Corby's Orbit

Corby's Orbit
Listening in All the High Places illustration by John Kricfalusi

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Getting Next to the Falun Gong


Jesse Laine will be on my show Friday, talking about this disk and about the persecution and genocide of the 
Falun Gong in China. Wikipedia says : " It differs from other qigong schools in its absence of fees or formal membership, lack of daily rituals of worship, its greater emphasis on morality, and the theological nature of its teachings. Although the practice initially enjoyed considerable support from Chinese officialdom, by the mid- to late-1990s, the Communist Party and public security organizations increasingly viewed Falun Gong as a potential threat due to its size, independence from the state, and spiritual teachings. By 1999, some estimates placed the number of Falun Gong adherents in the tens of millions. Tensions culminated in April 1999, when over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered peacefully near the central government compound in Beijing to request legal recognition and freedom from state interference. This demonstration is widely seen as catalyzing the suppression that followed.

On 20 July 1999, the Communist Party leadership initiated a nationwide crackdown and multifaceted propaganda campaign intended to eradicate the practice. Former Canadian Secretary of State David Kilgour and human rights lawyer David Matas were asked by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong. In July 2006, they published "Report into Allegations of Organ Harvesting of Falun Gong Practitioners in China", which concluded that large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners were victims of systematic organ harvesting throughout China."




Opportunities For Commingling With Uttermost Musical Tinglings

FREE ADMISSION - CONCIERTO ENTRADA GRATIS - 
Legendary Cuban salsa giants Los Van Van perform at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, July 12 at 8:00pm. Celebrate One Year to Go! to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games by dancing to the band’s unique blend of Latin Rhythms !




Sat-July-12, 9:00pm
$15 at the door
$10 Advanced List
(email andrew@brownman.com to get on the Adv List)
@ May Cafe, 876 Dundas St. W., Toronto


Homegrown Hamilton in Hamilton, Ontario

Al Tuck
Not exactly a folk singer (Al is too funny to be a folk singer), and he’s nobody’s indie darling (he’s too steeped in roots to be an indie rocker). Country, blues, r&b, rock, dub and maybe even a little vaudeville are all on his map, but he doesn’t really live inside of them. He is, as anyone who has ever met the man will tell you, his own one-of-a-kind creature from first to last. His consummate musical grace and dreamy drawling vocals belie one of the sharpest and most deliberate songwriting minds in music today. He is as perversely funny as the best of Randy Newman, as warm and inviting as Mississippi John Hurt, and as quick with a turn of phrase as Cole Porter. He is one of that rare breed who is tuned to observe life’s details, sympathetic to our devils as well as our angels, and never failing to find the punchline on either side of the line. And like a fine wine or an old song, he seems to only get better with the years.
http://www.altuck.com/

Kyp Harness
Toronto singer/songwriter Kyp Harness has amassed a songbook that should rightfully be hailed as a national treasure. And there could hardly be better proof of his prolific profundity than his new double album, The Floating World, which in many ways sums up his best work over the years. Sprung from a productive folk rock singer/songwriter scene in Toronto of the early '90s, Harness is an amalgam of his peers: the romanticism of Ron Sexsmith (who is also his most outspoken champion), the political punch of Bob Wiseman (who produced his first cassette), and the sweet charm of Bob Snider (who's been known to dance wildly onstage at Harness shows - a sight that has to be seen to be believed). As a political poet of Queen Street, Harness wields a piercing pen articulating the search for hope amidst neo-conservative madness. As a shameless, hopeless romantic and true believer, Harness writes with an earnestness that could melt the coldest heart.
http://music.cbc.ca/#/bands/Kyp-Harness



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Community Opportunity ~ Festival Of House Culture


