OK, let's get this out of the way right at the start.....
NO, I didn't tape the show...I got my gear in (tapers: be prepared for
a belt-line search...make sure that deck is pushed as far down in your
gotchies as you can get it!!) but the piece of shit mic I was using
was only recording to one channel so an afternoon of subterfuge and
squirming was wasted on that front...oh well...Also, Los Lobos were
cool with patching but I couldn't get their sound guy to sit still
for 5 mintues to get set up...of course he was doing his JOB and
that's why I can't complain...

        And now, the music:

Van Allen Belt: Very interesting! I love Primus and the 70's prog
rock stuff (Crimson, etc.) that seem to be their main influences so
I was jammin' on these guys...however, I can see that they wouldn't
be for everyone...Will buy the CD today if I ever get out of the
house, hangover and sunburn willing...:-)

Ron Sexsmith: Another great set...Don Kerr on drums and Bobby Wiseman
on keys...Don't remember much of the set because I ran into some
guys who saw my Phish tie-dye and sat down to chat (and try to find
some dank nugs)...Nice background music for a conversation?? Sorry...

Mutton Birds: I really quite enjoyed them...I was into my 3rd beer
in the blazing sun by this time so I enjoyed the mellow aspect of
their music...The singer had a french horn for a couple of songs and
did a funny little bit about the french horn being the original rock
instrument, not the guitar...Another possible CD purchase...maybe I'm
just getting old...:-)

Change of Heart: I knew in advance that these guys blew so I spent
most of their set in the interactive tent, chatting with Los Lobos...
however, the bass player was wearing a Phildelphia Flyers #16 jersey
(Bobby Clarke's old number for all you kids too young to remember
real hockey...:-) ) so I'll give him props for that...I caught the
last 20 minutes of their set and they did nothing to change my opinion
of them...This makes 3 times I've seen them now...I don't get it...
what do the Hip see in these guys??

Los Lobos: Next to the Hip, the highlight of the day for me...they didn't
play my request (Bertha) but they did an entire set of requests from
the chat session they did before going on...Their set veered from
their old material to some traditional Mexican tunes to some incredible
covers: Cinnamon Girl by Neil and the absolute best part of the set,
Are You Experienced by Hendrix jamming into...is it "Like A Rolling
Stone"?...no it's, it's "La Bamba"...I guess they want to show everyone
that Dylan may have been a genius but he wasn't above cribbing a melody
here and there :-) :-)

Wilco: My estimation for this group has gone up a few notches after
yesterday's set....I still think they sound like a country-fied version
of the Replacements but they put on a decent show and there's no doubting
their sincerity...Tweedy seemed to spend most of his time watching the
bouncers and was a tad distracted at times...Not great, but not
as derivative as I previously thought...

Ashley Mac: I had a blast and I think he did a smart thing by putting
"Devil In The Kitchen" at the end of the set to kind of perk the
crowd up again...I have to agree with what some others have said here...
an hour with Ashley does tend to drag a little...how does he put
on a full headlining show without losing the crowd? Maybe I'll have to
go check him out next time he's in town to find out....Lots of dancing
during this set both by me and others...Also, the stupidest comment
of the day award was given out during this set...I was standing in
the beer line and quite a few people in line were jigging along with
Mac...A big beefy no-neck further up in line looks on in disgust and
says, "Fer Chrissakes, he pisses on people!"...Most of the dancers
laughed in his face...serves him right...

Sheryl Crow: Not a personal fave but she does put on a great show...
Besides, my wife loves her and if my wife is happy then I'm happy....
awwwww, doesn't that just make you want to barf?? ;-)

The Hip: Ranked somewhere in the middle of my live Hip experiences...
Band was on, Gord seemed to be a little distracted/stoned/drunk/
tired...name your poison...An absolutely stupendous Grace, Too shared
the stage with a completely lackluster Springtime and NOIS...Actually
I should make a confession here...I'm as bored with NOIS as the
band appeared to be...Gordie didn't ever care that he was screwing
up the lyrics (possibly deliberate?) and you know what? Neither did
I...I think it's time to retire this tune....I don't have an accurate
setlist but here's what I remember (first 4 tunes are in order, after
that I'm not sure):
Save the Planet
Spring
Grace
Twist
NOIS
700 Ft.
Membership List
Bobcaygeon
Fully
Fire

any other Ottawa ARA folks have an accurate setlist?...my brain is still
sun-shocked...:-)
        All in all a FANTASTIC day...the sun was out, the breeze was
blowing...just perfect...Even before the Hip came out I had got my
money's worth...seeing the boys was like a 2 for 1 deal on the ticket!
:-)

                                                Peace,

                                                Sean