See what you think. Not a bad musician in the bunch, but (from my POV) not a single surprise either. The headliners:
Wynton MarsalisAretha Franklin
Dave Matthews Band
James Taylor
Sugarland
Joe Cocker
Ben Harper
Tony Bennett
Earth, Wind & Fire
Kings of Leon
Neville Brothers
Wilco
Bonnie Raitt
Allen Toussaint
The OJays
Erykah Badu
Dr. John
Full schedule here.
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Very excited about Wilco, Spoon and Kings of Leon!
Re Re and EW&F weren't surprises for you? They certainly are welcome ones for me!! I can't WAIT to see Re Re's big ole behind up there, riffing and screaming and chortling. She'd better have it together tho... The last time I saw her five years ago in L.A., cigarettes had ravaged her voice beyond recognition. I'm only optimistic that's she'll be better this time because she's doing a lot more public performances these days. Anyway, it'll be fun as always. Getting my designer shrimp boots ready!
Red, I love EW&F and Aretha (in whatever condition her condition is in). And I'd love to see Sharon Jones (again). But where are the real surprises? Ledisi? It was a huge year for her. Linda Ronstadt and Ann Savoy? That CD kicked ass. Tony Bennett, but not k.d. lang? She's played jazz festivals around the world, but I don't think she's ever been here. Hell, even David Byrne/Brian Eno would be a surprise. Their new collaboration is Byrne's best thing by far since Talking Heads.