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Vancouver Sun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Folk Festival: A classic Neil Young album reimagined, plus 5 must-see performers
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. On July 19, 1974, Neil Young previewed his fifth solo album, On the Beach, at a surprise concert in Los Angeles. As a nod to that event, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival presents On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined on July 19 at Jericho Beach. Featuring the Hen House All-Stars backing band led by Juno Award-winning guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, the lineup of musicians honouring Young's legacy includes Krystle Dos Santos, Sue Foley, Margaret Glaspy, Rich Hope, Marcus Mosely, Marin Patenaude, Samantha Parton, Kenneth Pattengale and Julian Taylor. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. This is part of a continuing series of performances at the Folk Festival that explore the work of iconic acts, such as Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, as interpreted by artists who put their own distinct twist on material considered part of the classic-rock canon. While the focus is on Young's seminal 1970 record After the Gold Rush, it draws from across his prolific career. Dawson says the fact that such an oddball could arrive in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and become the toast of the town is something that defies all music industry conventions. Mining his own distinct brand of guitar playing and songwriting to great success is something that can't be copied and has made Young a role model and inspiration for generations of Canadian musicians. 'He's not like other iconic Canadian songwriters who reference the country a lot in their material either, like The Tragically Hip,' said Dawson. 'But anyone, in any country, would have a huge amount of respect for what he's done and how he's done it. It's one of the reasons so many amazing voices have taken on his songs, and hearing them interpreted by the singers we have for this event is really exciting.' Award-winning Black Canadian/Mohawk artist Julian Taylor, who also appears as a feature act at the folk festival and at the incredibly popular gospel workshop on Sunday morning, admits that Young is an inescapable presence. 'There are some records that resonate with me and are personal favourites, such as On the Beach and Tonight's the Night, but he loses me a lot of the time as well,' said Toronto-based Taylor. 'For musicians working in my area, his influence is everywhere, and trying to think of another artist who has that definitive folk style but isn't afraid to really crank it up is rare. 'I'm always up for trying out a project like this, but honestly I'm more of a Robbie Robertson of the Band or Bob Dylan type of guy.' Having performed at the folk fest numerous times with the Sojourners and the Good Noise Gospel Choir, Vancouver vocalist Marcus Mosely estimates he has played the event five or six times. Singing Neil Young songs has never been on his bucket list of material to perform, but he's excited to be involved in the reimagining project, as well as hosting the gospel workshop featuring one of his idols, Texas belter Ruthie Foster. 'Like anyone else who is a child of the '60s, I grew up listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and his solo work,' said Mosely. 'While I've not followed every stage of his career, so much of his solo material has been a part of my upbringing. The song I'm doing is Tonight's the Night, which is completely outside my wheelhouse. But I love the way that Steve has brought his 'Steve-isms' into it, making it very fresh.' That 'fresh' approach to what can sometimes be a little too-classic material is what makes these reimaginings different from a tribute show. Vancouver Folk Music Festival artistic director Fiona Black says she wouldn't be interested in presenting that kind of a show, mixing local talents with national and international performers. 'Tributes conjure up images of a band trying to be the original artist and that is definitely not what we are doing here,' said Black. 'When you have a different, unique vocalist performing songs they want to put their stamp on, it's very much in Young's style, which is to never do a song the same way twice. We have a few new additions from the show at the Kay Meek centre last year, which was more of a focus on After the Goldrush.' These shows, Black notes, also allow people to discover new talents and launch themselves into embracing the diverse artist offering over the festival weekend. For full artist profiles and samples as well as the packed workshop and individual concert program, visit . With three nights of evening main stage performances and several different workshops and individual concerts on the east, west and south stages, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival packs in a lot of music over a short period of time. From Appalachian and Atlas mountain music to blazing blues guitar and raw soul vocals, the 2025 edition of the festival