Frank Gutch Jr: Thompson’s and Chrystalship: The Changing of the Guard; A Video Guide to Boulder’s Zephyr; and A Short String of Notes

The first record store I ever frequented was in Eugene, Oregon— Thompson’s.  I wanted to put “Record Mart” behind it but I am not sure how they labeled themselves.  A building on the north end of the city, not too far from Skinner’s Butte, it was small, square and as I remember it, white, with large storefront windows behind which racks of records were displayed, mostly 45s, a small wall of listening booths, and stereo equipment— lots of it.  I have no idea how I found out about it, being a small town boy who hardly ever visited the big city (and to me Eugene was big and a city), but I found myself one day, after much begging and emotional pyrotechnics, entering this Taj Mahal of vinyl.  I remember it like it was yesterday.

Frank Gutch Jr: My Morbid But Sanguine World, Part Deux; Plus Notes…

 

Let’s kick this weeks column off with a brand new video by guitarist Jon Gomm.  This dude has worked his ass off to get where he is and deserves all the publicity he gets, which is a damn lot.  Brand new and hot off the presses.  If nothing else, Gomm is famous for spitting in Simon Cowell’s eye.

Roxanne Tellier – Fly Me High, Ken Tobias

 

“I remember being asked when I was very young what did I want to be when I grow up. I remember saying ” I want to be an artist, a singer, and a scientist…..well it turned out that I am a professional singer, an avid science fan, and yes an artist…painting in acrylics for 30 years.”

Frank Gutch Jr: OMIGOD!!! I Just Looked in a Mirror! I Think I’m Trans-Canadian! Plus Notes…..

You know!  Like Kafka’s cockroach!  I think it was always there but I was too close to see it.  I should have known it, though.  As a child, I loved maple syrup!  Of all my dad’s records, my favorites were by Hank Snow and Montana Slim!  (I thought Slim was from Montana— can I sue for misinformation?)  My favorite train ads besides those of the Great Northern were those of the TransCanada Railway!  For the last few years, I have use “eh?” as a punctuation mark.  Canada was the home of my dad’s favorite whiskys:  Corby’s Park Lane and Crown Royal.

Frank Gutch Jr: O Canada: A Nod to The Great White North— (and more of them goddamn notes)

 I am a lost Son of Canada.  I must be.  I love Canadian bacon, though bacon it not really be (except maybe technically).  I love Jennifer Dale, an actor who deserved much more than she has been afforded,  respect-wise (I reveled in her work on Canadian TV and film during Comcast’s all-too-short span of including CTV and CBC on their cable lineups in the ’80s).  I love Due South, one of the most creative and funny-on-so-many-levels series TV has ever created (the transition of Ray to Ray— David Marciano to Callum Keith Rennie— a work of pure writing craftmanship).

Cameron Carpenter: The ABC’S Of Rock’n’Roll – Love You Live

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Toronto may be the greatest city in the world to see live music. For those of us of a certain age there is a plethora of shows coming up in the next few months that will bring back “those old emotions”.

On November 30^th The Spoons will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of their ground breaking album “Arias & Symphonies” with a live performance at Revival. Joining still-active Spoons  Gordon Deppe and Sandy Horne that evening will be keyboardist Rob Preuss who has been living in New York  for many a year. Hopefully Arias drummer Derrick Ross can be convinced to hit the stage as well.  Also on the bill that evening is Images In Vogue. As of this writing there were a few tickets left but I would move quickly if you plan to attend.

Frank Gutch Jr: O Canada! You’re Music To My Ears, Part Deux! Another Look at New Canadian Music Really Worth Hearing….. Steve Young and Jubal Lee Young Play Eugene….. Jon Gomm and Canada….. and NOTES!!!

A number of months ago I wrote about Canadian music here on DBAWIS.  That column included mentions of The Dementians, Laurie Biagini, Lisa O’Neill, Eric Corne, Shade, White Light Machine, Lester Quitzau, and Redgy Blackout.  There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then and Canada, like every other country in the musical world, is cranking more music out by the hour, it seems, and good music it is.  It is funny, but when I write about music in  the States, it seems like (and I know it is only in my head) I am writing about the obvious.  Canada, though, is another world and an adventure I so enjoy experiencing that I am going to take a little mental break and update you on a few of those listed the first go-round and break a little ground with a handful of artists from the Far Northlands about which/whom I have not yet written.  Much.