Music great, to match the scene
James, Winter add star power to show
Calabogie Blues and Ribfest Reviewed Aug. 16, 17 and 18 Calabogie Resort
Blues fans turned out in record numbers to see performances by Colin James and Johnny Winter, but they also got to know artists like Steve Hill and Ben Racine at the Calabogie Blues and Ribfest, which wrapped up Sunday at Calabogie Peaks Resort.
Attendance at this year’s edition of the event was estimated at 19,000, more than three times bigger than last year.
The majority of the weekend crowd — about 12,000 — turned up on Saturday and filled the parking lots, requiring organizers to use the nearby golf course for extra parking. On site, lineups were long but it was a perfect summer day, and you could hear the music whether you were waiting for ribs, beverages, Porta-Potties or a chair lift ride up the mountain.
Saturday’s program brought a full day of fine Canadian blues artists starting with a rousing performance by Ottawa’s Three Times Lucky, who dusted off an old Metagenesis tune, Calabogie Boogie, for the occasion. Other highlights included Gatineau guitarslinger Ben Racine and his sax-phattened band, and the sheer force of Steve Hill’s ’70s-fired bluesguitar showmanship.
Of course, the big attraction was Canuck guitar hero Colin James, who celebrated his 49th birthday on the stage at the base of the Calabogie ski hill on Saturday night as a vast crowd sang Happy Birthday to him.
The birthday boy was in fine form. His soulful voice sweetened the night air, his playing energized the record crowd, his band was top-notch and songs like Freedom, Why’d You Lie, Just Came Back To Say Goodbye and Five Long Years had everyone singing along. To top off a great show, a magnificent fireworks display, a Saturday night tradition at Calabogie, was ignited halfway up the mountain.
After the testosterone-fuelled guitar that dominated Saturday’s program, it was nice to see some female artists on stage Sunday, including Sue Foley and Suzie Vinnick. Ottawa gal Foley gave a great set with musical partner Peter Karp, trading vocals and instrumental work on songs they wrote together. The creative collaboration appears to have revitalized both musicians.
Of the thousands of blues fans who flocked to the festival, two of the most serious were 11 years old.
Ottawa residents Braydon Lepine and Alex Hobgood spent much of the weekend in the front row, directly in front of the barricade, where they danced, sang and played air guitar along to every act. They collected guitar picks, drums sticks and even a homemade slide. Between sets, they lined up to get the artists to write their names in Braydon’s book or on Alex’s hat. They got to meet Johnny Winter on his tour bus and listened to Colin James’ sound check from the campground.
“It’s really good that you see people out listening to just blues,” says Braydon. “We look forward to this every year.”
Both boys have been blues fans as long as they can remember, thanks to parents and grandparents. “This new techno music isn’t the same,” says Alex. “Do you want to watch people press a button or watch them play guitar?”
The boys take guitar lessons from the festival sponsor Class Axe Guitars, and were camping with their families in the campground adjacent to the festival site at the bottom of ski hill. As veterans of the Calabogie fest — they’ve been to all three editions of the event — they didn’t hesitate to declare this year’s the best yet.
“You’ve got the ribs, you’ve got the autographs, you’ve got the live music,” enthused Alex. “All you have to do is bring breakfast.”