provides the opportunity to check out sounds that suit your personal preferences, as well as find something wonderful and new to your ears. The best advice: Pick a few specific concerts and workshops and then leave yourself room to wander and wonder what you'll discover. Here are five acts not to miss: When/where: Sat., 10:05-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sun., 12:30-1:30 p.m., West Stage Website : Latest album : Swaken About : This Moroccan-French crew's name translates as 'door of the blues,' and it's opening the way for women-fronted acts in the macho world of the desert blues sound that has captivated global audiences in recent years. Lead singer Yousra Mansour is a serious badass on her custom electric guembri (bass lute) and has a piercing wail that just rocks. When/where : Sun., 10-11:30 a.m., South Stage; Sun., 7:15-8:10 p.m., Main Stage Website : Latest album : Mileage About : Texas musician Foster is a dynamo whose work encompasses gospel, blues, folk, country and more. In songs such as the title track on her latest release Mileage, Foster serves up confessional songs of Black womanhood and LGBTQ+ issues with heart-stopping intensity. When/where: Sat., 11:10 a.m.-noon, East Stage Website : Latest album : One Guitar Woman About : Fingerpicking stylist Foley plays with passion, grace and fire. An absolute guitar hero, her latest release finds her unplugging and showcasing her amazing acoustic playing while paying tribute to legends such as Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and more. When/where: Fri., 3-4 p.m., West Stage Website : Latest album : Doppleganger About : Japanese Canadian psychedelic crew Teke::Teke really rocks to a sound of its own. Incorporating everything from piccolo and brass alongside shredding surf guitar and pop hooks, the Montreal septet is one of a kind. Owing to being so in-demand globally, they don't play here often. Don't miss it. When/where: Fri., 10-11 p.m., Main Stage; Sat., 11:10 a.m.-12 p.m. West Stage; Sat., 12:25-1:15 p.m., South Stage Website : Latest album : Maisha (coming soon) About : Taking the music traditions of the Wagogo, or Gogo, people of Tanzania into contemporary realms, Pendo and Leah Zawose come from a musical dynasty. Pendo's father, Hukwe Zawose, recorded for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, and now Pendo and her niece are leading the way for women playing Gogo music. sderdeyn@ Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.
Calgary Herald
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Vancouver Folk Festival: A classic Neil Young album reimagined, plus 5 must-see performers
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content On July 19, 1974, Neil Young previewed his fifth solo album, On the Beach, at a surprise concert in Los Angeles. As a nod to that event, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival presents On the Beach: Neil Young Reimagined on July 19 at Jericho Beach. Article content Article content Featuring the Hen House All-Stars backing band led by Juno Award-winning guitarist and producer Steve Dawson, the lineup of musicians honouring Young's legacy includes Krystle Dos Santos, Sue Foley, Margaret Glaspy, Rich Hope, Marcus Mosely, Marin Patenaude, Samantha Parton, Kenneth Pattengale and Julian Taylor. Article content Article content This is part of a continuing series of performances at the Folk Festival that explore the work of iconic acts, such as Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan, as interpreted by artists who put their own distinct twist on material considered part of the classic-rock canon. Article content Dawson says the fact that such an oddball could arrive in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and become the toast of the town is something that defies all music industry conventions. Mining his own distinct brand of guitar playing and songwriting to great success is something that can't be copied and has made Young a role model and inspiration for generations of Canadian musicians. Article content Article content 'He's not like other iconic Canadian songwriters who reference the country a lot in their material either, like The Tragically Hip,' said Dawson. 'But anyone, in any country, would have a huge amount of respect for what he's done and how he's done it. It's one of the reasons so many amazing voices have taken on his songs, and hearing them interpreted by the singers we have for this event is really exciting.' Article content Article content Award-winning Black Canadian/Mohawk artist Julian Taylor, who also appears as a feature act at the folk festival and at the incredibly popular gospel workshop on Sunday morning, admits that Young is an inescapable presence. Article content 'There are some records that resonate with me and are personal favourites, such as On the Beach and Tonight's the Night, but he loses me a lot of the time as well,' said Toronto-based Taylor. 'For musicians working in my area, his influence is everywhere, and trying to think of another artist who has that definitive folk style but isn't afraid to really crank it up is rare.
