Cropredy festival: Fairport Convention's annual meetup

Cropredy is a village near Banbury in England, UK. It's also an annual, three-day music festival, Fairport Convention's convention, with the reputation of being England's friendliest festival. It lived up to its reputation. The stage arena is perfect, with a gently-sloping hill giving everyone a view of the stage and the large screens, and easy access to all the food and nice-things vendors around the field. The camp sites are huge, many fields, all within walking distance of the arena and of Cropredy village, local pubs, and organizations such as school and church who prepare breakfasts for the festival-goers. Lots of people who go to the festival year-after-year. I can understand why!

The festival site is kept immaculate. The loos are frequently cleaned and emptied and restocked with loo paper and hand sanitizer. There's no garbage laying around; everyone is careful to put rubbish into the bins, and vendors are concious about what they are selling (for example, no plastic cups on coffee). I found gluten-free polenta cake for breakfast one day, and coffee on sale from 6.30 am.

Yes, it rained: torrential downpour on Friday, really soggy, but everyone put on plastic ponchos and the bands kept playing. Saturday morning, the sun was out (it was hot!), a breeze was blowing, and everything dried out quickly. I even have sunburn on my scalp to prove that it was sunny.

What did I learn? That at folk festivals, you take your own comfy chair or blanket, and you don't crowd surf. You might pitch a flag to blow in the breeze and let everyone know where you are. You put a plastic poncho in your pocket, ready for instant use. You may very well wear a funny hat. You might take your dog along. You definitely will take your kids along, because there are lots of organized, fun activities for them.

And, of course, the music. Mostly folk and folk rock at Cropredy, but also Steve Hackett, Australian Pink Floyd, and Marillion.

I really enjoyed it all!!!!

Photos coming soon!

Festivals! Festivals!!! Cropredy, Aftershock, Knotfest?

Marillion, Gaza, at the 2013 Marillion Weekend, Wolverhampton UK

So today, bags packed,  getting on a British Airways flight to London, from Dallas... heading for time with friends and family and Cropredy Festival, near Oxford. It's Fairport Convention's annual event, "the friendly festival", and will be mostly folk-rock but with a few surprises mixed in.

Like Marillion. Happy face!

Fairport Convention really are the backbone of the British folk-rock movement. I still remember Sandy Denny's haunting vocals... haunting, haunted. The lineup has changed over the years, but the sound remains Fairport. Others in the lineup include Steve Hackett (he of Genesis, prog-rock fame, who will be touring the USA and Canada later this year); Chas and Dave (should be fun!),  and many others, including of course, Fairport Convention themselves.

Full lineup here: http://www.fairportconvention.com/cropredy_line_up.php

(As folk-rock reaches back to the '60s, and protest songs, people and a time with a conscience and humanity, I'm wondering if Marillion will play Gaza. It's appropriate. There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire.)

So Cropredy, folk-rock and prog. Then in September, Aftershock here in Sacramento. October? Knotfest? Why not?

Watch this space for updates...

More from Rag'N'Bone Man: and a free download of the EP

I really, really, REALLY like this guy's music.  Rag'N'Bone Man. 

See earlier post: Jetlag Music

Download Rag'N'Bone Man's EP, for free: http://tinyurl.com/RagNBoneManWOLVES

Also at the Starlite Lounge: Snow White Smile, and Zeroclient

Snow White Smile

Snow White Smile started off the evening; first time seeing them for me. Described as rock-industrial, they already have some hard-core fans. More photos from their set: http://www.alisontoon.com/snowwhitesmile

Snow White Smile

Today, Snow White Smile annouced on their Facebook page that it was guitarist Stephanie Michelle's last gig with the band... bittersweet to have a good show and have to say goodbye on the same night.

Zeroclient

Next up were Zeroclient. Last time I saw Zeroclient, they were opening for Trapt at the Ace of Spades. They're almost ready to release an album (it's not a secret now, right?)

Zeroclient

Last night they did an incredibly brave thing. Half of their set was one song, "Horizon", which (I hope) will be on the recording when it goes on sale. Brave, because an audience's attention span can be short. But it worked, and I think Zeroclient can be proud of that.

The middle section of Horizon was instrumental. It was beautiful. I'd like to hear more purely-instrumental music coming from this band. Everyone else has a yelling singer. Why not do something different--and beautiful--instead?