Here's the complete festival schedule, with full descriptions of each event. All gatherings are open to the public and will have ample time for relaxing, hanging out, and making new friends!
FRIDAY JULY 4
POTLUCK DINNER 6 PM at The Romero House Centre (1558 Bloor West) – In the spirit of community, we kick off our festival with a big meet-and-greet, and what better way to do it then breaking bread? Bring your own plate, fork, cup, and serving utensil – and food to share!
OPENING NIGHT 730 PM at Romero House Centre – (1558 Bloor West). After dinner, we'll have blues/soul diva Cheryl White doing a wide variety of music, accompanied by Michael Holt on piano. Anthony Moscar, who is planning on a "tiny home" project, will speak to us on micro–housing in Toronto. Then the lights will go down, and we'll watch a selection of silent films with live improvised music by Marcel Aucoin.
SATURDAY JULY 5
SONGS AND PRELUDES 1230 PM at Raphael's House (The Wiggle Room, 2237A Dundas West). Creative and melodic singer-songwriterKaryn Ellis will start this gathering, and indie-folk songstress Erika Werry
will finish it with her acoustic duo. Between them, Michael Holt will do a selection of his recently completed 24 classical preludes for piano.
MADRIGAL SINGALONG WORKSHOP 3 PM at Jane's House (16 Jerome St). Are you a choir enthusiast? A medieval or Renaissance enthusiast? A fun musician who loves to sing with others? This event is open to all participants! Come drop by, grab a drink, and SarahJane Pelzer will lead us through some awesome music you probably haven't ever had the pleasure of singing before – pieces by Machaut, DeLassus, and Hildegaard Von Bingen. After learning the material, we'll give a friendly, no-pressure performance of it for the participants of the Philosophy Salon (see next event). Sight-reading proficiency is required. (Not sure whether you have the skills? Who cares, come find out! Supportive environment.)
PHILOSOPHY SALON 4 PM at Jane's House (16 Jerome St). First, Sarah Jane Pelzer will break the ice with a lively set of Piaf, Weill, Poulenc, Sondheim and more, accompanied by Marcel Au Coin on piano. Then the Madrigal Singalong participants will treat us to what they've worked up. Finally, after a break and drinks, Johanna Polley will lead us through a fun philosophy conversation.
HEADLINE NIGHT 730 PM at Maison Au–Kyte (32 Dorval Rd). How often do you get to enjoy live theatre in your friend's living room? Samantha Wan, Alex De Jordy, Jackie Rowland, and Mark Correia are going to treat us to a procession of dramatic monologues, comedy, cabaret, and magic. In the middle of all that, pop band Words Around The Waist will give a full performance of their super-creative, quirky, and sophisticated music.
MIDNIGHT MOVIES 1145 PM at Michael's Loft (2466 Dundas West, suite 501). Ready for more? Then meet us at the top of The Dundas West Arts Building for a silent film and live video mixing by Renee Lear, with live, improvised piano by Justin Haynes.
SUNDAY JULY 6
RETURN OF THE TROUBADOURS 1230 PM at Masion Au–Kyte (32 Dorval Rd). There was a time when song and poetry were one, and their wandering minstrels provided much of our news, entertainment, and culture. Come experience a bit of this with songs by Katherine Katey Morley and Kyp Harness, plus poems by Marc di Saverio and Daniel Renton.
ACCORDION SALON 4 PM at Sara's House (33 Macaulay Ave). Gathering in Sara's lovely back yard (or living room if rain), we'll first experience the multi-genre, creative, and experimental accordion playing of Branko Džinović. Then naturopath Nora Pope will lead us in an informative and provocative conversation on birth control, and finally the pop band Buckminster Fuller will charm us with their harmony-rich and crafty song stylings.
CLOSING NIGHT 730 PM at Jeff's House (6 Abbott Ave). Weather permitting, this gathering will also be outdoors, in Jeff's spacious back yard. The Lina Allemano Four will kick things off with their adventurous, wild, and playful Trumpet-based Jazz. Catherine Crowe will speak with us about the techniques and meanings behind her lovely and delicate Champleve enamel works, which will be on display. Then Jeff will light the fire-pit and our festival will end with a high-energy set of flamenco dancing and world dance music by the six-piece band Ventanas.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Playlist For Show Of 27 June


