Jaimoe Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I used to be a Wednesday night regular at The Silver Dollar Saloon (located at the north tip of Toronto's Chinatown). My then girlfriend (and now wife, Vicki) used to love going to see Crazy Strings and then stumble down to Swatow in Chinatown for some chicken with black bean sauce on rice noodles. For no good reason, I haven't caught the boys in a long time. Well, I'm happy to report that they are more interesting now, musically speaking, than they were four years ago. Guitarist Marc Roy can still fire off those awesome lead lines, but he's more melodic and rounded than he was back when he was a punk teenager; he also sings lead now too, and he's pretty good. New to me, is fiddle player and vocalist John Showman, who can play like a bastard and ups the excitement level during the jams. Roy is a fantastic guitarist, but mandolin wiz Andrew Collins continues to be most talented member in the band - he's also a fine singer (he also didn't sing any lead the last time I saw Crazy Strings). Guitarist and lead singer Chris Coole anchors everything and was in fine form last night. They even belted out a Skynyrd cover and joked before launching into the over-done version of "Blue Moon of Kentucky".I'm going back to see them soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Foolish me. For the uninitiated, Crazy Strings are one of the best bluegrass bands in Toronto and have been for many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I used to be there every Wednesday too. I miss that band! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchoulia Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I was just thinking the other day that it's been way too long since I ventured there on a Wednesday night...used to do it all the time...I'm becoming geriatric. The notion of going all the way downtown on a Wednesday to see a band seems ludicrous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Johnson Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Many people there Jaimoe? Last time I was there was a couple of months ago and it was dead, which was kinda depressing given how busy it used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Many people there Jaimoe? Last time I was there was a couple of months ago and it was dead, which was kinda depressing given how busy it used to be. There was a fair sized crowd and they were pretty lively. The large lesbian contingent wasn't there, but it was a mixed crowd nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Johnson Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 More importantly, was Steve there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewRider Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Good ol' Cosmic Steve! How I miss him as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Funk Dawg Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Gotta get Cosmic Steve out for the Can Jam Spectacular - he gave many of this scene's bands their first gigs.There is another jam that happens on Tuesdays at the Local on Roncesvalles - a little more intimate vibe - and pass the jar type of cover - Marc Roy plays guitar with a couple who sings & play fiddle - add to that upright bass, mandolin & banjo. Wednesdays used to be my regular thing until the Gypsy Co-op Mondays took over then that fizzled out and there really hasn't been a Toronto hang in a long while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahbelle Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 awww I really loved those Groove Wednesdays-->crazy strings nights... it kept me sane in University. I'm glad its still going on..Good times!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchoulia Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 I so miss Mondays at the Gypsy. *sniff* *sniff* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted October 11, 2007 Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 Thursdays at my house have been becoming pretty wild... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted October 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2007 More importantly, was Steve there? Indeed he was. I didn't get a chance to talk to him, but he was there, looking exactly the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevO Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I went a few weeks ago and they were spot on. Were the guys in Crazy Strings who are also in Creaking Tree String Quartet always in Crazy Strings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady wa Fan Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I miss Crazy Strings too...haven't been in about a year and a half. Now that I'm in the city I do plan on going...once I get some time. I've been to the Bluegrass Jam at the Local on Monday nights (as it's right down the street from me). Not as insane as Wednesday nights though! I remember when Crazy Strings used to have Jenny and Dan Whitely, and Joey Wright playin' with them, but the last few times I went, they weren't there...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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