Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2013 - Worlds of Music

This year's Edmonton Folk Music Festival once again presented a huge variety of folk, blues, Worldbeat, and fusions of these genres and more. For me, a highlight is discovering new sounds from around the World as well as up and coming talent.

The Steep Canyon Rangers was probably my discovery of the weekend. The Grammy-award winning bluegrass band fuse country and folk into their lively music.

Havana D'Primera, from Cuba, presented an exciting main stage show on Sunday afternoon. The Salsa beats were contagious and I had a hard time stopping myself from getting up to dance right there in the photo pit!

Sometimes the most memorable performances don't happen on any of the stages. Here is Rosanne Cash playing at the CKUA booth. She has such a beautiful voice and her songs are haunting.

I have seen Alex Cuba a number of times at the EFMF and he always attracts a huge crowd. When he started to play his signature song "Si Pero No" people danced and sang along - it really is a great song that I never get tired of!

Niyaz, from Iran, was absolutely mesmerizing. The multi-faceted performance included traditional instruments, vocals, dress, and dance. There were even a few belly dancers in the audience!

Makana totally changed my view of music from Hawaii. Noted as a slack key guitarist, this guy can really play! He is also an activist and enthralling performer.

Don't accuse Amy Helm of resting on the laurels of her famous father, the late, great Levon Helm. Her performance is full of passion and she has an incredible voice.

On the local front, Edmonton singer/songwriter Joe Nolan is someone to watch out for. His memorable songs and unique delivery are just some of the reasons why he just landed a deal with Canadian label Six Shooter Records.

Tim O'Brien was on my must-see list this year. His abilities on guitar and fiddle with his signature bluegrass style translated very well on Stage 2.

Scotland's Dick Gaughan is another performer I have seen multiple times at the EFMF and I always enjoy his storytelling through song.

I love music from Canada's First Nations, so I was excited to catch the performance from the Iskwew Singers. A trio of three Cree women from British Columbia, the group performs songs in the plains tradition, telling stories of connection to the earth, Creator, and each other.

The EFMF is always a memorable event and this year was no different. To see my full collection of photos, including performers, people, and various shots around the festival site, click here. ~ Paula E. Kirman

CD Review: Bob Pressner's 'Looking Back'

Bob Pressner
Looking Back
Self-Release

The former New York commodities trader-turned singer/songwriter decided to move to Florida after the first attack on the World Trade Center in the early-1990s. With a slight facial resemblance to Bruce Springsteen and Sylvester Stallone, you know Bob means business with his music. The power-pop-punk of "iGirl" is a fitting song for today's technologically-savvy world. Bob's vocals seem to combine Douglas September and Five For Fighting, but not too far from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Jakob Dylan. The bluesy "Thinking Man" is slightly alternative country in tone with a good deal of folk-pop-roots music. "Too Old To Die Young" begins with an upbeat guitar and percussion set and a nice country-rock guitar chorus. "The Blue Has Left Your Eyes" is a poignant song on guitar that incorporates brushy percussion and raw folk power throughout. "Next Summer Never Came" is a power-pop ballad with glistening guitar strumming and full-on percussion brilliance that roots music can only provide. "Water Water" is a bluesy, rock song with reverberating B3, tambourine, drum-kit, and power-pop guitars. Bob's latest album is a perfect example of Southern rock, roots, folk, and contemporary adult music. Anyone with an interest in Springsteen, Dylan, Five For Fighting, and roots music will keep looking back to Bob Pressner as a pivotal figure in the world of contemporary music. ~ Matthew Forss      

CD Review: Makan Badje Tounkara's 'Sodjan'

Makan Badje Tounkara
Sodjan
Buda Musique

Mali's Makan Badje Tounkara is a gifted composer, arranger, singer, and n'goni soloist. Makan is joined by bass n'goni, djembe drum, tama drum, fle gourd, krin scraper, and several vocalists. Nana Coulibaly, Gedon Diara, Adama Diabate, Fatoumata Kouyate, Modi Tounkara, Yakouba Sissoko, Djifili, Modibo Diabate, and Mamadou Tounkara round out the personnel. The lilting strings and plucked lutes combine with light percussion and energetic vocals to produce a very organic result. The n'goni is the star of the album. Having been popularized by Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba, the n'goni is a charming little instrument with aural sound qualities and raw outcome. The melodies are slightly blues-tinged, but Afro-folk melodies are the main concern here. There are a few wholly instrumental tunes, but vocals are presented on almost every track. Fans of Malian folk music should not leave this one behind. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Angelic Voice of Armenia

Isabel Bayrakdarian
Gomidas Songs
Nonesuch

Armenia's operatic diva, Isabel Bayrakdarian, performs the traditional songs from Armenia's most celebrated figure in chants and songs, Gomidas Vartabed. Isabel presents us with examples from his large volume of work crossing many genres, lullabies, and hymns. Detailed liner notes of Gomidas' musical work are included, as well as Armenian-English translations of song lyrics. Moreover, the songs are divided into categories for 'Children', 'Nature', 'Love', 'Humor', and 'Yearning'. Isabel's vocals are accompanied by duduk, violin, clarinet, doubles bass, and piano on a few songs. The ambiance of the recording echoes a historical tone of contemplation and forlornness. In other words, the music is powerfully emotional and epic. Isabel does not waver and remains vocally strong and precise throughout. A glorious recording not to be missed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review - Hal Ketchum

Hal Ketchum
Father Time
Curb Records

Hal Ketchum made his name in the early 1990s with catchy songs that bordered between mainstream country and adult contemporary. “Past the Point of Rescue,” “I Know Where Love Lives” and “Small Town Saturday Night” were mainstays on country radio and music video channels. Although his work has not been in the limelight as much since then, Ketchum has continued recording with Curb Records, maintained a loyal fan case, and achieved critical success. Father Time balances between the deep, introspective musings always apparent in many of his songs, with a sometimes bluesy feel. He is still true to his country and folk roots, although Americana would be a better genre to classify Father Time rather than country, which in today’s musical world implies a lot of commercial claptrap as opposed to a more intelligent singer/songwriter milieu. Most of the songs are written by Ketchum himself (with the exception of “Jersey Girl”, a Tom Waits cover), with some older material he decided to finally record. He writes about love, every day life, and also has a knack for telling stories through songs, like Richard Shindell. Father Time is a very appealing album for into singer/songwriters who go off the beaten path. ~ Paula E. Kirman