Steve's Blog
Friday October 3, 2008

Hi everyone

October got off to a roaring start with a wonderful concert of Italian songs by the Coro Mondie di Novi and Fiamma Fumana last Wednesday. I'm grateful to have had a night off tonight, after a long slog through a grant application and we now have a full slate of concerts coming up, including these fine shows:

Jez Lowe & Tim Readman - Friday, October 3rd, 8pm at St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue

Prolific and brilliant songwriter Jez Lowe returns with some new songs and a new CD. Fellow Durham lad Tim Readman will sing a few songs at the start. He has a new CD with Craig McKerron (Slowdrag) - aka The Eventually Brothers - called All Over The Map. Jez writes songs with memorable, singable choruses and universal themes. Richard Thompson calls him England's Best Songwriter In years, and he's just been nominated for a BBC Folk Award as 2008 Songwriter Of The Year. He has recorded heaps of albums and written hundreds of song, but his creative muse has never been stronger than it is now. Check out his music and bio on www.jezlowe.com. Concert details

Michael Jerome Browne Quartet - Sunday, October 5th, 8pm at St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue

Montreal's renaissance man of roots music, Michael Jerome Browne is a master of acoustic blues, Cajun music, swing tunes, and songs from all points in the 20th century. His latest project sees him team up with Canadian keyboard maestro Ron Casat to bring music from his new CD, This Beautiful Mess (Borealis Records) on a cross-Canada tour. The songs are in a style inspired by the time when music wasn't pigeon-holed, and R&B and Country Music records were cut in the same studio - in places like Memphis' Sun Studios. There are a few covers on the CD, and some very powerful originals. You might have seen Michael open for Fred Eaglesmith last year. Come and hear the new band and marvel at his instrumental prowess on all manner of stringed things. www.michaeljeromebrowne.com. Concert details

Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet - Tuesday, October 7th, 8pm at St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue

We proudly present a string quartet with a difference! Two banjos, cello and fiddle combine to blend bluegrass and old time music with stunning original songs and traditional Chinese music - including vocals in Mandarin and English! Abigail Washburn (Uncle Earl) and partner Bela Fleck (one of the most innovative and versatile banjoists of our time) team up with cellist Ben Sollee and extraordinary fiddler Casey Driessen. They have just released a full-length CD on Nettwerk Records as a follow up to last year's EP, and they starred at all the major Canadian folk festivals this past Summer. Bela Fleck's new movie, Throw Down Your Heart, is garnering rave reviews at the Film Festival this week (it airs again on Monday evening at Granville 7, with Bela Fleck hosting a Q&A afterwards.) This concert is selling very fast. It will almost certainly sell out. So, if you're deliberating, don't be too slow about it. We just delivered some more tickets to Highlife Records and Rufus' Guitar Shop, and you can also buy them on line or reserve by phone on 604-736-3022. www.abigailwashburn.com. Concert details

The Edge On Folk, Saturday 8am to noon, CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca

I'll play music from all our upcoming artists, plus a few extras from performers who are also coming to St. James Hall in the coming weeks (it really is Roots Music Central these days.) Barbara Higbie & Teresa Trull, Basque singer Maddi Oihenart, for example. Plus new music by Loudon Wainwright III (Kay Meek Theatre, October 14th,) Cape Verde sensation Lura (Cap Theatre, October 22nd,) Arrogant Worms (Cap, October 30th) and some gems i've found in the annals lately. Maybe even some Laurie Anderson (Centre for Performing Arts, October 18th.)

Garnet Rogers - House Concert! Tuesday, October 14th, 7:30-10:30 PM

Folks should arrive about 7:00 to chat, munch, have a cool one (BYOB) and get situated. There will be 2 sets with a 30 minute intermission There will be a dessert table, anyone wanting to bring a sweet or fruit to share, go for it! Reservations are mandatory. Call 604-987-9075.

Radio Rogue

Point your browser to Radio Rogue and enjoy some wonderful new music from all over the world, including new releases by all the Rogue's upcoming performers. Just follow the instructions on the home page.

Cheers for now

See you at The Rogue
Steve