Sometimes the oddest things happen when I answer my phone. Quite some time ago, an agent called me out of the blue to suggest I consider having the Oysterband play at The Carleton. The name rang a bell but I'd be lying if I said I immediately knew who they were or what they were about. So I did some web surfing and quickly discovered that this band was HUGE (in the popularity sense).

I also discovered that they'd written, "When I'm Up, I Can't Get Down," a song that became a very big hit for our own Great Big Sea! With that information, I quickly said yes to the shows. And now those shows are upon us and I'm giddily looking forward to them. The first two bookings we took for tickets were from Winnipeg and Boston and that doesn't happen every day.

Get it together people. Buy your tickets now while we still have some!

Here's the band's briefest bio

Since 2008, Oysterband has consisted of John Jones (voice, melodeon), Alan Prosser (guitars, voice), Chopper (bass guitar, cello, voice), Dil Davies (drums, cajón) and Ian Telfer (violin, concertina, etc). Our earlier history is more complicated.

At first purely a dance band ("The Oyster Ceilidh Band"), we soon started experimenting with radical arrangements of traditional songs and with home recording, and even put out 4 albums in the early 80s. These sound harmless enough now, but at the time their home-made, try-anything attitude was controversial. We were determined that traditional music should not be just a branch of the heritage industry.

Other musicians came and went. The name shortened to The Oyster Band. We began to learn how to write songs. In 1985 we met a new roots-music label, Cooking Vinyl. Step Outside (1986), with Russell Lax added on drums, was their first release. We went on to make 9 studio albums with them.

The late 80s line-up, now John, Alan, Ian, Ian Kearey and Russ Lax, toured almost continuously. As well as territories opened up by our new record company in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and North America, and shows with similar-minded artists such as Michelle Shocked and Billy Bragg, we toured for the British Council in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco. Travel on this scale had a powerful impact on our attitudes to the world and on our songwriting.

It also made normal domestic life difficult. First Ian Kearey left in 1988, to be replaced by Chopper; then when Russ Lax left in 1990 Chopper called up his old friend drummer Lee Partis. The name shortened again at this point to Oysterband. Russ's last act was to record Freedom And Rain with us and the great English folk diva June Tabor. Although it was essentially a covers collection, the songs were shrewdly chosen, and the album was very well received, particularly in the US. "Imagine if Aerosmith and Madonna announced they were to tour together??!!?" said Rolling Stone, excitably. By the time we reached Los Angeles, queues stretched round the block.

Meanwhile in the UK the ground was shifting. As we were expanding from a folk background, others were expanding from a rock background in a folk direction, and the convergence became a new scene. The Pogues, The Levellers, The Waterboys, Celtas Cortos....we found ourselves working in a different context, often called "Celtic" (though the word seems to mean something different in every country). The US became harder, but we acquired new audiences in the UK, Germany and Spain. The high-point of this period is probably Holy Bandits (1993); the first song "When I'm Up I Can't Get Down" was later a substantial hit for Great Big Sea in North America. (Thanks, guys!)

By 1997 our relations with Cooking Vinyl had cooled somewhat. We didn't seek a new contract, but we co-operated with the preparation of a "Best Of" 2-CD collection, Granite Years (2000), covering the years 1986-1997.

Like many artists, we then found it made sense to start our own label, Running Man. A tie-up with the German company Westpark Music has made interesting projects possible, such as The Big Session, Vol. 1 (2004), a live recording of collaborations with June Tabor, Eliza Carthy, The Handsome Family and others, and a DVD of The 25th Anniversary Concert (2005). "The Big Session" is also the name of our very successful annual Oysterband "signature" festival at De Montfort Hall & Gardens, Leicester, that began in 2005.

In 2003 we were honoured to receive the "Good Tradition" award at the BBC Folk Awards, and in 2005 (as "Oysterband's Big Session") were named "Best Group".

Lee Partis spent some years training as a counsellor/therapist, even while drumming and singing for Oysterband. In 2008 he fulfilled a long-term ambition and left us to work in a prison in the north of England, possibly a first in the history of the entertainment industry. He campaigns for expanding the use of counselling in prisons, a poorly-funded area of public policy (see his website www.counsellingoffenders.org.uk). The very experienced Dil Davies then took over the drummer's stool.

In recent years, we've consciously tried to evolve our songwriting beyond the clichès of the "Celtic" style, and with Rise Above (2002) and especially Meet You There (2007) we think we're getting somewhere. Meet You There has been hailed widely as our best recording ever.

