Pub Jam November 2012

[lighthead2toe]

Hello friends.

Well, we're very close to the two month mark of Gord's Massey Hall Concerts and of course to our usual Friday afternoon pub jam event at McVeigh's Pub located on the Southwest corner of Church and Richmond Streets, very close to Massey Hall and the downtown Toronto Hotels.

We welcome all to join us anytime after 2PM, Friday, November the 16th, and of course anyone who would like to come on board for a tune or two on stage, we'll do the very best to accommodate all.

This year's event is gearing up be an interesting one with a little sort of twist or two which should prove to be quite entertaining.

Because of the uncertainty of who will show up it remains as a sort of "wait and see" event but please feel free to send along a private email if need be and we'll try and be as helpful as possible.

In the meantime, to all who we've been in contact with and hope to make the pub jam an eventful one, I:

"Thank you for the promises you've made. I know I can't complain."

Thanks for the great tunes Gord.

RJ.

[buzzard]

Hey Ron,

Can't wait for the Massey shows and for the pub jam. Always a good time. I'll be there, as Tommy Hunter used to sign off, "Good Lord willin'".

Thanks for all your efforts in putting this together.

Brian

[lighthead2toe]

Great hearing from you Brian and it will be great you can make it for the fun time we hope will happen: "Good Lord willin" as ol' Tommy used to say.

I'm merely just the ideologue here though as it's the talented folks who come on board are the ones who make it work.

"Forgive us Lord if we run to you," as Gord writes in his song "Forgive Me Lord."

[T.G.]

Count me in as usual, on bass here and there and perhaps a tune or two with an acoustic guitar.

[lighthead2toe]

It will be great to see you again TG and yes, a tune or two on the acoustic guitar would be cool. And also a nice surprise.

Being the faithful pub jammer guy you are we'll confirm you as being on the bill!

Available for your convenience will be the instruments shown here:

A 1967 Martin D18 and a 1964 Gibson B45 twelve string.

"They cried for more and he replied "why sure,"__ and he played one just for free."

[T.G.]

Oh my oh my, those instruments do look inviting indeed, they sure put the shame to my Yamaha!

[lighthead2toe]

The Yamaha is actually quite the interesting guitar.

To get the Martin D18 I traded in a hand crafted one that I bought for $65.00 (in 1965) and to this day I really miss that sweet sound it had.

No regrets of course about getting the Martin but those early Yamaha guitars were well made and as it turned out my Yamaha was sold the same day it was traded in.

Subsequently I bought another one and use it regularly. It has a great "bottom end" richness about it and it's easy to play.

Gord's luthier, John Laroque at "Ring Music" in Toronto set it for me and he really liked the guitar. Gave it a lot of stars.

RJ.

[Bill]

Oh, how I wish I could get back guitars I sold over the years! A '64 Gibson B45-N, a '68 Brazillian Rosewood Martin D35, a 1980 Martin D28, an American made Telecaster...sigh! Even an early Martin rip off Takamine 12 string!

[Sydney Steve]

Well I'll be there (the word "pub" in the venue iced that little issue). I will have come some distance around the globe with the sole intent of seeing this legendary show and if your participants are no good I don't know what I'll do ....
Maybe I'll see if anyone is playing later that evening.

Plus I can add quite a bit in terms of musical skills. Lip syncing some of the lyrics - (likely to be the wrong verse unfortunately). Toe tapping just out of time due to a highly successful quadruple rhythm bypass .
And as for my guitar...well I am, without wishing to big note myself too much, I may say something of a picker. Err perhaps I should clarify. I can pick a guitar out if it’s in a line up with a clarinet , trombone and drums. Beyond that not so much to offer. Is a beer drinker any use ?

[charlene]

Beer drinkers are required! You're IN!
lol

[johnfowles]

Well I'll be there I can pick a guitar out if it’s in a line up with a clarinet , trombone and drums. Beyond that not so much to offer. Is a beer drinker any use ?
I am really looking forwards to seeing you play the fool as usual Stephan:headbang:

[lighthead2toe]

Oh, how I wish I could get back guitars I sold over the years! A '64 Gibson B45-N, a '68 Brazillian Rosewood Martin D35, a 1980 Martin D28, an American made Telecaster...sigh! Even an early Martin rip off Takamine 12 string!

Yes, some things we do in life never seem to leave us Bill, especially when it comes to our cherished possessions.
I still dream about that old Yamaha guitar, as I do about a house I once had to sell in Toronto.

