Steve's Blog
Saturday November 9, 2013

Hi everyone

Get Your Groove On! It's Soul, R&B, Gospel & Roots Week In The Rogue House!

1. The Sojourners CD Launch, Saturday, November 9th, 8pm at St. James Hall 3214 West 10th Ave.

When Canadian blues icon Jim Byrnes called gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone a few years ago to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some backup vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next. From the moment Mosely and his pals stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on.

This is not music that strives to be polite. In The Sojourners’ universe, echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today’s world. This is gospel music that can take a punch and remain standing. Singing praise music with their own special ‘stank’, the Vancouver based Sojourners sound just as at home in a road house bar as they do in a revival tent.

The celebrated trio’s third album, Sing & Never Get Tired - produced by Paul Pigat (of Cousin Harley fame) - offers new hope for people living in desperate times. With its 12 songs of faith, struggle and the promise of redemption, the music on Sing & Never Get Tired has the power to soothe the hurts brought by modern life. With a more raw and bluesy edge than they’ve ever shown us before, singers Marcus Mosely, Will Sanders and newcomer Khari McClelland prove that there’s still no kind of music that’s more stirring, uplifting or inspiring than gospel music when it’s done right. They will be joined in this concert by Paul Pigat (guitar,) Rob Becker (bass,) and Geoff Hicks (drums.)

“The Sojourners new album is just plain good listening. But more importantly it shouts for social justice by reinforcing those inseparable links between the early spirituals, gospel, and activist folk music which all arise from hope, faith and courage in the face of adversity. Listen and you shall be released.” -- Marc Lindy, Gospel Train, Coop Radio CFRO 100.5 FM.

Tickets are available here

2. Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir, Wednesday November 13th, 8pm at St. James Hall 3214 West 10th Ave.

Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir are one big, funky groove machine! Using the power of the human voice and percussion, they bring to life the complete history of African-American music. An experience that’s vibrant, entertaining, soulful - & a whole lotta FUN!!!

Since 1992, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir have become world renowned for their breathtaking performances and commitment to the authenticity of African-American roots music and music from the African diaspora. Their vocals are gritty and soulful. Their rhythms are a fusion of Southern American grit and Caribbean heat!

The group’s first collaboration with veteran performers Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb titled Shakin’ A Tailfeather was nominated for a Grammy © [1997] and their second collaborative effort Hippity Hop was awarded a Parents Choice Award (2000). The group’s 2003 recording titled Say Yo’ Business was nominated for a California Music Award. If you would like to delve deeply into the diverse resources of African-American roots music and learn the tradition of call and response and the rhythms that drive this music, the Cultural Heritage Choir will show you how its done. The CHC serves up healthy portions of Work Songs, Spirituals, Children’s Play Songs, Field Hollers, Moans, Ring Shouts, Plantation Dances and a little bit of R&B!

Currently, The Cultural Heritage Choir is Linda Tillery, Rhonda Benin, Tammi Brown, Elouise Burrell and Bryan Dyer. They begin a short tour of B.C at The Rogue; don’t miss this rare chance to witness them in concert!

Tickets are available here

3. Next Weekend

Soulful crooner Reid Jamieson plays The Rogue on Saturday November 16th; C.R. Avery & Sarah MacDougall are there the following night (full details) and English singer Phildel plays CBC Studio 700 on Monday 18th - presented by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. More details of all these shows - and more - will be in the next issue of The Rogue Folk Review, which will be available online in the next few days. We are not sure when - or if - the Print edition will be issued.

4. Celtic Connection newspaper

My review of The Seventeenth Annual Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton is in the November issue. Copies are available at The Rogue, or read it online at www.celtic-connection.com

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

Please join me for some great new music from all over the planet, a bit of a Remembrance Day feature, and plenty of chances to "get your groove on" for the next couple of shows at The Rogue! Tune in live on CiTR fm 101.9 or Telus TV channel 7023, or listen to the Live Stream on www.citr.ca Podcasts will be available later here.

6. Vinoteca Caffe & Trattoria, 3468 West Broadway

Looking for a bite to eat, or some good wine, beer or coffee before - or after - tonight's show? Why not try Vinoteca, just a couple of blocks west of St. James Hall, on West Broadway? They have 16 wines and 5 craft beers on tap, and they offer a 10% discount if you're coming to one of our shows. They also have Special Offers every day. Bring your bill from Vinoteca, and get 10% off your Rogue ticket next time!

7. Save The Hollywood Theatre!

There is still a chance to save this iconic building and keep it active as a Community-focused cinema, theatre, music venue, church, meeting space - or whatever you'd like it to be. It's just a block east of St. James Hall on Broadway, and we want to preserve more than just its precious facade. We want to save the rest of the building from the wrecking ball! Come to a Public Meeting at St. James Hall on Sunday November 17th at 2pm, sign the petition at www.savethehollywoodtheatre.com, tell all your friends, and come to see a classic film on November 20, 21 or 22 in the historic theatre that was - I believe - the first purpose-built cinema in North America!

So I hope to see you tonight at The Rogue! There are still a few tickets left for The Sojourners show ....
Steve