Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops

The Country of Miracles

As soon as I saw the lineup, It struck me that some interesting headline choices had been made for the 2010 Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival. 

The act that closed out this evening - and this year's festival - Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles - is largely unknown by most of the people I spoke with at the event. And while the unfamiliar is often given a fighting chance at this festival, putting entirely unfamiliar music center stage on the last night... well, it seemed a little optimistic.

Gord and his alternate touring/studio act, which includes The Skydiggers' Josh Finlayson, Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, Julie Doiron, Dale Morningstar, and Dave Clark of The Rheostatics, may comprise a stellar Canadian musical pedigree, but still; isn't a little familiarity expected with your keynote act?

Despite the band's playful banter, cross-talk, and overall high quirk-quotient, the fair ground did start to empty out earlier than usual. Mr. Downie himself confessed that throughout the summer, whatever festival they played, it just didn't seem a good fit. To which Ms. Doiron responded that the best fit for the band was "everywhere and nowhere."

Odd maybe, but this was still the band with which I really connected. It was so curious to see how the band carried on talking with, over, and around Downie throughout the evening, and even during the course of some songs. It was this perfectly loose dynamic, this professional but almost jocular familiarity that ultimately helped me chuckle and grin as I sampled songs - Like The East Wind - which might not have garnered a second thought otherwise. The delivery gave me an opportunity to warm up to the music. Not at all like a Hip concert, right? :P

I would be remiss to mention one other act which you really should sample. Nomfusi and the Lucky Charms, was the penultimate act on the mainstage. The South African vocalist is an absolute riot to watch and hear; her diminutive frame makes you wonder where she could possibly hide all that vocal torque. She has been touring Canada for the last month; between her excellent English and the way she is being packaged, I anticipate we will hear more of the little dynamo in the future

So that's it, that's the last of this summer's Roots & Blues. Although I saw some familiar Kamloops faces, the number of people I recognized seems down somewhat, maybe an indication of the overall attendance?

If you haven't attended, it's something you really must try. It's an inexpensive way to expose your own (and maybe your children's) palates to entertaining ear candy that no summer should expire without.

Were you there? What was your favourite moment of the weekend? Just click on "Comments" (below)

 

The Trolls Among Us

I had the most interesting discussion with a troll today, at the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival.

But first, I must confess how thoroughly disappointed I was with the Saturday evening show. I had been eagerly looking forward to Joan Armatrading's show. A friend turned me on to her in the late seventies, but I haven't really given her recordings much of a chance for at least a couple of decades. 

Prior to Ms. Armatrading's performance, Martha Wainwright brought the tempo down with a set almost entirely dedicated to the late Parisian vocalist Edit Piaf. It was interesting, and certainly painted an unmistakable musical picture, full of smoky cabarets and star-crossed love. But I knew it was just a setup for the headline act, with who's acoustic touch I looked forward to becoming reacquainted.

As it was, Ms. Armatrading kept was slow and electronic for much of her set, and more than a little unfamiliar to boot. Never mind, I could still snap a picture or two for the blog, a nice way to refresh my memory of her. But the performer ensured that security wouldn't permit fans to capture her image, so that was that. I couldn't find very much in her performance to cherish.

Now, this is Joan Armatrading, so it's impossible not to find something positive to report. And here it is; her delivery of The Weakness In Me was so melancholy, so conflicted, so soaked with guilt and regret, it was excruciating. And beautiful. But overall her set was long, slow, and indulgent. 

Now, back to the troll. 

I spoke  with Grandpa Troll (pictured) for a few minutes this afternoon at the Family Fun tent. I informed him I was from Kamloops when he asked, to which he replied with a croaky eastern-European accent, "Ahh! I having family there!"

"Really?" I asked. "Who?"

"Name is Kevin," replied Grandpa. 

"Kevin who?"

"Krueger!"

With all appropriate apologies (Kevin), is still funny... no?

Have you met (or been) a troll lately? Tell me about it, just click on "Comments" (below)

Cat Came Back

Saturday afternoon at the 2010 Salmon Arm Root's & Blues Festival is a great time to either either be a kid, know one, or have been one.

A superlative family-friendly daytime line-up at this event is a given. No use picking and choosing show times from the programme; just show up, grab an ice cream, set up camp in the family circle, and leave the last forty years at the door.

Fred Penner was such a joy to watch, that watching wasn't enough. There were at least as many adults as children clapping, singling, and grinning ear-to-ear as there were children. It's a wonder to me that the songs and that voice could evoke such warm remembrances for so many of us older folk, even though much of the original experience may have been vicarious. And here we are again, ten, twenty, thirty years on, basking in the glow of those musical moments as though we had experienced them ourselves in the first person, rather than through the eyes and ears of our children. Where exactly does self end?

