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.
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