th to May 2nd
by Scott Zensen
Photos by: Scott Zensen
It was a big week last week and to tell the truth I could have just put up the second article from last week here instead of a new article this week. But I did manage to get to two shows this week. I don't have pics for the second show because I was planning on going to a third show with all the same musicians that were on the second show I did this week but things don't always go as planned.
So this week was a big show. An all day two day event. Hopefully many of you went. I am of course talking about the 34th Annual Adams Ave Roots Festival held in Normal Heights. The festival is put on by the Adams Ave Business Association. Now the kind of music put on for this event is not the same as the 26th Annual Adams Ave Street Fair which is another Annual event held here every year in September. The last event was on September 23rd and 24th, this years event will be on the 29th and 30th of September 2007. But the Roots Festival puts on a good show, mostly music that has its Root's in early music in America, that reflect the rich folk roots and traditions of music styles such as Blues, vintage swing, Appalachian, Norteņo, country boogie, old-time string music, cowboy yodeling, Western, Cajun, Celtic, etc. with an occasional exception of someone who skirts the edge.
The Coyote Problem is one of those band's I speak of that definitely skirts that edge. When you listen to them with lead singer and songwriter Peter Bolland you hear some of those roots as his band plays some outstanding country rock style songs. Some of their music is more country and some is a little closer to rock. But its good music. I know all the band and they are good friends. So I stayed for their entire show both times they were on Saturday. I had planned to go on Sunday but some personal problems arose I and i was unable to do so. But Saturday was a killer day! The day went on and I tried to catch everyone who was on one of the 6 staged areas for music. But sometimes I was unable to finish listening to one before I had to move on to another Stage and another band. A list of the Bands that played on Saturday were: The Coyote Problem,Sara Petite and The Sugar Daddies (Sara sang four different sets at the festival and she had a different band and outfit for each one). also there was Eben Brooks (which I missed getting to his stage on time), Robin Henkel who put on a super show in the Beer Garden. The Brombies, Los Californios, Allen Singer, Curt Bowtese, Paige Aufhammer (whom I missed). Anna Troy (didn't think I would miss her did ya!) Patty Hall, Tomcat Courtney (who was really cool), Gregory Page & Erika Davies, Sara Petite & the Tiger Mountain Boys, Billy Lee & the Swamp Critters. Johnson, Bosley & Morin and many more.
One of my favorite of the day was a band called Fishtank Ensemble which was a gypsy band of sorts their were some Rumanians in the band but many other nationalities too and one girl played the saw with a bow as well as the other instruments she played. their was a Japanese instrument called a shamisen and other people in the band played an accordion (the only way I have ever heard this instrument played interestingly) another played a Flamenco Guitar, two violins, bass, percussion and vocals. They were fantastic and so different from what we listen to on a day to day basis. they definitely filled up the Park Stage grass seating area and were favorites.
Gregory Page filled up the Church Social Hall. All the pews were filled and people were standing at the back. I took a chance to get closer to take pics because I was telling Gregory earlier in the day that last years pics didn't come out. While I was up from snapping a few he sang a zinger and got the crowd roaring with laughter at my expense. It was pretty funny. He sang out "lens cap was on" right in the middle of his song. And like a airhead I looked!!! Even though I knew it was off because it was in my backpack on my back all day. But he got me good.
I really had a good time listening to Robin Henkel because he is like a genius the way he plays blues on his guitar and he loves to ham it up a little by going out in the crowd and playing right in front of people. His show is always lots of fun! Later on in the day I went back to the Beer garden to listen to Tom Cat Courtney who had a friend playing with him but I don't know who he was but he was a good guitar player too in blues style. I really hated pulling out before his set was over but it was hard to get from stage to stage to get pictures and listen too! The last thing I saw was Johnson, Bosley and Morin and I have been a MySpace friend of Joe Morin for quite a while but i had never heard him play. I was lucky Doktor Dave showed up and allowed me to stay longer to listen to him because my earlier ride had to go home. they were pretty good and Joe has a beautiful guitar that I was admiring. He handed it to me to play but I really am a real no talent in guitar playing. I tried a few chords but it was an electric acoustic and apparently it makes a lot more sound when its plugged in then when its not. Or so it seemed, could have just been the time and place. Joe has a great assortment of harmonica's with him when he plays and he uses them really well. That's another one of those instruments I would love to play. All in all it was a good show. I usually prefer the street fair because I am not as in tune with my roots as I should be but I am getting there.
The second show I saw was later that night at O'Connell's. We were tired from the Festival but went on a whim. Were we glad we did though. Christopher Dale was having a international show. And swung over to O'Connell's last minute. the first guy up was from Canada and his name was "Cam Penner". he played acoustic but this guy was good and had a great voice. I remember a few friends from bands around who were really impressed with this guys set. It was really good and I got a cd from him to listen to. He said he will be coming back through San Diego again but didn't say when. The next band up was from Australia called "All Nite Access". Christopher Dale and Bill Coomes had met up with them when Chris did a small tour in Australia during the beginning of the year. They said they would be coming to America and San Diego on their tour and Chris signed them up for a few shows. Now the person I cam e with wasn't as fond of them as I was but I really liked this band. They were very heavy metal punk and had a female drum player that was not only a great drummer but she was hot too! Very animated drummer and she liked to mouth the words of the songs even though she wasn't mic'ed. The Lead Guitarist was awesome and the Bas player was also the vocalist and he had a great voice. Very clear and a very good timbre and sound. Everyone in the bar except my friend I think really enjoyed this band. I know I did.
Next Christopher Dale came up with his band mates in Superdoo, Chris's "side project" as he likes to call it. They do a lot of Chris's songs, but he stepped away once and the band did a killer version of a pretender's song..."I think ", but don't quote me, I can't remember now. Chris also had some friends show up to make his set more fun. The Amazing Tim Flack ran a multi-media show on the screen behind the band that was great. During the song "Waitress" (one of my favorites) he had a couple of girls playing the roles of the gay Waitress and the Hostess who in the song are making out, but in the show were just dancing together. But it was great fun anyway. [grin]. The last group on the bill that night was Even Elroy. They were a great band as well, and had a great guitar player. I think the sound system at O'Connell's is a bit of a challenge sometimes and I think this band was turned up too loud to really enjoy them but I had, had a full day and I was going deaf and needed some air. So I went outside for the rest of their set. That was basically the end of my music that day and actually for the week. I had planned to go to The boat and Ski to see all these performers (or at least most of them) again there but I wasn't able to make it. But it still was a great week in music. And I look forward to Artwalk next week for another great weekend in music!
Ciao
Come have some Sushi while listening to great music and have a few Sake Bombs. Restaurant for all ages. the Sake isn't!
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