FESTIVAL ARCHIVE
2001 Lineup
- Return to Past Performers
- Jenny Allen (AB)
is a Calgary singer/songwriter with one of best voices on the Canadian folk scene.
- Billy Boy Arnold (USA)
is a superlative singer, songwriter, blues harp player, guitar player and bandleader. Eric Clapton, David Bowie and The Animals have recorded his music.
- The Be Good Tanyas (BC)
deliver gorgeous three-part harmonies and old time blues and country. Their songs are so disarmingly natural that you think you're hearing lost field recordings of some ancient Appalachian singers.
- Black Umfolosi (Zimbabwe)
are well known for their acappella songs and marvelous harmonies mixed with intricate rhythms, clapping and shouting. Their singing is complemented by breakaway dance moves.
- Bill Bourne (AB)
is a Juno-award winner and seven time nominee. Bill's soulful voice blends brilliantly with his excellent guitar playing to make music ranging from blues, swing and gospel, to cajun, celtic and flamenco.
- Richard Buckner (AB)
is a major songwriting talent who has moved to Festival City from south of the border. Richard will be joined by Jason Lowenstein on pedal steel for this very special engagement.
- Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer (USA)
call their music "all original, post modern, mythic American" where characters from King Arthur's roundtable, Native American spiritual symbolism and the gritty backroads of Texas mingle freely in the poetry of their songs.
- Eliza Carthy (England)
has absorbed a rich tapestry of traditional sounds and reinvented them with captivating lyrics, entrancing vocal melodies and sublime fiddle playing.
- Neko Case & Her Boyfriends (USA)
Sashay from torch songs and defiant road-house rockabilly to lonesome anguished hymns to lost love. Neko's voice has been called "part Brenda Lee and part honky-tonk wolverine."
- The Chicken Snails Roadshow (AB)
are a five piece acoustic band which plays an assortment of bluegrass standards, original originals and unique takes on artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Green Day.
- Cindy Church (ON)
Her close-to-your-ear voice has a warmth and tone that demands attention and she mixes genres with ease, from old style country to swing jazz with a touch of deep blues.
- J.P. Cormier (NS)
is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and an East Coast Music Award winner as "Instrumentalist of the Year." He is joined by Hilda Chiason-Cormier on piano, step dancing and harmony vocals.
- Cowboy Junkies (ON)
In 1988 Cowboy Junkies released their second album The Trinity Sessions which proved to be a forerunner of the alt-country, no depression music of the 1990s. Nine recordings later we are delighted to present one of Canada's best loved folk groups in their long awaited EFMF debut.
- Kris Demeanor (AB)
Framed inside catchy melodies, Kris writes songs that capture the essence of youth and urban life.
- Gord Downie (ON)
is the enigmatic lead singer and lyrical genius of Canada's much-loved The Tragically Hip. Downie will close Friday night with lyrical masterpieces from his newest solo album Coke Machine Glow. Gord will be joined by The Dinner is Ruined and Julie Doiron.
- Maria Dunn & Shannon Johnson (AB)
Maria is a captivating singer and songwriter who knows how to tell a good story and Shannon is an excellent fiddler and producer as well as a Juno Award Nominee.
- Stacey Earle with Mark Stuart (USA)
play and sing ballads and musical poetry from the Tennessee Hills. Plain-spoken, humble and brutally honest, Stacey addresses the tough issues beneath the surface of love, friendship, duty, responsibility and familial loyalty. http://www.steveearle.net
- The Fairfield Four (USA)
For male a capella gospel, you can't surpass this group of 5 (yes 5) veteran singers originally from Nashville. Last seen in this area in 1996, they will appear as an added feature on Sunday evening's mainstage as well as perform on the Sunday gospel workshop stage with Richie Havens, The Holmes Brothers and Maria Muldaur.
- Festival House Band (AB/ON/SK)
Jack Semple (guitar) will be joined by Kit Johnson (bass), Michelle Josef (drums), Ron Casat (keys), Rusty Reed (harmonica) and Dave Babcock (horns). http://www.lilithitsnotfair.com
- The Flatlanders (USA)
After marrying an old country-string-band sound with a spiritual sixties sensibility as the Flatlanders (Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore) these three Lubbock-bred amigos have separately redefined Texas folk, country and rock.
- David Francey (PQ)
is a singer and storyteller who can establish in moments, a personal rapport with his audience. His wry humour and astute observations combined with his open hearted singing style guarantee a successful festival debut.
- Rosco Gordon (USA)
bolted to the top of the R&B charts in 1952 with his hit Booted. Nominated for a W.C. Handy Award for "Comeback Album of the the Year 2000" Rosco is sure to be in top form for his return to Edmonton.