Mr. Penner treated us to his own extended self, bringing along a pick-up band (some pick-up band, it was actually Winnipeg's The F-Holes) who were very obviously playing with the children's icon for the very first time. But he led them with easy familiarity, even calling them back to the stage after one particularly romping effort - which they very obviously interpreted as the finish - with a pleasant but authouritative, "I didn't dismiss you!" They sheepishly but energetically jumped back on stage, then followed the parade thru to it's most proper conclusion, The Cat Came Back. But audience and band alike shared a smile when Mr. Penner deftly wove K-OS's Crabbukit into the progression of his own biggest hit. 

Later, The Kerplunks got all the little ones up dancing with a highly-interactive jam, featuring a stand-up bass and trumpet. The quartet approaches a younger audience with full measure of musical novelty. So often the sounds we hear these days are of similar substance, I can't imagine young ears wouldn't be drawn to such unfamiliar tones and rhythms. Mine certainly were.

This evening it will be back to the fair grounds, where our tardy arrival this afternoon earned us a patch of turf much removed from the action. But closer to the ice cream, mini-donut, and lemonade stands. I might have to snooze in the garden tomorrow morning as well!

When was the last time you broke out the children's albums? Or, to tell us about your own festival experiences, just click on "Comments" (below)

Return to the Oasis

I give thanks for the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival. The festival itself is a fantastic combination of sights, tastes, and sounds that is unique in my annual experience. But the true beauty of this weekend isn't the festival itself, but rather the oasis of calm and welcome we find here at the home of the Salmon Arm Bakers.

My brother and his family live up on the hill, close to the airport and just below the wild trails of Little Mountain. The property is largely shaded by evergreens, which provide relief from the sun but also an element of seclusion that is evident everywhere, even in front of the house.

Some years ago Lyle and Isa dedicated much of one summer to giving their front yard over to a remarkably appealing garden through which it is almost impossible to pass, not because it is overgrown, but rather because it thwarts whatever destination or purpose one carries into it. Tasks fall by the wayside as minutes and hours pass in the company of slurping coy, dragonflies sunning themselves on the stalks of irises, and the occasional drone of small aircraft lifts one's attention to the canopy of green needles overhead.

So now, having indulged myself all morning, I once again find myself busy with the tasks we (I) should have accomplished several hours ago. Already noon on Saturday, but we have yet to stake our turf at the fairground for the Saturday lineup. And here I am writing a blog, suddenly occupied with the very task I've neglected for very nearly a year.

 Although we usually show up on Saturday, last night we attended the Friday evening lineup to ensure the little ones - still only 10 and 7 - could regale their classmates with tales of K'Naan when they return to class in September. The Somali-Canadian rapper had us all waving the flag after relating his personal journey from a young Somali immigrant to a globe-trotting performer who has played dates in eighty countries over the past year. It was easy to understand the extent to which his biggest hit - the World Cup theme-turned Save Haiti anthem - has been embraced by Canadian youth. I was overcome with a mixture of empathy, national pride, and muscle ache from lactic acid buildup as I danced under the stars with Shae on my shoulders.

It was a great night, and a better morning; I give thanks for the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival.

Were you there? Have you indulged yourself yet this weekend? Tell us about it; just click on "Comments" (below)

 

Roots & Blues Still Alive and Well

Ears are still ringing, mind still busy after watching the Sam Roberts Band freewheel through a roller-coaster 15-minute encore set here in Salmon Arm, bringing the 17th annual Roots & Blues Festival to a close this evening.

Despite the headliner's great finish, I can't stop thinking about Johnny Winter. In spite of his frail appearance, Mr. Winter delivered heavy blues licks that echoed memories of his music from my childhood. I would often listen to my older brothers' vinyl before they arrived home from high school, and so spent most of those intervening hours listening to Ten Years After, Santana, and Johnny Winter. I liked the album art of the last two best; Santana for the heavy-breasted women featured prominently on the cover, and Johnny Winter for the novel appearance of the talented albino bluesman.

There's something familiar and appealing about the blues that can hook a person, even when they're unfamilair with the specific artist or song. It's difficult to say the same thing about a lot of pop in a fairground environment however, where otherwise obvious hooks get lost in echoes and imperfect sound systems. Although I personally enjoy Sam Roberts, it was pretty obvious that a portion of this evening's crowd just kind of lost interest once his band took the stage.