Currently we're also re-exploring the pleasures of completely acoustic playing. In 2008/9 we put out The Oxford Girl & Other Stories to mark our (gulp!) 30th anniversary - not a "best of", but stripped-down re-recordings of some our favourite songs from the whole of that period. John Jones' solo album Rising Road was released late in 2009, and Ray "Chopper" Cooper's Tales Of Love, War & Death By Hanging in May 2010. Alan Prosser also has two solo albums: Hall Place (1996) and Makerfield (2003), plus Nomads (2006) with Brendan Power and Lucy Randall.

Even after so long a career, we can't help feeling the most exciting and fruitful time might be right now.

Rachel Faro has enjoyed a worldwide cult following both as a master singer/songwriter and as a pioneering producer of Cuban, Latin, Jazz and world music.  Since her early albums for RCA Records, released in the 1970’s, Rachel has continued to create and produce a multi-faceted and prodigious number of recordings.  She has produced over thirty-five albums, three of which have received Grammy Nominations, she was a pioneer in the world of Cuban music (long before Ry Cooder and Buena Vista Social Club) and has produced the music for several documentary films, one of which received an Oscar Nomination.  As a performer she is known for her warmth, her authenticity and her beautiful voice.  As a writer she is known for expressing her impressions of life and love in sparkling and profound terms.

Her RCA Recordings, 'Refugees’ and ‘Rachel Faro II’, which were produced by John Simon, are currently available only in vinyl on eBay, Amazon.com and other sources.  Her most recent release, “Windsong”, which is available via Allegro Distribution throughout North America, and through iTunes and other digital outlets, features performances by guitarist Robben Ford, bassist Fernando Saunders, bansuri bamboo flautist Steve Gorn, Oregon member Paul McCandless and many other master musicians.  Her music is classic acoustic folk pop but the production belies her eclectic interests, introducing sonic elements such as bansuri bamboo flute, clay pots, tambora, sarangi and an entire Irish orchestra.  The cover photos for ‘Windsong’ were shot at Peggy’s Cove, outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia by the distinguished Halifax-based photographer Michael Wood.

Rachel’s early albums were buoyed by her enthusiastic following in Boulder, Colorado, rooted in the Shambhala community, of which she is a longtime member and which has since relocated its headquarters to Halifax.  Many members of the Shambhala community were instrumental in the production of ‘Windsong’, included James Hoagland of Halifax-based Centre Productions.  Since her early albums, Rachel Faro has produced artists such as folk icon Odetta, salsa icons Eddie Palmieri and Yomo Toro, the amazing Cuban a cappella group Vocal Sampling, blues duo Satan and Adam, jazz vocalist Nicole Henry and notably, master percussionist Sammy Figueroa, who has also partnered with her on many projects. She is also the president of Ashé Records, originally formed as a member of the Rounder Records family.  As a solo artist and with her band Rachel has appeared at landmark folk and national venues from Nashville’s Bluebird Café to the Seattle Opera House, Philadelphia’s The Main Point, upstate New York’s The Turning Point, Los Angeles’ The Troubadour, New York’s late and lamented The Bottom Line and countless other venues, In October 2009 she toured throughout Japan to sold-out houses and has recently appeared at Miami’s Luna Star Café and in house concerts in New York City and Miami.


Rachel Faro is looking forward to sharing her evening at The Carleton, which is known as one of Canada’s great music rooms, with friends both old and new.  She will be performing solo (with surprise guests!) and will be accompanying herself on guitar, dulcimer and piano.  Tickets are $15; $20 will include both admission and a copy of the ‘Windsong’ CD.



Tuesday, March 30 2010      Showtime: 9 PM

 

Our good friend Matthew Barber has a new album out - called True Believer - and he's now touring the country to promote it. To that end and, more importantly, to entertain his growing legion of fans, he'll be playing The Carleton Music Bar & Grill on Monday, March 29th. Show time is 9 PM and tickets are $20.

Matthew has played our room twice before and sold it out each time; I don't expect this occasion will be any different so you should get your tickets sooner, rather than later.

The new album is a gem but you don't need to take my word. Here's some examples of what people who review records for a living have to say!

Is that a tune in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? I Think You’re Gonna Feel My Love, the opening track to Matthew Barber’s song-strong new album, bounds put of the gates with Traveling Wilburys sociability and a Viagra-sponsored gleam in the eye – what Roy Orbison couldn’t sing with a straight face, Barber can and does.

The Toronto singer-songwriter has made an assured record, one with varying tempos and heartfelt moods that is smartly ordered and marked by the sharp marriage of melody and word – I hear Jackson Browne, Loudon Wainwright III and Liam Finn, I really do. The record’s apex is a swelling, horn-boosted, piano-dappled title song that busts slumps wide open. True belief? I believe Barber means what he sings, at all times. Greg Wheeler - Globe & Mail

While Jill Barber steered her own folk career in a completely new direction with the release of 2008’s over-the-top jazz-pop album, Chances, her brother Matthew has decided to stay steady and true to that thing he does so well – rootsy folk à la Tom Petty and the Band with a heavy side of melancholy.