- Great Big Sea (NF)
With five East Coast Music Awards as Entertainer of the Year and known across the country for their incendiary and powerful performances Alan, Sean, Darrell and Bob will close our Saturday evening show.
- Tim Harrison (ON)
Stirring ballads, beautiful melodies and great finger
picking combined with wit and a knack for storytelling make Tim an
audience favourite.
- Richie Havens (USA)
began by organizing street corner singing groups and grew into one of folk music's best interpreters. Remembered for his stirring version of Freedom in the movie Woodstock, Richie brings his bass voice and open tuned guitar to our festival.
- Jim Henry (AB)
Jim's songs touch all sides from wild and crazy to passionate and moving ballads that reviewers have called "truly beautiful music."
- Joe Henry (USA)
is a critically acclaimed singer who is coincidentally Madonna's brother-in-law. Henry spans the realms between folk, country, and adult contemporary music, and more recently has made the transition to electric instrumentation and more expressionistic songwriting, apparent in his last two albums, Fuse and Scar.
- The Holmes Brothers (USA)
create some of the most spiritually uplifting and down-right funky music today. Their breathtaking harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their superior musicianship.
- Johnnie Johnson (USA)
"The Father of Rock and Roll Piano", Grammy nominee Johnnie Johnson has been performing for 67 of his 75 years. He was recently inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Carlos del Junco (ON)
is a master of the blues harmonica. Carlos and his band create a sensitive, soulful sound while never forgetting the rawness inherent in today's blues.
- Ron Kavana, Mick Coyne and Steve White (Ireland)
Ron, who needs no introduction, will be joined by an excellent uilleann piper and a brilliant percussionist.
- Paddy Keenan (Ireland/Japan)
Generally acknowledged as the most accomplished uilleann piper performing today, Paddy has been described as "the Jimi Hendrix of the pipes." Paddy will be joined by guitarist Junji Shirota.
- Joel Kroeker (AB)
is an alt. folk singer/songwriter who combines political and personal insight with vocal fireworks and high velocity finger style guitar work.
- Dennis Lakusta (AB)
As a songwriter Dennis is a gifted humourist and credits his Cree ancestry and Monty Python as the main influences for his irreverent take on contemporary North American culture.
- David Lindley with Wally Ingram (USA)
Multi-instrumentalist David joins with ace drummer Wally in a performance that effortlessly combines American folk, blues, and bluegrass traditions with elements from African, Arabic, Asian, Celtic, Malagasy and Turkish musical sources.
- Baaba Maal featuring Daande Lenol (Senegal)
With voices called to the heavens, the clatter of percussive instruments and bodies leaping and swirling they will bring the sights and sounds of Senegal to our Friday mainstage show.
- Dougie MacLean (Scotland)
is one of Scotland's most gifted and successful contemporary singer/songwriters. The son of a gardener, Dougie's music is heavily influenced and inspired by rural values and by the stunning scenery that surrounds his birthplace and current residence.
- Natalie MacMaster (NS)
On Sunday evening you'll get foot tapping rave ups and heart rending waltzes along with step dancing and good old fashioned story telling. From a Grammy nomination to the world's concert stages, it's been a long road,but Natalie has always stayed true to her Cape Breton roots.
- Kathy Mattea (USA)
Winner of two Country Music Awards as Female Vocalist of the Year, Kathy emerged from a folk and bluegrass background in West Virginia. She is a singer with a blue chip voice who has remained close to her roots.
- Danny Michel (ON)
is known for witty songwriting filled with sweet melodies and wonderful guitar work. Danny's lyrical imagery catches the ear as he delivers each word with flair.
- Los Morenos (AB)
Their fluid sound is an impressive mixture of influences from traditional, contemporary jazz, rumba and Arabic sounds. Add an eclectic mixture of percussion instruments and you have a recipe for dancing.
- Mortal Coil (BC)
Our favourite stilt walkers return with their special brand of magic.
- Maria Muldaur (USA)
From jug-band through classic country, R & B, jazz, gospel, blues and New Orleans funk, Maria's musical odyssey has led to her status as a favourite of the truly knowledgeable insiders.
- Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Dirk Powell (USA)
In 1999 Tim released The Crossing, a collection of original and traditional songs tracing his family's Irish roots. Along with Kathy Mattea and other friends, Tim will present The Crossing on Saturday afternoon's mainstage.
- Joan Osborne (USA)
returns following her stunning Festival debut in 1998. The New Yorker describes Osborne as 'one of the most distinct voices in rock.' She follows up her 1998 album Relish and the infectious hit single 'One Of Us' with the 2000 release of the eclectic Righteous Love.
