Pat Blythe – Wednesday, June 29….

Well, this weekly “journal” style of writing has been thoroughly enjoyable and I love bringing everyone along to the clubs and festivals with me and my trusty camera. It’s 6am on a Wednesday morning and I’m back to the beginning of this column. The original beginning sucked. Seal has just finished playing Kiss From A Rose and Journey has just begun. I pick up my new vehicle this morning and then enjoy a repast with my son Aarron this afternoon. A new day has begun all bright and shiny with the sun beginning its daily trip across the amazing shade of blue we call the sky. I sit here and wonder what the next 24 hours will bring. It’s always full of lovely surprises. ….and here’s another….Barry White is next and then Steppenwolf blasting through my speaker soooo….on with the week. I wonder what will be playing when I finish this column?

Kiss From A Rose – Seal

Wheel In The Sky – Journey

My First, My Last, My Everything – Barry White

Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf

So….last Wednesday…here I am attending the CIMA BBQ sans camera. So no pics of that one. Anyway, along with Sandy Graham, I “elevatored” up two floors to a lovely but very crowded city terrace to schmooze and gently elbow my way through the crowd to the bar, then edged my way to the food table where Mark Smith was running like a mad man between the barbeque itself and condiments table, serving up several kinds of hotdogs and vegetarian tortillas. One man feeding many. Sorta like Jesus and the fish story….well maybe not, but that’s what came to mind. I actually managed to run into some people I know (surprise surprise) and participated in some great conversations with those I didn’t. Even managed to pass out a few Luvthemusic business cards. The dessert table…..gummy bears, M&M’s and giant chocolates. Now who could ask for anything more?

Saturday, June 25 found me at the Cadillac Lounge to see Danny Marks. I actually didn’t recognize him on the stage without his fancy suit and cowboy hat. I thought it was the band warming up until Marks was about three bars in and the voice…..well the voice is unmistakable. So many oldies including Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash and of course You, Me and Mexico. Danced to one of my favourite tunes, Hanky Panky….I’ve never heard it performed live. What a blast! The afternoon was also a tip of the hat to Bobby Curtola and a group of women known as “Bobbie’s Girls” were in attendance. Songs were sung, tears were shed, good times remembered and everyone had a wonderful time.

Danny, Bobbie’s girls out front plus others…..

Danny Marks and Rodney St Amand

As for the fancy duds, Marks doesn’t need the suit or the cowboy hat. His voice has it all and he “wears” it well.

Hanky Panky – Tommy James and the Shondells

Saturday evening I picked up my daughter-in-law Colleen at the airport and we headed directly to Cherry Cola’s. After congratulating Cherish and Jay on their recent engagement (big hugs all around), two whiskey’s (Colleen), one Bombay Sapphire and tonic (me) and one band later we headed out to catch Xprime at the Horseshoe for their 1am show. It was sweltering and packed with bodies glued together by sweat. Who forgot to turn the air conditioning on?? After chatting with the boys after their gig it was time to head home. Long day, time for some shuteye.

Neal Carson and a constantly moving target, Steph Mercier of Xprime

Here it comes, Robin Campbell’s Rock ‘n Roll BBQ Sunday afternoon. A splendiferous day for a backyard soiree. This time my camera was a hired gun so I was happy to play paparazzi. There’s nothing like snapping folk while they’re eating. A sweltering 35C+ and many of us were melting, including my camera. Every once-in-a-while people were ducking into the house to cool down. It was a sweltering, blistering HOT day!! A mic and speakers were set up for live performances and Sam Taylor, Pat Kelly, Greg Godovitz and even Colleen obliged.

On the second floor balcony Segarini held court at one table while Godovitz and Mrs. Claypool et al were at another. Under the shade of a very large tree, their groups were well sheltered from the sun.

Robin had the food catered so he could mingle and schmooze with the rest of us. I love schmoozing….schmoozing and hugging. ….and there was lots of hugging….. and schmoozing….. So rather than type, here’s some pics of the festivities. I will apologize now….I don’t know everyone’s name but feel free to fill me in for the FB photo album.

Chief Cook

Sam Taylor and Sean Patrick Armstrong

BBQ central

Our hosts with the “mosts” Robin Campbell and the lovely Risa Black 

Pat Kelly, Sam Taylor and the audience

….and never far from technology….. 

The three amigos….George Chuvalo and friends

Colleen Thornton and Pat Kelly 

Guess who?

Our fabulously wonderful catering people….the steaks were deeeeelish!

Greg Godovitz and Mrs. Claypool book-ending Her Majesty Queen Shirley of Gibb

An aerial point of view

Smokin’…..hot…..

Partygoers.. 

Photobomb?

There will be many, many more photos of this illustrious event at https://www.facebook.com/pblythephotos/ by the end of the week. Over a thousand shots to review to make sure I get everyone’s best side 😉

After filling both my lens and stomach, Colleen and I headed to Taste of Colombia where Liberty Silver and Eddie Bullen were performing. This of course, is now a weekly gig for me, Sunday nights in Bronte, working with Michael Williams on this event. I have been incredibly fortunate to meet and hear some amazing artists, both up-and-coming and legacy performers. This night was going to be a rare opportunity to hear Bullen and Silver together for the very first time. What a smoking night! Every seat in El Salon was taken. Silver blew the roof off the place! Her voice just fills the room and explodes out the doors….passionate, emotional, rich, deep, soulful….she takes you with her on her journey through the song. Bullen’s fingers are magic, dancing across the keyboard creating such beautiful sounds. I could listen to these two for hours. Close friends for many years, Silver and Bullen had never performed live together before. You’d never know it. The fabulously talented Jasmine Kiara opened the night and easily held her own singing Amazing Grace with Silver. What a way to end the weekend!

Liberty Silver

L-R – Eddie Bullen, Jasmine Kiara, Michael Williams, Liberty Silver

Monday night…..The Dora Keogh pub and Julian Taylor’s open mic/jam session. Co-hosted by Tyler Ellis, it’s the first time I’ve attended. I met Colleen at the pub just as Taylor was finishing his first song. After one more, the first guest was introduced and the place rapidly filled with one performer after another. Colleen eventually added her name to the list and performed two songs. The second, her version of House of the Rising Sun. I love it. It’s after 1am. Time to head. A great start to the week….with sweet sounds of music.

Sign up “sheet” (advertising gin….hmmmmm)

Soozi

Our wonderful barkeep. The first time all night when there was utter silence as he sang. Why don’t people listen to the music and converse later?

The Indomitable Max Brand on the far right

Tyler Ellis

That’s it for now. As I end this column Small Town Boy by Bronski Beat is playing. So I leave you with….

Small Town Boy – Bronski Beat

In memory of Orlando….

Cheers,

All photos by Pat Blythe, A Girl With A Camera “The Picture Taker”

https://www.facebook.com/pblythephotos/

=PB=

Pat’s column appears every Wednesday.

Contact us at: dbawis@rogers.com

In “real” life Pat Blythe has spent the past 32 years as a consultant and design specialist in the telecommunications industry. After an extended absence Pat is now heading back to the GTA clubs, immersing herself in the local music scene, tasting what’s on offer, talking to people and writing once again — sharing her passions and her deep love of music. Together for 34 years, Pat also workedalongside her late husband Christopher Blythe, The PictureTaker©, who shot much  of the local talent (think Goddo, Frank Soda and the Imps, Plateau, Buzzsaw, Hellfield….) as well as national and international acts,  Currently making her way through 40 years of Chris’s archives, Pat is currently compiling a photographic history of the local GTA music scene from 1975 to 1985. It continues to be a work in progress. Oh…..and she LOVES to dance!