Canadian Folk Music Week 2014, Thursday Night Showcase of CFMA Nominees

An album of shots from a night of radiant culture and communion at the Bronson Center in Ottawa last night. 

Photos by Leonard Poole:

Chris Ronald, a Vancouver school-teacher with a set of engaging songs weaving personal and topical insights into an engaging dialogue with the listener's emotions.

Kacy And Clayton: artistry and intensity dedicated to a sparse but magically empathetic clarity. A holyghost gal singer and a bare-fingered Piedmont Blues guitarist that  go clear back in time to a pre-Joni era. Her voice becomes attenuated into bold and carefree lyricism over the muscular knuckles of Clayton's strategic rhythmic pathways.

Romain Malagnoux , astonishing Kaleme n’goni, flûte Peule, and tamani virtuoso Salif Lasso Sanou, eight-string bassist (!) Marc Fournier, a stellar singer /dancer /dynamo named Tapa Diarra and percussionist Donald Dogbo captured everyone's inner African with Malian grooves and gyrations. 

Their recording, Les Frontières imaginaires is nominated for Best Traditional and Best World Music album.

Buffy and Larry warmed hearts with their kitchen country music and back-home hospitality.

Jill Zmud, with help from Keith Glass and Jerusha Lewis, brought us a reverent tribute to her lost uncle and father with touching intimacy. Nominated for Contemporary Album Of The Year, Small Matters Of Life And Death, a wise and winning collection of songs, derives its inspiration from family and fate.

Perennial favourite James Keelaghan and his monster bass accompanist Hugh MacMillan gave a final touch of lamplighter anthems and good humour to a fantastic and well-curated evening of the best that Canada has to offer.

The throb intensifies tonight again as we rise toward tomorrow's Canadian Folk Music Awards Gala. 

The Canadian Folk Music Awards In Ottawa 2014 Pre-empt Corby's Orbit

Click to enlarge photo

The City of Ottawa is currently celebrating Canadian Folk Music Week. This weekend will be a totally faboo cornpone / heyrube of communion and music, including nominee showcases (Thursday & Friday at Bronson Centre), workshops (Saturday and Sunday during the day at the Ottawa Folklore Centre) and a songwriters' circle event. Saturday culminates with a bilingual gala event at the Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Avenue), hosted by Shelagh Rogers and musician Benoit Bourque. Anybody who's anybody and everybody who's somebody will be there bowing, fretting, loving, demonstrating and exemplifying Canada's strongest pulsing musical circulatory system.

I am taking some time out from my secret identity to go up to the nation's centerfold for some laps around the cultural crux of the nation. I shall attempt, with my long-time spar Leonard, to write up, observe and photograph the genuine jammers and powers that be, in the early to wee hours of the festivities. Our international musical prowess is derived from the gregariousness, generosity and spinal fortitude of events like this.

My show of the 28th will be an archival file, since I will be folky-tonking round the town.

Thanks to the Weirs for certain dialectical contributions.

Playlist For Show Of 21 November

Host: Paul Corby

( brought to you by Novemb-ruary, Snow-vember, and November Zemblya  )

5-7 p.m. online http://www.radioregent.com/ and at tunein.com .  
Canadians in Asterisk’d RED.

Guests: Dan Mock, Kristin Lindell, and Lennie Gallant

Videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/CorbysOrbit?feature=mhee

5:00 Acclimatizers

*Dave Gunning ~ When The Cold Weather Comes ~ No More Pennies @ Hugh's Room tonight for a Stan Rogers Tribute

Red Plastic Bag ~ You And You ~ WOW

5:15 Taking Nature`s Courses

*Dan Mock ~ Song For Danko / Interview / Come And Go Blues (live) / Crowded Room ~ Miles To Morning NEW DISK CD Release @ Ellington's & @ The Cameron House Saturday, 29 November