[lighthead2toe]

For the folks who will be traveling by air for the concerts the Toronto transportation system is very good for getting to all points in the city and back.

www.ttc.ca will have all the necessary information and there's a ground transsportation booth in the airport which can also provide assistance.
The Toronto folks are quite friendly so don't be afraid to ask for help with directions if need be.

An adult fare is $3.00, or if you're a senior like me it's $2.00 (a Canadian "toonie" coin)

Also as Char mentions here, the pub is a great place for anyone who enjoys a good pint of beer, so Steve, you'll be in good hands and it will be nice connecting with you.

RJ.

[charlene]

http://www.ttc.ca/Riding_the_TTC/Airport_service.jsp

The DELTA CHELSEA Hotel along with a few other downtown hotels also have a shuttle service to/from the airport.

[Patti]

B767 night landing YYZ (Toronto) - YouTube

[T.G.]

The Yamaha is actually quite the interesting guitar.

To get the Martin D18 I traded in a hand crafted one that I bought for $65.00 (in 1965) and to this day I really miss that sweet sound it had.

No regrets of course about getting the Martin but those early Yamaha guitars were well made and as it turned out my Yamaha was sold the same day it was traded in.

Subsequently I bought another one and use it regularly. It has a great "bottom end" richness about it and it's easy to play.

Gord's luthier, John Laroque at "Ring Music" in Toronto set it for me and he really liked the guitar. Gave it a lot of stars.

RJ.

Well as luck would have it, Long and McQuade had its annual Attic Sale at the flagship Bloor Street location this weekend and, after waiting in line for about 45 minutes to get in, I set my eyes on a nice hand-crafted, Canadian-made Seagull acoustic with a requisite pickup. Ironically, I had passed up a Seagull when a purchased the Yamaha about a decade ago. It had come down to one of the two guitars. So I thought I'd make up for lost time and take advantage of the $120 off deal and see whether it had been the right choice or not. Oh well, I've got both now LOL

(The shopping adventure continued on from there to other fine instruments of various sorts and, dare I say, I shudder to think what my next credit card bill will be like.)

[lighthead2toe]

Congrats on your new purchase TG and your post leads me to mention an important matter to alert the folks to who travel with instruments etc.

Professional equipment thieves are out there and it would be unwise to leave your equipment out sight or anywhere where it's not protected.

Many entertainers, including Gord have been victimized by these odious types.

Also, November weather in Toronto can be unpredictable and sometimes we catch colds etc. so it's probably wise to boost the immune system, especially when traveling by air.

Many of us have our own way of dealing with this. I find that ColdFX, although I hate having to take that kind of stuff, works really well for me.

Just trying to stay "into things more happy than blue."

Cheers,

RJ.

[Patti]

I wonder if you can buy lysol in little 3 oz. spray cans. Buy several and spray the whole plane.

also, watch out for a certain brand of peanut butter:

http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/70395/group/homepage/

[lighthead2toe]

Hey guys,

Just one month from today right about this time we'll be on stage at McVeigh's Pub with the show rollin' right along.

Things are beginning to firm up and we hope to have a nice afternoon's entertainment in store for all who can attend.

Please feel free to join us up there for a tune or two. We'll do our best to accommodate anyone who would like to take part.

We want to hear it from you.

RJ.

[T.G.]

A rather outlandish thought to be sure but ... can someone put it in Gord's ear to drop in on the Jam? LOL

[lighthead2toe]

"One never knows where the good times go......"

No, I wouldn't think he would drop in.

If he remembers anything at all about me it would be the time at a party when I offered him a beer when he already had several going.

That was a lot of years ago but there are baskets that get carried along the way in life.

Sort of like the song "Hotel California. "You can check out but you can never leave."

[T.G.]

Ah well, life's too short to carry over baskets from earlier times. Today is always a new day.

[lighthead2toe]

You're a positive guy TG and it's great having you in the camp. Thanks for the supporting words. RJ.

[jj]

We welcome all to join us anytime after 2PM, Friday

what a treat for newbies...you will be a grand host and performer, as always, sir

will they be cutting the show off at 5pm this year? anything brewing Saturday?

cheers, guys

[lighthead2toe]

Thank you Sir James. Your words are always most kind.

