Well, I hope you enjoyed the holiday season as I did, though the old belt has been hinting, cuz like others, I probably enjoyed it a little too much. Such is life, so much good food, so little time!!Musically, before Christmas I was lucky enough to catch James McKenty & the Spades at O’Reilly’s. James, who grew up here in Perth, now resides in Peterborough, providing stellar guitar and vocals as well as most of the writing for this dynamic trio. He is ably supported by Winchester Street on drums / vocals and Chachi Robichaud on bass /vocals.I first heard James back in October 2002 in Ottawa at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference. He was being featured in the Peterborough Folk Society suite and provided a noteworthy set but was understandably upstaged by the unique presence of, then 12 year old Jimmy Bowskill, who was rippin’ into the blues on guitar and banjo, harp and vocals. This was the only time I’ve seen James where his supportive dad, John, wasn’t in the background, smiling proudly, like a Cheshire cat.James has come a long way. I heard him at a concert later that year, I believe, in Perth but he was being challenged at the time with laryngitis so, that cut into his ability to ‘show his stuff’ full out. Subsequently, he played at Stewart Park Festival a couple of years ago and impressed me with his sometimes quirky writing and guitar playing.Well, the James I saw has really matured onstage. His guitar playing or the confidence to push the envelope more was evident but most memorable was his charisma onstage with lots of banter with both the audience and the band. Their pleasing harmonies and driving steady rhythm powered a very established, mature sound. Any memories of the younger, shy lad that have been portrayed to me by those who knew him back then would be amazed at the sparkling presence he now presents. By chance, a Peterborough friend gave me the Spades latest album, “Burning on Fumes” and it has received regular, appreciative play at home and in the car. Another hometown boy to keep an eye on.From the “Timing is Everything” category, again just before Christmas I chanced in on friends who were jamming on pedal steel and stand up bass and had welcomed a cello playing neighbour in for the first time. Well, I enjoyed the sound of this unique instrument mix, backing none other than Rachel Forster leading a few Christmas carols. Made for a memorable Sunday afternoon.By the time I’m finished at the Church of the Arena on Sundays, I usually too pooped to get there but Fiddlehead’s Sunday Jazz Brunch from noon to 3pm has become a welcome institution to Perth’s music scene. The original pianist at Tiannakeems, Clay Young always has a pleasing mix of players, presenting mainsteam jazz with a fair bit of be-bop, depending on who’s with him. I’ve got to get there soon. I hear Mike Rud, an exceptional guitarist will be there Jan. 22nd. Jazz is every other Sunday through the winter and every week, come spring.Keep your eyes open for music now being presented at the Goodwood Oven as I heard Ball and Chain and Romi Mayes played lately. Nice room for good music.
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There’s just something about music. We see in movies how different types of music are used to quickly help us transcend into the scene’s mood of a thriller, a mystery, a love story or tear jerker. We see how rock music classics are now used to sell us trucks, cleaning, food or hygienic supplies. We can all recollect times when we’ve seen music overcome language barriers as people from different countries join in common song, share a dance or jointly smile approval of the tune. Music… there’s just something about it that has always seemed a natural, necessary part of my life.Since most feel I’ve never grown up, let’s just say I was born and got older in the west end suburbia of Toronto. Music was always on in my parent’s home, mostly show tunes, choirs singing hymns, a smattering of jazz and some classical. A neighbour’s garage radio exposed me to the early rock and roll thanks to early CHUM AM. When I hear early Elvis or Patsy Cline I’m still transported back to that magical, greasy place.The 60’s in Toronto were a time of much musical growth and as I gained access to the city, especially downtown via public transit, my whole musical world expanded. Though the drinking age changed to 18 years of age from 21 when I was 18, I’d already been successful at sneaking into Yonge Street clubs like the Colonial or Le Coq D’or to hear live jazz from Stan Getz and local Moe Koffman or blues by T-Bone Walker or local Ronnie Hawkins. Yorkville brought folk like Dan Hill or Murray McLauchlan I’d often travel downtown or hitchhike across town on my own to experience someone I’d read about or heard on the radio.The late 60’s and 70’s brought live music everywhere. Because of better equipment outdoor concerts happened regularly at Toronto City Hall or Rochdale College, High Park or Toronto Island and many were my favourite kind … free. Line ups included horn bands like Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse or the Stone Soul Children. Several high school classmates are still in various aspects of the music business. Tom Cochrane was in a high school band with Dean Cameron, President of EMI Canada. Others are successful session players, singer / songwriters or involved in musical productions like Lion King or Mama Mia.My brother Drew, 3 years younger seemed to get bit by the same music bug because he’s always influenced my tastes including my favourite band Little Feat, some 35 years ago. He went on to be lighting director for Bruce Cockburn for a few years and crewing for tons of great acts coming through Toronto. This allowed me to get “up close” to the heart of many shows.I assumed everyone had the same opportunity to be caught by the “live music bug” as I did and it wasn’t until I moved to North Bay in ‘78 that I realized how spoiled I’d become with live music availability. From then on it became my personal cause to expose those around me with good music. For the past 25 years I’ve made compilation tapes of artists I’d hear at summer music festivals or on radio or bars so friends could hear great music they would never get the opportunity to be exposed to. My past 15 years with Stewart Park Festival has allowed me to continue with my cause. As I celebrate my birth today, I also celebrate the birth of this newspaper column “Musical Musings” from which I hope share my “music bug” on an “as I can” basis to all who choose to read about local interests, house concerts, interviews.