*Plumes Ensemble ~ Blossoms Fall / Swimming With Astronauts / Frappé / Plumes @ The Garrison Friday 28 November ~ Folk Songs And Future Loves NEW DISK CD Release @ La Sala Rossa Montréal Monday 1 December 

5:30 Lighting The Pilots

* N.Q. Arbuckle ~ Rotary Phone ~ The Future Happens Anyway NEW DISK @ The Horseshoe Saturday 

* Elephant Stone ~ A Quiet Moment ~@ The Silver Dollar tonight

* Quinn Bachand ~ Belleville / Annie's Waltz ~ Brishen NEW DISK CFMA Nominee

* Indian City ~ Sundancer ~ Colors NEW DISK CFMA Nominee

* Kristin Lindell ~ You Know That I Want You / Interview / Waiting For The Light (live) / Overflowing (live) @ The Gladstone Hotel Saturday 9 p.m.

6:20 Hitsville Heroes

Stevie Wonder ~ Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours (DJ Smash Essential Funk Mix) @ ACC Tuesday 25 November

Jimmy Ruffin (May 7, 1936 – November 17, 2014) ~ What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? 

6:30 Abegweit Ambassador

*Lennie Gallant ~ The Band's Still Playing  / Interview  / Mademoiselle (voulez-vous danser) ~ Live Acoustic At The Carleton NEW DISK @ Hugh`s Room Thursday 27 December CFMA Nominee

Avi Granite ~ Life Fragments ~ sprinkled with Toronto Music Listings ~ 6 Red Tree

* Poor Angus ~ Never Come Back ~ Gathering   CFMA Nominee

* Allison Lupton ~ Lichtbob`s Lassie ~ Half My Heart  NEW DISK

A Palpable Panoply Of Popular Players.

Dan Mock, whose disk, Miles To Morning rises on November 29 at two separate release shows @ Ellington's 5:00-7:00 and @ The Cameron House 9:00 p.m. will be vibing into the Orbit at 5:15

 Kristin Lindell will be ascending into the Orbital airspace at 6:00 to preview 

some new songs, "Song for the Monarchs" and "Fool's Gold, also available live on

 Sat Nov 22nd, 9-11pm @ The Gladstone Hotel

with the Kristin Lindell Band:  Harley Card, guitar, Bret Higgins, bass and Marshall Bureau on drums

             

Geof Holbrook and Veronica Charnley will be calling 

at 5:45 

to announce and preview the launch of 

                              Plumes Ensemble's Folk Songs and Future Loves

Dec. 1 at the Sala Rossa

A double bill with the New York indie-classical ensemble Victoire

Pre-concert discussion at 7:30;  Music at 8:30

Tickets $20  (students/seniors/artists: $10)

Advance tickets at:  http://indie-classical-extravaganza.eventbrite.ca

The ensemble’s classically-inspired indie-pop band Plumes also performs

November 28 – The Garrison, Toronto

November 30 – The Casbah, Hamilton

Then at 6:30: a phone interview with the master song-crafter

And, although I will be M.I.O. (missing In Ottawa) next week,

Here are two shows that you should be checking up on.

Playlist For Show Of 14 November

Host: Paul Corby

( brought to you by Taken For Granite, Party Minerals and Boulderdash  )

5-7 p.m. online http://www.radioregent.com/ and at tunein.com .  Canadians in Asterisk’d RED.

Guests: Adonis Puentes

Videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/CorbysOrbit?feature=mhee

5:00 Treasure Trova

*Adonis Puentes & Pancho Amat ~ Eso No Es No / Interview / Veinte Anos / Arrola Cubano / Quiero Que Tu Sepas ~ Veinte Anos  NEW DISK  @ First Canadian Place 12:15 and Hugh's Room 8:30 on Tuesday, 18 November 

Angelite feat. Hun Huur Tu ~ Early Morning With My Horse ~ Mountain Song ~ Hun Huur Tu @ Small World Listening Center Saturday

Adrian Legg ~ The Gospel According To O. Henry ~ Guitar For Mortals ~ @ Smock Cafe Sunday 8 p.m.

