PLAY INTERVIEW WITH ROSE COUSINS

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ALRIGHT!  A great week on the way…

NOVEMBER 1-7
Chop Chop Festival for Foodies in Uptown Saint John
The fine chefs of uptown Saint John are chopping up their best…the wine is fine, the lunches are delish, the dinners are divine…and don’t forget the ‘just for this occasion,’ Chop Chop Plate!  All week participating establishments will be offering unique specials daily. Experience something new and fabulous each and every day! For more information: (506) 633-9797 www.uptownsj.com

• Diary within my Head/Lysistrata (Mon 2, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $25)  www.clydeawray.com
• CCI Packing & Shipping 2-day workshop (Tue 3 & Wed 4, New Brunswick Museum, 9am-5pm – $95 members-$110 non-members)  Lunch & refreshments included.
• CHOP CHOP meets SIP SIP – Food & Wine pairing course with Craig Pinhey (Tue 3, Happinez Wine Bar, 7pm – $50 + HST)  Limited seats (20) available, confirmed upon payment 634-7340/ info@happinezwinebar.com
• John McDermott (Tue 3, Imperial Theatre, 7:30pm – $40)
• Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads (Wed 4, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• All you can eat rib night! (Wed 4, Boilerworks, all night)
• Nikkie Gallant & Ryan Leblanc (Wed 4, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $15-$24)
• Open Mic. with Sean Roach (Wed 4, O’Leary’s Pub)
• Dance Quest 2009 (Thu 5, SJ Trade & Convention Centre,
• Rose Cousins w/ Royal Wood (Thu 5, The Blue Olive, 8pm – $20)
• Beer 4 Iguana (Thu 5-Sat 7, O’Leary’s Pub – Main Stage, 9pm – regular cover charge)
• Opera NB presents: Topsy Turvy – A night of Gilbert & Sullivan (Fri 6, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $10-$37)
• The Carson Downey Band (Fri 6, The Blue Olive, 9:30pm – $10)
• PRINCESS ST. GRAND RE-OPENING! (Sat 7, Princess St., All day – FREE!)  Opening ceremony @ Saint John Theatre Co.  at 12pm. www.uptownsj.com
• IKEBANA: The art of Japanese flower arranging (Sat 7, Saint John Arts Centre, 10-11:30am – $40)
• Dinner with Queen Victoria’s Parlour Magician (Sat 7, Tanner’s Home Inn – 190 King St. East, 7pm – $80/couple) 
• Shakespeare Society presents A Renaissance Feast (Sat 7, Delta Brunswick Hotel – Trinity Royal Room, 7-10pm – $60) Register @ www.saintjohnshakespeare.ca.   
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Rouyn-Noranda (Sat 7, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16) 
• Emm Gryner (Sun 8, The Blue Olive, 8pm – $15)

With the return of Lilith Fair looming on the horizon, Leah and I have put together our wish list of bands that we’d like to see on the tour.  Leah requested that I let you all know that her original wish list was about 6 times as long as it is now, but I sat on her and gave her noogies until she agreed to shorten it.  I just can’t edit that much.  I don’t have the attention span.  Since we’re huge lesbians, we’ve done this in softball terms for you.  Now let’s get out there and have a clean game!

First to bat, Leah’s Lilith Fair Starting Lineup:

Indigo Girls – Duh. No explanation necessary.

Imogen Heap – Have you ever seen her in concert? She’s amazing. She literally sound-engineers herself while on-stage, creating, looping, mixing and combining distinct sounds to weave together her songs. It’s really incredible to watch.

Missy Higgins – Cute lesbian who plays guitar and piano while simultaneously telling breakup stories in an Australian accent? Yes, please.

Bonnie Raitt – Legendary songwriter and singer who can still belt it out with more soul than just about anyone. She manages to look better with age, a phenomenon I like to call Diane Lane Syndrome.

Edie Carey – Such a beautiful voice and every time I’ve seen her perform, her between-song banter has had the audience in stitches. Voted Most Likely to be Famous in my one-person Most Likely To Be Famous Poll 2008.

Rose Cousins – Incredible songwriting and soulful lyrics. She’s big in Canada. It isn’t just a t-shirt, it’s the real thing.