Sharing Memories of a Love of Music
First, I’d like to thank all those who’ve spoken so supportively of my first article. It initiated many enjoyable recollections as I listened how others remember their musical roots. Joel helped me remember why folk music became so popular in the early 60’s. As I’d mentioned the drinking age was 21 in Ontario back then so teenagers started going to hear musical acts in non alcohol - coffee houses and folk clubs that were springing up everywhere.Radio stations with stronger signals started back in the 20’s to expose us to a diversity of music from classical, jazz to popular and country. Sixties youth became more free thinking and rebellious, the anti-war and civil rights movements, along with music hinting sexually suggestive themes prompted some stations to target their shows to a lucrative, younger, more questioning market. It was the late 50’s – early 60’s when television sets overtook radio in families living rooms and so the resulting exposure to music from around the world became the norm. Lifestyle changes and the rapid growth of money making musical ventures blew the creative doors of the music industry wide open.I remember an old friend who’d grown up in Beatle - era Liverpool and booked groups in area halls telling me that communication was so poor between communities, for a while bands would go by one name one night then travel to another town and change the name on the front of the bass drum to be another band to save other band’s travel costs. Marketing of entertainment quickly became more developed so the world became a smaller place. As an example, the British Sound took over North America only after advanced telecommunications brought this “new sound” to us via Ed Sullivan on the telly.Funny what musical memories stick in our craniums. I harken back to being in Cubs, complete with those itchy all wool sweaters and stockings complete with garters, flannel shorts and narrow peaked cap. I attended a Father and Son Banquet, the multitude of us being crammed into a church basement and fed. Entertainment that night was some of the older Scouts who played a few tunes on electric guitars and sang. The one lyric I still recall them singing over and over in a gospel style was “Momma’s Little Baby Loves Shortening, Shortening. Momma’s Little Baby Loves Shortening Bread”. We’re talking 1960 or so and I was around 8 years young and enthralled by the sound presented.I remember being at a campground in the Lake Placid area with my parents and hearing one night at the outdoor amphitheatre a local band doing a 10 minute version of Wipeout that still causes me to tap out this song on tabletops subconsciously from time to time. I’ve searched out and attended live music wherever I’ve found myself ever since. I thank O’Reilly’s for providing my live music “fix” locally and am grateful every Tuesday night when they present the amazing young singer / songwriter Brock Zeman , our own Keith Glass, Peter Newsome and whoever sits in. See you there and we’ll continue to share our own musical musings. Support Live Music.
The Magic of Live Music Can Be Experienced In Perth Venues
Being a live music lover, many venues in Perth have supported my “habit” since Sue, Jodi and I lucked in moving here 24 years ago. Sharon and Terry’s Tinker’s brought incredible musicians including the late Colleen Peterson, Jackie Washington, Bill Joslin and Georgette Fry to appreciative, packed to standing crowds. The ol’ Maple Drop Bakery hosted many memorable concerts… Ian Tamblyn, Willie P. Bennett, to name a few. Several memorable evenings were spent back then at the Perth Mews being serenaded by the clatter of pool balls breaking and Roger Plant’s sweet guitar playin’ , Pete Bigras’ steady percussion and the rest of the Up Against the Wall gang or some variation on the theme. I’m told the Mews was a regular stop for many good touring musicians before disco destroyed so many of the live music venues across North America. The Mews was where I hoisted what would be the first of many wobbly pops with that, back then, journalist and “soon to be” local musician and new friend, Steve Forster. We quickly realized our mutual love of ‘da blues’ and in later years he shared his passion with all of us by fronting Power Snooze. Yeah, we all wore out a few pair of shoes dancin’ to them. Good times.I wonder how many of you were lucky enough to have caught some of the memorable musical moments at Tiannakeems (sp?) when they hosted their Sunday Evening Open Stage. Ottawa’s Brian Downey provided the beat for many jams including any mix of local players … Franc Van Oort, Steve Hanna, Jeff Kohl, Cam Gray, and my late “Blues Brother” Steve. I witnessed the beginnings of at least two local musicians there. Steve’s wife, Rachel began singing background there and now is a veteran, sharing her vocal gifts in many venues. Shelley Montreuil was a sax “newby” and is now fronting Frank Van Oort’s guitar, Ed Ashton’s bass and Brian Downey’s beat in Tell Mama. Both perform across the eastern region. I know my memories of past magical musical moments and locales will continue to find their way to this column but, dragging my way back to the present, I wanted to let you in on some local happenings that offer you the opportunity to experience the same magic of live music I speak about. From last Tuesday I can still remember the magical moment when finger flying playing, stellar backbeat bass and harmonies were front and center to the gentle rhythm of the tapping toes of those listening… ooh that magic.Tuesday evenings at O’reilly’s is one of the best kept secrets as Brock Zeman sings his own tunes and some classics along with Keith Glass on guitar and mandolin (you gotta hear this), Peter Newsom on bass and various others who sit in to share their gifts. Young Brock Zeman walked into Valley Audio Recording Studio a couple of years ago and played owners Keith Glass and Jon Van Wingerden a few of the tunes he’d written and wanted to record. Both Keith and Jon were blown away with this Carleton Place lad’s talent and eagerly began producing his music. Brock currently has two cd’s out and is releasing his third in Perth on Friday December 23rd – O’reilly’s – 9pm.Meanwhile I’m pleased to announce the Goodwood Oven is now starting to offer live music with Lanark lass, Peggy White kicking things off on Wednesday December 14th -7pm.Congratulations to Lynn Miles on her Canadian Folk Music Awards double victory and to locals Jenny Whiteley and David Francey’s nominations. Keith, by the way, played guitar on Calgarian, Karla Anderson’s album, which won Best New / Emerging Artist.Finally, from my home to yours, a safe, healthy Holiday Season and remember to support your local musicians as you do that Christmas shopping.