The Toronto singer/songwriter knows how to knock out classic-sounding tunes that are hummable and familiar, and that’s no easy feat...

...Comeback Baby near the start switches seamlessly between minimal bluesy, spoke-sung verses and full-blown impassioned pop choruses, complete with key change and banjo, and it works splendidly. Hawks On The Highway is like a long-lost Steve Earle track that injects the album with the oomph it craves, while Suddenly is a haunting, sparse closer. Carla Gillis - NOW Magazine

A couple of months ago, I was introduced to Thor Kristinsson at The Carleton. He'd apparently just moved to the province from Europe and was enquiring about possibly doing a gig at our place. He told me he was a big deal in Iceland, was a recognized singer/songwriter, as well as an actor with credits that included successful runs in London's West End... "Really?" I thought to myself...

So, I continued to talk to him and went about verifying his story. It checked out... Thor will be playing The Carleton on Wednesday, March 24th at 9 PM. As an incentive to new fans, tickets will be specially priced at only $10 until March 10th. After that, they'll cost you 15 bones.

Thor Kristinsson is an international artist, an actor with West End credits to his name and a singer/songwriter, coming straight to the Carleton from his performance at the East Coast Music Awards.
 
Thor will play songs from his newly released album "Running Naked" along with personal favourites by other artists which include Leonard Cohen and Paolo Nutini. His producer Fred Lavery is nominated as producer of the year at the ECMAs this year for Thor's song "Sunny Day". The same song was recently picked up my Microsoft as part of their Windows 7 internet campaign.
 
Thor comes out with his debut album after an interesting and unusual career. Starting out in smoke-filled cafés in his native Iceland and moving on to songwriting and session-singing, Thor got sidetracked acting and singing in blockbuster musicals such as Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar on the West End in London, England, touring in the UK and Europe for many years.
 
Following a dream and a strong urge to have his own creative say, Thor connected with award-winning producing/engineering team Fred Lavery and Sheppy at Lakewind Sound Studios, creating "Running Naked"; a CD that is a journey through many of life's questions, along with some funny and strange little stories and funky tunes.
 
Thor takes you on a journey with heartfelt songs, songs about strange people and situations, about taking charge, taking chances and living life to the full. With passion, range and a voice that takes your breath away.

"Neoclassic, acoustic singer/songwriter rock. James Blunt, Tom Jones, Cat Stevens and Freddie Mercury cloned. Mixed and stirred in with a delightfully quirky and refreshing hint of fire and ice."

So, we're giving Thor a shot. The songs are strong, the voice is exceptional and I'm dying to find out more about Iceland! Be sure to head to his site to hear the music. It's good.
 

Here's one for you - two of the best acoustic guitar players on the face of the earth... on the same stage... on the same night! Whether you play the instrument or not, this night will blow your mind. The show is on Tuesday, March 23rd at 9 PM. Tickets are only $20.

Antoine Dufour lives in Shawinigan, Quebec. He's won the Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, toured all over the planet and has multiple videos on YouTube totalling over 11,000,000 views. In short, he's no slouch and we're thrilled to have him at The Carleton.

Don Ross is simply one of the finest guitar players in the world and the only one to twice win the American National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. Here's what Bruce Cockburn has to say about him: "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control."

As Antoine's manager said to me on the phone, "if Antoine is Sidney Crosby, then Don Ross is Mario Lemieux" and that aptly illustrates the connection between the two. Master and student.

Here's some YouTube performance from Antoine and here's some YouTube performance from Don. Watch and be blown away, then get on the phone and buy some tickets! They're available by calling 902-422-6335 with credit card in hand. Dinner reservations are recommended for preferred seating.

This is going to be one hell of a show, mark my words...

Without doubt, one of my favourite shows last year - hands down - was Po' Girl; partly because it was such a surprise. I don't often find myself booking an act I've never heard of but that's what happened with them. One listen to their new (at the time) album, Deer In The Night, and I was hooked. I figured that even if no one else had heard of them either, at least I might introduce some folks to the band...

Duh, of course other people had heard of them! Enough of them to sell the place out in advance at least. And once the band started playing! Wow, such beautiful, soulful sounds. I am so stoked to have them back again. They are almost the perfect band for The Carleton, if there's any such thing as true perfection.

As if Po' Girl wasn't enough, they are touring the U.S. and Canada with Chicago's JT Nero as an opening act. Holy smokes! It turns out that guy is also extraordinary! This is stacking up to be the show of the year, mark my words.