Garvey’s Lilith Fair Starting Lineup:

Tegan and Sara – Duh.  They are two of the hottest musicians out there right now so I don’t see why Lilith Fair wouldn’t do everything in their power to get T&S on the bill.  Not to mention that they’re also Lilith Fair alum.  And I’d like to have a litter of finger babies with either of them.

Gossip - Beth Ditto is THE diva of the Indie/Punk scene.  She owns the stage, has an amazing voice, and she and her music are totally inspirational for us gay gals and boys.  As a side note, I’ll probably start a Beth Ditto religion sometime soon.  The Church of Dittology.  I wonder if Tom Cruise will join… we will be gay friendly, after all.

Brandi Carlile – Brandi’s music is already in the vein of Lilith Fair type music.  She’s friends with, and often tours with the Indigo Girls.  She’s a big mo.  Her latest album is one of the best of 2009… need I go on?

Bat For Lashes – Bat For Lashes appeals to my most emotional, moody, stereotypically girly side.  So… since this is an all chick extravaganza, BFL clearly belongs.

Daphne Willis – Daphne is my newest local fave and also my main pick for taking over the world in 2010.

*Leah already put Edie Carey and Rose Cousins in the starting lineup.  I’d like to put them on stage together.  They’ve played together quite a bit and, while they’re both amazing solo artists, I like their chemistry onstage and their voices sound beautiful together.

Leah’s Bench Warming List:

Fergie – Went from Isn’t That The Girl From The Black-Eyed Peas? to Doesn’t She Have A Few Songs And Isn’t She Married To Josh Duhamel? No voice, and a product of the Music Marketing Machine.

Jessica – Again, Music Marketing Machine. Can she play an instrument?

Miley – I should just shorten Music Marketing Machine to M3. So, M3 and her whole existence is designed to 1) build the Hannah Montana brand and 2) fulfill her father’s dreams of success despite a lackluster mullet-topped career.

Ashlee – See Jessica.

**Garvey agrees with Leah’s list of pine riders and would like to add Katy Perry for having the most annoying song ever written about something I love to do (kiss girls).  Garvey would also like to point out that Leah clearly just hates mullets.

2 weeks from today is August 1st.  I don’t know how the summer has gone by that fast either.  Last night’s program which might not have been heard outside of Kingston.  Heard of problems with the online feed.  So for those who missed it here you go.  A show with a tonne of different artists.

http://www.archive.org/details/SaltWaterMusicJuly17th2009Hour1

Lots of music in this hour. This is a packed line up.

First up two singers I met at the Ian Foster concert the previous weekend. Andrea Simms-Karp and Ron Leary. Then a lot of female singer/songwriters from the East Coast.

Sherry Ryan, Rose Cousins, Colleen Power, Amelia Curran, Catherine MacLellan, Kelly Sloan, Meghan Smith and Ruth Minnikin.

http://www.archive.org/details/SaltWaterMusicJuly17th2009Hour2

Mike Plume Band, Tim Chiasson and Morning Fold, Christina Martin, Norma MacDonald, Jenn Grant.

Brand new music from Teresa Ennis, from her upcoming album ‘Stars’ which will be out in the fall.

End the show with Ian Foster’s first CD as he’s wrapping up his Ontario tour. And about to head out to the B.C. for the first time as part of his summer tour.

http://www.archive.org/details/SaltWaterMusicJune19thHour1

Salt Water Music June 19th Hour 2

Technically 45 minutes because I let the previous show run long, political show had some people from City Council Live in Studio.  That’s rare so that’s why this is shorter than usual.

Kicked it off with Allison Crowe as she wrapped up her eventful tour of Europe.

Then some more of Joel Plaskett’s triple album.  After that some solo work from Rose Cousins and Ana Egge who contributed to Joel’s new album.

http://www.archive.org/details/SaltWaterMusicJune19thHour2

Salt Water Music June 19th Hour 2

Couple of songs from Pat Lepoidevin to start off the second hour.

Mix of Jessica Rhaye. One song from her new CD, one from her previous album and one live track.

Continue with Scott Macleod. And end the show with some demos and live tracks from Ian Foster.

First up another music video.  They must be coming back or something.  This time Joel Plaskett’s first single from his triple album ‘Three’.  “Through & Through & Through” has Rose Cousins and Ana Egge on backing vocals.  Both make appearances in this video.  Lot of East Coast scenery in this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap_vWmhRHh0

So I’ll play more of Joel’s disc[s] on Friday night.  Along with Rose and Ana since they’re also Canadian content.

