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Mariposa: A Lon

working hard in an Onion success.” Eliz down, drawin down that ro ’ guess you wa Patch Pennywhistlei harmonies dc Conspiracy, Joni Mitchell theatrics and cohorts run I of festival© Rosalie Sorrel surprise guest clayed so br by Billy Altman course, music. During the afternoons, one never branch that continues to grow all the time. It is a Dylan “Self- and quite knows where to go. The workshops go on form based on culture, true culture. Songs and country style Woody Graber simultaneously, the very best musicians and stories passed down for generations, through whole finally, Odett; music of Spectrum Staff Writers folklorists from Canada and the U.S. opening countries, and across continents. It’s the up the whole themselves up and entrancing the hundreds of the world. You find the same song sung hundreds 01 sand “Easy R The tenth Mariposa Folk Festival took place on devoted listeners. All gaps between performer and different ways, depending on who’s singing it and the Range.” Centre Island in Toronto last weekend. Mariposa is audience break down. You don’t need a big name or where he’s from. Contrasts of life styles are evident, probably the only festival that accomplishes its goal, a Sunn amplifier to draw a crowd at this gathering. but somehow we bring it all together and form one Warm soup fo that is, bringing people together. Being a folk Just stand under a tree, take out your instrument, be huge circle and feel the same things as those whom Friday n festival, Mariposa is considerably quieter than the it flute, washboard, harmonica, mandolin, dobro, or we have never even met. around a sm; rock rip-offs we’re all so used to. The mood is even quitar and suddenly, people are circling around So much for the geography of paradise. The some Indian c relaxed, the people friendly. People from all walks of you, interested in what you have to offer. They performers at Mariposa come here from all over the Indians flown life and of all ages gather together for the enchanting don’t care if you’re famous, how many albums you world to give us their impressions of life and love. the entire w ferry boat ride that takes them to the island. No have out, who you know. They’re here for one thing Some don’t even play any instruments; some play culture with tl

15-mile traffic jams, no seven car accidents. - music. And there’s more good music at Mariposa four or five. But they’re all worth the small By Satun Everyone knows they’ll get to the music and they than there is anywhere. admission price. gear. The hi also sense that the music is waiting for them. Friday night’s concert set the mood for the workshop, wl Once you’re on Centre Island, you begin to get Folk culture entire weekend. Most of the acts werent Hutto, James this strange feeling that you’re in paradise. Trees and There is one regulation for coming to Mariposa. star-studded, but the music was. Michael Cooney, sent the scat! grass all around, smiling faces on all sides and, of You should like folk music. Folk is the only musical the folksinger’s folksinger, the Pete Seeger of fun. afternoon con the last New ( off the island Saints Go Mar The night David Rea 1 tor: David Bromberg, Jack Elliot, David Rea Olympia Bam up onto the s of the high Indian lass i captivated as t Cree Indians, I to a hearty Hutto handler amazing displ; his Hawks wei ran through i “Dust My Brc were in one c n\ j night in the r, electric city s home to the mellower soun

i Guthrie’s prot Jack Ellic '£ on dead dru P legendary “sit it - through a fe • carpenter”, “( • °n which Da U, with the best f velvet suit at yk Louisiana sw; Cajun king o

Page six . The Spectrum . Friday, July 31, 1970 —Sheedy James Taylor onelyLittle Petunia