More photos:  http://alisontoon.com/zeroclient

Zeroclient

New month, new singer, new start... Fair Struggle!

Last evening saw Fair Struggle's awaited show with new singer, Faten Elias. Worth waiting for? Indeed, yes. Headlining at Starlite Lounge in midtown, Sacramento, a large bar with an upstairs room with just the right amount of space for good local bands to put on a show.

Whenever a band's lineup changes, there's going to be some difference in the sound, in the atmosphere of the music, of the heart of the music. When it's the lead singer, it will always be more than just a readjustment. You might wonder, why not change the band's name at that point? Some do, some don't. Case in point: I'll be in England to see Marillion next week, at Cropredy Festival; Marillion's "new" lead singer, H, joined the band after Fish left in 1988, has made almost-innumerable and incredibly-wonderful albums since, and yet people who don't follow the band only remember a long-ago single and the band's original singer. Should Marillion have changed names? Who knows. Do the fans like music from "before and after" the change? Sure!!! What's important? The music, of course.

What matters is the music, the singing, and if it's good. Fair Struggle are good. And last night, they were also very happy, and it showed!

Faten Elias is good. Listen.

Fair Struggle are Faten Elias (Lead Vocals), Wayne Burkett on guitar, Ivan Parra on lead guitar, Scott Garrett on drums, and Miles Daniels on bass.

(All that said: I do hope, at some point, to hear Meagan singing again one day. New start.)

More photos from the August 1st show at the Starlite: http://www.alisontoon.com/fairstruggle-fe 

A Mile Till Dawn, State Fair, California... better and better and better

They are all grown up! Every time I see them, I hear how much work they put into their music. They perform, and perform, and perform again. Catch A Mile Till Dawn at one of their shows. Well worth a listen.

More photos from the show at this year's California State Fair:  http://alisontoon/amiletilldawn

And now for something completely different (said in a Monty Python voice): Australian bluegrass?

So what do you think of this?



Given the success of Mumford and Sons, there's no reason why these guys can't become big, too! Currently in the USA, originally from Australia... and playing bluegrass.

Tour dates and more info on Mustered Courage's website!

Blaze of Glory, (almost) Bon Jovi at the State Fair

It was the last night of the State Fair, and the final concert on the big Golden 1 stage, the end of the Toyota concert series for this year, and the last band for this year's fair was Blaze of Glory, a Bon Jovi tribute band.

While I can say, without a doubt, that Queen Nation do a really excellent job of "being Queen", I'm not in the position to say that about Blaze of Glory. I think you really have to know the music and the band to truly appreciate how close a tribute band come to the original, and I don't know enough to make that judgement. I'll leave it to the big Jovi fans out there! And I know there are lots!

And let's not forget Sharon Ramsey, the American Sign Language Interpreter, who has interpreted each and every one of the State Fair concerts, putting not only words, but emotions and the sense of the artists into the signing. From rock to soul to tribute and country, she has taken on and shared the personas of the artists who performed. Nice job, Sharon!

More photos from the Blaze of Glory show here: http://www.alisontoon.com/blazeofglory

Aftershock 2014 preview: Godsmack, 1000Hp, new album out August 5th

Godsmack headline day two, Sunday, of Aftershock, along with Rob Zombie and Five Finger Death Punch. New album, 1000Hp, is out on August 5th, with a couple of tracks available for pre-order now.

As a taster, here's the title track (no video, just sound):

Ready for the real thing? September 14th, Sacramento. Be there Saturday, too!

Jana Kramer was there, too

Young actress-turned-country-singer Jana Kramer opened the show on Wednesday evening at the California State Fair, followed by Blackjack Billy.

More photos from Jana's set:  http://alisontoon.com/janakramer

Blackjack Billy, redneck rock, did I tell you that this was my kind of show yet?

Sometimes, you choose a book by its cover, an album by its sleeve, a dish on a menu in a strange restaurant, "just because". Not because you know the author, the artist, the flavour; "just because" something, somewhere, appeals. If you try to analyse why you made the choice, you fail, because it doesn't make any logical sense.