Interview with Ian Foster might air next Friday.  If the CD’s get here in time.  His tour hits Quebec, Ontario and BC in July.  So we have a little leeway to air the interview before the tour starts.  Most likely will do the full 2 hour show on Ian’s music.  Since there is two albums worth of new music coming my way.

Another interview I’m closer to lining up.  Not a musician, but someone who has covered the music scene on the East Coast music for years.  Could be a text interview, phone or possibly both.

Lastly, a DawgFM update.  Hearing was last Friday and sounded like got heated once in while.  Not the parts with people from the blues station but other parts.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/transcripts/2009/tb0612.html

Chairperson was getting annoyed I think, read this exchange about frequency maps.

1106   THE CHAIRPERSON: You are going to file these maps — one that is legible?

1107   MR. BRADET: Yes.

—

Ouch, sounds like a teacher calling you out in class. LOL.

DawgFM’s Facebook group did have an update.  Sounds like no decision till September.  Not surprising with government.  Think they do a lot of stuff during the summer?  Nope.

Does sound hopeful for the blues gang.  Maybe at a different frequency then they wanted but I’ll be cautiously optimistic.

“I got so much to ask you
It’s never the time
Why would I spoil a perfect evening?
We’ve gotten this far on being polite
Plus, I know you’re proud of me

When I was made
did they leave out a part?
Did you know this,
and choose to guard the secret?
You said everybody’s born
with a beautiful heart
What was wrong with hers
and why did you leave it?”- Edie Carey, If I Start To Cry

I’m writing this on one of the nicest days in months. I unlocked my window for the first time this season and am feeling the breeze and hearing the ice cream truck making its way throughout the streets of my development, getting louder and louder. It’s quiet. I’m listening to some Rose Cousins. All is well.

But here is what is happening outside of my room- Ed is moving in. Ed is my mom’s boyfriend for the last eight months or so, and today and I helped him carry his plasma screen TV into our house, and move our shitty JVC into my mom’s bedroom. Their bedroom, now. I also helped carry in bags of clothes, shoeboxes, dressers, and various appliances. I came home today to find his Harley Davidson in our shed.

Let me backtrack here. I like Ed. Way more than I thought I could I like Ed. He’s incredibly easy going, has a good sense of humor, and worships the ground my Mom walks on. And in the last eight months, they haven’t had a single fight. There has been no yelling, swearing, doors slamming- none of it. He just treats her so well, and I like how happy she is when he’s around. Which is a lot, he’s here pretty much every night, which is a big deal since he lives forty-five minutes away. Still, after work he drives down here and my mom cooks and he has dinner with us. Usually he sleeps here too, wakes up at some ungodly hour I can’t even fathom, and then drives all the way back up. Meanwhile, he pays a ridiculous amount of money for the three bedroom house he lives in and barely uses. So last week, when Mom told me that she and Ed were going to be taking the next step and maybe have him move in here, I was more than okay with it. I’d hate to spend two grand a month on a place just to keep my shit, he’s here basically every night anyway, it wouldn’t be any different- all that jazz.

Well then this weird thing happened. I started having sympathy for my Dad, which I haven’t felt throughout this whole process. Because here are the facts: my Dad did things to hurt my mom, she gave him endless chances to make things right, he lied to her and broke every promise he made. As much as I love him and as great a father he is, truth is truth. While I have only ever heard my Mom’s side of the story–Dad and I rarely delve into serious conversations like that–all of what she says can not be hyperbolic, and he has yet to deny anything or plead his case. So with that being said, when Mom moved on and started dating Ed, I don’t ever remember feeling bad for my father. And if there was any sympathy, it was brief, and more in the way of me worrying what he’d do with his depression, and hoping he’d be okay. I never wanted them to get back together, and still don’t want them to. That’s absolute.

This past week, my dad passed my mom and Ed driving. Such are the dangers of living in Vineland, of course. I mean, I can’t walk into Wawa or Acme without seeing three people I know, so it was bound to happen. I first heard about it from Mom. She told me that he went out of his way to avoid following them, and later texted her telling her to “get out of his fucking town”. I have learned that this is the way my Dad deals with things, and it’s not right, but it still is. And as small an incident as it was, I can’t imagine how bad that must have sucked for him. Granted, he knew she was dating a guy and that it was getting serious, but it must have hurt like hell to see them together, with Ed driving the car he used to. Ugh.