Host: Paul Corby

( brought to you by Marriott Nets, Holiday Outs, and Ramada Marauders )

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

5:00 Paradisiac

*Rival Sons ~ Keep On Swinging ~ Head Down @ Mod Club Thursday 4 July & @ TURF
*Joel Johnson ~ Insanity ~ Blues Joose vol. II NEW DISK VOTE at  http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com/artist-search/2014/ 


Rick Estrin and the Nightcats ~ Smart Like Einstein ~ You Asked For It LIVE NEW 
DISK (Alligator)

Eddie Clearwater ~ Messed Up World ~ Help Yourself (Blind Pig)

*Troiano feat. Roy Kenner, (18 Sept. 1979) ~ Repossession Blues ~ Bootleggers Choice ~ Live At Dollar Bill's NEW DISK

5:30 Tantricity 

*Rough Trade (20 Jan. 1980) ~ Sexual Outlaw ~ Bootleggers Choice ~ Live At Dollar Bill's

*Carole Pope ~ World Of One ~ Transcend @ Wrongbar, with Peaches, Saturday
Beck ~ Blue Moon ~ Morning Phase NEW DISK @ Sony Center tonight

Funky Lowlives mixed by Stephane Pompougnac~ Latazz ~ Costes Étage 3 

Rickie Lee Jones ~ Coolsville ~ Naked Songs @ Danforth Music Hall Friday, 5 July
Sam Cooke ~ Somebody Have Mercy ~ Live At The Harlem Square Club 1963


6:00 TURF Peace

*Deer Tick ~ Trash ~ Negativity ~  @ TURF Friday

*New Country Rehab ~ Rollin' ~ Ghost Of Your Charms ~ @ TURF Sunday

Tift Merritt ~ Trouble Over Me ~ Bramble Rose ~ @ TURF Friday

*The Strumbellas ~ The Fire ~ We Still Move On Dance Floors ~ @ TURF Saturday

Maxwell ~  Ascension  ~  Urban Hang Suite @ Massey Hall  Friday 5 July

CARTOON BY CHARLES BARSOTTI (Sep. 28, 1933 – June 16, 2014)


6:30 Flavourous 


John Sebastian ~ Red Eye Express ~ The Best Of... @  Hugh`s Room Sunday

*Morlove ~ Relative Chemistries ~ All Of My Lakes Lay Frozen Over

* Grand Voyageur ~ Some Beautiful ~ Fire / Works  NEW DISK

*Jim Fidler ~ Downtown Girl ~Singalongs And Shanties 

Warren Zevon ~ Rub Me Raw ~ The Wind

Tara Williamson ~ Come My Way ~ ndn Summer EP  NEW DISK

Joshua Redman ~ Soul Dance ~ Trios Live  NEW DISK  with a glaze of Toronto Music Listings applied liberally
D*Note ~ Scheme Of Things ~ A Compilation Dorado




Saturday, June 21, 2014

Playlist For Show of 20 June


Host: Paul Corby

( brought to you by Jalapeno Pinatas, Smoking Potlaches and Hoopla Dancers )

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

Guest: Jasmine Netsena

5:00 Jazz You Wish

Yearnin' Learnin' ~ Earth Wind and Fire ~ @ Sony Center Tuesday, 24 June TD DOWNTOWN JAZZ
Lettuce ~ 4 On 6 ~ @ Nathan Phillips Square Wednesday, 25 June 8:00 p.m. TD DOWNTOWN JAZZ
Roberta Flack ~ Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?  ( Lyric by Gerry Goffin (February 11, 1939 – June 19, 2014 ) http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/20/gerry-goffin-five-of-his-best-songs

Robert Randolph and the Family Band ~ The March ~ @ Nathan Phillips Square Sunday TD DOWNTOWN JAZZ

