Ottawa’s Lebreton Flats was the hottest place to be on Saturday night as an eclectic mix of musical talent performed across five stages on the lawns of the Canadian War Museum. Last night saw a different crowd as the mosh pit of younger, sweaty bodies from the previous two nights transitioned to a civilised expanse of lawn chairs, ported in by more mature patrons who came to see headliners Robert Plant with Alison Krauss, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and Steven Taetz on the main stage.
Be sure to check out the previous post covering the first two nights of the festival. The review comes straight from the eyes and ears of Soundcheck’s primary writer, who criss-crossed the Bluesfest grounds in his dual role as Green Team volunteer and music reviewer. This review, on the other hand, brings you a birds-eye view of the main stage performers from the VIP Club area because, let’s face it, why would anyone stray from having your own bar, free snacks and a private loo only a few steps away from a comfy patio lounge chair? Don’t miss the photo gallery below where our roving photographer shares some incredible captures of all the action from the festival’s third night.
The series of acts on the main stage might be described as the Big Chill to the Big Thrill, with Steven Taetz, contemporary roots, jazz and pop singer/songwriter, opening to a skeleton crowd that hadn’t yet fully filled the grounds. Definitely a loss for latecomers, in my opinion, since one could easily imagine the deep, expressive voice of the Toronto-based performer holding up nicely in the company of Michael Bublé or as a musical backdrop to a James Bond movie scene.
Steven Taetz performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Ross Macdonald
Taetz has collaborated with Juno winners Jill Barber, Jenn Grant, Connie Kaldor, and Caroline Marie Brooks of Good Lovelies. Niche in some ways, while versatile in others, Taetz treated us to a musical offering from both his early albums, as well as “Late Bloom,” released earlier this year. At one point, he got a laugh from the audience as he pleaded for the crowd to be mindful of his mother-in-law, if seen to be crowd surfing across the stagefront.
Suffice to say that the vibe on the patio of the VIP Club was pretty chill. Full disclosure is needed at this point: Soundcheck photo contributor Rob Clairmont and myself were on a night off from wearing our beverage cashier volunteer hats, so anything would have been more chill than serving snaking line-ups of thirsty festival patrons (still an awesome gig if anyone is interested).
As more patrons with lawn chairs started populating the green space, the energy started to mount in anticipation of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Not surprisingly, these seasoned entertainers made short work of getting the crowd into the groove for an outstanding night of entertainment, especially with renowned stage guests Suzie Vinnick and Daniel Lanois.
Well-loved singer/songwriters Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden, and Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings brought huge energy to the stage for their performance. Together with special guests Daniel Lanois and Susie Vinnick, they were a musical powerhouse performing a smorgasbord of songs that kept the audience engaged and tapping their toes. The band congratulated Hamilton music legend Tom Wilson and three-time Juno winner for recently receiving the Order of Canada. Later in the show, he would challenge all of us to do our part in leaving the world a better place for our children and grandchildren, rather than looking to the government, corporations or religious organisations to do the work for us.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Daniel Lanois and members of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings share a long history and they credit him with changing their lives. Famed record producer and musician born just across the bridge in Gatineau, Quebec, Lanois has worked with some of the most iconic bands of the past few decades, including U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan. Joining the band on stage on guitar, steel guitar, and occasionally on vocals, it was interesting to watch how he used directive gestures to indicate changes in the volume dynamics through different songs.
Daniel Lanois performs at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Finally, as the stage lights lit up the night sky and slightly cooler temperatures pushed out the heat, the moment arrived for the perhaps unlikely but certainly beloved duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to command the main stage. By then, the patio lounge seating in the VIP Club was all but moot as it was standing room only. Those who were curious whether English-born 74-year-old Plant of Led Zeppelin fame still had what it takes to whip audiences into a rapturous frenzy would not be disappointed. Plant is a legend in his own right and will always be. Adding sugar to spice, the collaboration with bluegrass-country singer and fiddler, Alison Krauss, baked their shared fame to succulent perfection.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Plant took the lead on engaging the crowd, while a more demure Krauss stood poised with hands clasped when not shining onstage with her trademark angelic vocals or virtuoso fiddling. Even without a palpable onstage chemistry, the pairing of musical mastery was more than enough to keep the crowd energised and phone cameras alit like beacons of light on a dark sea of fans. The 90-minute setlist sprinkled a few classic Led Zeppelin arrangements among tracks from the duo’s two collaborative studio albums, “Raising Sand,” (2007) and “Raise the Roof” (2021). The outstanding pairing of harmony with all-star backing musicians is the likely reason that “Raising Sand” sold more than a million copies and won six Grammy Awards and “Raise the Roof” pocketed three Grammy nominations.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss perform at the RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
Noticeably nostalgic as the performance wound down, Plant revealed that the Ottawa performance would close out their year-long Raise the Roof tour, which included stops in the U.S. and Europe. Plant gave a heartfelt shout-out to their talented band, with special thanks to “the voice of the nightingale and his lifesaver,” Alison Krauss. After an encore song, the Everly Brothers cover “Gone, Gone, Gone,” Plant jokingly asked the crowd to stay looking interested as the entire band gathered, turned their backs to the crowd, and snapped a selfie to send to their kids. Seeing the band members as a parent first, professional second brought a real human dimension to the larger-than-life musical talents and definitely reverberated with the crowd. Hitting all the right notes, my guess is that this night will go down in Bluesfest history as one of the all-time favourites of Ottawa and outlying area fans.
