I spoke in my last article of the band Guthrie House enjoying a special celebration of their own on St. Paddy’s Day, and a special celebration it was.  They had played at O’Reilly’s for St. Paddy’s Day in 2006 and had been booked, back then, to play this year. About a year ago their drummer, Stuart Pike was diagnosed with cancer and began treatments.  This humble, in shape, never smoked, cyclist, a postie from the Battersea area has been a fixture in that area’s (including Westport and Kingston) music scene, playing in several bands and helping organize their Pumpkinfest.  We were witness to one of his bands at Stewart Park Festival a couple of years ago when the Dudes of Dixieland played on the Sunday.  This band deserves special mention.  How many of us ever see fathers and sons play together?  Fellow Guthrie House member Marty Crapper and Stu play together with their fathers, keeping their elder’s era of music alive today. He also played in ‘Buddy Holly Live’ that apparently was quite successful with this tribute show all over eastern Ontario. We know the music community is rather special.  They prove it when they take their own time to play at fundraisers, local ceremonies but it goes way beyond this.  Stu heats with wood and during his treatments, was too weak to get his supply in for the winter.  Enter fellow Guthrie House members, Marty, Dave Balfour, Steve Hanna and many of his musical friends who gathered and, in a work bee, split and loaded enough wood for a couple of years.  Stu’s efforts in his community over the years were realized and repaid by his musical friends, cuz that’s what friends do. Prior to his surgery, recovery and subsequent treatments, the band member’s  steady closing line was always, “See you St. Paddy’s Day at O’Reilly’s” … so at the realization of this goal, with Stu now cancer free and back providing his steady drumbeat, the band hoisted a few extra pints to celebrate.  Thanks Guthrie House boys for sharing your celebration with me so I could pass this along.  Congratulations Stu.  We’ll welcome hearing you share your musical gifts with us for many more years, in whatever configuration you choose to present.  The beat goes on.

Canada’s musical awards, the Juno’s were held last week and a couple of awards brought a major smile.  Frequent reader’s of this column will know I have raved many times about a unique Toronto quartet, Sister’s Euclid.  They only play regularly on Monday nights, starting at 10:30pm at the Orbit Room, upstairs on College St., just east of Clinton. This band is what these lads do for fun. They never practice, all are full time studio musicians led by Kevin Breit, “guitar for hire”, who’s played with Norah Jones on her past 3 cd’s, Roseanne Cash’s “Black Cadillac” cd and many, many more.  Rob Gusevs handles the keys, primarily the Hammond B3, while Ian de Souza on bass and Gary Taylor on drums keeps the backbeat together.  Ninety – eight percent of their tunes are instrumental and would be categorized in the jazz / rock fusion mode. They’ve been doing this for more than 10 years and have several discs out now, including a DVD highlighting the past 10 years, which is worth a gander.  They are best live though and even on a Monday night with their late 10:30pm start, the club is usually full, the congregation infiltrated  with fellow musicians, music lovers and an eclectic element who, like me, are wooed by their magic. They were in Germany in Nov. 2004 and while there laid down the tracks for their Instrumental Album of the Year, Juno winning “Run Neil, Run”, which is a disc of Neil Young covers, all instrumental.  I hope you get a chance to see them sometime.  They have played at Maverick’s in Ottawa a few times and in Kingston .  I’ll try to let you know when they’re near.  Truly they’re a unique experience for those not afraid to listen “outside the box”. Stephen Fearing will be here soon at O’Reilly’s (Sun. April 15th with Andy White) where we can congratulate him for his Juno winning -  Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo for “Yellowjacket”.  A beautiful piece of work that’s truly Stephen’s own. I’ve been raving to my friends about Vancouver’s Jim Byrnes album “House of Refuge” for weeks.  I heard him duet with Jenny Whiteley on her latest cd “Dear”, enjoyed his amazing voice so bought what turned out to be the Juno – Blues Album of the Year.  Gospel sounding, he is supported by The Sojourners and I just can’t stop playing it.  Give it a try. I caught James McKenty & The Spades last week locally and joined a supportive audience in acknowledging this trio’s steady growth.  James penned all the songs on their new cd “Let It Grow” and his guitar work proved stellar.  Nice tight, solid background and harmonies from Tom Street on drums and Chachi Robichaud on bass gives James room to move with his playing.  Hope they return soon. Two reminders of upcoming local events.  Carolyn Stewart’s talented daughter, Kate Weekes and her band, Keitha Clark on fiddle and Genessee Keevil on bass will be releasing her new cd on Thursday April 26th, 7pm at McDonald’s Corners with tix available at Shadowfax.  Music on McLean is hosting Michael Johnston on Sat. April 28th with reservations available by calling 613-267-7902.  See ya around.

 

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