Thursday, September 16, 2010

Moving house

Caravan Palace were a complete unknown to me. When I first glanced over their name on the lineup I briefly considered the possibility they were somehow connected to the Canterbury act from the same scene as Soft Machine. In fact they come from France and offer a a brisk update on swing and gypsy jazz. I'm almost tempted to say an unnecessary update since they were plenty lively without the techno garnish.

Colotis Zoe (a.k.a. Sonia Fernandez Velasco) is an exceptionally bouncy performer who plays clarinet and sings; behind her is Antoine Toustou, who handles the techno stuff.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Camille Chapeliere points out the nice weather while not playing clarinet.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Gypsy jazz guitar, courtesy of Arnaud de Bausedron.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Hugue Payens handles the shouting and violins.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Also hitting things.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Sonia revs up the crowd.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Whatever, Hugues!

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Ahem.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Sonia goes down on bended knee.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

And fans off toasty clarinetist Camille.

Caravan Palace at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Apologies to Charles Delaporte, double bassist, of whom I failed to get a good shot. Or maybe he wasn't there? Memory fails ... anyway, much kudos to Caravan Palace who really got the crowd moving.

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