I would say we'll be winding it down pretty good after 4:30PM as many folks would need a break, have dinner and prepare for the Friday night concert.
On Saturday we'll be having the dinner at 5PM and from there off to the final "Birthday" concert.

Doesn't get much better than this.

RJ.

[Melissa]

.......and I sure hope we'll be singing Happy Birthday to him when he walks out on the stage Sat. night.
Come on, folks, surely we can do this, eh? :)

Melissa

[charlene]

well you know we will! and you know he will, as usual, be modest and befuddled, slightly embarrassed and get right into the first tune...
lol

[niffer]

Is singing Happy Birthday permissible on the other nights as well?

[charlene]

well permission or not we've done it!
so the answer is YES..
;)

[niffer]

Good to know...for those of us who can't stay through Saturday ;)

[charlene]

glad to be of assistance..see ya on the 15th..be ready to sing..

[niffer]

Ready, willing, and...well, definitely ready and willing ;)

[Melissa]

Oooooooo........verrrrrrrrrrr.........meeeeee..... ......

(gee, that's what I usually sing during GL concerts)

:)

Melissa

[charlene]

we can do that too Melissa..I know my effort at BBKings in September didn't go over well...
;)

[niffer]

I've always been too shy to try it...but with enough support, I would give it a go :)

[charlene]

Apparently my timing was off...lol
Anyone who knows me knows I have ZERO musical ability of ANY kind..apparently being fortified with wine doesn't help.
Gordon just shook his head....

[lighthead2toe]

Hey guys,

We can rehearse it on Friday at the jam. Maybe key of "G?"

Great to hear you will be joining us again Melissa. Gotta' have you up there for a tune or few!

[Melissa]

Looking forward to it, Ron! I'll spend the next couple of weeks digging out and practicing some very obscure, rarely-performed GL tunes, in order to provoke the response I usually get of "where the heck did she get THAT one?" !!!!

:)

Melissa

[johnfowles]

Looking forward to it, Ron! I'll spend the next couple of weeks digging out and practicing some very obscure, rarely-performed GL tunes, in order to provoke the response I usually get of "where the heck did she get THAT one?" !!!!

:)

Melissa

LOL
There is one relative rarity that you do In My Honest Opinion extremely well Melissa as I previously commended you about in my thread starting posting at
http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20795
thread subject see below
this is a little ditty whose full title
Gord once (May 1981) gave as
"Heaven Help The Devil May He Have A few Unpleasant Memories"
I hope you do that again on Friday the 16th
"request"
(or any of the great rarities from the United Artists albums
I'd like to suggest "Apology" or "Does Your Mother Know" (the final chord sequence on the recording of the latter is a killer
(G) (D) (E) (A)))

[lighthead2toe]

Looking forward to it, Ron! I'll spend the next couple of weeks digging out and practicing some very obscure, rarely-performed GL tunes, in order to provoke the response I usually get of "where the heck did she get THAT one?" !!!!

:)

Melissa

That's what we like to hear Melissa.

I'll make sure you're comfortable up there on that stage.

RJ.

[lighthead2toe]

Well, we have just one week to go till the pub jam event and the Toronto long range weather forecast is looking pretty good.

It is jacket, sweater type weather, which is typical for this time of year.

The whole week is supposed to be sunny with a possibility of rain on Saturday, the 17th, Gord's birthday, so hopefully, if it happens it will be "In the Early Morning."

For those of us who (have to) drive and park downtown please be sure to read carefully the instructions on the meter machines where you pay to park. Usually there is a different rate for daytime and evening parking.

There is a lot beside the pub and that's where I usually park.

If you park there for the pub jam in the afternoon and continue to stay parked for the concert please ensure that you have the necessary payment coverage for the evening as well.

The good thing is that everything is within a short walking distance to Massey Hall.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new friends as well.

Safe travels to all.

RJ.

[formerlylavender]

The pub jam sounds like it will be so cool! But once again I won't be there:(

Can't wait to hear all about it though. Have fun everyone!

[lighthead2toe]

Back again folks now that the week of festivities revolving around the Gordon Lightfoot Massey Hall concerts has come to a most successful completion.

Once again our pub jam event went off with a big bang and McVeigh's pub was just about full throughout the duration of the afternoon.

To those who teamed up to make it happen we give a huge thanks:

Johann Lowenberg with Scott Williamson on bass.
Johann and Terry Clements, Gordon's lead guitar player who recently passed away were close friends and also played together from time to time at the "King Henry's Arms" pub in Aurora, Ontario. Scott is a seasoned bass player and also has played with the best of them.

