M

I would have to lean towards:

==> reintroducing any of these 3 solid Stones albums... Goats Head Soup, Beggar's Banquet and Sticky Fingers.

==> introducing Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

.... and I have been having a slight obsession lately with insisting on hearing Nirvana's "In Bloom" cranked full blast at 5am during a night of partying. I love that song.

Woolner - the Horseshoe website has the Rheo's shows listed:

http://www.horseshoetavern.com/calendar.htm

Hmmm... speaking of anti-americanism... I just heard that the winner of the TV show "American Idol" will be singing the national anthem at a 9/11 remeberence event in Washington tomorrow.... a wee bit commercial and distasteful for my liking....

WORD

One of the coolest album covers ever... Bob Marley's "Catch a Fire". The album looks like a zippo and the top swivels up and opens like a zippo and you pull the record out of the top....

Another "favorite post"... why not...

What is everyone's favorite album cover art? The album cover below I have framed and hanging on my wall... it's Neil Young's 1973 Album "Time Fades Away". Love it.

Don't know if anyone else is really familiar with this album and has seen the movie "Almost Famous" by Cameron Crowe... anyways, there's a 1-2 second shot in the movie during one of the concert scenes where I swear they have reenacted this photo... rose on the stage... exact same vantage point, etc... Anyone else notice that?

(FYI - there is a store called Restoration Hardware in Toronto that sells album frames for records... I think you can also order them online from there.)

I would have to say that one of my most upsetting CD purchases ever was "Richie Havens Sings the Beatles and Dylan". I had such high expectations when I bought this album... it had track listings including "Lay Lady Lay", "My Sweet Lord", "All Along The Watchtower"... the list goes on. After putting the song into my CD player, eager with anticipation, I was devestated to hear the sounds eminating from my stereo speakers. I actually phoned up HMV, irate that I had spent money on this, and inquired as to their policies surrounding returning opened CDs. (This was back in the days before previewing albums at record stores was possible).

Don't get me wrong, I adore Richie Havens... very excited to hear of his upcoming show in T.O. .... the last one at the Comfort Zone a few years ago was unreal.....

Anyways, to my recollection, with the exception of one or two songs on the album that are strictly acoustic, the rest of the album (recorded in 1986) is an all around massacre of Beatles songs, Dylan songs and Haven's abilities as a musician. Drum machines and synthesizers prevail over acoustic guitar on this album and his label's website has the audacity to write that the verison of "Here Comes the Sun" on this album is "an arguably stronger interpretation" than the phenomenal, live acoustic version found on another of his albums: "Resume".

So tragic that this song - definitely on my best cover list - should also fall on my worst cover list.

I first sought out listening to Richie Havens after hearing him at the Dylan tribute show play a beautiful acoustic rendition of "Just like a Woman"... and, of course, there's the countless times I've watched his performance at Woodstock in the documentary of the same name. (Interesting side note: the song he is most widely remebered for "Freedom" was an amalgamation of an old gospel song "Motherless child" with his chanting of the word "Freedom" which summed up the mood and atmosphere of the crowd perfectly. Havens was on stage playing for three hours as the next scheduled artists were stuck in the traffic jam getting into Woodstock. He ad-libbed this song for ages as he had run out of songs in his repertoire to play).

So, after hearing his version of the Dylan tune "Just Like a Woman", I went out and bought his album Resume, a fantastic musical snapshot of his career and its highlights. If you have not yet heard the version of "Here Comes the Sun" on Resume, you must... especially at sunrise after a long night of partying....

I didn't end up returning "Sings Dylan and the Beatles" to HMV that day... I keep the album now as a bit of a party favor... worst album (aside from the early-youth obvious ones) in my collection.

Just read an interesting quote regarding cover songs:

Amateurs borrow; geniuses make you think they wrote it in the first place.

Up there for me would have to be Al Green's incredible version of "Light my Fire"....

I'm planning a radio show dedicated solely to phenomal cover versions of songs. Curious to hear what everyone's favorites are.....

hey trev...

i see you're online... how was the comfort zone? ...be happy you're outta here... i'm still at work?! at this ungodly hour!!!

hope you had a good night and that the boys treated you to some bevvies!!!

take care,

Mary

I love Pico de Gallo... used to see them all the time in Kingston when the Scherzo was the Welly...when the stage was by the front door.

Buddy of mine bought his congas off the conga player and swears by them.

