Michael Becker RECORD REVIEW HE 16TH ANNUAL Vancouver Folk Music Festival again lived up to its traditionally adven- turous standards as a glorious venue in which to heal the spirit and partake in a compact bit of cultural ex- ploration. The proof of the real magic of this weekend festival reveals itself on Sunday night, just as the sun burns its way down to the ocean. The main stage evening concert is in mid-stride. ; Put some distance between yourself and the patchwork quilt of thousands of folk upon blankets crowding the stage. . People are playing. Just ahead, three rubber-badied men play hacky-sack with astonishing finesse. Twirling young mothers bounce wide-eyed babies. Inter- mittent Frisbees coast the twilight sky. A smiling couple skips by hand in hand. They shine. The honest musical goodwill re- sounding throughout the fields of Jericho Beach Park is now a part of us. The vocalist from the African a cappella group Nipa had it right on Sunday. For the moment, regardless of our sexual, political or ethnic biases, we are one color. The color is music. It is this con- “nection that sustains throughout the year. ’ Tao Ravao and Vincent Bucher brought some extraordinary blues color to the festival this year. Ravao is from Madagascar and plays guitar and Malagasy instru- ments, the kabosy and valiha. Bucher is an accomplished har- monica player from France. The duo blends blues, Malagasy, African, cajun and West Indian rhythms. Last year they released a debut recording — Love Call, on The Brodway Records label.” Music Now met with Ravao and Bucher on Sunday. Music Now: How did you come to blues music, Tao? : Ravao: ‘My father owns a lot of 78s, blues records — Louis Arm- strong, Billie Holiday. When | was a kid, even if | didn't pay too much attention to it, it got in my head. : “When | got older, around 15, ees THE MUSIC of Tao Ravao (left) and Vincent Bucher blends blues, Malagasy, African, cajun and West Indian rhythms. 16, jimi Hendrix and all that stuff was big. My brother is a guitar player and he was listening to that. That was the first step and then | met some different guys; different blues musicians taught me to play the blues and work it.’ Music Now: How did the two of you meet? Ravao: “I think it was about 15 years ago. | used to be a busker, playing the street in different cities. i did almost all the coast of France, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Greece, Italy. It was blues and I did Bob Dylan songs. ’m a Bob Dylan freak, too, anyway. “1 met Vincent when | was in Paris.” Music Now: The blues continues to be adopted by many musicat cultures. Why do you feel this is so? Ravao: “‘l think the blues will never die for one simple reason. The blues is dealing with emo- tions. Maybe after years the struc- ture will be different but the feel- ing will still be there. Guys like © Coupon expires August 16, 1993 Charlie Parker and John Coltrane still play blues, but the structure is different. Me and Vincent play a different groove, but the feeling is still blues feeling.” Music Now: Do you find the blues groove meshes naturally with the Malagasy music, which in turn is influenced by Africa? Ravao: ‘‘One thing we should not forget is the people who made the blues were from Africa. It took us a while to do it. We have dif- ferent experiences, but after a while it became easy for us to cross over.”” Music Now: Did you come first to the blues with your traditional in- struments or with a western-style guitar? - Ravao: ‘’! learned on the guitar. My father played tenor banjo, so ! picked that up and for years | layed New Orleans jazz. My brother turned me on to guitar and then | was taught by Homesick James, the slide man. And then | See Paris page 31 © Not valid with any other discount or coupon offer * One coupon per couple only gos Texas Bar-B-Que Grand Opening Speciat Certificate Texas-sized meals at a down home pr ice! Fridays & Saturdays —+ 26 02. Prime Rib only 17 bucks Sundays —» kids eat free (some rules apply) Everyday —» roast beef buffet 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. only 7 bucks Monday-Thursdays are special too, but you have to come in to find out why! R.U. Kiddings 15 N. Renfrew St. 253-6092 (across from the Coliseum) open daily from 4:30 “Free 3 hours of parking - with ranimum $40 eutchase. Thuraday & Friday evening alter Bam. Anytume Saturday & Sunday. ONTHE BAY presents THE SYMPHONY OF FIRE ‘EXPLOSIVE’ MENU on July 31, Aug. 4, 7 and 11 Join us for dinner Enjoy the finest view of aii and a superb $45.00 five ‘course (all inclusive) menu frorn 9:00 p.m. LIMITED SEATING FULL A LA CARTE MENU AND REGULAR SEATINGS FROM 5:00-8:30 P.M. 688-7711 Omen 1733 Comox St., Vancouver IMPROVE YOUR SWING Come and enjoy our 15 acre driving range ’ ve Lop Bucket of balls $4.00 y Club Rental $1.00 © Lessons available with CPGA Professionals Jason Paukkunen Muncie Booth Jill # » ce v NORTH VANCOUVER Takaya Golf Centre 700 Apex Drive, North Vancouver 929-6672