Black Umfolosi ~ Ukuganga ~ One Voice ~ @ Hugh's Room Saturday

Bob Dylan ~ Red River Shore ~  Telltale Signs @  The Sony Center Monday & Tuesday November 17-18

5:45 Message Parlour

*Bahamas / The Weather Station ~ Don't You Want Me ~ Mitty Sdtrk. ~ The Weather Station  CD Release for  What Am I Going To Do With Everything I Know @ The Dakota Tavern 7 p.m. Friday

*Amelia Curran ~  Song On The Radio ~ They Promised You Mercy  NEW DISK ~ @ Harbourfront Center Saturday 22 November

*Chris Ronald ~ The Busker ~ Timeline  CFMA Nominee English Songwriter of the Year

*Elizabeth Shepherd ~ On Our Way ~ The Signal NEW DISK ~ CD Release Saturday @ Music Gallery

                             Painting By Kent Monkman

6:00 Endurance Dances

* Sarah Jane Scouten ~ When I Told You I Loved You ~ The Cape CFMA Nominee Best Traditional Singer / Album @ The Local Sunday 5:00

*Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folk ~ Dance With Me ~ Over Land And Sea @ The Cave Saturday

*Fish & Bird ~ Rivers ~ Something In The Ether

* Lennie Gallant ~ Has Anybody Seen My Skates? ~ Live Acoustic At The Carleton CFMA Nominee English Songwriter of the Year On Corby's Orbit Friday 21 November and @ Hugh`s Room Thursday 27 November

*Layah Jane ~ Don't Look ~ Brightness & Bravery  @ Cecil Street Community Center Saturday 7:00-9:30 p.m.

6:20 Blending And Bending

*J.W. Jones ~ Love Times Ten ~  Belmont Boulevard NEW DISK

Gene Daniels ~ Chip Chip

Marv Johnson ~ I Love The Way You Love

*Dan Mock ~ The House On The Hill ~ Miles To Morning NEW DISK On Corby's Orbit Friday 21 November & @ The Cameron House Saturday 29 November

*Nancy Walker ~  Three Corners ~ Levitation @ Lula Lounge tonight 7:30 & Chalkers 6:00 Saturday 

*Harley Card ~ Get There Hedgerow ~ @ The Rex Wednesday 19 November 6:30 with Toronto Music Listings tattooed overtop

Brainstorm ~  She Moves ~ Friends & Friends Of Friends vol. 6

STRFKR ~ Say To You ~ Friends & Friends Of Friends vol. 6

Adonis Puentes

I am honoured to be joined today by Adonis Puentes in the studio to talk about his new album,

Veinte Años,

 traditional Afro-Cuban trova music played by modern Cuban players and featuring tres maestro Pancho Amat (directly from Cuba).

Remembrance

I was proud to be in a public school gym with eight guitarists, two pianists, three good singers, and a locked-in bass and drums section today, as we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin' (Byrds version) for a silent and listening Remembrance Day audience.

We had compulsory cadets in Chatham Ontario when I was in grade 10. ALL the boys. We went to target practice once a week at the Armory. The good shots were given rifles and the rest of us got bren guns and sten guns, which we had to assemble and disassemble on command. We had drill practice summer and winter.

I spoke to the kids before we played today. I said "You're lucky; you have dragons and super villains to be afraid of. I think that's great. When I was a boy, I was afraid of waking up and seeing all my neighbours' houses on fire."

One to remember.