Blackjack Billy, California State Fair 2014

That's how it was when I requested permission to take photos at Blackjack Billy's show at the California State Fair last night. I hadn't heard their music, I knew nothing about them, and those of you who have been reading Toon's Tunes for a while will know that country isn't really my thing, apart from a couple of exceptions. And "Nashville", of course.

Blackjack Billy's website and Facebook talk about redneck rock. I was thinking, maybe something along the lines of Lynard Skynard? Allman Brothers? Driving to the show, I plugged Blackjack Billy into Pandora. Darnit. Out popped Tim McGraw. Keith Urban. (No Blackjack Billy.) Sigh. I went back to my Gemini Syndrome station and blasted Stardust at the traffic on Fulton.

First half of the show was performed by Jana Kramer. Yes, the actress from One Tree Hill, now turned country singer and insurance ad. model. I swear 95% of the audience were her TV soap fans, teenage girls all kinda grown up, and the other 5% were grown men shouting, "Aflac! Aflac!" (Wrong insurance, guys, wrong insurance.) (Jana's songs are the sort of country that I think of as country. Past romances, curse on your ex, lost dog... I don't think she sang about a lost dog, but you know what I mean.) Photos from Jana Kramer's set 


Then Blackjack Billy arrived on stage and within seconds, I knew that my seemingly random choice had been totally-and-utterly right. They were outstanding. Musically, vocally, light-wise, animation-wise, fun and entertaining. Brilliant!!! Really! Why were more of you not there to see it? The place was packed to the gills the evening before for Pat Benatar, but there was plenty of room last night. Those of you who were in town, and not there; well you missed a treat.

If this is what's labelled "redneck rock": I love it!!!

Those of you outside of Sacramento: go check Blackjack Billy out.  And that includes you guys in Canada and in Australia.  And Patchogue, NY. They are on their way to see you!

Blackjack Billy's EP, "Get Some", is available now from your usual music store.

Website: http://blackjackbilly.com
Tour dates: http://blackjackbilly.com/#!tour/ 

In case anyone has any doubt at this point: Blackjack Billy, my kind of show. Thank you for allowing my lenses into your space. I hope you enjoy the result.

Here are all the photos (and there are a lot) in the Toon's Tunes Blackjack Billy gallery

(And if you like the energy of Blackjack Billy, you might also enjoy The Soft White Sixties.)

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo rocking the California State Fair

Love is a Battlefield has always been my favourite Pat Benatar song; it was the highlight of last night's show, for me, at the California State Fair, and it was singing in my head when I woke up this morning. Memorable and meaningful.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Sacramento State Fair

The show began with a very cool video and photo collage, telling the story of Benatar and Giraldo's growing-up and growing-together in music. The stage backdrop looked like the inside of a warehouse or barn; broken windows, corrugated metal, and a subtle light and video show.

Audience enjoying the Benatar-Giraldo show

The concert area was packed, both the seated area and outside, as Sacramento fans congregated to watch one of rock's best-known couples--and female rock singers.  (I just wished they had all arrived and seated themselves on time, early, before the show began.)


In the past few years, I've been lucky enough to see Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar. Only missing Chrissie Hynde from the group of women rockers who somehow go together in my head/musical memories. And, of course, I'd just love to see Annie Lennox again.  Maybe next year?

A few more photos: http://alisontoon.com/benatargiraldo

Pat Benatar

Bret Michaels, California State Fair, and making it real.

This was the real Bret Michaels, rocker, musician, showman, entertainer. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see him live, on stage, with the crowd of Sacramento fans at the California State Fair. There were many Bret Michaels hats and bandannas on display as we waited for the show to begin.

Bret Michaels at California State Fair, 2014

Opening with a couple of early Poison songs and then segueing to Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama", we were all singing along already.

Bret does a lot of work for various charitable causes, including childhood diabetes. If you would like to donate to any of these causes, visit http://www.teambretmichaels.com/

(Before the show, I was waiting in the crowd, looking for Daisy, but she wasn't there. That's a good thing: while the reality shows were fun and terribly-addictive, I much preferred the guy that I saw on stage last night to the unreal-reality TV persona. Very glad I had the opportunity! Thank you for a great show, Bret Michaels Band!)

