Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Aftershock 2013... the countdown begins

AFTERSHOCK 2013    <----- click here for the exciting news about this year's Aftershock!

This year's show is two days, big names, big sound... will you be there? Last year's festival was excellent fun.  It was where I saw Gemini Syndrome, and Beware of Darkness, for the first time. Click the link above to see this year's lineup. It's going to be loud!!!

Last year's Aftershock:

Beware of Darkness:  http://alison-toon.blogspot.com/2012/09/beware-of-darkness.html

Gemini Syndrome: http://alison-toon.blogspot.com/2012/09/gemini-syndrome.html

I'm not listing all the links here--just use the Search box up there -->   and type Aftershock. OK?

Monday, May 27, 2013

Sacramento Music Festival 2013: people and performers

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SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 25: Sacramento Music Festival, Old Sacramento, California. The 40th annual event on Memorial Day Weekend, the festival is jazz, swing, blues, zydeco, rockabilly, bluegrass, Latin music and more.

From big names to street performers, including these guys who pulled together what looked like garbage... and launched a wonderful drumming session in the street.



Happy people, good music, good weather... a really good weekend for all. (Scroll down this blog to see more from several individual performers and bands.)  Any errors in labelling are mine... if you see any mistakes, please let me know so that I can correct them.

Photographer: alisontoon.com

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Kyle Rowland Band, Sacramento Music Festival 2013

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SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 25: Kyle Rowland Band, performing at the Sacramento Music Festival, Old Sacramento, on May 25th 2013. This young man made his audience very, very happy... and once again, I'm stunned to say that I really enjoyed the Hammond organ solo. That keeps happening. Maybe I'm learning something.

Sacramento Music Festival: sacmusicfest.com/

Band website: www.kylerockinrowland.com/

Tom Rigney and Flambeau at Sacramento Music Festival

I do love seeing a violin played so very very well--whether classical, jazz or in the occasional rock band (remember Bob Dylan's album "Desire"). And Tom Rigney certainly does that! Beautiful show today at the Sacramento Music Festival.


Great rapport between the band members. They are enjoying the music, and we enjoyed them.


More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alisontoon/sets/72157633703227801/

California Repercussions. OOmpah!

There is something really... luscious... about the sound of a sousaphone. Especially when one suddenly turns towards you when you're standing quite close. Well maybe luscious isn't quite the right word... but they are fascinating instruments, coiled around the musicians body like a metalic serpent. With a large mouth. Which emits that wonderful oompah, oompah, oompah and is the foundation of the band.

This was California Repercussions, a huge marching band.


More photos of California Repercussion, playing in the streets of Old Sacramento are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alisontoon/sets/72157633702008749/

Sacramento Music Festival--and John Lee Hooker Jr and band

Memorial Day Weekend is the time for Sacramento's Jazz Festival, or, as it's now known, the Sacramento Music Festival. It starts on Friday and runs until Monday afternoon. This year is the 40th annual festival! With many stages throughout Old Sacramento (and a couple further into town), and music ranging from very traditional jazz through New Orleans-style marching bands to blues and a touch of R&B, there's something for everyone.

I love Old Sacramento. The quaint streets, the little shops, the tempting candy stores, Evangeline's... coffee and good food and the wild west. And during this weekend, music music music. (You're not too late, see the website for details of tonight's, Sunday and Monday's performances.)


The festival goes on from mid-morning until late at night. Today (Saturday), the highlight, for me, was seeing John Lee Hooker Jr. Playing the blues... and playing the blues and only the blues for the last time! Next time we see him, it will be with a choir (a gospel choir?)



A true performer, he and the band played to hundreds of people, dancing, enjoying the sun, enjoying the music.



More photos from John Lee Hooker Jr.'s set in the photo gallery, click here!