Robert's Review of City Fest at Downtown, 4/25/98

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Saturday in Charlotte's Center City Fest saw a big crowd under bright skies and a cool night. Part of a major three day festival of music and arts in downtown Charlotte with six stages, six rows of art & craft vendors, and nine clubs spread over eight city blocks. A truly mix of sights and sounds with SuperChunk, Vonda Shepard, Daryle Rice, Ray Obiedo, Jeanne Newhall, Edwin McCain, Deborah Coleman, and Joan Baez.

The day started with Deborah Coleman playing a slow blues - Deborah is a North Carolina singer guitarist who can truly play the blues. The slow number gave her the opportunity to work the crowd and move up front to get into some nice solos on her guitar. Then the band turned funky with a song about loving a man she doesn't like. She ended the set with a rework of Hendrix's & Buddy Miles Band of Gypsy's song "Them Changes". This gave the band a change to stretch out in solos - and this band can jam. Deborah Coleman and the Thrill Seekers were hot - a great start for the festival day and definitely a band to check out.

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It was Vonda Shepard's first show with her band and unfortunately it showed. Vonda is the singer on the Ally McBeal TV show. She switched from piano to guitar with great enthusiasm but the lack of confidence of the band and the weak sound system made it a struggle. The sound systems were to be a struggle throughout the day - outdoor shows are tough - I left to check out somebody I could hear.

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One of the greatest discoveries of the day was Daryle Rice - a acoustic guitarist with a beautiful voice. She led her band of drums, bass, and sax through originals like "Rather have you they way you are than the blues", "Children of the Earth", an original instrumental "Jonathan", and closed with a great version of Dinah Washington's "Christopher Columbus." Daryle plays a nice guitar but her voice is world class and will likely be heard from again. Her sax player was also outstanding playing lead with occasional solos. The bass player was very fluid and adventurous. Daryle herself is a good guitarist and composer but her voice will carry her. She has a album due out June 1st and I won't be surprised to be hearing her again.

I was looking forward to hearing Chapel Hill's SuperChunk because of their excellent rep. The short pounding songs didn't bring any excitement to me but hey the crowd loved them. And the feedback was okay but I've heard sonic youth do it better.

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One of the highlights of the day was Edwin McCain which started weak but ended strong with the popish "Greatest Thing in Your Life" and the one of my favorite songs of the nineties - "Solitude." I was expecting a regular southern/alternative rock band but the addition of a sax and a strong front man made the presentation a little slicker than expected. They play a lot locally and the audience was very receptive. The end of the set made it worthwhile.

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The alternative stage had a sound problem with bass echoing off the garage behind the stage. The bands also had a problem with lack luster acts Derek Trucks Band, Government Mule, and Blessed Union of Souls that couldn't rise above the sound problem - too bad. The folk/blues/jazz stage was frequently drowned out by the country stage but I did get to hear a little bit of Jeannie Newhall between country sets. Her piano trio sounded good with some nice vocals. I would like to hear her in a more intimate setting.

Click here to order Jeanne Newhall's CDs & Cassettes at discount prices from Rasman Media and Music Boulevard.

A great surprise (never heard of him before) was Ray Obiedo, a great guitarist from California backed up by an international band with a tight rhythm section, a supple sax player, and a solid pianist. They also had the sense and the power to play their louder and more up beat songs instead of more sensitive numbers to overcome the sounds from the country stage. Their sound was smooth jazz but played with passion and fire. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

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Joan Baez had a dedicated - no fanatical - crowd of worshippers but I gave up after waiting an hour while they tried to set up the small band. Other bands on the same stage during the day did not have a problem. I really began to wonder about her stage hands. Finally she sat down to sing and the sound turned into static. I gave up - it wasn't meant to be.

Click here to order Joan Baez's CDs & Cassettes at discount prices from Rasman Media and Music Boulevard.

Citifest was a great idea and well attended. The art & crafts were great and well situated. I found a couple of paintings to take home. The bars and restaurants were varied as was the crowd. The main problem was too many stages in too small an area. The alternative stage overpowered the country stage that overpowered the folk/blues/jazz stage. They should definitely reduce the number of stages or move the folk/blues/jazz stage further away from the other main stages. Still it was a great way to see a wide variety of bands. I made some nice discoveries for myself - Daryle Rice and Ray Obiedo in particular and I look forward to seeing Deborah Coleman again.



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