They'll hit our stage on Sunday, March 21st and Monday, March 22nd. Tickets are only $20. My advice is get them soon, very soon...

Check out this YouTube video of JT Nero and Po' Girl performing JT's song, Sam Cooke. Brilliant...

Here's the press release for some more information on the "No Shame" tour.

It's a new decade and Canadian Urban Roots band Po'Girl is getting proactive! Alli Russell, Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger, and Mikey "Lightning" August are taking the new show on the road in the USA and Canada throughout February and March for the "No Shame Tour".

Po' Girl will be raising money to benefit the National Children's Alliance http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org in the USA and Little Warriors http://www.littlewarriors.ca in Canada. Partial proceeds of all Po'Girl merchandise sales from their shows will be donated to these groups. Allison Russell of Po'Girl will also be fund raising by collecting donations in support of her running the Athens, Ohio marathon on April 11, 2010 at the conclusion of the "No Shame Tour". One hundred percent of these donations will go to benefit the two child abuse prevention organizations. It's all a part of following their bliss....

Russell is the survivor of ten years of sexual abuse at the hands of her adopted father. She wrote the song "No Shame" in 2006 when she found out that he had been released from prison. Po'Girl recorded "No Shame" on their critically acclaimed album Deer in the Night in 2009. "No Shame" was featured on the radio program The Vinyl Cafe in May 2009. Host Stuart Mclean wrote a beautiful piece about the song and Alli's history; the reception from listeners was overwhelming.

Says Russell, "Stuart's piece and the response to it, gave me the idea that perhaps I could be more actively using my past misfortune and our music to increase awareness and dialogue about the endemic issue of child abuse in North America. Whatever I can do to prevent what happened to me from happening to others, that's what I have to do. It's my responsibility as a survivor. Not everyone is so lucky."

Hailing originally from Canada, Po’Girl weave a blend of musical influences, sweetness, grit & soul into their fresh and original sound. Since the band's birth in Vancouver, BC in 2003 they've been winning devoted and growing numbers of fans across 4 continents and 13 countries with their powerful, passionate and spirited live show. The interplay between Alli, Awna, Benny,and Mikey "Lightning" is truly something to behold. They are distinct voices with incredible harmonies; multiple instrumentalists who bring the perfect sound to each song and songwriters who pen poetic tunes you'll find yourself humming. They'll be heading to Europe for a two month tour of the Netherlands, the UK, and Ireland after the "No Shame Tour". Catch them while you can!

Their latest release, "Deer in the Night" still includes many of the trappings of the trademark Po' Girl sound - the echoes of speakeasy jazz, the western lament, the accordion-strapped ghosts of European folk - but it's all delivered with a soulful clarity and depth only hinted at on previous records. They have also recently released a live album, Po' Girl Live that captures the energy and spirit of the live show, complete with special guests JT and the Clouds.

Po'Girl is spending January recording a new album, "Follow Your Bliss" in Chicago, IL. "Follow Your Bliss" will be released in Europe in May and in North America in June.

“Their uplifting take on American Folk music, combining it with Jazz, roots and a little bit of pretty much everything else, has the ability to put a smile on anyone’s face.” – Glasgow Americana Festival

"With enough sultry ambiance to be at home in either cocktail lounge or New Orleans street corner, Po' Girl's sentiment never feels forced, the lyricism never cliche or false. They manage to maintain that traditional and nostalgic sound while the breathing fresh life into an old-fashioned genre."- Rolling Stone Magazine

"Po' Girl is rough and smooth, sweet and tart, and would be huge stars in that super-cool alternate universe I've always wanted to live in." - John Schlotfelt, Little Village Magazine

Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Tea Party was one of the biggest acts in Canada as well as a major international touring force. During their 15 years together they released 8 albums and sold close to two million records... But all good things eventually come to an end and the band broke up in 2005.

The driving force behind that band, Jeff Martin, will play The Carleton Music Bar & Grill on Monday, March 15th and Tuesday, March 16th. Show time is 9 PM and tickets are $30. Dinner reservations are recommended, as always, for preferred seating.

Since the band's demise, Jeff has been a busy boy, releasing Exile and the Kingdom as a solo record in 2006 and forming The Armada, who's debut album was released in 2008. Along the way there were also a number of live CDs recorded primarily in Ireland and Australia. Jeff still - I think - has a studio in Ireland but currently resides in Perth, Australia with his wife and young son.

It's been a long road from Windsor, Ontario to the Carleton stage but I know we'll be in for a couple of stellar nights of music spanning a couple of decades.

Here's a cool YouTube clip of Jeff playing some lap slide and here's an old Tea Party favourite performed solo...