Oh Canada!

So after a few UK festivals and a run of great shows with Steve Knightley I find myself across the pond for a few weeks. It ís wonderful to be back in Canada. Have been playing the Vancouver Islands Music Fest on Vancouver Island this past weekend. Having done a lot of the major festivals here last year, I came over just to play this one and also put in a show in Connecticut USA on the way over. That was in Ridgefield at The Playhouse Theatre and was a wonderful night. I then took the long flight over to the West Coast.I last played the Island Festival back in 02 and its almost doubled in size since then. Two very hot days have seen some wonderful music being played and a rich coverage of styles. Good to meet up with old friends like Dick Gaughan, Eric Bibb and Michael Wrycraft who designed my last three album sleeves. Shared a workshop concert with Steven Page of Bare Naked Ladies fame and had a wonderful moment on the main stage on Saturday evening. David Lindley had been scheduled to play but sadly was unable to make it due to illness, so a number of artists played cover songs with Jennifer Warne's band backing us. Without any rehearsal I stepped with these great musicians and played One Of Usí. We nailed it and it was very powerful and took me a while to come down after. I must get me one of those bands sometime! It ís strange really as I almost always play solo and have to create sound that represents the kick, bass, snare, the rhythm of the off beat etc. It ís a strange thing to have that done for you in such a powerful way and I really could get use to it! Playing to five thousand people helps though.I will play a charity show in Vancouver this evening and then fly to Prince George to visit friends for a few days then fly home. My love affair with Canada continues and I feel so at home here.