The part that sucks is, my Dad isn’t moving on. And watching Weeds on Ed’s plasma made me realize that. In just eight months, my mom has, in theory, replaced my father. And I don’t begrudge her not one bit for it. If anything, I’m thrilled for her because finally she has someone who treats her the way she deserves to be treated. And, as I am about to leave for college, I find a lot of comfort in knowing that. But then I think of my Dad, who, despite the shitty stupid things he’s done and still does, is such an incredible father who left and leaves me wanting next to nothing. The trouble is with disassociating one from the other, a task that I’ve yet to master. And the relationship between me and my father has changed drastically since him and my mom were last “together”. It’s tough, because I know he’s hurting so badly over it. He tells my mom that she’s brainwashed me into hating him, and has even told Richard that he doesn’t have a relationship with his son. And that hurts. So so bad that hurts.

Why can’t things with him be easier? Well, for one, I think there are too many elephants in the room. I have too many questions that I really don’t want answered. I’ve seen my mother in hysterics over him, having on multiple times, to bring her to the hospital after one of their arguments. Those things I just can’t forgive, but I wish like hell I could. I wish like hell that my happiness for my mom’s new life could cancel out the memories of her old one and that I could rebuild what was once an incredibly strong bond between me and my father. But then there’s this other angle of – what happens if I were to do that? I wonder if, subconsciously, my mom would hate me for it. She’d never admit it to me or to herself, but it would be there. And I couldn’t blame her for it. I mean, I’m trying to love a man that hurt her. I know, realistically, that she doesn’t see it that way and that’s why she’s an incredible mother, but still. It’s so tough.

Last week my dad had his first softball game and texted me afterward, saying he played great and “had no one to share it with”. Like a dagger in my heart. It’s in those moments when I forget, briefly, all the hurt he’s caused. Because no one deserves to be that lonely, ever. Then again, a few days ago, he told me “it gets lonely at the Wingate”. These subtle remarks are the best he can do, and I understand that. But whenever we do dinner or do go out somewhere, it’s as nice as it is fake. Going out to Martino’s every Monday night is not going to do anything in the way of solving whatever problems we have. I think he thinks it will, and that’s where the real problem is. I want for things to be better, especially with me leaving for college that he’s paying for in September. There’s this big fat chunk of guilt that I need to deal with in regards to that, too. He’s sacrificing an incredible amount of money and working so hard for me to have a better life and go to Emerson, but part of me wonders if that’s just retribution. If he feels so bad that this is his way of apologizing. I don’t know, him and I just need to talk.

So what does all this multifaceted confusion mean for me and my relationship? I mean, how on earth can I ever succeed at something that I’ve learned is next to impossible, firsthand, for the entirety of my life? I know how bad it can be, how hurtful, how dangerous, how evil, how angry, how sick. Knowing all that, why should I even try? To be better, maybe. I need that drug they used to give women who’d just given labor to forget how terribly painful it was. But maybe I’ll be better in spite of it and I just don’t know that yet. I’m not convinced of that yet.

That isn’t to say things aren’t going well with Shelley and I, because they actually are. But I feel like I’m less interested in her now that we’re together than I was before, which is a terrible thing to say. Part of me thinks it’s some sort of wisdom kicking in, and I’m learning about putting eggs in one basket. But what I actually think it is is fear. I’m terrified of the thing I’ve wanted for so long, how funny is that. I mean, she likes me. A lot. And that’s not me being egotistical or conceited, that is a thing she has told me. And as much as I agree with whatever she says– like how good we are for one another, how awesome our chemistry is– I’m still extremely hesitant about it all, almost to the point where I consider stopping it all now. I don’t know when that click happened, because I can vividly remember how intense my feelings were when we started getting closer. They aren’t like that now and I don’t know why. I can’t go back to that place where, when I was with her, I wasn’t thinking about anything else.