More photos from the show:  http://alisontoon.com/bretmichaels 

California State Fair: fairground art and my fairground muse

Each year I return to the California State Fair fairground, the "Midway", to see the WaveSwinger. I don't understand why it's not surrounded by photographers day and night, like a gorgeous celebrity: she shows a different face early on a summers day to late on a party night. She moves gracefully, calmly, yet excites all who see her. She is beautifully painted and has a classic, almost-Victorian beauty.

The WaveSwinger is my fairground muse.

Have you seen her, yet?

More photos from this year's fair: http://alisontoon.com/castatefair2014

Queen Nation rock the State Fair. Again!

I loved seeing these guys at the State Fair last year, and I say it again: I never expect to like a tribute-band, cover-band, but Queen Nation just rock!

Working Men's Club, which was where a family could go; Dad could have a pint of beer, Mum a Babycham, we kids bottles of Vimto or Tizer drunk through straws, and packets of Walkers Crisps. The bands were local and often dismal, but some were good. But part-way through each and every show, when the bands were playing their own music, the same group of grown-up young women used to start shouting for the band to play The Shadows "Apache". And, as all young bands did in those days, the band went to playing covers for the rest of the evening.

(I say they were grown-up. They wore makeup and stiletto heels and carried handbags, and had hairdos. Looking back? They were probably sixteen or seventeen, recent school-leavers, happy with their weekly wages as haidressers' apprentices or shop workers. They seemed grown up to a pre-teen... but already I questioned their wanting the musicians to re-do the same stuff that we'd heard the week before. And the week before that.)

Queen Nation are not that sort of band. Queen Nation take the music of Freddie Mercury and co., and keep it alive and real. They are fun, it's true, but the music is a great tribute to Queen. (I think I've learned the meaning of "tribute".) They don't just play the music: they take on the personas of the band, and very well they do it.

Queen Nation are musicians, and Gregory Finsley has one hell of a voice. (At one point last night, I realised that he and Mike McManus can channel David Bowie too.)


They are, in my mind, the best-possible band for a State Fair. We know the songs, and can sing along. We know they are not "the real thing", but the music is true. They are real professional musicians, yet they take themselves only as seriously as the situation demands. They are totally enjoyable: the seats were packed, there were people standing outside of the concert area and behind the stage and all along the sides, listening and singing through the whole show.

Oh and yes. Brian May's hair was there.

Come back again next year, Queen Nation!

Queen Nation are Gregory Finsley (Freddie Mercury), Mike McManus (Brian May), Pete Burke (Roger Taylor), and Parker Combs (John Deacon).

(If you're every hungry to see Queen in Freddie's heyday, check out the LiveAid DVD.)

More photos: http://alisontoon.com/queennation

And now for all the fun of the fair: State Fair!

Fairground ride, California state fair

I'm off to the fair, today. Goats, sheep, llamas (I hope!), horses, heavy horses, new-born calves; ferris wheels, crazy rides (I'm an observer, not a participant), bungee jumping, catch-a-rubber-duck, dart-a-soft-balloon, ice-cream-on-a-stick, deep-fried Mars bars and caveman turkey thighs... and the crowd.

And to top off the day, Queen Nation on the Toyota stage!

See you there!

All the fun of the fair: http://castatefair.org

If you're going to Aftershock, check out Knotfest too!

Worthy of a road trip? You bet!

Check out Knotfest here: http://www.knotfest.com/

Slipknot, Danzig, Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat.... and many many more.

(But I'm still wondering where Gemini Syndrome are in the West Coast festival lineups this year...)

Volbeat, Aftershock 2013

Bleating on and on

Surprised Goat

What do you mean, you haven't been to the State Fair yet? I'm shocked! There's so much to see! And eat! Get over there, right now!

Buckcherry.... did you miss them last year?

Don't worry, you'll get another chance, they are part of the lineup at Aftershock again this year.

More Buckcherry from Aftershock 2013:  http://alisontoon.com/buckcherry 

Did you get your tickets, yet?

Photography: Apple discontinues Aperture, happy I stuck with Lightroom!

So Apple have announced that they are discontinuing their Aperture product. Having recently moved to an Apple work environment, I was half-heartedly wondering if I should shift my photo workstream from Adobe Lightroom to Apple Aperture, but now I don't have to wonder.

As both Aperture and Lightroom have significant functionality in comparison to simple photo apps, we'll just have to wait-and-see what Apple delivers in this space later.

Thank you, Apple, for making my mind up for me!