Puuda's Review: Winnipeg Folk Festival 2007

Yesterday, Puuda got back from his week long trip up at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. A week long trip spent mostly in the shade listening to local and world folk music, chickenfighting in the local reservoir, cooking brats over an open fire, and partying on Pope's Hill with horses covered in glowsticks. Puuda even joined one of the nightly drum cirlces that took place nonstop until about 6/7 a.m. Since Puuda didn't have a drum, he shook his coin purse filled with Loonies and Toonies. The only bad things that really happened was getting sunburned on the feet badly and finding an algae-covered pair of underwear in the reservoir.

The people there were also the friendliest that Puuda has ever come across. Whether it was because the hippies were in some other world at the time or they are just naturally nice, Puuda enjoyed their company. sice the review is suppose to be about the music for the most part, here is a list of 10 groups that were either incredible or were there because of their popularity:

Boom Pam- (A) They were even better live so Puuda couldn't help but watch all three shows.



The Cat Empire- (B-) No doubt they have the music ability, but it dragged on a bit.



Béla Fleck and the Flecktones- (A+) Very little dancing happened with these legends in blu-bop, not because they sucked, but because people were in awe of their incredible skills...especially Victor Wooten's bass playing



Michael Franti and Spearhead- (A) Modern Reggae at its best and Franti was able to get people to dance way past the line for the Whale Tails.



Leo Kottke- (B+) The legendary 12-string guitar player/storyteller did great, but lacked due to his one short stage set



Los Lobos- (C) The music was decent, but again, the time slot was bad and it didn't really get many hippies moving. Takes more than just a single cover song to get Puuda moving anyways.



That 1 Guy- (B) Was delayed for half a day in California and was average techno. What made it unique is his Magice Pipe; a custom contraption that does it all, including bellowing smoke. His show back in Festival Camping was good though.



Kiran Ahluwalia- (A-) Very melodic and entrancing. Indian Punjabi and ghazal at its best. Funny that the songs such topics as selfish love, true love, wanting a koka, and then ending with a song about getting bagals.

Final Fantasy- (B-) Played good music on his violin, when he did play. Glad he didn't resort to playing actual Final Fantasy music when some crowd members requested though.

Randy Newman- (A-) It was awesome to finally see the legendary songwriter on stage. Randy made a great finale to the Folk Festival. Unfortunately, it felt like Randy left almost as soon as he got on stage.

Finally, Puuda would like to give the best act to..........

The Festival Camping Drummers- Whether it was joining them in the 4 hour glowstick waving, Loonie shaking rave at 3 a.m. or falling asleep to their nearby drumming, this group consisting of almost a hundred people and a dozen regulars made the biggest impression on Puuda.

PICTURES WILL BE ADDED SOON