Edmonton Blues Fest. (Featuring Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle Of Joy) Aug.18th 2024 Live in Edmonton

  

 I almost forgot to write about this show that my buddy Nazz and I went to. It was the final night of the Edmonton Blues Festival. Sunday night's headliner was Matt Andersen. This would be my second time seeing Matt in concert. Matt is a Canadian blues singer-songwriter and guitarist from New Brunswick.

 First thing I noticed about the crowd on Sunday evening was that it was a younger crowd then Friday night. That, I would contribute to the booking of Matt Andersen. Nice to see Cam Hayden who books this festival taking a chance on someone like Matt. 

 Matt Andersen and his band The Big Bottle Of Joy were great, mixing his setlist with songs that covered his career thus far. Band was tight and Matt's voice sounded great and played well. 

 Sorry about the short review but this show was a few weeks ago now. Having to work on Monday I kept things pretty mellow but still had a really good time. Weather was beautiful, good crowd, good vibes, good friends. Good times!!!

Matt Andersen.

August 30th

  

 Ok today's post isn't music related but it is a post that means a lot to me. It was on August 30th, 1995 that my Dad, his buddy Skip and my awesome Ukrainian buddy Geddy (RIP) went to Santanna's in Edmonton to see the Canadian comedian Nestor Pistor (Don Ast) perform. Nestor is now 94 years old and still performing I believe. Nestor is a comedian that performed in a heavy Ukrainian accent and was fucking hilarious. And even more so when your buddy is a Ukrainian and has one of the loudest laughs ever. We had an absolute blast at this show!

August 29th

  

 On August 29th, 1997 I went to Edge Fest at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. This festival was originally booked to be at Telus Field but was moved to a larger venue. Bands on the bill for Edge Fest 97 were Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, The Tea Party, Collective Soul, Glueleg, Silverchair among others.

August 28th

 

  Back on August 28th, 2002 I saw the band Wilco on their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Tour play a sold out show at Red's in Edmonton.

August 27th

  

 It was on this day August 27th, 1994 that I saw Meat Loaf headline a show at Commonwealth Stadium here in Edmonton. Opening the show was The Pursuit Of Happiness and Cheap Trick.

August 26th

  

 On August 26th, 1987 I went to see Guns N' Roses open for The Cult at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Guns N' Roses debut album Appetite For Destruction had only been out for a month at the time and I was already a huge fan having bought their Live Like a Suicide EP back in December of 1986. I didn't stick around for very much of The Cult.

August 25th

  

 It was on August 25th, 1989 that I got to see Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band play a half full Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. Hard to believe that this show wasn't sold out with the band Ringo had with him. Dr. John on keys, Nils Lofgren on guitar, Levon Helm on drums, Billy Preston on keyboard, Jim Keltner on drums, Rick Danko on bass, Clarence Clemons on sax and Joe Walsh on guitar. An absolutely amazing band.

Edmonton Blues Fest. (Featuring Booker T Jones) Live in Edmonton August 16th 2024

 

 Last weekend my buddy Nazz and I went to the Friday night edition of the Edmonton Blues Festival at Klondike Park to catch the legendary Booker T Jones in concert. Thanks to Alley Kat Brewing for the free passes for the weekend!

 This was the first time the festival had been held at Klondike Park and first time I have been to the venue as well. It's actually a pretty cool venue had it been set up properly. The biggest issue with the set up here was the tents set up around the bowl of the seating area. I presume they were VIP tents, the tents were about 15 feet high and obstructed the view for everyone that wasn't in the bowl. Which meant about half the crowd couldn't see the stage, ridiculous! And there was no open area in front of the stage where people could dance and be up close to the bands. With Hawrelak Park under construction, which is where the festival has been held for the previous 23 years, the festival has had to hold the festival at two different venues now. Last years festival was held at Re/Max Field. But apparently that didn't work for them. So this year it was Klondike Park. If they hold it there again there is certainly some kinks to work out, the biggest one being lose the tents and a dance area near the stage. Other then that I think this would be a great venue for the festival.

A shot of the tent, which went around the whole seating area.

 We got to the venue in time to catch Vanessa Collier. An artist I had never heard of before, as most of the weekend line-up were bands I had never heard before. One of the reasons that I never bought tickets. 

 Vanessa Collier is an artist from Dallas, Texas who plays saxophone, guitar  and is a singer and songwriter. Her music is a mix of soul, funk and of course the blues. Her hour long set was quite good.

Vanessa Collier.

 Headlining the first night of the festival was the legendary Booker T. Jones (he of Booker T. & The M.G.'s). Booker T. has collaborated with everyone that is someone, with the likes of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Otis Redding, Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm,Sam & Dave, John Lee Hooker, Elton John, Albert King and the list goes on. And at 79 years old he sounds and looks great and doesn't look to be slowing down at all. This show was billed as Booker T Presents: A Stax Revue and Journey Thru Soul, Blues and R&B. And he hit the nose on all fronts. It was super cool to hear him do such songs as "Green Onions", "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", "Melting Pot", "The Thrill Is Gone" and so much more. His hour and a half long set was just one classic song after another. His back up band of course was stellar too. A great way to end the first night. Good times!!!

Booker T. Jones.

 A very cool special edition Blonde Ale can of beer from Alley Kat Brewing just for this occasion.