After fighting traffic to get to Toronto on a Friday evening, of a long weekend, it was a pleasure to be greeted so well. Michael Wrycraft (host and compere for the event) said, “David…meet Gurf Morlix!” Gurf Morlix, guitarist/producer shook my hand and we chatted. Gurf was the top name on the list of performers for tonight’s festivities, and I was excited about seeing him. My wife and I sat at the next table, and dined on pasta and a potent local brew as we waited for the show to begin.
First up was Grier Coppins and the Highland Brothers. They started up in the bar, the drone of the pipes filling the intimate space of Hugh’s Room. Coppins has been championing the use of bagpipes in blues and contemporary roots music for years and his medley of “Within You, Without You / Rain” was a perfect beginning to the night. It opened the doorway for free interpretation of the Lennon-McCartney, Harrison and Starr songbook. The group marched to the stage, traded pipes for guitars and played a couple more classics. They marched away to leave the stage for Aaron Jensen and the Omnium Gatherum. This almost accapella quartet (accompanied only by a guitarist whose name I missed) gave a jazzy reading to “In My Life” and “Got to Get You Into My Life.” Quite lovely really.
Between performers Wrycraft made his way to the stage and introduced each one with tales of previous shows, background on the artists and general newsy items. He is now Canda’s most acclaimed CD package designer, but he once worked as a standup comedian…you get the feeling he misses those days. He introduced Nicole Christian and Alfie Smith, who brought blues to the Beatles’ songs. Alfie played a metal bodied resonator, and Nicole played slide on her acosutic guitar, laid across her lap. They did a mournful “Yesterday” and followed that with a rousing “Yer Blues”. Then guitarist Ray Montford took the stage for what was essentially an instrumental “Girl”. The addition of Steve Briggs and David Celia on “ditditdit” did little to improve the night’s first weak spot. Montford then tried an instrumental “Come Together” using loops, which didn’t quite come together, so he tried it again. “I did this 20 times at home,” he moaned. Wrycraft announced intermission.
David Celia started the second set, accompanied by Danny Headon on bass, who looked like a 70s Mark Knopfler complete with headband and flowing cotton shirt. Together they worked through “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” and an amazing rendition of “A Day In The Life”. Kudos to the pianist!
Sharbat is a new group which features Ravi Naimpally on tabla, Samidha Joglekar on vocals, and Waleed Abdulhamid playing guitar, bass and singing. This mix of Indian and Africa music made the renditions of “Eleanor Rigby” and “Let It Be” fresh, if a bit perplexing at first. Gurf Morlix then took his place behind the microphone. Just him, his acoustic guitar and a stompbox, he turned “From Me To You” and Ringo’s “Don’t Pass Me By” into Texas songwriter’s arrangments. Refreshing and beautiful.
The last act of the night arrived from another performance earleir in the night, but the music they provided was a wonderful climax. Donna Grantis on guitar led the way, as Saidah Baba Talibah’s voice soared through the room. “You Never Give Me Your Money” and “I Want You/She’s So Heavy” received a powerful performance. Then Wrycraft welcomed…rather ordered all the performers back on stage for a ragged but rocking rendition of “Don’t Let Me Down.” With backup vocals from the audience it was a perfect end to an almost perfect night. The ride home was uneventful, just follow the highway…two of us.
(Hugh’s Room, Toronto, On, Canada: Sept. 2, 2011)
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