Todd was in good form at the Philadelphia Folk Festival on Saturday August 17, 2013. The PFF is a "folk" festival which has been held for the last 52 years. It is amazing that this was TR's first appearance at this fest. TR did mention that he had attended the PFF in his youth. TR was not the headliner, TR and band were scheduled to go on at 9:45 pm and they did take the stage shortly after that time. TR was a crowd pleaser, his voice was a little rough in the high range but being the consummate performer TR did what was necessary to compensate. In an unusual move TR was allowed to perform an encore. The PFF is a tightly booked event which allows no time for encores, but after TR left the stage the crowd demanded an encore. The stage announced (Gene Shay, who has been the announcer for all 52 years,"congrats") tried to discourage an encore but it was to no avail. TR came back for an encore. When TR got to the stage he said he had to "buy "another 4 minutes to do an encore. Whatever he paid it was worth it.
The headliner was a group called "In the Pocket" which is composed of local Philadelphia artists who perform songs identified with Philly. They were very good and they have a revolving door system of lead singers who perform the local songs. Since "Open My Eyes' was on their set list TR joined them on stage and played guitar and took the lead vocal. It was another treat for the Todd fans at the fest.
IMHO a good time was had by all and we hope we will see TR return to the PFF.
The set list as I remember it:
Real Man
Love of the Common Man
Buffalo Grass
Kind Hearted Woman
Determination
Love is the Answer
I'm So Proud
Ooh Baby Baby
I Want You
I Saw the Light
Drive
Couldn't I Just Tell You
Hello It's Me (ENCORE)
Open My Eyes (with IN the Pocket)
