Pat Blythe – The year the music died…..the pandemic interviews…..and music

Tuesday, July 21…..the column writing begins. I sit here staring at four walls desperately missing the music, the people, the clubs and the noise. At least four nights a week I was out prowling the various music venues in the GTA, Hamilton, even London until the wee hours of the morning. The music was always happening somewhere. Now it’s eerily quiet. Yes, there are a few outdoor shows scattered about. Suzi Kory produced and presented her first hugely successful drive-in country music festival called “Love Revolution” in Cavan, Ontario. Country artists Joe McCaughley, Colin Amey, The Housecall, Bree Taylor, Nicole Rayy, Alessia Cohle, Brian John Harwood, MacKenzie Leigh Myer and of course Kory herself all performed. Where was I? In Hamilton and St. Catharines on other business. Damn!!!

Love Revolution also happens to be the name of Kory’s latest release, and a timely one it is. Give it a listen below in the “music section”.

Pat Blythe – The weather report….day tripping and music…..

Hot, hazy and humid…..well maybe not hazy…..maybe more like stifling and soggy? How about moist and muggy, or maybe sultry and sweaty? Scorching, sizzling, oppressive, sweltering…..an endless number of adjectives to describe the current heatwave.  July 3-15 would have been a perfect Mariposa weekend running around covering 10 stages and sweating off these extra “COVID pounds”. Somehow I don’t associate “sultry” with weather that has the infinite ability to make one a squelchy, sodden, cranky mess. One short stroll out and I’m firmly planted in front of the air conditioner drying out.

Pat Blythe – Women & Songs Redux….catching up…..and music

I am currently spending some time with my mom…..trolling the local dollar stores for stuff neither of us needs, but enjoying the time out. The promised rain never appeared, which was probably a good thing as the air was already thick enough. We sat out on the front porch with a cup of tea and watched the fireflies the other night. It’s rather lazy days when I come to visit, although this week is a little busier with scheduled interviews for the series I’m working on. I’m also catching up with a few mutual friends of Greg Simpson’s and mine.

Pat Blythe – Contemplative weeding…..music man…..and music

The goal for today (Tuesday); get up early and dedicate a couple of hours to what I laughingly refer to as the back garden. So here I am having a war of weeds with Mother Nature. She’s insistent they need to have a place to grow and I vehemently disagree. Unfortunately, I think she’s winning this one.

Pat Blythe – Going to the movies…..and music

I’ve written three columns over the past 36 hours. None of which I’m happy with. The air outside is rife with frustration, sadness and depression…..but mostly frustration. No clubs, no bars, no live music…..sorry folks, streaming doesn’t count…..and restaurants opening cubicle style with wait staff wearing PPE. Not my idea of a fun evening dining out.

So…..a little amusement and lightheartedness. Something to make you laugh (or at least smile). Let’s start with movies since our noses seem to be permanently pressed up against our computer (or TV) screens these days.

Pat Blythe – Out with the old…..the roof…..and music

I am starting with a song and lyrics simply because I think everyone should listen to this. It’s evocative. It’s emotive. It’s powerful. It has me weeping uncontrollably. We’re going to be more than okay. We are all shooting stars.

Pat Blythe – Blathering….mom….music

Here we go again. It is me or are Wednesdays getting closer and closer together? Reclining on the couch chaise (my office) with my nose buried in the laptop my eyes are turning square and the days are blending together. It’s a gorgeous morning with the promise of a sunnier, more seasonal week ahead. Ontario is opening up…..sort of. Folks are flocking to parks, beaches, and parks….we’ll see how this goes. I just wish people would stop griping, some of them quite vociferously and angrily about the “crowds”. Nobody has any idea who lives with whom, who’s been forced to live with whom, who is “bubbling” with whom….too many judgement calls, way too many assumptions, accusations and downright bitching…..none of it constructive. Social media is rife with it.

I’d also like to add that two metres is 6.5 feet if my days in math class are correct. Let’s at least use the proper math!

Pat Blythe – A salute to women (of a certain age)….ONE WORD….and music

Another Tuesday and again it is a mishmash of what pops into my mind or maybe I was prodded by something I read. Anyway, I’m currently keeping company with my mom in London and have a watcher keeping an eye on the place. Hopefully the indoor plants will receive a little liquid refreshment tomorrow….I’m sure they’re a little parched by now. My front lawn will need a serious haircut (not unlike myself) this coming weekend after all the rain that’s heading in our direction. My tulips are blooming and Chris’s Forget-Me-Nots will be out in full force. The lilies were already poking through as was the Star of Persia. Snow or not, spring is definitely here according to the plant world. We humans will just have to be patient.

Pat Blythe – Noodling….musings…..idiosyncratic rambling….and music

Writing day, Tuesday, May 5, 2020…..this just in!

Who: Me

What: There is no what! NOTHING is happening! Nadda, bupkiss, zip, <buzzer sounds> wrong door.

When: All day!

Where: Inside my head! Synapses are not synapsing; neurons are not firing on all cylinders; brain waves are flat lining.

Why: Who the hell knows! Sigh…… So bear with me as noodle and try to fill in some blanks.

How: (only sometimes)

Pat Blythe – Mind and body in isolation…..losing the connection

We all need touch…..human touch. A handshake, a hug, the brushing of legs, a gentle pat on the arm in conversation, holding hands, arms around shoulders, brushing hair from a face, the playful tug on your ear from a baby….it’s all about touch. It’s what we crave. It’s what we desire. It’s reassuring. It’s caring. It’s affection. It’s love. It’s unspoken words. Touch is how the blind “see” us. Touch is what connects us to ourselves and each other and we’re losing that connection.