R2OK!

Cherskiy

Health problems meant that Bob couldn’t get across to do his usual round of interviews and introductions at the North By North-East Music Festival in Toronto this year, so instead tonight’s programme was a live link-up with Canada, featuring the very best in contemporary music from north of the 49th Parallel. Aficionados of Bob’s show and the alt-genres in general would have found an ear-tingling selection of artists to listen to here, ranging from the quirkiness of the Barenaked Ladies to the sublime Linda McLean. Live sets came courtesy of the ‘Bob Harris Presents’ gig at Lee’s Palace that started at 1900 on Thursday evening and went through until 0400 the following morning, where artists stood with the crowd to appreciate their fellow performers once their own sets had finished, plus a couple of live sessions from the CBBC studios in Toronto. To give some sort of idea to the scale of this festival, there are around 450 bands playing at about 40 venues in the city – although when over 3,000 Canadian bands apply for places, there inevitably has to be some disappointment. Based on this particular selection, I’m definitely thinking about travelling across next year for this!

The Barenaked Ladies kicked off the show with one of their more famous tracks, “One Week”, taken from their 1999 album “Stunt”. You’ll have heard this song plenty of times before – it’s catchy, quirky and larger-than-life – which probably sums up the initial few albums this Canadian band pumped out before they took a slightly darker take on their subject material. Beyond the humour and biting lyrics however are some great harmonies.
The Stills were up next, their 2004 release “Logic Will Break Your Heart” providing “Of Montreal”. Tim Fletcher’s vocals almost get lost among the jangly guitars and sweeping bass lines – but not quite.
Jim Bryson sang “Sleeping In Toronto” at the Lee’s Palace gig, which features on his solo album “The North Side Benches”. Possibly known better for being one of Kathleen Edwwards’ (qv) tour guitarists, the track Bob played on last week’s show from the same album I felt didn’t do him a great deal of justice. Happily, this one did, with slight echoes of Bruce Springsteen ringing out at times, but I’m still to be convinced that he’s a strong performer in the studio. He followed this up with versions of “Feeling Much Better” and “Somewhere”, more of the same – I suspect my one major criticism is that his vocal range seems fairly limited – in both the live and recorded sound. He did, however, play tribute to Bob Harris for playing his music and helping to establish Canadian artists in the minds of people across here.
Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland were up next, performing a version of “Passenger 24”, from the latter’s album “Thumbelina’s Last Stand”. Luke is a solo performer in his own right but has played in the indie band Veal and with several other Canadian artists such as Melissa, who he married last year. A sultry set of vocals came from a performer I’d only heard on a couple of occasions before: she performed this song beautifully, assisted on backing vocals by her hubby. The accompaniment got cranked up in the mid-section to great effect too.
“No Language” is an album that Bob has featured a few times already this year – this is Linda McLean’s second release after initial success in Canada with “Betty’s Room”. Live from the CBBC studio in Toronto during the programme, she talked about her recent UK tour and how she visited John Lennon’s home in Liverpool. The first of two live songs was “Working It All Out”, something she described as new, based on her UK tour, how to write a ‘feel-good’ song and dedicated to Bob himself! Accompanied only by her acoustic guitar, her strong voice – reminiscent of a slightly gentler Tift Merritt in places – shone through. It is listed among the songs to feature on Linda’s third album, recording of which should start in the autumn. For her finale, she played what she described as an ‘intimate’ version of “No Language”, from her album of the same name. Sublime, and from someone who sounds like a genuinely nice person.
The last song in the first hour of the programme came from Ron Sexsmith’s live session at Lee’s Palace. “Not About To Lose” showcased his laconic, laid-back vocals, sung almost in a drawl.
Arguably one of Canada’s most famous musicians, k d lang opened the middle hour with “Help Me”, taken from the “Tribute To Joni Mitchell” album – Joni Mitchell of course being another of the country’s famous musical alumni. This cover is absolutely brilliant, her vocals entrancing and enticing all at the same time – a true tribute to the original.
Justin Rutledge gave a stellar live performance on Bob’s show some weeks ago, and provided a great live set tonight taken from the Lee’s Palace gig. “Lay Me Down Sweet Jesus”, from his 2004 album “No Never Alone”, sat comfortably within its country and ‘bible belt’ roots, nothing too dramatic but lovely all the same, including the almost obligatory harmonica finale. “Too Sober To Sleep”, also taken from the same album, was a wonderfully brooding, melancholy slice of Americana – fans of Neal Casal (another Bob Harris staple) would appreciate this sort of thing. His third and final song, “Does It Make You Rain?” was taken from his latest album, “The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park”, another slow-burner but still engaging listening.
Rush have featured recently on the Saturday Show by virtue of their new album “Snakes And Arrows”, “We Hold On” being played tonight from this release. Out of a multi-album career, Bob thinks this is one of their best. I’ve never really been a fan of them so couldn’t begin to judge.
Oh Susanna have featured on Bob’s show this year already, Susie Ungerleider giving an excellent live performance here starting off with “Greyhound Bus”, her sweet vocals setting off this traditional-rooted song superbly. A fairly short song, it definitely ended leaving me wanting to hear more. “Bullies” was a song for her two-year-old son, based on her own experiences as a child. Minimal accompaniment – a couple of guitars – was all that was required here, her voice providing all that was really needed. “You’ll Always Be” rounded off the set, an appreciative audience applauding her performance. Oh Susanna’s newly-released fourth album “Short Stories” should be a worthwhile purchase based on this session alone – “Greyhound Bus” and “Bullies” are featured on this.
The final hour began with “The Loner” by Neil Young, taken from his eponymously-titled album released back in 1969.
Next was a return to the Thursday evening gig at Lee’s Palace and Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland’s live session, “Broken One” this time featuring Luke upfront and his wife on backing vocals. Guitars were front and centre here too, vying for attention with their lyrics although never threatening to dominate the proceedings.
Jets Overhead were on the show a couple of weeks back, Bob playing “Seems So Far” again this week from their new album “Bridges”. One of the new indie bands coming out of Canada at the moment, this track has an extremely strong introduction which never fades away, and they are distributing their music via free download through their website so it may be worth a look.
Back to Ron Sexsmith’s on-stage performance at Lee’s Palace and “Secret Heart”, taken from his eponymously-titled album from back in 1995 and introduced with a nod to England, the first country he said that had picked up on his music – and that would be largely down to Bob’s efforts in promoting him on his Saturday Show some years back. A fairly prolific artist – ten albums since 1991 – his almost drawling but distinctive vocals grow on you after repeated exposure “These Days” was taken from 2002’s “Cobblestone Runway” and was pretty much more of the same – good, but a little downbeat on the whole. “Never Give Up” completed his session – this time live in the CBBC studio following an interview with Bob, this song being taken from his latest album, last year’s “Time Being”. In a solo setting with an acoustic guitar for company, he came across very well.
Kathleen Edwards was probably the first of the post-2000 batch of Canadian solo artists I came across (along with the wonderful Martina Sorbara, who has unfortunately espoused her solo career in recent years). I bought her debut album “Failer” sight unseen on an Amazon recommendation, and have never regretted it. “Cheapest Key” can’t be found on either this or her follow-up release “Back To Me”, so I hadn’t heard it before. Intense, breathy, yet incredibly strong vocals abounded with this song – the lyric ‘here comes my softer side’ soliciting a laugh from the audience since her songs always feature that recognisable cutting edge normally associated with the likes of Gretchen Wilson. She praised Justin Rutledge, Ron Sexsmith and Oh Susanna for their performances – and Bob for his promotion of Canadian artists - then launched into “Good Things”, another new song for me, which also featured backing vocals from Jim Bryson (qv). Both of these songs will be part of the line-up on the new album, which should be released either at the end of this year or early in 2008.
The last band to be featured on Bob’s show tonight was Blue Rodeo, which I hadn’t actually heard of before, although they were touted as being something that had been worth the wait for until 0300 at the Lee’s Palace gig. “Bad Timing” and “What Am I Doing Here?” were the two songs performed live, the first coming from their 1993 album “Five Days In July” and the second from 1990’s “Casino”. They have produced ten albums themselves since 1987 and have collaborated either individually or collectively on many more. “Bad Timing” was good if ultimately a little sad, whilst “What Am I Doing Here?” featured some very pleasant harmonies from the band members plus good harmonica accompaniment that elsewhere would possibly seem out of place.