working hard, as he put it “to avoid commercial with the ferryboat whistle made us aware that the success.” Elizabeth Cotton, playing her guitar upside outside world was still there trying to crash in on the Fred McDowell down, drawing an ovation for her rendition of “Coin beauty of the festival. down that road feeling bad,” and shyly saying; “I The Sunday afternoon sRftws were simply guess you want to hear ‘Freight Train’ now.” The unbelieveable. Ramblin’ Jack did a two hour show Pennywhistlers, six angel-like voices in intricate on Woodie Guthrie that had everyone in a dream harmonies doing Slavic songs. The Perth County state. As soon as he could tear himself away from Conspiracy, dazzling the crowd with Stratford the screaming crowd. Jack went off to another two relaxed a bit. The audience, on her side all the way, theatrics and Mothers-type humor, while their hour session, this time with Bromberg and Toronto’s responded vigorously to each song. Jont’s added the cohorts run through the crowd with lit sparklers. own David Rea. The three swapped songs and dulcimer to her instrumental array and she did a Rosalie Sorrels, accompanied by one of the festival’s harmonies with Bromberg filling in with guitar and song called “California” which she wrote in Spain, surprise guest stars, guitarist David Bromberg, who dobro licks. Meanwhile, over at the bluegrass while she was “wishing I was home.” The people played so brilliantly on the Paul Siebel and new workshop, Eric Nagler, a fine banjo player, hosted joined in on “Woodstock” and her first encore It is a Dylan “Self-Portrait” albums. Her plain, soft some very inspiring music, finishing up with my “Circle Game.” Called back for a second encore, igs and country style hypnotized the entire audience. And (Billy’s) band, the South Happiness Street Society Joni responded to a request for “Chelsea Morning.” r whole finally, Odetta, the soul queen of folk music, filling Skiffle Band, drawing a crowd of five hundred She was wailing away, smiling happily, and gently msic of up the whole island with her powerful voice as she people to “How Come You Do Me Like You Do.” swaying back and forth. Ireds oi sand “Easy Rider” and that old favorite, “Home on Time had, unfortunately, run out. Owen it and the Range.” PA troubles McBride bade us goodnight and, with our heads in ;videnl As with any good festival (and there aren’t too the clouds, we slowly departed. Any bad thoughts, was irm one Warm soup for warm hearts many of those), the best saved for last. Sunday like the few hundred who tried to crash the gates : whom Friday night ended with everyone crowding night’s concert covered quite a lot of ground Saturday and Sunday nights, were easily forgotten. around a small campfire singing songs and eating musically. Owen McBride, Sunday’s host, did a We went to the ferry, played on the line, sang on the (Merle se. The some Indian corn soup prepared by a troupe of Cree magnificent impromptu set Travis had boat, and continued even after we were back on the with some off-color Irish true, iver the Indians flown in from Manitoba. The Indians spent cancelled) innocently city proper. Mariposa was a dream come heaven id love, the entire weekend exchanging ideas and their drinking songs. Sara Grey, an Appalachian lady, had on earth, peace. ae play culture with the people. everyone floating with her soft, clear voice. During braved ; small By Saturday afternoon, the festival was in high her act the PA system broke down, but Sara gear. The highlight of the day was the blues through the storm, waited for everything to for the workshop, where Mississippi Fred McDowell, J.B. straighten out, and carried on beautifully. weren l Hutto, James Taylor and the Olympia Brass Band The last half of the show was beyond criticism. looney sent the scattered hundreds into a frenzy. As the David Rea played magnificently for the hometown Norman Kennedy of fun afternoon concert ended, the Olympia band, one of crowd, his magic fingers flying over the tretboard. the last New Orleans marching bands, led the people He did two exceptionally fine guitar songs, “I’m in off the island with a rousing version of “When the Love with a Woman for the Way She Walks” and Saints Go Marching In.” “David and Goliath.” The latter, a fast and loose The night concert Saturday started off with the “hip Bible” song, was the funniest thing all weekend. brought the Olympia Band marching through the audience and Norman Kennedy, a Scottish singer, Going up onto the stage. Their foot-stomping set was one audience to its feet with his acapella singing. he of the high points of the entire festival. Lovely from Scottish ballads to Irish jigs, the reaction got was. one Indian lass Alanis Obomsawin held the crowd showed just how good the crowd That man, leave ten captivated as she sang some of her tribe’s songs. The without a single instrument, could Cree Indians, led by their joke-cracking chief, danced thousand people clamoring for more, is indeed a to a hearty reception. Fred McDowell and J. B. phcnomanon. And it can take place only at Next last was James Most of the Hutto handled the blues part of the show with an Mariposa. to Taylor. never seen James he amazing display of dexterity and feeling. Hutto and people had before, and really his Hawks were called back for two encores as they knocked them out with his shy, self-mocking ran through many fine Chicago standards, such as approach. Playing songs like “Fire and Rain”, Road", “Carolina and “Dust My Broom .” Hutto made all of us feel like we “Country in My Mind” his sensitive, i were in one of the South Side bars on a Saturday “Sweet Baby James”, Taylor conveyed night in the windy city. In sharp contrast to the probing words and music to the audience. Coming I shucks | electric city sound, McDowell took us back down back for his second encore with an “Aw, home to the Delta with country picking and a folks”, Taylor enthralled each and every person mellower sound. within earshot.

i Guthrie’s protege Climax to a beautiful weekend Jack Elliot (or Ramblin’ Jack, as you will) came Finally, the princess herself, Joni Mitchell, came on dead drunk and stole everyone’s heart. The on. Joni had not played before an audience for six " legendary “singing cowboy from Brooklyn” rambled months. Her last American appearance was fc-’ through a few tunes, most notably “If I were a remember at Kleinhans in December. Then, Joni, mjL carpenter”, “God on our Side”, and “Sadie Brown”, emotionally stirred, was almost crying during songs » on which David Bromberg showed he could pick like “Cactus Tree” and “Willy.” Now, after a much V with the best of them. Doug Kershaw, complete with needed rest in Greece, she shyly approached the M velvet suit and eletric violin, stomped through the microphone. She was very nervous and she ■ft Louisiana swamp tunes that have made him “the cautiously went through “Big Yellow Taxi.” Next Cajun king of the Bayou.” His running argument came “Marcie” and “Nathan La Freneer” and Joni

Friday, July 31, 1970 . The Spectrum . Page seven