Pat Blythe – Here comes summer!!

March 30 was the last column I wrote for this site…..the “Canadian edition” and finale of my jazz series. It’s now been six week since DBAWIS was able to publish due to some serious computer issues. There’s a wee bit of catching up to do. Live music is happening again, the camera seems to have found its way back into my life, the whole England move has been sliding sideways, reviewing photographs (not just Chris’s, but mine too) has sent me down several rabbit holes, and life generally, has been pretty busy. So…..let me just dive right in.

In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry

Over the past few months I have managed to catch a number of live shows, as more and more artists are returning to the stage. Tours are being booked all across North America and overseas. Monowhales are currently touring with Mother Mother; Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar are heading to Europe; Sarah Smith is touring Canada; The Damn Truth are currently performing in Europe and the U.K.; Forever Seger and Brass Transit have a busy summer coming up in the U.S., and these are just a few. Festivals are happening once more including CMW, Mariposa, Love Revolution, Summerfolk, Toronto Jazz Festival, Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) and so many more. Many are playing catch-up with the artists booked for 2020 and 2021 shows. 

BTBs

I began my foray into the live music scene with the jazz fusion trio BTBs at Hirut Café and Restaurant. Guitarist Ed Kopala heads up this instrumental only band with Robert Bilton on bass, and Paul DeLong and Peter Griffin switching out on drums (depending on the night). Performing the music of Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, John Scofield and so, so many more. One of my favourites is Kopala’s rendition of Wichita Lineman. With no vocals, he speaks solely through his guitar, and it’s magic….and it always makes me weep. Listening to these guys is like a breath of fresh air. It was a graceful and perfect initiation back into the live music scene. If you get a chance to catch these guys…..don’t turn it down.

Unfortunately my external hard drive is malfunctioning so I have no access to the photos I took of this show!

On my next outing I found myself heading to a new club on Queen West call The Cat on Q to  see J.C. Sandoval. Over the years I’ve watched J.C. perform with Die Mannequin, Secret Broadcast, as a solo act and now with his own band, We The Crooked.  J.C. as a solo acoustic act is ear candy. A well-known and respected guitarist, it’s always such a pleasure to hear him in quieter surroundings and just focus on his voice. With their new single Flies just released on Bandcamp, this is another high-energy rock band you don’t want to miss. Oh, and if you get the chance to see one of J.C.’s acoustic sessions, you really don’t want to miss that either.

ONES Show

For my third act, it was the ONES Show in St. Catharines. This is an incredible tribute to The Beatles, but not in the traditional sense of tribute acts. The audience witnesses note-for-note performances of The Beatles’ number one hits from 1964 to 1970.  The show pays strict attention to the music and the instruments. No costuming or wigs involved, but every minute detail, from the period correct amplifiers, guitars and drums used on the original recordings, to the music, complete with orchestra….it’s all there. A multi-media presentation, the amazing visuals by Jain McMillan tell the stories behind the songs with Al Joynes of Q107 fame narrating. Six years of determination, love and hard work by producer/musician Frank Zirone brings the show to Roy Thomson Hall, October 21, 2022. The show will have you singing and dancing in the aisles. Truly a rocking walk down memory, or was that Penny Lane.

Podcast – The Pandemic Interviews

The most recent podcast, released April 18 is a conversation with Jeff Jones and Gerry Finn. Many of you will remember Jeff as a member of the gospel rock band Ocean, recording the million-selling hit Put Your Hand in the Hand. Jeff was also the first bassist and primary singer for Rush, forming the band with Alex Lifeson and drummer John Rutsey, in 1968. Jeff is one of the founding members of the iconic band known as the “human jukebox”, The Carpet Frogs, who also happen to be Burton Cummings tour band. As a member of Red Rider, Jeff continues to hit the road, year after year, touring throughout North America with Tom Cochrane.

Catch Jeff & Gerry are now collaborating and performing as a duo

A St. John’s Newfoundland native, Gerry is well-known for his work with Canadian metal bands Killer Dwarfs and Helix, Gerry is celebrating 32 years this year as the lead guitarist for the Killer Dwarfs. His musical career has seen him either tour, or share the stage, with David Usher, INXS, JD Fortune, Holly McNarland, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Bruce Cockburn and so many more. In addition to also being a member of The Carpet Frogs, Gerry has also performed with Tom Cochrane and Alex Lifeson.

https://luvthemusic.podbean.com

Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell (live)

Song for Bilbao – Pat Metheny Group

Better Days Ahead – Pat Metheny Group

Pastime Paradise – Stevie Wonder (rock version by We The Crooked)

Pools – Steps Ahead

A Go Go – John Scofield

Golden Lady – Stevie Wonder

Butterfly – Herbie Hancock

Watch Me Burn – The Crooked (live)

Penny Lane – The Beatles

Ballad of John & Yoko – ONES

Keeping this short, there will be more to share as “music season” opens up. The buildup has been a long time coming. I’m not sure who’s more eager to get out…..the musicians or the audiences. Although we’ve lost a number of clubs during the past two years, new venues are opening up and the survivors are scrubbing down the bars in anticipation. Get out! Enjoy each other, the weather and support your local musicians as they put their lives back together. We need each other!

Cheers!

=PB=

Pat’s column appears every Wednesday.

“Music and photography….my heart, my passions.” After an extended absence —  33 years as a consultant and design specialist in the telecommunications industry — Pat has turned her focus back to the music scene. Immersing herself in the local club circuit, attending the many diverse music festivals, listening to some great music, photographing and writing once again, she is eager to spread the word about this great Music City of ours…..Toronto.

Together for 34 years, Pat also worked alongside her late husband Christopher Blythe, The PictureTaker©, who, beginning in the early 70s, photographed much of the local talent (think Goddo, Frank Soda and the Imps, BB Gabor, the first Police Picnic, Buzzsaw, Hellfield, Shooter, The Segarini Band….) as well as national and international acts. Pat is currently making her way through 40 years of Chris’s archives, 20 of which are a photographic history of the local GTA music scene beginning in 1974. It continues to be a work in progress. Oh…..and she LOVES to dance.