All in all, a cracking three hour’s entertainment provided by a great cross-selection of Canadian artists.
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

I'll go along with that Cherskiy, some really good live sessions and loved the KD Lang track, she is one of my favourite Canute artists, my favourite being Gordon Lightfoot. Just cannot understand how this master singer/songwriter was not played on last nights show as he has been, IMHO, far more influential in getting the Canute music scene on the map, than Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, KD Lang & Bryan Adams combined. Giant American country artists were recording his songs from the mid 60's until he had a huge hit, himself, in 70 & 71 with "If You Could Read My Mind". Songs like "Early Morning Rain" are still being recorded by contemporary/alt, folk/country artists today and sound to me as good as when I first heard the Bobby Bare version, almost 40 years ago. He also recognised other great singer/songwriters and promoted their work, he was the first artist to record Kristofferson's brilliant "Me & Bobby Mcgee", which was later a huge hit for Janis Joplin.

BB Twisted Evil

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Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:43 pm Post subject:

Bob's played tracks by him only 12 times since the start of the Saturday Show - if he's as fundamental to the Canuckistan music scene as you describe him as being, I'm surprised he hasn't been featured more.
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

I don't know why as he is, IMHO, fundamental to Canute folk/alt country and his songs have been recorded by many Nashville greats. He was, post 64, influenced by Dylan since when he has stamped his own style on his songs so that they are easily reconizable as a Lightfott song, whoever records them. Anyway don't take my word for it Cherskiy have a look at http://www.lightfoot.ca/ and make your own mind up, to me his music is just sublime.

BB Twisted Evil

_________________
Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

The show was supposed to be a celebration of the more recently-emerging talents to come out of Canuckistan, so that might explain things, although it wouldn't explain the inclusion of Neil Young or the Joni Mitchell track that originally appeared on the playlist but which Bob ran out of time to play.

I'll check the website out later tonight, thanks.
_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Barking
Another Canadian band,Moxy Fruvous do a nice little tribute to/spoof of Gordon Lightfoot on their "b album"
It's called "Gords Gold", check it out on one of the music sites if you get the time.

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

Thanks for that gaz, I will have a look and see if I can have a listen to any of their covers, I can understand spoof versions as some of his songs are a little bit over serious.

BB Twisted Evil

_________________
Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Cherskiy · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

BB, did you mention anything to Bob? Smile

A Gordon Lightfoot track was included in this week's playlist. Haven't done the review yet, too busy working on the pictures from the weekend.... Smile

_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

Cherskiy,
Did you do the above review just for this forum?
If so can I just say it's great that you would go out of your way to spend that much time on a review for the benefit of others.
Cheers Gaz.
PS Love the Barenaked Ladies, has anyone heard their Christmas album "Barenaked for the holidays". It has some jokey records but also includes in my opinion a few of the best records they've ever done.

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire