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I found this write-up in the November 2001 edition of The Rogue Folk Review - the last time these intrepid troubadours performed together at The Rogue. It was at Capilano University's Blueshore Financial Stage (then just known as Cap College theatre) and the excellent article was penned by former Rogue board member and excellent writer Al Meyer (I wonder whatever happened to him?)
"Last December James Keelaghan played to a packed house at Cap College. It was one of those special nights when you could feel the rapport between audience and performer. The people came to be entertained, and there is no question that they got what they came for. They sang along, they swayed to the music, they sat back and absorbed the evening, as Keelaghan sang his poignant songs of life, love, joy, pain and tragedy. One man, with a resonant voice, a guitar, and stories to tell can have a powerful effect.
"James Keelaghan began his career playing in Calgary coffee houses. Over the years he has become one of Canada's favourite performers, having won a Juno Award, and being nominated for three others. He has also gone on to build a huge following in the US, Australia, and Europe, and was the first Canadian to play at the Hong Kong Folk Festival. In 1996 he received the Global Visions Artist of the Year Award. His songs are now being covered by the likes of folk super group Cry Cry Cry (Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplansky, and Richard Shindell). He spent over 300 days on the road last year and is currently embarking on an extensive North American tour with British folk singer Jez Lowethat should leave a trail of delighted audiences in its wake.
"Jez Lowe has been performing for over 30 years. He was born in Durham, in the northeast part of England, and draws upon the people and places there for much of his song repetoire. Richard Thompson calls Lowe one of the best songwriters to ever come out of England. His songs have been described as "north of England and south of Celtic." They can be sometimes funny, sometimes angry, but always gritty and real. His "Durham Gaol" has been covered by at least 14 other artists. The songs are about life in England's northern coal towns and the assorted characters who live there, like Kid Canute, the 55-year-old duck-tailed rocker living in the past, or the Last Widow of the Duckbill Seam. He plays soft ballads, rousing laments, songs of the unemployed and songs of the lost. He is one of the busiest performers on the English acoustic scene, having toured the last ten years with his band The Bad Pennies. He also tours as a solo act through Europe, Australia amd North America.
"Make sure you book your tickets early for this show, because it will surely sell out and it will definitely be a great one. - Al Meyer"
Even though that show was over 20 years ago the write-up still rings true. Both these singers have recorded many CDs and won countless awards since then, but this will be their first duo tour of Canada in many a long year. As the esteemed Mr. Meyer said, it will definitely be a GREAT concert this time around, too! There are still plenty of tickets left (surprisingly) but there is still time to rectify this by clicking here.
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