Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Saved at the bell Eh!

For more information or, to get booked on our schedule, please contact me at bwamusic@gmail.com

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Whew!!!!!


Well, that was an interesting evening, sort of. Didn't have much luck getting a schedule together last week, despite a lot of hard effort. As of seven o'clock, while setting up, I had only one band confirmed, plus a single act for a few opening songs.


A big thanks to Sharif for coming out, sorry we didn't get you up. Will definately fix that for this Saturday coming up.


Luckily, or, maybe more likely because of, the hockey game was on, and, Joe wanted to hear that anyway. I wasn't sure whether my buddy dave would show up, as, he has been fighting a recuring cold/Flu/virus thingy. He did make it, and, we waited for the hockey game to end. I'm not sure who got the last touchdown, or, if anybody got a home run, but, there seemed to be a lot of cheering going on every now and then.


Anyway, about the time the game was finishing, my good friend Julie and, her friend showed up (sorry, I have forgotten her name). They were on a trip to Burlington to see another band, but, stayed about half an hour, and, caught part of our set. Without them, we would have been playing for ourselves and the staff. Did I say it was a quiet evening????? In any event, we didn't get the first tune played till about 10:30 I think.


Shortly after the girls headed off for their night of fun and frivolity, Julie's good friend Mark the Harp (He plays harmonica, what can I say) showed up with another friend of thiers, Mike (man, this is starting to sound like Soap Eh! I switched from banjo to Electric guitar, and, Mark joined us for a few tunes on harp. Mark also happens to be about 1/3rd of the Tornado Targets, who, were a bit of a no show. I say about a 1/3rd, because, you just never know how many Targets there are going to be. I'm lucky enough to be counted in as an Associate Target (well, I've been a bit of a target all my life, haven't I), and, have been known to sit in on Bass, Banjo, or, Guitar on various occasions.


About this time, The Diamond Effect started to roll in, plus, a few actual patrons, Dave and I played about another half hour, and, then we started getting Julia's band set up and ready to rock and roll. Last time they were here, they had just lost their Bass player, and, I filled in for them, but, this time they were breaking in a new Bass player, and, a fine job he did too. The band put on another great set, and, tried out a few new songs together. Good job guys, you too Julia.


Anyway, not our most productive night for sure, but, a good time was had by those that did show up. Now, off to bed for me, and work on this coming Saturday's schedule. Better days ahead as they say.


Oh! almost forgot to mention my good buddy Chris Womak, fresh out of Recording School dropped by and gave us a bit of a hand with sound, plus, was kind enough to play some drums for dave and myself. Thanks Chris.


And, don't forget to come out for a show on May 3rd, put on by Chris and Paul. I think it's Chris's birthday bash actually.


And, a special thanks to John Marlatt of the Moonshine Cafe for his help in providing the Mikes, and speakers, and, a few other bits of miscelanious PA gear, and, to Gear Music for providing the main PA board, and the Drum kit that we so use and abuse (did I say that???? Just kidding Dave)


Wow, I don't believe I got the whole thing done in one go.


Monday, April 14, 2008

Surprise Surprise

Well, Last Saturday was quite a surprising evening, not the least of which, is, that, we actualy pulled it off.

What a great night, considering, that by the middle of Saturday afternoon, I only had about two and a half groups sort of confirmed to play. About 7:00PM, while setting up, I was sure the whole thing was going to be a big bust, but, in the end, it all came together realy well.

Ovearall, we had 4 great bands out, starting with my good friend Paul Rooney and his brother Peter (or, Jak, still a bit confused there guys, help me out here EH!) Peter Paul and Mary, oops, that's Peter Paul and me (was having flashbacks to a different era there.) put on a great show (well, they did, I was just thumping bass for most of their set). They also brought along a great drummer, unfortunately, I don't remember his name right now, who did a spectacular job taping up the drums. didn't do too bad a job of playing those puppies either. Actualy, he did a great job, considering he had never played with any of us before, and, was pretty much unfamiliar with the material. Good job all round, thanks guys for coming out and saving my bacon. Also thanks to Peter, er, Jak, or, whatever the heck his name is for filling in (despite a very bad back. Just play through the pain Eh! OUCH, that HURTS) on drums for the other three bands as well, good job on that.

