The weather has broken, finally. For the first time in over a week I feel alert, rather than dogged by the sloth-like pace that one must undertake in 95 degree heat with 80% humidity. I can actually think about getting on my bike without wanting to scream and thrust my sunburned-yet-still-pasty-white-middled-self into the pond.
So, yeah! I went to the Newport Folk Festival! It was beautiful, it was sunny, and the acts were all good. I don't think I've ever seen a more mellow crowd at a festival; I suppose that isn't entirely to be unexpected however. I mean, EmmyLou Harris sings alot of songs of heartache and loneliness. It's bound to make you reflective.
I wish there were some more acts there however that had a more traditional folk/bluegrass feel. Alejandro Escavedo, while okay and I'm certain a fine musician, was too rock for the festival. Where was Patty Griffin? Leo Kottke? Chris Smither? William Elliott Whitmore? I think about them performing at a venue like that and get all giddy! They would be perfect; they would fit in nicely; they would have a new following. In particular Leo Kottke, whom I deem as one of the finest musicians I have had the honor of seeing in concert. Chris Smither would also be a delight as his writing is some of the best you can come across. How can you deny a guy that has been described by Bonnie Raitt as "my Eric Clapton"? Right.
So I wish there were more performers there. That is, with the exception of the unbelievably good Carolina Chocolate Drops (which if you ever get the chance to see you absolutely MUST), most of the acts were perfectly fine but not terribly engaging. I want to learn something from the musician, not just hear their cd. I can save (or rather, my mom could save :) $65 and do that at home where the drinks are free.
But that's a minor problem. Because how can you hate spending a day outside on Newport Harbor watching the sailboats, tankers, and seagulls? You can't, even if they occasionally ran out of toilet paper in the (unusually clean) port-a-johns.
