About 5 years ago I chanced upon an energetic young gal getting up at an Open Stage late night at the Ontario Council of Folk Festival Conference (OCFF) held in Ottawa and within one song you could tell her solid vocals had impressed a roomful of veterans. When you notice a sudden silence in the [...]
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The burly Nova Scotian known for his lightning precision on anything with strings, JP Cormier, strode onto stage in Perth, ON, recently to a full house and announced this was to be his last tour. After 30 years on the road for 250 or more days each year he is heading home to continue making [...]
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The queen of gospel music, Mavis Staples, reigned majestically over a near full house at the Grand Theatre in Kingston last Tuesday evening. Given the history and experience Ms. Staples brings to the stage, one couldn’t help but feel privileged to be there. One just has to hear her enveloping, deep, powerful voice for a [...]
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Upon hearing the sad news of Etta James’ death earlier today, Steve Tennant sent along this recollection of seeing the legendary R&B singer perform live at the Ottawa Bluesfest back in 2006. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about seeing one of my long-time favourite female singers, Etta James, at Bluesfest. Before [...]
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Stewart Park Festival, in Perth, Ontario, was the 2012 recipient of the Perth Legion’s 18th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. Every year, the Polar Bear Plunge sees Plungers gathering pledges and on January 1st, plunging into the frigid water through a hole cut in the ice of the Tay River. Rescue crews are in the water [...]
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House concerts may be the most dynamic part of the folk and roots music scene today – yet they are rarely discussed, and seldom reviewed in the media. We figured it was time to right the balance a little, with this report from longtime house concert host Steve Tennant of Perth, Ontario. In standard journalistic [...]
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