I wonder if they still have the same line-up from years ago.... is the keyboardist still playing with them? I remember he was awesome. I remember he did a classical rendition of "House at Pooh Corner" (I think that was the name of the song) one night that blew everyone away....

Hey thanks to you and Puddles for the offers...

The LOTL show was great.... tickets were $18 but I had guest list so that was OK... went after the Sloan/Oasis show. Was going to go to the Horseshoe after that b/c Soundtrack of Our Lives was playing there... ended up friends of mine went to the Horseshoe and the Oasis guys were there watching the show - surrounded by a ring of bodyguards. Apparently they are surpisingly nice (and very short) and talked soccer with my drunken friends who stumbled past the burly guards.

LOTL show was good to see though... they played tons of old faves... all the ones I wanted to hear from "Shakespear my butt"... I believe (?!) Rosey and Grey was the last tune. All in all a fine eve. Good times, good people....

Much better seeing them live again rather than hearing their live album they released... wasn't the biggest fan of that.

whatever lyds.... i took a cab there with you, shanda and gav and tristan....

or were you too drunk to remember?!

you and your shenanigans.....

...thanks for the insight....

I actually put together the list b/c I'm doing a radio show next week of all the great shows that have come through T.O. and the vicinity this year... if anyone has any live recordings from these shows or others that I missed (like JJ Cale, SCI, Scofield, Culture, Herbie Hancock) let me know....

That's funny that you posted that - I just this week compiled a list of shows that I've been to (that I remember attending) since the start of the year... I was surprised by the total number.... I know I go out a lot, and often it's to see live music but... anyways, if you're interested take a look ...

2002

January shows I went to:

> Ringing in the New Year with the Burt Neilson Band - Comfort Zone

> Mike Filipowitsch - Woolwich Arms (Guelph)

> Grateful Dawg (Garcia/Grisman documentary) - Bloor Cinema

> Al from Moe. - Comfort Zone

> Grand Theft Bus - Comfort Zone

> The Sauce - Comfort Zone

> Jeff Buckley Tribute - Rivoli

> Bodega - Rancho Relaxo

> 2 Minute Miracles - Lee's Palace

> Hard Days Night (Beatles Film) - Bloor Cinema

> Stereophonics - Kool Haus

February shows I went to:

> Default - Kool Haus (long story...)

> Nickelback - Kool Haus (I repeat, long story....)

> Galactic - Opera House

> My Well - Rancho Relaxo

> Default - Lee's Palace

> Weaselpalooza (Corporate music event) - Capitol Theatre

> Rufus Wainwright - Convocation Hall

> Teddy Thompson - Convocation Hall

> CSNY - Air Canada Centre

> Mojave 3 - Rivoli

> Bodega - Rivoli

> Full White Drag - Horseshoe

> Shannon Lyon - C'est What

> Burt Neilson Band - Horseshoe

March shows I attended:

> Bodega - Horseshoe

> Burt Neilson Band - Call the Office (London)

> Shannon Lyon - Call the Office (London)

> Samba Squad - Reverb

> Burt Neilson Band - The Casbah (Hamilton)

> Blue Quarter - The Casbah (Hamilton)

> North Mississippi Allstars - Lee's Palace

> Blue Quarter - Horseshoe

> Blue Quarter - Comfort Zone

> Burt Neilson Band - Alfie's (Kingston)

> Burt Neilson Band - Alexander's (Brantford)

> Burt Neilson Band - Club Abstract (Kitchener)

> Bodega - Club Abstract (Kitchener)

> Burt Neilson Band - Babylon (Ottawa)

> Nero - Babylon (Ottawa)

> Burt Neilson Band - Le Swimming (Montreal)

> The Swallows - Rancho Relaxo

> Bodega - Rancho Relaxo

> Burt Neilson Band - Trasheteria (Guelph)

> Bodega - Trasheteria (Guelph)

April shows I went to:

> Burt Neilson Band - Trasheteria (Peterborough)

> Blue Quarter - Comfort Zone

> Burt Neilson Band - Horseshoe

> Burt Neilson Band - The Cellar (Fredericton, New Brunswick)

> Burt Neilson Band - The Attic (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

> Neil Halstead - Horseshoe

> Dave Matthews Band - Air Canada Centre

> Bela Flec - Air Canada Centre

> Caution Jam - Comfort Zone

> Mike and Jeff from BNB - Comfort Zone

> Wilco - Convocation Hall

> Bellweather - Rancho Relaxo

> Bodega - Trinity St. Paul Church

> Sarah Slean - Trinity St. Paul Church

> The Last Waltz (The Band Concert Film) - Eglinton Theatre

May shows I went to:

