4Howdy folks! So, life is good here in our nation's capital of Ottawa, ON; it's summertime, the weather's hot, the beer's cold, and there's always some fun to be had. Working at Alcatel in Kanata keeps me busy. My brother Bud recently got back safe and sound from a six-month tour in Afghanistan; I've got a week's vacation starting July 22 when a large crew of family & friends from down east will be arriving for Bud & Laurie's "el Grande Fiesta." Can't wait! Recently, the Skidd family - Darcy, Melissa and Mitchell - were here from Miramichi to visit Melissa's brother Matt and his fiance Karine; at some point during their visit, they got me turned on to this whole crazy blog-thing. Hey, what a great way to keep in touch with everybody back home! And since I recently got with the program and purchased a digital camera, I thought I'd go ahead and start my own. You know - just to keep all my little Miramichi-a Pets current on what's happening up Ottawa-way. :)

And away we go...

CISCO SYSTEMS BLUESFEST - July 8, 2006

http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/en/

The 12th annual BluesFest is currently underway on the grounds of City Hall in Ottawa, a five-minute walk down Elgin Street from The Business Inn on MacLaren (where I've been shacked up for some time now). It's a cool spot for an outdoor music festival. The main stage is along Elgin with additional stages bordered by The National Arts Center (NAC) to the north, Lisgar Street to the south, and the Rideau Canal to the east. These surroundings are really cool, especially when the sun goes down at the 'Fest. I've seen some truly great shows here in past years (including Little Feat, Jimmie Vaughan, Lucky Peterson, Delbert McClinton, ZZ Top and Kid Rock). After learning that I would be attending the event solo this past Saturday, I grabbed my camp chair and my camera, jumped on my bike and went over at around 3pm to check out the sights.

The weather was fine, hot and sunny. I bought a day pass, found a spot for my chair, got a beer and wandered around for a bit.

O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N

First act of the day was Thornetta Davis from Detroit, MI. A big lady with a big voice. :)

[Dig the sunbeams.]

http://www.thornettadavis.com/

O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N

Next up, The Elmer Ferrer Band from Havana, Cuba. (This was actually their second BluesFest appearance; I also saw them last year when they opened for Kid Rock.) Elmer's an amazing guitarist. These guys closed with one of the best versions of "Voodoo Child" I've ever heard.

After the band got off stage, Elmer walked by me and the crowd I was talking to; I yelled out to him that he just played a kick-ass show (man!). He waved and said thanks. Also, here's me with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Anders Drerup of Ottawa.



http://www.elmerferrer.com/

At this point, with about an hour before the next act, I went outside, pedalled back to the hotel and took a shower! That's how close by it is. That made me feel jumpy again; I grabbed a quick beer and headed back over to the show for Mo.'

O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N

Keb' Mo'!

Keb' (born Kevin Moore in Compton, CA) is an excellent musician. Three of his albums have received Grammy awards as Best Contemporary Blues Album of The Year: Just Like You (1996), Slow Down (1998) and Keep It Simple (2004). He plays funky, laid-back country-blues, and his live show is quite relaxed. Perfect stuff for the lazy after-supper crowd he was in front of that day...

It was a surprise when Bonnie came out at the end of Keb's set and they played a duet. The one photo I took is blurry (gotta get used to digital!), but I'll include it anyway, what the hell.

http://www.kebmo.com/

O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N

Sundown...

[Notice the little girl in the foreground below. She's realizing her picture's being taken. It really completes the photo. :]

And finally, ladies and gentlemen...Bonnie Raitt!

By 9pm I was getting pretty bombed, so my picture-taking energy was starting to wane a bit. I managed to get this sub-par shot from the big screen...

...and this out-of-focus video clip of Bonnie doing "Thing Called Love."

Keb' came back out and performed with Bonnie's band near the end, and they closed with a great rendition of "Angel From Montgomery."

http://www.bonnieraitt.com/

O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N O N

Anyway, what more can I say? A fine day at the 'Fest. I plan to make it back over this Saturday for Wilco and post more pics later.

Cheers,

Brian