Canadian Folk Music Awards Program 2014

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 SHOWCASE: The Bronson Centre Door: 7 p.m. Show: 7:30 p.m.  211 Bronson Avenue $25 Featuring 2014 CFMA Nominees James Keelaghan, Jill Zmud, Buffy & Larry, Chris Ronald, Kacy & Clayton and Moustafa Kouyaté & Romain Malagnoux FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 SHOWCASE: The Bronson Centre Door: 7 p.m. Show: 7:30 p.m.  211 Bronson Avenue $25 Featuring 2014 CFMA Nominees Shari Ulrich, Quinn Bachand, Còig, Jorge Martinez, Gathering Sparks, Mélisande SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 WORKSHOP: Rise-Up and Sing 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Ottawa Folklore Centre - 1111 Bank Street $5/door or free admission with the purchase of a CFMA Full Access Pass Here's an opportunity to sing! We'll use the great book "Rise Up Singing". Arthur McGregor will lead the sing with his guitar. Singers call out the song they wish to sing and the page number and, if Arthur knows it (he bats about 95%!) we sing it. If he doesn't the caller teaches us the song! It'll last a couple of hours and we'll break in the middle for coffee and munchies. The Folklore Centre will loan copies of Rise Up Singing or you can bring your own.  WORKSHOP: Ukulele Jam with Garett Barr 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Ottawa Folklore Centre - 1111 Bank Street  $5/door or free admission with the purchase of a CFMA Full Access Pass Join local ukulele teacher Garett Barr for a Canadian Folk music themed Ukulele Jam! This jam will feature songs by your favourite Canadian Folk Songwriters such as Stan Rogers, Bruce Cockburn, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell just to name a few! Everyone is welcome to join, no matter what playing level. WORKSHOP: Songwriting Workshop with Shari Ulrich 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Ottawa Folklore Centre - 1111 Bank Street  $20/door or free admission with the purchase of a CFMA Full Access Pass Shari Ulrich is nominated for English Songwriter of the Year for the 2014 CFMAs (she is also nominated for three additional awards with her group The High Bar Gang). She will discuss all aspects of the craft of songwriting using the work of the participants as a spring board. Shari will cover lyric structure, song structure, what makes songs work, performance, and other elements of songwriting for novice, experienced, professional and performing songwriters. A two time Juno Award winner, and member the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Shari was first known for her multi-instrumentalist skills with the Pied Pumkin and on as the voice of the Hometown Band. Her career as a singer songwriter brings her to her latest release "Everywhere I Go" (Borealis Records) - engineered and produced by her daughter Julia Graff, also a multi-instrumentalist. It is Shari's 8th solo album, and the 21st including her work with Ulrich Henderson Forbes, BTU with Barney Bentall & Tom Taylor, and The High Bar Gang. WORKSHOP: Trad Tune Jam  2 p.m.- 5 p.m.  Patty's Pub - 1186 Bank St. Free Come and play in a traditional session with CFMA nominees and local players. Patty's Pub is located in Old Ottawa South, near the remainder of the day's activities - their food is good, their beer is local (and they have the biggies too), and the entertainment will be excellent. Irish/Scottish/Quebecois/Cape Breton/Old Time players are all welcome! WORKSHOP: Songwriter Circle  2 p.m. - 5 p.m.  The Georgetown Pub - 1159 Bank St. Free CFMA nominees, local singers, and spectators are invited to The Georgetown Pub, home of many a folk song, for an afternoon of sharing songs.  Hosts Ana Miura and 2014 CFMA Nominee Amanda Rheaume will welcome some of the best in Canadian talent, and welcome all languages and genres of folk song.  WORKSHOP: Singing Beatles Harmony with Gathering Sparks (Jane Lewis, Eve Goldberg and Sam Turton) 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Ottawa Folklore Centre - 1111 Bank Street $20/door or free admission with the purchase of a CFMA Full Access Pass Travel beyond the frontiers of normal harmony. Together we will explore and sing some of The Beatles' most unique and surprising vocal arrangements. We'll be learning parts by ear; previous experience with harmony is beneficial, but not necessary. Join us in some of the most beautiful music ever written-all you need is love! Gathering Sparks is the graceful collision of Eve Goldberg, Jane Lewis, and Sam Turton -musical friends who bonded over finely tuned harmonies and the craft of songwriting. The trio's inclusive approach embraces blues, gospel, folk, and pop influences tastefully played on acoustic and slide guitar, piano, accordion, ukulele, and banjo. Gathering Sparks is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year for the 2014 CFMAs. CFMA GALA & RECEPTION Box office opens at 6:30 p.m.  Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m.  The Bronson Centre - 211 Bronson Avenue $40  Tickets available in person at the Ottawa Folklore Centre or online at http://bit.ly/CFMA2014tickets

