The whole perfectly wonderful day started with the equally perfect and wonderful John Borra Band in Kensington Market's Grafitti's Bar and Grill for a special matinee (they normally play every second Saturday from 4 - 7 but this month the date was moved back). It was a brilliantly sunny cold Toronto day and the market was a busy throng of shoppers and walkers. Riverboat Steve Koch was laying down the tasty licks on his guitar, Derrick Brady was keeping the bass vibe while Cleave Anderson set the scintillating pace on drums and John Borra himself on vocals, acoustic and harmonica was being his usual entertaining self at the front.
After the matinee, it was time to high-tail it over to the Cameron where I managed to catch the last of the Cameron Family Singers second set just before Earth Hour began. Luckily, the bluegrass/Canadiana/twangy CFS are an acoustic outfit so when the lights dimmed the great music continued undiminished.  Every chair was taken as per usual.

Kevin Quain had a very humourous story about a dream of his and I was reminded of Neil Young's Tonight's the Night album for the first of at least two occasions that evening. I think the line is from Tired Eyes where Neil says "tell me more...tell me more" lol He followed up with a very crowd pleasing singalong You are My Sunshine to end the set.

Next up was the Horseshoe Tavern for Luke Doucet's Blood's Too Rich CD release party where I was pleasantly surprised to see Ron Sexsmith show up to help out with a song. Ron and Luke traded verses on Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire and a very good choice it was. Ron sang superbly and the song was a great match for his voice. Every note was pure and clear.

The whole show was very well done from two excellent opening acts: The Beauties and The Perpetrators, to the headline Luke Doucet and his band The White Falcon and several talented guests. The Perpetrators hail from Winnipeg as does Luke. Really great acts. Who knew that such southern sounding, whiskey infused music could come from the surrounds of Winterpeg? 

The Beauties were an instant hit with me since I thought they sounded a bit like the Sadies behind Neil Young's lyrics. A sample of their song titles might tell you why, ie. Sad Sad Sad, Baby out of Jail, Little Feats, Sinner Blues. There's more than a hint of Tonight's the Night there imho  Their keyboard player Michael Boguski clearly hails from the school of Bob Wiseman and Garth Hudson (think Blue Rodeo's You're Everywhere). He was just great as was every other band member including their exceptional guesting drummer (name?) who filled in both for them and Luke Doucet.

Likewise the Perpetrators had great musicianship and a southern influenced rock style that reminded me at times of a slightly alt George Thoroughgood.  Luke described The Beauties and The Perpetrators as "the music he goes out to see when he's not at work."

Luke and his band The White Falcon (I think they are named for his particularly attractive white Gretsch re-issue), played an excellent two hours or so. The beautiful Melissa McLelland, Luke's wife, sang great back-up harmony and played acoustic and electric guitar. She has a great voice and is an extraordinary accompianist who also has her own solo act when she is not supporting Luke. They must have one of those great symbiotic relationships since Luke backs up Melissa when she is touring with her own material. 

I picked up Luke's previous CD Broken (and other rogue states) since I have been too long a window shopper at his merch table.  Am really enjoying Broken and can't help but make the observation that the words "broken" or "broke" appear at least once in many of the songs. Must say that I especially enjoy the song Broken One.  Can't wait to get Blood's Too Rich which has received many rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Was very glad to see Ron join Luke Doucet for a slightly down-tempo I'm on Fire which was the last song of a two or three song encore.  Serena Ryder and a fellow who may or may not have been Colin Linden joined the stage for some back-up vocals on a song each as well.

---

"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

You always write such great reviews, Ann! Sounds like it was a fabulous day of music.

Glad you're enjoying Broken. I'm quite partial to "Free" on that album, myself. Blood's Too Rich is excellent as well. It's got great lyrics and some very danceable tunes (try NOT dancing to "The Lovecats").

---

"There's the shirt that I like!"

"It was nice singing with you this evening."

Thanks rabbitprincess!  It really was a fabulous day of music as you said and I am enjoying Broken quite thoroughly.   My only regret the other evening was in not being able to fit in The Swallows who were playing at the same time down the street at Mitzi's Sister.  So many great shows...so little time. lol!

I'm not 100% sure,  but I believe that Free is the song where Luke fits in a few bars from the chorus of Born Free, the song from the movie of the same name.  I would have bought Blood's Too Rich at the same time but must stagger CD purchases so as to not completely strip the money tree of all foliage. Next time!

I too really enjoy Luke's cover of Lovecats since there is still a place in my heart for The Cure. 

---

"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

Well, Luke has a *song* called "Mitzi's", so perhaps you can listen to that instead. (It's on his playlist on CBC Radio 3's website.)

"Born Free"? Hee hee. Now I have images of that granola bar commercial where the granola bars all go to the peanut aisle and sing and dance about how they are "born free" of peanut products and the peanuts go "GRRRRR". Probably not the same song, but that's the way my mind association works.