I mean, last night we were together and it was fantastic. We were in the jacuzzi together, then just hanging out, making out, doing whatever- it was fun. Oh, backtrack really quick. We decided that we weren’t going to have sex until at least June. Really it was more her decision than mine. She’s just coming out of a pretty fucked up relationship, where most of the fuckedupness was in regards to the sex itself, so I totally understand her wanting to wait. And I was fine with it. Fine, totally fine. But then, we were alone. And we were making out and feeling around and I realized that I’ve never not been able to have sex. (Ironically I had two texts on my phone from Marcus and Matt. Strange fucking world.) And then I started to resent myself for wanting it so badly. I mean, we’ve been going out for a week. I shouldn’t be ready for that at all- this is my first real relationship in forever. I need to unmute the voice that keeps reminding me- Don’t fuck this up, Don’t fuck this up, Don’t fuck this up. Because, as weird and confusing as this all is, there are certain moments of clarity when I realize I’d really like this to work.

I’m wondering if maybe, subconsciously, these two things have anything to do with one another. I feel like they could. I mean, realizing that I am the product of a failed love- it doesn’t make me feel good or at all optimistic. Idk. I’m still happy, and this isn’t to discredit the previous post at all. I’m very happy for Mom and Ed, I love my father, and am really enjoying myself with Shelley. I guess things just make more sense when I don’t think about them as much. This is me folding my map and letting it happen, Susan.

I cannot get enough of this track, I listen to it on repeat for hours at a time, I think it’s a problem.

Things that make this track awesome

• Horns
• Harmonies
• Call and Answer
• 60s/70s Throw Back

I think my favourite part of this track is the call and answer. Plaskett employs Alberta’s PEI’s Rose Cousins and New York’s Ana Egge to aid him on this album and they do a fantastic job on this track, perfectly blending innocence and wisdom. Not only are the vocals fantastic, but the lyrics are engaging. Who else manages to reference the Berlin Wall and April Wine in the same song?

Why is this song so gosh darn catchy?

Hear it on MySpace

If you were raised in Nova Scotia, music is in your soul, even if you cannot carry a tune or play a musical instrument – that would be me!

Last week we attended three events featuring lots of great music.

Wednesday night I went to see Poor Boy presented by The Zuppa Theatre Co. at the Neptune Theatre. A really good original play with lots of wonderful music by Jason MacIsaac and David Christensen. Congratulations Ben, Sue and Alex on a great production.

Friday it was off to the Symphony Nova Scotia concert featuring Rose Cousins and Chris “Old Man” Ludeke. Really “young man” Ludeke. Fabulous concert, sponsored by Nova Scotia Come to Life.

Sunday, we were lucky enough to attend a house concert at Paula and Mike Fredrick’s house. Wonderful, intimate setting to enjoy the music of Ian Sherwood. Lots of good food too.:-).

This week we are back to making hammocks. I’ve been doing a lot of product testing while enjoy the great CDs we purchased.

EDDIE’S ATTIC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Greetings Attic Fans!

Wow – what an amazing week of music we just had.  Nashville’s Angel Snow (who’s also playing this coming Sunday) won our 29th bi-annual Open Mic Shoot Out, the extremely talented Kate Campbell and Ellis Paul, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Edwin McCain, Lisa Carver, and Rose Cousins.  Every night was a memorable one.  Thanks to all these folks or performing and thanks to you for being here.  And that was just a warm up for December……..

Our good friends Adrianne and Garrison Starr return this Thursday, and the very popular “Ten Out Of Tennessee” tour returns for a Christmas show next Tuesday, featuring Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig, Jeremy Lister & many more.   One of this month’s “MUST SEE” shows is this Friday night when Caroline Herring and Paul Burch – both gems – will be performing. 

Just another reminder about Music Trivia every Thursday night, and the return of our popular (and free) Happy Hour every Friday after work, both taking place on our now much drier/warmer patio (thanks to the new awning). 

And the Music Room Christmas tree is up!

Looking forward to seeing you soon.
      — Bob

 PATIO HAPPENINGS

There is a whole new patio forming at Eddie’s Attic.  In addition to the cosmetic changes, we’re also beginning nightly events and drink specials.  Check them out:

We will welcome a local, well-known musician in every Monday night from 6-9 pm to hang out on the patio and commune with other local music industry professionals.  Come to improve your craft, get ideas, ask question of the professionals, or meet new band members.
 