Too old? Probably. Too young? Some of us.

But when the blues are on stage, most of us are still alive and well.

To share your thoughts about the Sam Roberts Band, the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, Johnny Winter, the blues, family festivals, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)

 

Let My People Go!

Jay Malinowski may have slurred his way through the lyrics of half a dozen songs, but it was the way he slurred during Bedouin Soundclash's wind-up set at the 17th annual Roots & Blues Festival in Salmon Arm that gave the day such a rolicking finish.

Shortly after taking the stage, Malinowski ordered the typically restrained crowd seated in front of him to its feat, and out from behind the barricades erected to keeping dancing attendees away from the stage. But even with his direction, the audience at this festival is so well-mannered it actually took a couple of minutes before the party started.

As related here in previous years, many at this family festival seem to expect their entertainers to deliver a healthy portion of propriety with their music. But Canada's reigning reggae-ska duo would have none of it, inviting a couple hundred grinning/bleary/pungent youth forward to dance in the grass under the stars.

Malinowski and band mate Eon Sinclair, accompanied by horns and percussion, were joined on-stage by Canadian blues hero Gordie Johnson, the frontman formerly of Big Sugar and currently of Grady, for a couple of songs.  Malinowski and Johnson giggled and flubbed their way through, obviously enjoying themselves in a way that was pretty refreshing. The Roots & Blues may be a family fest, but its nice to see that there's still room for acts like Bedouin Soundclash and Bobby Rush to deliver their sets their way.

Earlier in the evening Ana Popovic made a solid case for fastest hands in the West with stellar guitar playing, and a sound one would expect to have originated in the Big Apple rather than Belgrade.

Prior to Popovic taking the stage, Darondo scandalized the evening when he brought the funk out, singing about "titties" and intimate love. But I wonder... is it really the occasional vulgarity that offends, or the fact that it's a sexually confident senior singing it?

The very large majority of acts during the the two and a half days of this festival are completely appropriate for children of all ages. And the wonderful family-oriented activities available throughout the day make this a must-attend event for the Kamloops Bakers. So while others grouse at the occasional late-evening act introduces some spice to the mix, we have learned to enjoy the full menu, and plan our summers around it.

To share your thoughts about the Darondo, funk, Bedouin Soundclash, reggae, Ana Popovich, the blues, family festivals, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda Published Convergys Comment

Some of my long-time readers might recall some eighteen months ago, when I broke the story (Will Convergys Close Kamloops Call Centre?) of comments from Convergys President and CEO David Dougherty that the company planned to move some of its Canadian operations to Asia, and questioned whether this would impact the Kamloops operations.

That post generated a lot of attention both in terms of traffic to this web site, and within the local media. The latter I found rather curious, given that I hadn't actually added any value other than to discover information that was already freely available in the company's public record.

Anyways, an anonymous comment left on a follow-up post, Convergys Relocation Statements Cause Anxiety Across Canada, stated that the Kamloops location would in fact shut down, and that Convergys would evacuate the country completely by the end of 2008:

I cant say who I am or what I know but Convergys Canada will be completely gone by December 2008. Kamloops and Ottawa will be closed 100% by September 2008, and the rest will follow in the coming months.

In subsequent posts (Ethics, Anon!) I troubled a bit over whether or one should publish anonymous comments, and invited the author of that comment to contact me off the record. Then, after speaking with Convergys' Vice President of Business Development for Canada, Igor Sarenac, who unequivocally refuted any intentions to shut down Kamloops operations, I ultimately I chose not to share the comment, either with my readers or with interested local journalists. Given recent events however, the point is now moot.

Yesterday, news broke that the Kamloops Call Centre would in fact close (Dave Eagles, I am again in awe of your nuanced photojournalism).

So, I'm looking for input... did I miss the boat, or did I get it right by not publishing the comment? It's very possible that the commenter was spot-on, but that shifting economic realities (like a Canadian dollar that plunged during the recent financial crisis) kept this call centre open when it otherwise would have closed back in December. Should a blogger care whether or not interesting information comes from a single, anonymous source?

Obviously there is value in verification, but I personlly engage greater skepticism when reading blogs by amateurs than when reading professional online media, and expect others to do the same. Does that render absent the need for any even a passing wave at journalistic practices? Believe me, bloggers like me typically struggle to simply post on a regular basis, let alone verify (or even consider following) reader-submitted leads.

I'm listening...

To share your thoughts about the Convergys, the local economy, journalism, blogging, anonymity, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)

Crisis, What Crisis?

