A day at the Mariposa folk festival in Canada

[Jim]

Mariposa Folk Festival offers up a very intimate festival experience. Very laid back..family friendly environment. The day shows are primarily work shops, that puts 3 bands/artists together to perform songs. Generally based on some theme...these artists perform a song then the next artist..and it continues for about an hour. To me, the most amazing part of these day time shows is that rarely do these artists have a working knowledge of the other artists material and yet, as one band starts one of their songs, the other two bands join. This quickly becomes an amazing set with as many as 15 performers all singing and playing together. It is stunning
the best workshop we were able to get to was one that included Elliott Brood, Chris Smither, and Michael Johnson. Great seeing these guys work together..and its wonderful to listen as a song builds in strength from other artists joining in and seeing how happy it makes these artists as others are clearly enjoying their songs.
probably the best new band that we discovered was a band called The Wooden Sky young guys playing Folk Rock with some of the best voices I have heard in some time.
The main stage featured alot of artists....Ian and Sylvia Tyson both performed and are well loved in Canadian Folk Circles. Well known for their material done together...like Four Strong Winds They were married in 1969 but divorced in 1975 and had not performed together since. Mariposa's 50th anniversary this year brought both to the stage to do back to back sets and then surprisingly, Sylvia joined Ian for their biggest song..four strong winds. That was enough to set this crowd off in preparation for Gordon Lightfoots set coming up soon.
Next up was the surprise act..Blue Rodeo..who did a greatest hits set and these guys make me happy everytime I hear them. They have so many great songs...if you have not checked them out..do so! Now while Gordon Lightfoots' set had its issues with volume..you really can't fault the artist. His songs were written well and at any level, they were wonderful. The fact that this Canadian Folk Icon was born in the city that this festival takes place helps out alot! His set was over too quick...but all the classics were performed and then it was a drive home to get a few hours sleep before the bus!