Steve's Blog
Wednesday September 5, 2007

Hi everyone

Compadres, September 8th

This week sees the launch of our new season, with a spectacular concert at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (1895 Venables Street) this Saturday, September 8th at 8pm. It's a very rare chance to see Canadian songwriter James Keelaghan reunited with the amazing guitarist Oscar Lopez. They made their concert debut and CD launch in 1997 at the same venue, and now, ten years later, they have just released a superb new CD, "Buddy Where You Been?" and they kick off their cross-Canada tour at "The Cultch."

James Keelaghan is one of the country's most revered songwriters, and a worthy member of this nation's pantheon of golden-throated storytellers in song (Ian Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, Stan Rogers, are the other principal members.) His latest CD, "A Few Simple Verses", was a collection of traditional songs and compositions by some of his mentors. His rich voice and strident guitar work are the perfect compliment to his relaxed wit and fascinating tales of Canadian history. Oscar Lopez came to Canada from his native Chile 30 years ago. His style incorporates influences from flamenco, jazz, and traditional Latin American music. Martin Simpson calls him "the only guitarist I know who can make a nylon-stringed guitar scream". He puts incredible passion into his playing, and has released several CDs on Narada World Music as well as his own label. Together, James and Oscar combine the former's Celtic roots and the latter's Latin roots into a unique style they call "Celtino Music." They will be joined by the brilliant young Vancouver percussionist Rafael Geronimo and bass player Gilles Fournier (we think) or possibly Hugh Macmillan (of Spirit of the West.)

It will be a very hot show! More information www.compadres.ca

Tickets are available on our Hotline 604-736-3022 and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Gretchen Peters, September 13th

This Award-winning American songwriter has written hits for many artists, including Martina McBride, Bryan Adams, and the Neville Brothers. She has just released a wonderful CD of original songs, "Burnt Toast & Offerings", on her own Scarlet Letter record label. Her songs include autobiographical numbers like "Ghost", which describes her escape from under-appreciation in a loveless marriage into her new-found passionate life with accompanist Barry Walsh. She last played here as part of Tom Russell's Songwriter Train in 2005, with Mary Gauthier at Capilano College. She could rest on her laurels as a songwriter, but insists that a song needs to be played for a live audience in order to take wing. We urge you to come along to St. James Hall on Thursday, September 13th - the ideal place to hear her glorious voice lift her songs to the rafters. For tickets and information, please visit www.roguefolk.bc.ca

Rogue Folk Review

The September issue of the review was mailed on Tuesday morning, and you should be receiving it in the next day or two. You can also read it on-line on our website.

Edge On Folk, Saturday September 8th

Please tune in to CiTR fm 101.9 this Saturday from 8am to 12 noon or www.citr.ca on the internet. I'll be playing music from the new albums by Compadres, Gretchen Peters, Loudon Wainwright III, Dervish, Hugh Masakela, as well as some fascinating music from the Taipei Yellow Stone Harmonica Group and Cheick Hamala Diabate & banjoist Bob Carlin (Mali to America). Plus lots more!

Hope to see you at The Cultch this Saturday!
Steve