Since we moved into our new house in 2004, I've on occasion noticed the odour of natural gas in our driveway. But various experts reasoned the smell away due to a number of factors, and so I have never vigorously pursued it with Terasen.

That changed this afternoon, as I parked my Ford in the driveway.

I was surprised to discover that our natural gas line had developed a loud and stinky leak, right at the meter outside the garage. So, after a quick reference to the phone book (maybe the first time I've used a phone book in the past year), I called Terasen's Emergency line.

That was more than five and a half hours ago.

Here it is 11:43 pm, and still I wait. The gas line is still hissing, the neighbours are concerned, but still no technician. The operator who answers the phone has offered lots of apologies, but what is that worth if a stray spark suddenly turns my house into an inferno?

So here I sit, waiting. Worrying. And wondering who changed the meaning of the word, "emergency"?

UPDATE: 1:43 am, Tuesday July 28 - Phil, the Terasen technician, just left, and finally the leak has been fixed, only a little over 6 hours after I first called it in. I asked him about the flies that litter the ground under the meter. He explained that they are attracted to the odour, but are often overcome by the fumes.

UPDATE: 7:17 pm, Tuesday July 28 - A second technician visited today, who raised the meter. Although I didn't take notice when we first built the house, it has become very obvious since then that the meter is literally below grade (it's in a hole). When the snow drifts, I am constantly having to dig the thing out. Nice to see Terasen doing what it can to dig out of its own hole, after the atrocious "emergency" response last night.

I'm still shaking my head; the flow of gas from the leak was so loud last night that when the technician finally arrived - more than 6 hours after my original call - he immediately exclaimed, "Holy shit!" Thank God we didn't have any lightening in the neighbourhood!

To share your thoughts about the Terasen, emergencies, the death of meaning, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)

I, Culprit

The only constant is change, but change is constantly hard. I say that from the perspective of having built, then lost (with much hardship and heartache), a company that employed a significant number of skilled and well paid workers here in Kamloops and across the province.

Too many Canadians today, in too many industries, are experiencing change that impacts both their livelihoods and their passions. In most cases, a staggeringly complex combination of market forces are at play.

Unfortunately, those who are affected by change often feel the need to cast the righteousness of their plight in opposition to a single, responsible culprit.

Anyone with half a brain can tell the difference between journalism and blogging, but it seems that many voices within the profession - such as one commentator over at Fouldsy's Blog - insist on building themselves back up by knocking us down.

If journalists continue to focus on the myth of the culprit blogger instead of anticipating and overcoming the real causes of their predicament, the future of their profession will hold much more hard change.

To share your thoughts about the Kamloops This Week, journalism, blogging, scapegoats, culprits, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)

Be Right About What You Know

It's been strange, being so distant from the BC provincial election this week, while attending to business on the road since Sunday.

First in Winnipeg, then in Toronto (where I currently sit, waiting for my return flight back to Kamloops), it was strange to be in rooms full of people, knowing I was the only one with the election on my mind. If anything, I received more condolences about the Canuck's post-season follies than inquiries about the Grits, NDP, and electoral reform.

But I couldn't help bringing it up, maybe because the people I've worked with this week didn't have any emotional attachment to the race. And the reaction I've most often received has been surprise.

Surprise that the election largely turned on the NDP's opposition to a carbon tax. Often the expressions of my interviewees conveyed as much sympathy as confusion, confusion about the counter-intuitive political ground staked by the party, and sympathy for living in such a strange political climate. As per today's National Post editorial - Saved from the Wreck Beach nudist party - about BC-STV, "...B. C. is B. C., for heaven's sake--a realm so ethnically balkanized, and geographically and economically diverse that it's often considered near-ungovernable under any system at all", we are still widely recognized across Canada as a polarized and slightly wacky political relation.

Carol James' brash bet against her better sense bit her and the party hard on the ass. She didn't just lose the election and confuse Canadians from other provinces. She also confused a league of middle voters who thought the party stood for something besides political expediency.

Whatever the party you're against does, how much can its actions really harm your morale rightiousness and and political engagement?

But when your own party lets you down, that's something different. The BC NDP, with its "Axe the Tax", proved to the youthful voters it courts that it is as cynical as any other party.

Carol James' campaign against an obviously green initiative for the sake of political gain didn't make sense. And maybe that's one of the reasons there is so much voter apathy among youth.Not because we don't reach out to youth, but rather because the parties that do reach out to youth are the ones that always break their hearts.

To share your thoughts about the Carol James, the NDP, the carbon tax, or anything else with readers of Right Up Your Alley: Kamloops, just click on "Comments" (below)