> The Last Waltz x2 (The Band Concert Film) - Eglinton Theatre

> DJ Mark Farina - The Kool Haus

> The Smoothies - The Orbit Room

> Bruce Cockburn - Convocation Hall

> Grand Theft Bus - Comfort Zone

> Mike and Jeff Heisholt from BNB - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Jukejoint - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Drums & Tuba - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Friends of Hefner - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Grand Theft Bus - Comfort Zone

> Drums and Tuba - Club 279

> Jonathon Dyck - VOX

> DJs Mike Budd/Brendan Wypich - Temple

> Black Tie - Rancho Relaxo

June shows I went to:

> One Step Beyond - Comfort Zone

> Jomomma - Comfort Zone

> The Product - The Rivoli

> Metalwood - The Rivoli

> Ben Kweller - Horseshoe

> Downtime - Comfort Zone

> Sean MacDonald - Cameron House

> Memory Bank - Rivoli

> Martin Tielli - Horseshoe

> Brundlefly - Rivoli

> Jack Breakfast - Lounge 88

> Maple Music NXNE Party - Amsterdam Brewery

> Full White Drag - Rancho Relaxo

> Maple Music Allstars - Horseshoe

> Oh Susanna - Horseshoe

> Lowest of the Low - Horseshoe

> Bodega - Rivoli

> Sam Roberts - Rivoli

> Toronto International Drumming Festival - Queen's Park

> Nero - Comfort Zone

> Elvis Costello - Molson Amphitheatre

> Junetile - Rancho Relaxo

> Mellanova - Rancho Relaxo

> Medeski Martin and Wood - Harborfront Centre

> Trey Anastasio - Darien Lake (NY)

> Herbaliser - Harborfront Centre

> DJs Mike Budd/Brendan Wypich - Temple

> The New Deal - The 11th Hour

> Jukejoint - Esplinade Beer Markets

> Bodega - The Horseshoe

> Fat Cats - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Friends of Hefner - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Nero - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> Burt Neilson Band - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

> The Golden Caramels - Frontier Ghosttown (Durham)

July shows I went to:

> Down From the Mountain - Molson Amphitheatre (Alison Krauss & Union Station with Dan Tyminski & Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Scaggs, Norman and Nancy Blake, The Whites, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Del McCoury Band, Chris Thomas King, Colin Linden, Rodney Crowell - MC, Bob Neuwirth - Musical Director)

> Friends of Hefner - Comfort Zone

> Mark Wilson - Comfort Zone

> Fat Cats - Casbah (Hamilton)

> Phil Lesh and Friends - Molson Amphitheatre

> Moe. - Molson Amphitheatre

> Soulive - Molson Amphitheatre

> Femi Kuti - Harborfront Centre

> Caution Jam - Comfort Zone

> Mike and Jeff from BNB - Comfort Zone

> Downtime - Reilly's

> Skid Row - Club 279 (bizarre)

> The Hole and Corner - Comfort Zone

August shows (so far)

> Bodega - Rivoli

> Nero - Horseshoe

> Downtime - Horseshoe

> 5440 - Taste of the Danforth

> Bodega - Taste of the Danforth

> Jack Breakfast - Lounge 88

> Jomomma - Comfort Zone

> Bob Dylan - Molson Amphitheatre

> Jimmy Swift Band - The Kathedral

> Sloan - Molson Amphitheatre

> Oasis - Molson Amphitheatre

> Lowest of the Low - Lee's Palace

...so much more to come this year too!!

Life is good....

Mary

We're going to miss you here tons... its a sad, sad day...

I'll never forget my 1st day on the job when you were wearing your orange BNB shirt and I just pointed at you and said "hey - those are my friends!" Hadn't expected to meet anyone at work with similar - let alone the exact same - taste in tunes as me. The music chats have been great.

You've an awesome guy and I'll still see tons of you though I'm sure... we've bumped into each other more out at shows than at work lately anyways!!

Everyone's off getting drunk now cause they're miserable about today's events. If you read this, call Matty's cell and come meet up.

If not, Fat Cats on Saturday?

Keep in touch...

