OVFF Highlight Reel

[sdelmonte]

Five days later, and I think a full con report would be redundant. Indeed, if you read ladymondegreen's con report, you actually encountered about 75% of my con too. But I do feel like offering a few observations, as always...

Pegasus 2004 - This year's field of songs was, IHMO, a good deal stronger than last year's. It didn't hurt, of course, that all five of the Best Filk Song nominees were performed at the concert by the original artists. "The Lady" in particular benefitted from that. See, while I really like UT, I've never cared for the concert versions of "The Lady" I've heard at previous cons, and therefore never bothered with hearing UT's recording of it. My bad. When UT plays it, it gains a resonance I never felt before. It is clearly and completely worthy of winning the big prize. Which given that it was up against "Uplift" and "Rocket Ride," two of my favorite filk songs, is a high compliment.

Even more pleasing was that Matt Leger won for "Simple Country Doctor." I like Matt, and I like his music, and I love this song. This is one of those songs that had planned to vote for every time it was nominated until it won. Glad to see I was not alone. (For the record, "Uplift" is also one of those songs. I suspect it will have to get nominated a few more times, but its day will come.)

Concerts - I'd never heard Scott Snyder before, not at all. I had missed something loud and raucous and wild and fun, and now I have to rectify this gap in my knowledge by listening to some more of his stuff. His concert was really a lot of fun.

Maureen O"Brien's a capella concert was also very good. I don't know her all that well, but what I've seen of her tells me she's quite a hoot as well as a talented filker and singer. And I would add that "Rosie's Song" is likely to find its way into a Pegasus concert one year.

And then there's Ookla. The only negative thing I can say is that the room was too small for their music. They need a big, wide-open hall where the rock and roll can reverberate around the place. They are great songwriters, talented singers, and amazing musicians. The concert was further enhanced by the return of Luis Garcia to the east coast for one weekend only. Here was Ookla the Mok is all its harmonious glory. To my mind, they are possibly the single best act in all of filk, or at elast on the short list with Tom Smith, Weird Sisters and UT.

Oh, and Lady Mondegreen, too. But I'm biased about them.

Other highlights - Well, for me any performance by any permutation of Lady Mondegreen is a hoot. No concert this time, just a one-shot and a couple of songs in the Bands and Groups circle, but they always floor me. Especially rhe one in the hat. Wonder if she's married. (Yes, I am getting schmoopy. What's your point?) Seriously, I can't help but feel so good when I hear the applause for them. They work so very hard to get it right, and sacrifice a lot of time at the cons to do last-minute rehearsals, and hearing that applause tells me that it's all worth it. But I digress.

I got to meet the Great Luke Ski, and to compliment him on his fine work. There is something so cool about being in filk, when everyone whose stuff you love is right there and you can talk to them! Mr. Ski also debuted a very funny song about Firefly with a very clever twist ending.

I didn't do much of the circle thing, spending a good deal of time catching up with old friends and even making new ones. But as always, I found the grand circle, the one where all the people whose albums you own are together. This time, it was Joe Giacoio and Carla Ulbrich (don't forget that they will be the GOHs at Contata next June), UT, Bob Kanefsky, Luke Ski, Juanita Coulson, the Boogie Knights and Ookla the Mok (though I think they were just auditing the circle). I'm probably missing one or two people of note, but you get the idea. I just love this kind of circle.

The songwriting contest had some very good entries, including a very chilling and offbeat composition by mannoftalent inspired by the writings of Richard Feynman, and accompanied by Amy the Fiddler. The contest was hosted by Scott Snyder and Ookla, and I have to say that I object to their presence on the ground that they are just too funny for words. (Note: Mr. English, in a suit for the banquet, offered lawyerly objections to a few songs. I feel it's only fair to counter-object.)

I'm sure there's more to relate about this con, but you get the idea. OVFF, year in and year out, is a hoot and a holler and all that and a bag of chips. I thank everyone who made it happen again, and wish them continued and expanded success.

Comments

[allisona.livejournal.com]

"OVFF, year in and year out, is a hoot and a holler and all that and a bag of chips."

That's great :). Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks for the fun con report. I got misty at your lovely support of Lady Mondegreen (whose harmonies I enjoyed -so much- this weekend).

[poltr1]

Don't forget Seanan's Improv Workshop. That was a blast!

[jodimuse.livejournal.com]

Thanks so very much for your kind words about UT and about "The Lady". They're *greatly* appreciated. :) What a great con report! I have so many wonderful memories of this past weekend and you've highlighted so many of them for me. Thanks again!