I do an open format radio show on Radio Regent online out of Regent Park in Toronto every Friday from 5 p.m. til 7,called CORBY's ORBIT playing everymusic, so far no Death Metal or light opera but who knows?http://www.radioregent.com/
Illustration by John Kricfalusi
Corby's Orbit
Listening in All the High Places illustration by John Kricfalusi
I saw two very different shows this weekend: on Friday the second night of Xavier Rudd at the packed Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and on Saturday, Carolyn Wonderland playing to 100 faithful at The Great Hall. Xavier Rudd is an Australian vegetarian with a triple stemmed didgeridoo, a Weissenborn, a Gibson ES 335, and two Zulu sidemen whom he barely acknowledges. He spoke little but platitudes to his college audience, played songs with strong heartbeats and "wo-wo" call-and-response sections that made me wish for Sting. His songs repeat the same philosophy of love the earth, free the people and let's see what happens. The first song arrived at peak energy in a cloud of weed and then slackened off through the rest of the night as the formula worked its way through...djembe solo, audience on stage for one song ( security close at hand), helicopter dance, singalongs, and, when in doubt, wo-wo it out. Carolyn is an extremely talented Texan guitarist and singer (and trumpeter!), evoking all the fierceness and tenderness of an Ellen McIllwaine reborn. Her band included Kansas City prodigy Guy Forsyth, Cole El-Saleh on keyboards, and a knife sharp rhythm squadron. The band's zone of humour and creativity grew organically to support Carolyn's spontaneous, inventive musical powers and warmth. She gave time generously to showcase Guy's songs and his talents on guitar, harmonica, uke, saw, and repartee. The gorgeous ripple-finished Telecaster that she stood and sat with all night put out more smoke and firecrackers than Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull over the course of a set that included blues, rock, gospel, and cumbia, and soulful replays of songs by Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Bob Dylan and Terri Hendrix. It was a great opportunity for Toronto to get to know a vivid new interpreter of modern song. The small audience of old and young responded with loud affection. "Make Toronto weird!" was one shouted request. Don't miss her next time. She just might manage that.
So... where's the playlist?Because of computer retooling, to comply more closely with CRTC guidelines (see above), my show playlists will be on paper for the next few weeks. Wonder no more.
This is Nasyr Abdul Al Kabir on drums with Dizzy in 1985 with his dad Sayiid and Walter Davis Jr. on piano. He will be on the show with OMG Dennis Chambers from Parliament/Funkadelic and Raul Rikow from Santana. They are the stars of Hot Docs' feature Drummers' Dream by John Walker, who wanted to grow up to be a drummer, but instead became one of Canada's most prestigious dokko directors. He'll be talking up the film and the drummers will be making BIG SOUNDS. Drumroll please!
Playlist May 14
gundecha brothersraag shivranjanitears on a lotussense world music11:03
delhi to DublinSOSplanet electricfactor11:07
dylan murrayif you wanna givewhite wing rootssoul clap11:11
justin nozukaunwoken dreamyou i wind land and seagolden train11:16
massive attackflat of the bladeheligolandvirgin11:21
brenna mac crimmonevlerine varagele usandimevents in small chambersgreen goat11:25
los campesinosin medias resromance is boringarts and crafts12:03
the spill canvascrash courserealities epreprise12:07
david mylesrun awayturn time offturtlemusic12:12
justin curtis and sally jono apologyintendedshoulda known betterlazy J 12:18
alyssa delbaere sawchuckred river medleya tribute to walter flett
metis fiddler quartet12:22
merle haggard / george jonessick sober and sorrykickin out the footlightsbandit12 : 27
carolyn wonderlandthrow my lovemiss understoodbismeaux12:30
j.b hutto and the new hawkssoul loverrock with me tonightbullseye12:34 Y
sharon jones & the dap kingsshe ain't a child no morei learned the hard way daptone12:38
raziababonaozebu nationcumbancha12:42
the caravellesyou don't have to be a baby to cryhard-to-find 45'seric12:47
eliana cuevascanaimavidasec12:53
zap mama /the rootsrafikiluakabopwb12:57
At 1:00, interviews with the director (John Walker) and stars (Nasyr Abdul Al Khabyr, Raul Rekow, and Dennis Chambers) of Drummers’ Dream took up the last hour of the show.