Mary

Just in case anyone is interested in free long distance phone calls this summer, you can check out the Labatt Blueline.com. It's basically one of those services where you dial a code and then you dial your friend's phone # and after listening to a brief message from Labatt, your long distance phone call is now free for as long as you talk. No limit. Not a bad deal.... haven't tried it but it sounds pretty good....

"Labatt BlueLine wants to keep you connected with your friends, so we're

offering FREE LONG DISTANCE between selected cities in Ontario.

Go to LabattBlueLine.com to register

http://www.labattblueline.com/request.html

Did anyone make it to the Zoo festival this past weekend? Interested to hear how the shows were.....

Hi Marco,

The New Deal played the Amazon.ca launch party at a bar in downtown T.O. called "The Eleventh Hour" on Tuesday, June 25th.

Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks,

Mary

...too funny... i was actually partying with dave "the snake" and skid row the other weekend... bumped into them in a bar....

they travel in a banana yellow tourbus and

are STILL wearing eyeliner.

Hey Amanda,

It's Mary - thanks so much for the poster you guys gave me at the Phil Lesh show... it's awesome and is hanging on my wall.... a great reminder (along with my foggy memory) of an amazing eve....

Hopefully see you out and about partying soon....

Any idea when the bands for the August Long weekend are going to be confirmed? I'm trying to figure out if I should go out west or not that weekend... if it's a good line-up, I'll stay and go out later on in August.

Anyone know?

The Phil show in T.O. was awesome (although I am incredibly jealous of the Darien Lake setlist).

Brought my old moe. backstage passes from last November to the event (b/c I figured security would not have a clue). Got second row with them and also got to hang with "Al from moe." who was freaking over having to learn the chords to play later on with Phil.

Comfort Zone show was a blast. Wow - Nero was amazing. I've seen them many times now, I guess, but that night blew me away. Come back to Toronto soon. Maybe we'll hear some Gn'R teases next time. Late night party was awesome... next thing you know late night became early afternoon the next day....

Anyone else see Femi Kuti last night at the Harborfront Centre in T.O.? It was unreal... he's in Montreal this weekend. Definitely check him out if you get a chance. He puts on the most incredible show. The show this past winter at the Pheonix, in my opinion, was a bit better though. The Harborfront centre duMaurier statge is killer for atmosphere... beautiful summer night, right smack on the water... but the acoustics if you are standing either extreme left or right from the stage leave something to be desired. The Pheonix show contained the sound, the sweat, the steam a little more than the venue last night did.

Phenomenal dancers though... Femi Kuti has these three dancers/backup singers who just give 'er for the entire show. Lots of impromptu dancers from the crowd jumping up on stage... too funny. Moral of the story - see Femi Kuti and his band if you can. They never stop smiling and moving through the entire performance and neither will you.

Down from the mountain was amazing last night. I managed to get some free tickets at around 6pm, right before the show.

The concert as a whole and each of the performers gave off the most incredible down- home southern vibe. No pretension. No grandeur. Simply musician after musician making their way onto the stage and playing with all their hearts. You know it's got to be good when the M.C. is sitting in an armchair on the side of the stage.

Then it was over to the Comfort Zone for a Frontier Ghosttown reunion. Mark Wilson and Friends of Heffner played and a good time was had by all. All everyone could talk about was what a fantastic weekend it was. Both bands played incredibly well and had the dance floor moving.

....it's always a sign of a good night when you're stumbling to work at 9am - leaving behind several passed out party-goers in your apartment....

Worst was then they cancelled the Galactic show at the Opera House last year b/c of low advance ticket sales. Even though there may be poor advance ticket sales, promoters have to understand that there are two types of ticket purchasers (when it is understood that a show will not sell out).

First kind is the mail order, call on the first day type of buyer... the person who wants the best seat in the house.

Other kind is the person who can't plan anything in advance, let alone their next meal. Most people I have been talking to lately know that they are going to Phil, but have yet to purchase a ticket either due to financial reasons (ie: they won't have cash until the day of) or from being a little lazy and knowing that the tickets will be there the day of the show regardless.

I think it is horrible to cancel a show due to poor advance ticket sales. Although financially it might not be the wisest thing for a band to play to a less than packed house, it still leaves a fan feeling a bit cheated when a show is cancelled for that reason.... it feels like the money is coming before the music.

Sorry Trev!

Just Rob, Jason and I went....

I wanted to tell you about it yesterday but I was at the Docks all day with E*TRADE on the patio.

God, it's great to get paid to drink sometimes!!