The acoustic show started at precisely 3 PM on a beautiful Canadian summer afternoon with "Ship Song". The sound and acoustics of this outdoor set were equally amazing from the start of the show. I knew we were in for a glorious afternoon of great music and I wasn't disappointed. "Misery" was the second song and one of my personnel favorites featuring the haunting voice of Lisa Winn on harmony vocal. A funky opening to "Blair Mountain" much different then I had ever heard it performed before followed "Misery". One of Rob's strengths as a musician is his ability to recreate his songs live and give them a twist here and there to keep them fresh. Thus, not leaving one bored with a note for note copy of the song on the record. Up next was "Mantra" (about his hometown of Hamilton) which is one of Rob's hardest and edgy rockers and a great song be it in electric or an acoustic setting as at the festival. This song never ceases to amaze me! "12 Moons" followed and as always is one of Rob's more beautiful songs to see performed live.

Next up, was Lisa Winn stepping to the front to sing "Dirty" a song from her forth coming solo CD "Mother Earth". If you've yet to hear Lisa sing you are missing one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices I have had the pleasure to hear. This song left me with chills running down my spine! "Light of You" featured Rob's son's Zander and Josh singing on the chorus and was fun to watch him perform with them. Following was "Raining All Over" one of Rob's more beautiful Riverdogs songs, written about Josh, who stayed on stage to help his dad out on the chorus. "Saracen Blade" written by Mike Daley followed and is a song that somehow must have been written with Rob in mind. I have had the pleasure to hear Mike perform his song too however, Rob's glorious voice takes this song, with vocal help from Lisa Winn, to a dimension that is unbelievable. Closing the show was another of my personnel favorites "Between" also about Hamilton. Rob's 45 minute show seemed to roar by as it finished all to soon and as always left me wanting more! If you have yet to see Rob play in an out door setting it is an experience that you should see! As always his gifted voice and songs took center stage and carry you into sort of a nirvana that leaves you with a natural high...........if you have not seen him do it!.......also buy "I am here now" soon too!

Sunday afternoon, August 8 1999, offered an hour-long set of songs performed by Rob, Mike Daley (wrote and played on Rob's version of Saracen Blade), Kim Deschamps (Blue Rodeo's multi-talented guitarist and host for this event) and several members of the Wild Strawberry's. Each of the musicians traded songs over the hour-long set giving each the opportunity to play two songs. Though billed as a "workshop" it actually turned into a songfest with little introduction or talk, which for my money was a better way to present the music anyway. Rob opened the 'shop by playing a duet with Mike Daley of "Pull Me Under" that was quite good however, the real surprise was to come when Daley followed with his version of "Saracen Blade" accompanied by Rob on guitar. Daley's version, of his own song, was much starker and quite different than the version that appeared on "Being Human" or for that matter the way Rob performs it live. Which to me is great as Mike sees his song one-way and Rob is able to interpret it another.

Kim Deschamps played next and performed "The Border" from his recently released solo record "Take Me Away" accompanied by Mike Daley. Kim, played slide on his Dobro and that in itself was worth watching him (if you have yet to hear him play in Blue Rodeo you are missing a treat) however, he has a very good voice too and is pretty good songwriter to boot. The Wild Strawberry's followed with some nice folk music. Rob was up for his second song and he performed the seldom-heard Riverdogs "Rain, Rain" which was a nice surprise to hear and a magic moment for fans of Rob Lamothe. The fun continued with Mike Daley, Kim Deschampes and the Wild Strawberrys finishing out the set. I was able to meet and talk to Kim Deschampes following the set and have him sign my copy of "Take Me Away". The best thing about this set was how nice all the performers were to talk to after they were finished which made the whole day for me!

Up next, also on 8 August, was another great "workshop" that included Rob, Lisa Winn, Thompson Lawrie and as the host Paul Langille. This too was more of a songfest than a workshop however, Thompson Lawrie (great voice and song writer) did spend some time talking about the past as a musician in and around Hamilton that was quite interesting. Once again, Rob got to open the "workshop" and did so with another old Riverdogs tune "Pennsylvania" and was followed by Lisa Winn performing "Love” from her soon to be released CD "Mother Earth". If you have yet to hear Lisa singing lead vocals you are missing the opportunity to experience a stunning voice that up until know has been heard only in a harmony vocal setting.

Thompson Lawrie followed with a selection from his new CD "The Sleeper Awakes" (I was fortunate enough to get this CD signed too and meet one of the nicest people at the festival to boot). Thompson has a voice that reminds you of the great folk singers of the late '60's and is a terrific songwriter too. Finally, Paul Langille closed out the first rotation with a rocking song that would have been fun to hear with a full tilt band playing loud behind him as he has a booming voice much like that of C.F. Turner of Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Rob switched to a small mandolin sounding type guitar that he introduced as belonging to his son Josh and thus, performed a slightly different version of "Light of You". Quickly switching back to his acoustic he accompanied Lisa Winn on her next tune the stunning "Take Me" also a cut from her soon to be released CD. This was my favorite of all the tunes Lisa performed at the festival and I can't wait to hear the studio electric version of this smoldering bluesy rock tune. Thompson and Paul once again played a couple of great tunes and Rob played his last tune of the set which just happens to be my favorite solo cut of his "Pull Me Under". Finally, Paul closed the workshop with a rocky version of "California Dreamin'" with some great harmony vocals from Rob. Needless to say, these two sets were a lot of fun to see and hear and gave not only the opportunity to hear the gifted voice and songs of Rob Lamothe, but also the opportunity to hear Kim Deschampes, Thompson Lawrie and Lisa Winn perform Live for the first time. Though we were not able to make all of the workshops that Rob sang at these two would have been hard to beat for the sheer fun and musicianship that was displayed by all the performers!