Sometimes you just get lucky. A couple of weeks ago my far better half and I were in Tranna –to celebrate our daughter Jodi’s 25th birthday. We went out for a lovely meal, much conversation and laughter whereupon the girls headed back for their beauty sleep and I headed out to catch some music.
I stopped by Jeff Healey’s Bar as it was a Thursday night and he’s always sitting in and found out, not only was he sitting in but his 40th Birthday Bash was just getting started. Jeff had his usual stellar back up band but the icing was he’d invited two of my favourite performers. None other than Wendell Ferguson was already up showing why he has been named the Canadian Country Music Association’s “Guitar Player of the Year” an amazing 6 times. He’s shared his guitar prowess on recordings with Shania Twain, George Fox, Dixie Chicks, Gordon Lightfoot, Patty Loveless, Arrogant Worms to name but a few. He released his first solo album in 1999 of carefully crafted, comedic songs to much acclaim. Being able to see and hear him jam in his usual humble way with Jeff’s unique laptop styling made for another one of those magical moments.
The second guest was a long time Toronto vocalist, John Dickie who added his powerful, crooning style to the mix. I first met John when he added vocals to the usually lyric-less Sisters Euclid, a weekly jam band of Kevin Breit’s (acoustic player for Norah Jones and most recently Rosanne Cash). John is one of those rare vocalists whose voice is truly an instrument that can go from belting out rock and roll screams to sensuous whispers of intimate desire and everything in between. He was just getting over a hip replacement so only did a few tunes. Jeff and I fondly remembered him playing Perth a few years ago with his Jazz Wizards. Was nice to see him take the time from the festivities to instruct a visiting inquisitive guitar player on how to make a certain lick work. A genuine guy.
John invited me to see him the next night at the Silver Dollar in another band of his, the Mississippi Hippies, made up of John and the Leggat brothers, Gord and Hugh, longtime guitar and bass player of Foot In Cold Water. Their great blues sound was ably rounded out by keyboardist Norm Brown and drummer Mike Sloski. Their mix of original and classic tunes made for another great evening in ‘da big smoke’.
Locally, I attended Hootenanny at the downtown Maberly Hall, hosted by Victoria, BC’s own songstress / comedienne Carolyn Mark. This year’s variety show type troupe featured Carolyn, Oh! Susanna, Luther Wright, Jenny Whiteley, Saskatchewan’s Shuyler Jansen (of the Old Reliables), and a must see to be believed Hank Pine and Lily Fawn – Hank and Lily also from Victoria. Also sitting in were Diona Davies (Po’ Girls) doin’ some fabulous fiddlin’, Jenny’s cousin from Toronto Gord Tough on guitar, and Cam Giroux (Oh! Susanna’s hubby) on drums and backing vocals.
Now you know when, during the first few bars of Carolyn’s opening song, she steps to the front edge of the stage, only to feel it collapse along with a monitor under her and she ends up sitting on the front of the stage cross-legged, never missing a note, that we’re in for something unique. Each played a few of their own tunes while the others supported.
Oh! Susanna was last seen locally at last year’s Stewart Park Festival before she had to be rushed to Ottawa on the Sunday when her water broke prematurely. The next day she gave birth to 2.6 lb. Zal. In Maberly, her dynamic vocal delivery was favoured by everyone, including now 16 lb. Zal who tried to join in from elsewhere in the hall every time she sang.
Other notables were antler wearing Lily’s quality saw playing, accompanying the round welders goggles with silver nose and mouth cover adorned, guitar playing, Hank. What pleased me was the ego-less energy these quality players presented, whether during their own segment or when backing others. Each can hold their own anywhere but collectively their true friendship, comradrie and musicianship really shone. By example, Jenny kicked into “Baby, I”, from her self titled 2000 album and Carolyn slipped over and tickled the ivories of the house piano, to subtly complete the sound. A sweet evening.
REMEMBER TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND I’LL SEE YOU THERE !!