More Photos from Day 3 Including Gabrielle Shonk, Matthew Chaffey, BLAKDENIM, and Sugaray Rayford.
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Fallsview Casino Resort is excited to announce a sizzling spring lineup at the brand new state-of-the-art Entertainment Centre. From Kesha to REO Speedwagon, the hottest entertainment is coming to Niagara.
Photos by Renee Doiron
What an easy, breezy, beautiful night of bluegrass at the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival and well, welly, well, well, well wasn’t that a contrast from the country pop flood inside the Canadian Tire Centre the night before. On the country music spectrum, jazz fest headliner Alison Krauss is so far removed from Shania Twain you could park a couple thousand aircraft carriers between them.
Hey bluegrass fans, the sun was getting real low and Krauss complimented the pastel sunset with her angelic voice and sweet, sweet fiddle. It was the kind of music that made me want to unfurl a checkered blanket and have a picnic under a willow tree. That or nestle by a crackling fire and equally crackling old timey radio swaddled in great grandmother’s quilt. Either way, these scenes are painted in shades of sepia and Krauss is the soundtrack.
“We’re used to playing bluegrass festivals,” chirped Krauss as she introduced a backing band that included members from Union Station and The Cox Family. “Well, what a beautiful night for it.”
Alison Krauss performs during the Ottawa Jazzfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
That it was, one gorgeous evening wedged between a weekend of rain and a coming Canada Day heat wave. While the previous evening’s Chaka Khan show ensured the dancing area was all a bustle, this nights festival goers settled in for a mellower mood. You know, the kind of night where a little fiddle, a front porch and a rocking chair is all you really need.The show drew much of its 22-song set from Krauss’ recent release, Windy City, her first solo album in nearly 20 years. The album dips deeply into the well of country music classics and features 10 covers by artists like Bill Monroe, The Osborne Brothers, Glen Campbell and Willie Nelson. Roger Miller’s “River in the Rain” opened the show followed by Sidney and Suzanne Cox providing honey sweet harmonies on Nelson’s “I Never Cared For You”.
Though songs like “Broadway”, “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” and “Ghost in This House” made for a lay back and daydream kind of set, Krauss would snap it up with some pepper on tunes “Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson” and “It’s Goodbye and So Long to You”. It was the stroll through the Oh Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack, however, that raised a few folk itchin’ to dance out of their seats to dosey-do to “Keep On The Sunny Side” and slow waltz to “Down to the River to Pray”.
Stage namesake Top Shelf Distillers has been churning out themed cocktails each night and the bluegrass star received her own bevy blend called Krauss Roads. That gin, lime juice, and grapefruit soda mix was a smooth sidekick to a bluegrass summer night that, come show’s end, left a little gospel gold twinkling alongside those first starts peeking through night’s blanket.
Krauss bid farewell with a slice of the spiritual, closing the set with “When God Dips His Love in My Heart,” the spiritual “I Got Shoes,” and “Down Here I’ve Done My Best.”
Amen!
Alison Krauss performs during the Ottawa Jazzfest. Photo: Renée Doiron
SETLIST:
River in the Rain
I Never Cared For You
Stay
Forget About It
Broadway
Baby, Now That I’ve Found You
Ghost in This House
Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson
The Lucky One
Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
It’s Goodbye and So Long to You
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
Didn’t Leave Nobody but the Baby
I am Weary (Let Me Rest)
Down to the River to Pray
Keep on the Sunny Side
Gentle on My Mind
When God Dips His Pen of Love in My Heart
Walk Over God’s Heaven
Encore:
When You Say Nothing At All
A Living Prayer
It Is Well with My Soul