Paul Bartlett of course is no stranger to us and a student of the late Red Shea.
Paul played a selection of compositions by Johann Sebastien Bach.
The works produced by Red Shea as lead guitar player for Gordon Lightfoot became an integral part of the Gordon Lightfoot sound.

A pleasant surprise came when we had Anne Przykucki join us with three well rehearsed Gord songs to which she put on her very own individual spin.
We've see Anne make the long trek to the Massey concerts many times and now that she's made that first initial step up to the microphone; well, I think we'll be hearing more from Anne next time round. Great having you on board Anne. You did great up there.

And to mix in a "wee Irish bit of flair" in an Irish pub, my singing partner, Syd Baxter along with "super sound man," Mike Hewitt on bass, we delivered on our "twist" with a few Irish ballads and subtle stealing guitar lick from Gord's "Same Old Obsession" in our final tune called "Bunclody." It was laid to rest that way.

And to make it really sweet with her gentle voice and clean guitar work Melissa Jo once again made the lengthy trek from Austin Texas to our stage and boy, does she have "presence" up there. Melissa is a seasoned performer and plays gigs around the area where she lives. Wonderful performance Melissa.

And much to our surprise, five year old Seamus Gogarty Carlisle took the stage and together with "Grandpa Jones" on guitar sang "Sit Down Young Stranger."
Not your average "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" type of tune for a five year old but it sure is proof that the music of Gordon Lightfoot reaches all age groups; and penetrates as well. That song is not short on powerful lyrics.
Seamus also sang "The Magnificent Toy" and you really had to be there to understand just exactly how he put his own twist on that one. You might say he did it with a "refined acoustic POP." Boy, did we have fun doing that!

Following Seamus we were treated to a most pleasant surprise by Andy Mauck, a new friend whom I'd met during the week, and much to my delight, a guy who knows Gordon Lightfoot material well and can make it work up there on the B45 12 string and the Martin six string.
Andy was accompanied on lead guitar by Brady Corcoran, son of John Corcoran, both new friends. Well, let me tell ya; those boys can make the sounds you hear on Gord's records.
A follow up chat with Andy told me he attends all the Massey shows so we look forward to seeing Andy and team next round as well.

To wind down the afternoon we had our regular friend, Rex, aka "the Rez" as we know him at Corfid and he pulled off one rare piece of work by Gord: "Black Day in July."
He got into that one pretty good up there!
Rex is a piano guy but also plays guitar. He and lady friend "Eva" from Germany always come for the Massey shows. It's always great to see them together.

This time we missed a few of our key contributors due to work and family commitments but overall we hope it was a fun day for all who attended.

Some folks took pics and video that we eventually will have available.

"What is mine, I will share."

"I'd Do It Again."

RJ.

[charlene]

Brady Corcoran

Brady Corcoran 11 16 2012 - YouTube

Andy Mauck

AndyMauck Shadows 11 16 2012 - YouTube

AndyMauck IYCRMM 11 16 2012 - YouTube

AndyMauck I'llTagAlong 11 16 2012 - YouTube

AndyMauck 10Degrees 11 16 2012 - YouTube

[T.G.]

Regrets for missing this year's event, my father came down with a medical emergency that I had to attend to. Looks like everyone had a good time as usual.

[charlene]

We missed you up there onstage! I hope everything with your father has been resolved...and all is well.
Always a good time with friends and fine music!

[lighthead2toe]

TG.
Sorry to hear the news about your Dad. We have to take good care of our Dads as we only get one in life.

Things have been hoppin' busy since we arrived back from the Massey experience with Christmas being so close and of course the Lightfoot Tribute shows at Hugh's Room creeping up in mid January.
Don't want to miss out on any of the good things life has to offer. Us Lightfoot fans are a lucky lot with him still out there performing magnificently as he does.

Myk (boomin' bassman) tells me he recorded the tunes directly from the sound system in the pub and he's working to put something together to share. It's a time consuming process unfortunately.
Will stay posted.
RJ.

[T.G.]

That's great! Looking forward to the footage.

[T.G.]

And thanks for the kind thoughts ... fortunately, my father is eating again after about three weeks and will be around to see his 81st birthday tomorrow!

[charlene]

wonderful news! I hope he has cake too!!!

[T.G.]

It just might happen :)