On The Beat

Reid's Truths

REID JAMIESON: This Toronto singer/songwriter has a well-deserved reputation as one of the nicest guys on the local scene. He's also one of the most talented, as his new CD, The Unavoidable Truth, confirms. It is full of gently emotional and poetic songs delivered in a charmingly sweet voice and featuring stellar musicianship. Those lending a hand included SKYDIGGER JOSH FINLAYSON (who produced, co-wrote three cuts, and played bass), DAVE CLARK, BOB EGAN, MIA SHEARD, SARAH HARMER, MICHAEL JOHNSON and Reid's muse, CAROLYN MILL. The well-attended CD launch party at The Rivoli featured many of these guests, plus LORI CULLEN, PETE ELKAS (who opened the show) and DAVE CELIA. There was indeed a lot of love in the room, and Jamieson responded with a charming and convincing performance.

LORI CULLEN: We caught the closing gig of this Toronto songsmith's Maple Lounge residency at The Rivoli recently. She broke with the usual solo format of this series by inviting guitarist KURT SWINGHAMMER and her bassist/co-producer CHRIS GARTNER onstage, and this proved a smart move. They were able to reproduce much of the sonic adventurousness of Lori's superb current CD, Uneven Hill. She gave a nod to her influences by also doing a LEONARD COHEN and a JONI MITCHELL cover. With her haunting voice and poetic lyrics, Cullen is an artist to watch for. She'll be playing a residency at C'est What shortly.

GROSSMAN'S TAVERN: This venerable Spadina watering hole has played a key role in this city's live music scene for over 55 years now. Stars who have played there include DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND, ALANNAH MYLES, AMANDA MARSHALL, JEFF HEALEY, BURTON CUMMINGS and BLUE RODEO. Grossman's undervalued contributions are now being recognized by an Alumni Week, featuring some of its most popular acts. Their performances will be recorded for a future CD release. There's still time to catch GARY KENDALL (May 14), HAPPY PALS and CRISCO BROWN (15th), and NICOLA VAUGHAN and THE NATIONALS (May 16).

LISA PATTERSON: This eclectic local singer/songwriter premiered material from her superb new CD, Roam, at the ROM recently. Given the world music elements in her eclectic sound, that was a good venue choice. Patterson has a strong, pure voice and pleasing stage presence, and played fluent piano and saxophone too. The able accompaniment of three other players added depth. Roam will be officially released in the fall.

BRIAN AUGER: This British jazz-rock legend had a successful four night stint at The Orbit Room recently. The night On The Beat attended found the room packed with a crowd ranging from those old enough to remember his 60s hits through to young hipsters now discovering his classic style. His prowess on the rich-sounding B3 organ is the cornerstone to Auger's sound. The vocals of his daughter SAVANNAH were competent, but lacked the sizzle of original singer JULIE DRISCOLL. The rhythm section was a little pedestrian, and it's a pity Auger didn't select more adventurous sidemen. His two sets featured fusion originals and covers of the likes of EDDIE HARRIS and WES MONTGOMERY and DONOVAN ("Season Of The Witch").

NEW RELEASES: Australian rockers POWDERFINGER are often compared to groups like THE TRAGICALLY HIP and STEREOPHONICS in that they're huge in their homeland and unfairly ignored elsewhere. Their fans here will be pleased with their fine new Universal CD, Vulture Street. They're more talented than fellow Oz rockers JET and THE VINES, and deserve to be more popular. On the country side of the fence, the legendary LORETTA LYNN returns to the spotlight with a brilliant new album, Van Lear Rose. The coal miner's daughter wrote all the songs, and the disc was produced by JACK WHITE. That's right, of THE WHITE STRIPES. That'll give Lynn fresh exposure to a younger crowd. Unlike all the garbage coming out of Nashville now, this is the real thing.

UPCOMING: American emo favourites DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL check into Arrow Hall in Mississauga on May 15 (an early show). Local roots music heroes COWBOY JUNKIES have been missing in action for a while, but are back with a new CD and a gig at Revival on May 27. Goofy punk veterans THE DICKIES rock out at Kathedral on May 16, and local heroes the RHEOSTATICS play Lee's Palace on May 14. They recently signed a record deal with True North, and are scheduled to deliver a new album in the fall. The excellent WAYNE OMAHA open.

Publication Date: 2004-05-16
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3971