5:20 For Your Inflammation

*Arsenals ~ Evil ~ @ The Orbit Room tonight 
Foxy Shazam ~ Unstoppable @ Lee's Palace Tuesday
*A Tribe Called Red ~ General Generations ~ NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY SATURDAY
*Tanya Tagaq ~ Rabbit ~ Animism POLARIS PRIZE NOMINEE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY SATURDAY
NOMO ~ The Book Of Right On ~ Mbira Night tonight @ Island Cafe



5:45 Slipping The Surly Bands

*Miranda Mulholland ~ Bar Rage ~ Whipping Boy NEW DISK
*Poor Angus ~ Something I Can't See ~ Gathering
*Mike Celia ~ Dry Out ~ Falling Backwards NEW DISK @ The Local Thursday, 26 June
LP ~ Levitator ~ Forever For Now NEW DISK ~ in Cleveland tonight


6:05 Ubiquitous Incandescence

*Gathering Sparks ~ Louisiana Blues ~ @ The Tranzac Sunday 7:30 Singalong Soiree ~ BEATLES NIGHT!

*The Jerry Cans ~ Qanuhingittug ~ Aakuluk ~ @ The Tranzac Saturday 9 p.m. NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY SATURDAY

*Jasmine Netsena ~ Hold On / Interview / Sweet Companion ~ Take You With Me NEW DISK @ Free Times Cafe Tuesday, 25 June pwyc ~ VOTE HERE > http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com/artists/jasmine-netsena/ 



6:25 Penitent Anguish Sheen

Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters ~ Good News ~ Good News NEW DISK

*Jane Bunnett & Maqueque ~ Ain't No Sunshine NEW DISK ~ Opened TD DOWNTOWN JAZZ last night

*Elizabeth Shepherd ~ Born To Be Blue ~@ Musideum Saturday 7p.m. & 9 p.m. & @ Nathan Phillips Square Monday 12 noon TD DOWNTOWN JAZZ


6:40 Question 'n'  Dancer

The Dell Vikings ~ Cool Shake ~ The Very Best Of...

*Jane's Party ~ 'Til You Got Yours @ The R.O.M. tonight for SUNBURN

*JD EDwards Band ~ This House Will Stand ~ @ Hugh's Room tonight for In Cash We Trust


Charlie Parker remixed by DJ Spooky ~ Koko ~ The Savoy Remixes with a cosmic dusting of Toronto Music Listings sprinkled liberally o'ertop




*Clara Engel ~ A Pound of Flesh in Particular Shards ~ Looking - Glass Fire NEW DISK @ Jam Factory Co.
2 Matilda St., Toronto, Ontario at 3:00 p.m. Sunday







Friday, June 20, 2014

Jasmine Netsena and National Aboriginal Day Saturday

Toronto celebrates the Indigenous Arts Festival this weekend honouring the contributions, heritage and future of Aboriginal, Metis, Non-Status and Inuit Canadians...

My guest on the show today will be
Jasmine Netsena, 

She will be appearing at the Free Times Cafe, 8:30 Tuesday, with Missy Knott, 

presenting her debut disk, a finely crafted collection of resonant  country and blues entitled
Take You With Me

I advise you to allow her to do just that




Elsewhere and Otherwise:

 June 20, 6:30 to 10 p.m.; June 21, 2 to 11:45 p.m.; June 22, 2 to 10 p.m.
Location: Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
Festival details: http://www.toronto.ca/fortevents 

- Sunrise Ceremony and Flag Raising, June 21 at 5:30 a.m.
Location: City Hall podium roof, 100 Queen St. W. 

- Na-Me-Res Pow Wow, June 21, with grand entry at noon
Location: Wells Hill Park, 145 Hilton Ave. at Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue West
More details: 416-651-6750 ext. 2233

- Aboriginal History Month celebration, June 26 from noon to 8 p.m.
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square
This event is sponsored by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. More information: http://www.ncct.on.ca