Since we're talking 2008...I only went on Friday because in the end, I just wasn't all that crazy
about the lineups for Saturday nor Sunday, save for Richie Havens, Dave Rawlings and Judy
Collins.
To put it as simply as possible...
MORE UPTEMPO ACTS!! Such as Grace Potter on Friday, who
provided a nice dose of rock grit and was a great change-up after Darrell Scott. Too many
"slow" acts wind up being one giant dose of valium for me. That sums up a fairly good
portion of the 2006 Folks Fest.
That said....acts I'd like to see next year that would make me go all three days again:
ACOUSTIC Los Lobos -- You only saw the electric side at Telluride, but acoustic, the
band plays material much closer to their Mexican heritage. Most of all, you
will dance your asses off while enjoying the ensemble brialliance of this
great band (who BTW played a fine uptempo rock-n-roll set at New West in
Fort Collins over the weekend). Have them close Friday or Saturday, and
give them up to two hours too! I guarantee that
this will not suck!Richard Thompson -- No matter acoustic nor electric! You know he will rule!
Gordon Lightfoot -- The "legend" for next year's festival. His song catalogue speaks for itself.
Martha Scanlon -- She
slayed it at Grand Targhee, with the help of Travis Stuart and
Thomas Sneed. Superb songwriting, those haunting vocals, and her
stage presence now has plenty of sass! Book her, Craig!
Jonatha Brooke -- One half of The Story, with fine songwriting and a warm presence.
Caught her a few times at Newport Folk Festival, where she fared well.
Shawn Colvin -- Two words:
solo acoustic! Boulder Acoustic Society -- Wonderfully eclectic, with plenty of fine uptempo material
to get the crowd bopping.
Robyn Hitchcock -- One of today's truly underrated artists...and if you pair him with
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, you will hear a special set. Listen to Robyn's
excellent album with the duo,
Spooked, from 2004.
Baka Beyond -- Remember Festival of the Mabon 2005 where Nanci Griffith headlined?
Nanci if fine, but Baka
stole that day with an infectious, dance-filled,
slightly-Celtic flavored set of world beat music. There were very very few who
were
not on their feet dancing! Speaking of world beat...
Baaba Maal -- I saw him at Newport Folk in 2000, and it was an African World Music
percussion-rich dance fest.
Cowboy Junkies -- A good dark act whom are masters of dirge and hushed dynamics.
Would make for a way cool Saturday night closer.
Bruce Cockburn -- Another of those great songwriters, and whom is also a master of
darkness and politics. No matter acoustic or electric...
Dar Williams -- Another fine singer/songwriter with plenty of sensitive material, which
you'll be able to relax to.
Elana James and the Continental Duo -- Formerly the Hot Club of Cowtown, the most
lovely Elana would add a touch of authentic western
swing to the mix. She
was also good enough to have toured in Bob Dylan's band in 2005.
Acoustic Hot Tuna -- My biased choice, but Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady and Barry
Mitterhoff are absolutely
bringing it every time they're on stage! Their recent
show at the Gothic Theatre was 155+ minutes of pure musical brilliance.
Taj Mahal -- If you saw his stellar 2005 Folks Fest Saturday night set, this should be
self explanatory.
The Mammals -- They ripped it up that following Sunday...with a balance of uptempo
dance and thoughtful folk.
Natalie MacMaster -- One of the best fiddlers around -- and a terrific clogger -- with
a dynamic stage presence and Lyons will be exposed to the unique music of
Cape Breton.
John Prine -- self-explanatory! Has not been at Folks since 2003.
Thank you for the space in allowing an ardent Planet Bluegrass supporter to throw
in my .02.
Listening to:
6/24/1994 - Johnny Cash @ Glastonbury Festival
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