- Oysterband (England, Scotland, Wales)
are one the best live bands in the world of folk music. Although influenced by all manner of music, running through the entire soul of the band is a heart beat rooted deeply in the traditional music of Britain.
- Niamh Parsons (Ireland)
Niamh's smoky, silken voice stands on its own in traditional Irish music. Touring with guitarist Graham Dunne, Niamh makes a welcome return to the EFMF.
- Kelly Joe Phelps (USA)
plays folk music, though tinged with the sound of blues and country gospel. Kelly Joe's lap slide guitar wizardry has caught the attention of guitar aficionados and his dusky, well-worn voice has the sort of visceral appeal that stays with a listener.
- Puentes Brothers (BC/Cuba)
Alexis and Adonis Puentes grew up in Cuba playing the earthy, rhythmically sophisticated dance music called "Son." The brothers will be joined by their father, Valentin Puentes, a noted guitarist, for a special reunion at our festival.
- Eddi Reader (Scotland)
has one of those Midas voices and is one of Britain's most beloved performers. With career stops as a background singer with the Eurythmics, member of punk band Gang of Four and lead singer with the folk group Fairground Attraction, this Glasgow native has a new group with singer/writer/musician Boo Hewerdine and guitar master Colin Reid.
- The Duke Robillard Band (USA)
Expect plenty of hard core R & B, smoky Latin Jazz, swinging down-to-the-bone blues and acoustic country ballads when one of the most respected bands in the blues world comes to town.
- Billy Joe Shaver (USA)
Stripped down acoustic gospel soul music from a Texas legend. Billy will be joined by guitarist Jesse Taylor.
- Shooglenifty (Scotland)
are a six-piece Celtic band who perform instrumental music at the speed of light. With a lineup of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass and percussion, the band are winning a fast growing following.
- Martina Sorbara (ON)
possesses a great voice with an amazing range. Influences of folk, jazz, pop and blues are evident as she switches between piano and guitar.
- Lyall Steel (AB)
With a foundation in classical, flamenco and folk music, Lyall composes a musical hybrid on the nylon string classical guitar.
- Stoney Park (AB)
is a group of eleven singers and drummers of the Nakoda Tribe, who live near Morley, Alberta. Dedicated to preserving traditional culture, the group has won numerous awards.
- Super Rail Band (Mali)
Featuring Djelimady Tounkara on lead guitar, this eight piece band of thirty years longevity are one the most important groups in Africa.
- Kathryn Tickell (England)
is a master of the Northumbrian pipes and one of England's folk stars. We are delighted to welcome her for her EFMF debut.
- Toots & the Maytals (Jamaica)
Toots is a legend of reggae music. We are very excited to finally present possibly the greatest reggae artist currently performing.
- Boubacar Traore
brings a powerful voice, smooth guitar-playing and a repetitive kassonke-style blues. Traore personifies the close kinship between the acoustic voice-and-strings music of Mali's fabled troubadors and that tradition's direct descendant, African-American blues music. His most recent album, Macire, was named one of the Top 50 Albums of the Year 2000 by Rolling Stone Magazine
- La Volée d'Castors (PQ)
knows how to express the inexhaustible richness of Quebec's musical heritage. They offer progressive traditional music with a Québécois accent and just a hint of more current influences.
- Uday, East-West Fusion
is a novel collaboration between tabla wiz Uday Ramdas from India and Terry and Jeremiah McDade (yes, of the McDade Family celtic tradition). Terry, a master of harp and flute, and son Jeremiah, who plays flute, whistles, fiddle and saxophone, combine with Uday to create an ecletic and exotic sound that defies cultural boundaries.
- Ann Vriend (AB)
A chance meeting at our 2000 Festival between Ann and the musical director of Church Street led to the recording of demo material in New York. Ann will light up our Saturday afternoon blues jam and our Sunday morning gospel workshops.
- The Waifs (Australia)
Arriving back in their home town, after a year on the road, homeless and disheveled, they became known as The Waifs. Sisters Vikki and Donna Simpson now front one of Australias most popular bands and they are going to be a big hit at the EFMF.
- Jennifer Warnes (USA)
Perhaps the most sought after guest vocalist in the industry, Jennifer also has eight solo albums, three Best Song Oscars, two Grammys, twelve hit singles and the wonderful Famous Blue Raincoat on her resumé. A Thursday night special.
- Jesse Winchester (PQ)
is perhaps the most well known American to have chosen Canadian exile over being drafted for the Vietnam War in 1967. A master songwriter, Jesse is performing some special engagements after an eleven year hiatus from touring.
- Wyrd Sisters (MB)
take their name from the ancient triple goddess who represented the circular nature of life and the phases of the moon. Their songs appeal to the lover, the fool and the dreamer in us all.