Next up was Hank and Julie, two of my favorite Oakville people, of Redman Live fame. As usual, they put on a very good show. For those that don't know, or haven't seen Redman Live, they are primarily a country duo, and, do both covers and their own material. Hank strums guitar and Julie plays piano. They both sing both lead and harmony equaly well, and, equaly beautifuly (well, Julie is much more beautifull than Hank, but, we won't got there Eh!) Thanks again guys, and, thanks for letting me play a few songs with you, I always enjoy that.

Third act of the night, was me and my buddy dave Taylor. Dave and I have been playing together semi regularily for about 5 years now, we actually started our semi regular Duo thing at the Pic when John Marlatt (of the Moonshine Cafe fame) first started the Saturday band nights at the Pic. Dave and I were also the nucleus of the much loved Buddy Love band, staring, well, Buddy Love of course. We had a rockin good time, Jak Peters of the aforementioned Peter Paul and Me band played some stellar drums for us (Way to go Jak, er, Peter. Oh! heck, I give up.) And, as a special treat, some stranger from the party in the back room jumped up on stage, and, played some really nice bass for us. I had a great time. Sometime about that time, I got Caked, Candelled and Carded by persons as yet unamed. They seemed to think it was my birthday or sumthin. I don't know where people get these silly ideas. But, thanks anyway. It sure was a surprise.

And, last but not least, the one, the only, the band, that is slightly out of step with the rest of the world, the band you wouldn't want your sister to mary, the band that brings new meaning to the word Barnyard (don't ask, I just write this stuff, don't expect me to explain it) the band whose lead singer needs to loosen up a bit and stop being so shy and introverted on stage, the band, who's paroll officer is on call 24-7, and, last but not least, the band that the Pic couldn't live without, The Tornado Targets YYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY (screamed in your favorite Kermit the Fog voice). Seams like the Targets have been around as long as dirt, or, maybe they just don't wash often enough, I don't know, but, you gotta love these guys. They have a deffinate idiosynchratic and, strangely eclectic charm. They deffinately play music like nobody else on THIS planet. That's for sure. Anyway, thanks for coming out and doing a fine set, and, always a treat to play with you guys.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Better late than never

Well, considering we only had 3 groups last Saturday, I think the night went very well indeed. With a bit of carefull planning and crafty use of resources, we managed to get throught the night ok. Start a little late, stretch everybodies sets, and finish a bit early, works every time Eh!

A greatfull thanks to Wendy Hugh and Neil, for coming out on such short notice, and, putting on a great first set. In fact, they showed up on such short notice, they didn't even have a name for their group. They made one up just before getting on stage, but, durned if I can remember what it is. Oh well, I'm sure we will all find out in another segment of As the Music Turns. Anyway, they put on a really great set of mostly Folk Style music. Deffinately hope to see them back sometime soon, if only to find out what their new group name is.

Always a great pleasure to have Carrie Lynn and the Flamingo man (AKA Lawrence [ and, to find out what THAT's all about, you'll have to come out and catch their show]) out for a second time Carrie and Flamin..... er, I mean Lawrence always put on a great show. Two great and complimentary guitar styles, with Carrie playing some nice Bass on some numbers, and supperb lead and harmony vocals, not mention some great songwriting, adds up to show well worth catching. Plus, a surprise treat at the end of their show with a special performance from one of my favorite Thespians, Heather Ginzel. Heather, did a great job of one of my favorite songs from Patsy Cline, Walkin After Midnight. I might add, that Heather is a member of Carrie an Lawrence's other musical undertaking, a Band called Big Love, which, also includes Lawrence's sister Julie DeMaeyer (sure hope I got all that right, and, my appologies if I didn't.)
Big Love, is deffinately one of Ontario's absolute must see's. These guys, well, mostly Gals actually, put on one of the best and tightest vocal harmony performances you will ever see, terrificaly tight musicianship, and, wonderfully crafted songwriting. You just won't find anything better anywhere. Sadly, right now, they are taking a bit of a break from performing as a whole band, but, hopefully, will be back performing together at a concert venue near you. I sure hope so.

And, last but certainly not least, a big Pic a Deli round of applause to the newest band @ the Pic, The Diamond Effect. Julia Lisetto and, er, ummm, four other guys (Sorry, but, I seem to have forgot their names. My bad) , well, actualy, three other guys, and me, as, their Bass player pulled a no show, and, I filled in on Bass. The band does a mixed bag of Classic Rock covers in a very tastefull and expressive style. Great vocals and real good playing (well, except for the Bass player [me] messing up every now and then) make this a band to catch in the future. I hope to have them out again real soon.





For more information or, to get booked on our schedule, please contact me at bwamusic@gmail.com