On The Beat

Honouring Gord

GORDON LIGHTFOOT: While the late JOHNNY CASH has been hailed as an icon representing the best elements of America, Gordon Lightfoot has been accorded similar status in Canada. The folk legend knocked on death's door via very serious health problems recently, so it was great to see him out at The Rivoli recently. The occasion was the release of Beautiful - A Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot, the (surprisingly) first tribute album devoted to a great songwriter. Fine independent labels Borealis and NorthernBlues collaborated on the star-studded disc, featuring the likes of BLUE RODEO, THE TRAGICALLY HIP, MARIA MULDAUR, COWBOY JUNKIES, RON SEXSMITH, BRUCE COCKBURN and BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS. Two of Canada's best folk singers had the courage to perform in front of Lightfoot at the party. JAMES KEELAGHAN did justice to the epic "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," while AENGUS FINNAN sang his touching and original tribute, "Lightfoot." Gord graciously mingled with his admirers, posing for photographs and signing autographs. The album itself is beautifully packaged and recorded, and is sure to renew our appreciation of one of the greats.

KENSINGTON MARKET HARVEST FESTIVAL: A gorgeous fall day helped attract plenty of people out to this recent Sunday festival in one of the city's most interesting 'hoods. It was appropriate that there was plenty of old music on display, for the Market has long been the locale of choice for many musicians. One such resident, STEVE POPPYSEED, organized an eclectic and fun lineup at the Bellevue stage. This included the always excellent KURT SWINGHAMMER, JOHN BORRA and SCOTT B., plus good punk and reggae bands and Steve's own fine psychedelic group, THE LOVE EXPLOSION. A dodgy synth-pop band was the one act we didn't enjoy. Let's hope they stage a repeat next year.

PILATE: This Toronto modern rock band has worked hard to build a local fan base, and that has paid off. Evidence was the crammed to capacity Horseshoe for Pilate's CD launch recently. Seems they're getting support from MuchMusic and The Edge (CFNY) as well, and it is not hard to see why. The CD, Caught By The Window (on MapleRecordings), is an impressive piece of work that showcases their moody and heavily British-inflected sound. It can't be denied that the group is derivative, most overtly of RADIOHEAD (especially in singer TODD CLARK's neo-falsetto style) as well as the likes of COLDPLAY and TRAVIS. Fortunately, their songs and performance are strong enough for them to get beyond mimicry. Would be nice to see them take a few more musical risks though.
ALUN PIGGINS: This city is full of talented singer/songwriters deserving of a higher profile. Alun Piggins certainly belongs on that list. As leader of the gritty punk meets folk band THE MORGANFIELDS, he got some recognition in the mid '90s, and he's now following a solo path. Hopefully his band new disc, Awaken The Snakes, will spread the word. Piggins could never be accused of subtlety as a singer, but his passionate voice and lyrics get your attention. Here's a sample: "the way the moonlight shone off your hair when you fell out on the curb." That's from an album highlight, the raucous countryish closing track, "Let's Get It On," done as a duet with OH SUSANNA. Other guests include steel player BURKE CARROLL (THE BROTHERS COSMOLINE) and Blue Rodeo keyboardist JAMES GRAY. The album is out on AML Records, the label run by fellow maverick spirit FRED EAGLESMITH. Check it out.

NEW RELEASES: Lovers of Italian classical music can eagerly anticipate Arcadia, out on Decca/Universal in two weeks. It features vocal cantatas by Italian composers linked with the Arcadian Academy of Rome. Counter-tenor ANDREAS SCHOLL and ACCADEMIA BIZANTIA perform works from the likes of SCARLATTI, CORELLI, PASQUINI and GASPARINI in a style described as "Baroque easy-listening." If melodic pop-rock is more to your taste, look out for Midnight Sons, the new CD from Toronto trio BEAUTIFUL 2000. There is a nice variety and subtlety in their Britpop-inflected sound, one that occasionally brings CROWDED HOUSE to mind. It is out on Popguru/Maple.

Publication Date: 2003-10-05
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3220