My plan for yesterday was to see the Stephani, Steph Jenkins backed by Stephie Coleman. Then Kaia Kater posted on Facebook that she needed somebody to merch for her at the New York Guitar Festival. As I so rarely see Kaia and she needed help I changed plans and headed down to Brookfield for the festival. She asked that I get there between 6:30 and 6:45. My plan was to get there around 6:15 and grab a quick dinner first. The MTA didn’t like my plan. There were huge delays on the 4 train so I got there at 6:46, technically late. To make it worse, Kaia wasn’t getting my texts. It might have had something to do with her phone being Canadian. Luckily voice worked and she called me right after I arrived. By chance I was standing at the table that was to become my merch table, stage right.
The people running the festival have a broad definition of guitar. Kaia plays banjo. Another artist played harp. There was another banjo player. I’m not complaining, I love most of the performers. The theme of the day as a tribute to Memphis Minnie. It was all blues. I don’t hear enough blues. Here’s the complete lineup.
Performance(run-of-show):6:30pDJ Spooky7:00pArts Brookfield introduces John Schaefer, who introduces the artists in this order:
1)Amythyst Kiah
2)Brandon Ross
3)Nicole Atkins and Binky Griptite
4)Kaia Kater
5)Rafiq Bhatia
6)Alsarah and the Nubatones
7)Alvin Youngblood Hart
8)Rachel & Vilray
9)Jontavious Willis
10)Brandee Younger
11)Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure & Banning Eyre
12)Kevin Breit
13)David Bromberg (and Kevin Breit)
14)Fantastic Negrito and Vernon Reid
I was unfamiliar with most but looking forward to seeing Alvin Youngblood Hart, Rachael & Vilray (vill-ree), and of course Bromberg. I was pleasantly surprised at how good most of the others were. I knew Nicole Atkins and wasn’t excited but she was great. I’ll have to give her another listen. Each artist did only one song so it’s a good thing that I enjoyed most of them.
Kaia doesn’t normally play blues; my reaction was blues are her friend. That didn’t surprise me at all as she’s one of those musicians that can play anything she wants. I discovered her playing Appalachian music but last time I saw her the songs sounded like Nina Simone singing political and historical songs. Kaia is a chameleon. She can also change her look in seconds, going from fresh faced kid to elegant chanteuse. You can see her at Flushing Town Hall on June 7. I plan on going. That’s my old Queens haunts but nobody I liked played there in the 50 plus years I lived there. Now I’m in the Bronx and a favorite of mine will be playing. It’s not that hard to get to, just one more walk than going to a Met game. You should join me. Kaia is one of the musicians I evangelize for, most of my musical social circle is unfamiliar with her.
My only friend there not performing was Ellen. I have been seeing her far less frequently than usual of late so that was great. We ended up walking to the subway and taking the 5 train together before we both had to switch trains.
There’s a good barbecue restaurant at Brookfield that I was hoping to eat at. I arrived too late to each before the show and they closed at 9, just as the show ended. I had to postpone dinner till I got home. By then I didn’t feel like cooking so I just had peanut butter on matzoh.
I was feeling ill the day before. I should point out that I was pretty much all better yesterday. I’m still sore inside so my plan is to not move today. It’s a beautiful day so I might still venture out but I’ll try and resist. I can stay home and watch Good Omens. I watched the first episode when I got home last night. It’s not the best thing ever but it’s still great. Terry Pratchett always makes me happy.
I have a busy schedule coming up so I’ll be fine with just lazing today. I might even take a nap now.
Wise Madness 