At Barrymore's I told my friend that, if Luke played "Lovecats", I would dance. But then the dance floor got filled up by standing people (including a tall guy who managed to stand DIRECTLY between me and Luke for a good deal of the time), so I didn't have to actually dance in public.

*has "Lovecats" stuck in head now*
 

---

"There's the shirt that I like!"

"It was nice singing with you this evening."

Thanks for taking the time to write and post such a great review, Ann! Your reviews always make me feel as if I had been there.  (hey, wait a minute, I was there Once again, you have saved me the trouble.  But even if I had written somthing up, it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable to read as your word pictures always are.)

Ann, yes, you should definitely buy Broken next time your tree sheds a few leaves.  It's a great cd.  I think Luke's songwriting just keeps getting better and better; and I've always thought he was one of the best guitar players out there.

The "may or may not have been Colin Linden" was "may not".  He was Lindy.  It seems my American friends know way more about Canadian music than I do, because they knew who he was, and I didn't.  But I will check out his music now. 

Yes, it was definitely a fun-filled Saturday.  I'm sorry I didn't get to see John Borra band this time - we opted for a full set of the Cameron Family Singers instead.  Good relaxing, down-home, kitchen party fun - a great warm-up for Luke's show.

I agree with you, Ann, about the warmup acts.  Both were excellent.  Hard to pick which one I liked best.  It seems they were also with the Six Shooter Record label.  Am going to have to keep an eye out for any other acts that label puts out.  They seem to have really good taste. 

Sunday, my American friend took me to see Emily Haines at the Phoenix.  Again, he knew who she was and I didn't.  I'd heard of Metric and Broken Social Scene, but did not know their music, or hers.  I was quite impressed.   I was also surprised at the demographic of the audience.  Her music is introspective, with creative and intelligent lyrics, and quite mellow.  I think we were the only ones there over 40.  I would have thought her appeal would be more far-reaching.  I loved the way she interacts with her audience, too.

"The "may or may not have been Colin Linden" was "may not".  He was Lindy.  It seems my American friends know way more about Canadian music than I do, because they knew who he was, and I didn't.  But I will check out his music now. "

I guess that generalization about us knowing more about them than they know about us, is going out the window now. lol  

---

"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

Hi Sonja.  Sunday at the Phoenix sounds like a real good time .   Brian

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Go out and see live music

Hi, glad you enjoyed the show at the Horsehoe on Saturday. 

if you want to hear more of my music, check out www.michaelboguski.com

 

cheers! 

http://www.michaelboguski.com/

Welcome aboard Michael, I'm sure Ann will remember your last name now as we all will.

Too bad I missed the show, but it certainly sounds like it was an awesome one. 

Just gave the site a listen, and wow, very very talented   LOVED IT

cool. check the site later this week. There is an incredible 12 minute version of 'sad sad song' (recorded live at the Dakota) that I just sent to my web-designer for up-load...

For sure I'll check, but maybe you can remind us juuuuussssssttttt in case we forget  Looking forward to it

Welcome Michael and thanks for clearing up my misheard interpretation of your last name! Sorry about that.  I really liked your stuff at the show and I hope I got your references right.

I read your bio and you have played with some pretty impressive names!  Can't wait to listen to the stuff on your site.

 

---

"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

Sonja:

Yes, it was definitely a fun-filled Saturday.  I'm sorry I didn't get to see John Borra band this time - we opted for a full set of the Cameron Family Singers instead.  Good relaxing, down-home, kitchen party fun - a great warm-up for Luke's show.

I agree with you, Ann, about the warmup acts.  Both were excellent.  Hard to pick which one I liked best.  It seems they were also with the Six Shooter Record label.  Am going to have to keep an eye out for any other acts that label puts out.  They seem to have really good taste. 

Sunday, my American friend took me to see Emily Haines at the Phoenix.  Again, he knew who she was and I didn't.  I'd heard of Metric and Broken Social Scene, but did not know their music, or hers.  I was quite impressed.   I was also surprised at the demographic of the audience.  Her music is introspective, with creative and intelligent lyrics, and quite mellow.  I think we were the only ones there over 40.  I would have thought her appeal would be more far-reaching.  I loved the way she interacts with her audience, too.

Sonja, sounds like you had two days of really great tunes!  Your American friend is very well-informed.

Thanks for posting.  The amount of great live music available around TO is astounding.

---

"Over straight and crooked miles
Falling out of favour or embraced
Wondering where was love...
It hadn't happened yet"
~Ron Sexsmith~

Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping

the live Beauties track is now on-line. Go to

www.michaelboguski.com

 and navigate to the music page. The track is the very first one (i.e. sad sad song) It's a big file (11 minutes) so be patient after you hit the play button. It will play, you just have to wait a bit.

cheers,

MB 

Hi Ann,

Those are some pretty esteemed keyboard players that you compared me to, so I'm honoured by the compliment. I've met Bobby a few times, and we both share a background in classical training, and in improvisation.

 We (the Beauties) have a weekly residence at the Dakota tavern, so you should come by one Sunday.

Cheers,

Michael