Playlist for November 7

Host: Paul Corby

( brought to you by Magnificola, Saudade Soda and Cardiac Crush )

5-7 p.m. online http://www.radioregent.com/ and at tunein.com .  Canadians in Asterisk’d RED.

Guests: J.P. Mortier, John Antoniuk & Jen Lane

Videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/CorbysOrbit?feature=mhee

5:00 Retro Romantic

*J.P. Mortier ~ I Can Love / Interview / Loveless (live) / Ignited (live) ~ Songs Of Love And Despair  NEW DISK @ Free Times Cafe tonight

alt-J ~ Choice Kingdom / Hunger Of The Pine ~ This Is All Yours  @ Koolhaus Tuesday 11 November

5:15 Saskatunes

*Jen Lane & John Antoniuk ~ Crazy Mama / Interview / Lost (live) / The Way Home @ The Cameron House every Wednesday, 6:00-8:00

5:30 Passion For Cashin'

* Bruce Cockburn ~ Beautiful Creatures ~ Life Short Call Now  @ Koerner Hall tonight

* Kate Weekes ~ Sing It To The Hills ~ Frost On Black Fur  NEW DISK

* Jon Brooks ~ These Are Not Economic Hard Times ~ The Smiling & Beautiful Countryside  NEW DISK

* Sophia Danai ~ Money ~ Wishing Well  NEW DISK

Hamell On Trial ~ The Mall ~ Choochtown

photo: Jen Lane, John Antoniuk & J.P. Mortier

5:50 Plathways

*West My Friend ~ Ode To Sylvia Plath ~ When The Ink Dries  NEW DISK CFMA Nominee - Pushing The Boundaries

Ryan Adams ~ SYLVIA PLATH ~ Gold ~ @ Massey Hall Wednesday

6:00 Near-Life Experiences

Owen Gray ~ Midnight Track ~ The Best Of Ska

Little Feat feat. Shaun Murphy ~ The Blues Don't Tell It All ~ High Wire Act In St. Louis ~ Dixie Chicken @ The Orbit Room Thursday, 13 November

*Wilson & Swarbrick ~ My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose / No Woman No Cry ~ Lion Rampant  NEW DISK @ Enoch Turner Scoolhouse Sunday 4:00 for Soldiers Of Song Concert

6:20 Romancing The Dance

TE ~ De Worp ~ Flamingo's Gambit ~ Balfolk Dance @ La Palette tonight

Lost Fingers ~ Pump Up The Jam ~ Lost In The 80's

* Isabel & The Uncommons feat. Julian Taylor (@ The ROM tonight) ~ Nothing Lasts But Love ~ Hearts And Arrows  NEW DISK ~ CD Release @ Hugh's Room Wednesday, 12 November

*Dan Mock ~ Crowded Room ~ Miles To Morning NEW DISK @ The Cameron House Saturday, 29 November

Spearhead feat. Ernie Ranglin ~ I Got Plenty Of Nothin' ~ Red, Hot & Rhapsody

William S. Burroughs ~ You Got Any Eggs For Fats? (Naked Lunch excerpt) WSB 100th Birthday Tribute RUB OUT THE WORD Friday, November 7 at The Music Gallery

6:45 Flight Club

Kenny Burrell arr. by Gil Evans ~ Lotus Land ~  Guitar Forms ~ with the necessary apurtenances of Toronto Music Listings scattered willy-nilly

Birdy ~ People Help The People ~ Birdy