Photo: David Gibb Photography
The Unfettered Critic - by Paula Block Erdmann & Terry Erdmann
It’s one of the wonders of Jacksonville. You’ll be walking down the street on a summer afternoon, stepping in and out of shops, when suddenly you’ll hear a band tuning up, live, balancing amplitude and timbre, one instrument at a time. “That,” you’ll think, “is the Steve Miller band, doing a sound check just up the hill.” And you’ll be right. Unless, of course, it’s Kenny Loggins, or Chris Isaak, or the Doobie Brothers. Or any other of the world-class musicians who bring their acts and their art to the Britt Festival.
How lucky we are that it’s June, because the 2013 Britt season is about to begin.
On Opening Night, Cindi Lauper is coming to town. Lauper rose to our attention in l983 with her single, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” The song was a hoot, but the hauntingly beautiful “Time After Time,” which she co-wrote, sealed the deal for us. Two decades later, she’s having more fun than ever as composer of the hit Broadway musical “Kinky Boots”—which recently received thirteen Tony Award nominations. If Lauper wins for Best Score, she’ll be the first woman to win solo in the category. How could any of us miss the chance to hear this composer perform? (June 15).
Twenty-eight musical evenings will follow, including The Music of ABBA: Arrival From Sweden (June 30), which promises to make us want to dance, and the return of Britt favorites Michael Franti (July 6), Pink Martini (July 16) and Brandi Carlile (August 21).
Perhaps the most exciting announcement is for Robert Plant presents The Sensational Shape Shifters. Since his days fronting Led Zeppelin, fans have labeled Plant the Golden God of rock ‘n’ roll. His recent pairing with Allison Krauss gave birth to a gentle sound that added dimension to his hard rock reputation. Plant says that his new band was “inspired by the roots music of Mississippi and Appalachia, and influences collected in a lifetime of meander and journey.” That’s enough to get us to the hill (July 2).
Plant’s not the only hard rocker heading our way. If you haven’t caught Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, it’s time to refresh your youtube connection. Combining Janis Jopin-esque bluster with a toughened-up Nora Jones vibe, Potter will burst into no-nonsense Memphis grooves and a touch of reggae (June 24).
Speaking of reggae, the genre may be an underlying theme of the season, with Jamaican music legend Ziggy Marley joined by the Rogue Valley’s own “Intergalactic Reggae Revolutionaries” Indubious (June 29), Michael Franti (July 6), and Rebelution/Matisyahu (August 20).
For those among us seeking softer sounds, plan to be on the hill for a much awaited John Prine appearance. Prine’s position as a top singer/songwriter has held since the 1970s. If you only know of his compositions “Have a Little Faith In Me,” or Bonnie Raitt’s version of “Angel From Montgomery,” you’ll find this show a revelation (June 28).
Another John—John Hiatt—writer of the infectious Bonnie Raitt hit, “Thing Called Love,” will treat us to his own versions of his creations that became hits for Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett—the list goes on. To top off the evening, legendary rhythm and blues/gospel singer Mavis Staples will own the stage (July 5).
Oops, we’ve run out of space—and we haven’t mentioned twin sister indie rockers Tegan and Sara (August 30), ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro (September 14) or the show we’re looking forward to perhaps most of all, Jeff Bridges (July 24).
As for the centerpiece of the Britt Experience, the Classical Festival, we’ll see you next month!
Paula Block Erdmann & Terry Erdmann
Paula and Terry each have long impressive-sounding resumes implying that they are battle-scarred veterans of life within the Hollywood studios. They’re now happily relaxed into Jacksonville.
Paula and Terry identify as writers, with an ever-increasing number of published works to support the supposition. They live a primarily pastoral life in the enchanted town of Jacksonville.