From 5-7 pm it’s knitting and socializing.  Come with your yarn, knitting needles and topics for conversation.
 

Bring your fiddle, flute, harp, or other Irish instrument and join in the Celtic Jam taking place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
 
Bring a team and play music trivia every Thursday night starting at 8:30 pm.  But arrive early in order to grab a table and dinner!  Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams to be used on a return visit:

1st place = $25 bar tab
2nd place = $15 bar tab
3rd place = $10
 

Free patio buffet for everyone from 5-7 pm.

$3 well liquor, draft beer, & wine specials for teachers, school officials, and government employees.
 
Rotating DJ each week, spinning everything from house, trance, break beats, funk, retro beats, & old school hip hop.  Music starts at 9:30 pm and will play till close. (Starts December 6th)
 

All Atlanta food service industry employees can enjoy $3 well liquor, draft beer, & wine from 10 pm till close.  A late night food menu will also be available.  And you may not know that, unlike the City of Atlanta, the City of Decatur can serve alcohol till 3 am – so we’ll be open LATE! (Starts November 30th)
 

THIS WEEK

WED – Moira Nelligan (Christmas CD Release)
THURS – Adrianne & Garrison Starr
FRI – Caroline Herring & Paul Burch
SAT – Gareth Asher & Emily Kate Boyd (late show) / Music in the Glen: An Irish Christmas (early show)
SUN – Diane Durrett’s Book Release of “Driving Music City” and show with special guests: Caroline Aiken, Donna Hopkins, Trina Meade & Jayne Olderman (early show) / Amy Courts, Angel Snow (just won our Songwriter’s Open Mic Shootout #29 last week!), Robby Hecht, & Paul Koopman (late show in-the-round)
MON – Songwriters Open Mic
TUES – Ten Out of Tenn Christmas Tour featuring: Griffin House, Katie Herzig, Tyler James, Jeremy Lister, Butterfly Boucher, KS Rhoads, Matthew Perryman Jones, Andy Davis, Trent Dabbs, and Erin McCarley (2 shows!)
 
COMING SOON

December 10 – Tyler Hilton, Stephanie Chapman, & Curtis Peoples
December 11 – Adam Klein (CD release), Don Chambers, & Curley Maple
December 12 – Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowery, & Gill Landry and Nick Jania
December 13 – South 70, Bethany Dick, & Shane Mack
December 14 – Cowboy Envy (early show) / Patty Larkin & Ronnda Cadle (late show)
December 16 – Shawn Mullins & Chuck Cannon *ON SALE TODAY!
December 17 – Shawn Mullins & Alex Woodard *ON SALE TODAY!
December 18 – Jack Williams, Caroline Aiken, & Carrie Johnson
December 19 – The Brilliant Inventions, Matthew Kahler, & Doria Roberts
December 20 – Ed Roland (First Tee of Atlanta Benefit)
December 21 – Ed Roland (Men Stopping Violence Benefit)
December 23 – Comedy Night
December 26 – A Tribute to Writers Who Rock: Michelle Malone, Chris Chandler, Kodac Harrison, Diane Durrett, Tomi and Trina, Ronnda Cadle,  Scott Freeman, Berne’ Poliakoff, Caroline Aiken, Mick Kinney, Elise Witt & others!
December 27 – Brian Webb & Rebecca Loebe
December 30 – Garrett Moore & Evan McHugh
December 31 – A Bluegrass Kinda New Year: Packway Handle Band, Little Country Giants, & The Barn Rats
January 2 – Robinella
January 9 – Girlyman *ON SALE TODAY!
January  13 – Open Screen
January  14 – Tom Rush
January 21 – Bernadette Seacrest
January  22 – Jeremy Aggers (CD Release) & Act of Congress
January 24 – Eric Taylor
January  25 – In-The-Round:  Randall Bramlett, Caroline Aiken, & Geoff Achison
January  28 – Dana Cooper & Susan Gibson
January  29 – Roxie Watson & Laura Blackley
January 30 – Jackson County Line & Angel Taylor *ON SALE FRIDAY 12/5!
January 31 – CHILDREN’S SHOW: Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Sensation
February  17 – Fred Eaglesmith
February   19 – Pierre Bensusan & Shaun Hopper
February  26 – Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines & Doug and Telisha Williams
February   27 – Loudon Wainwright III
March 7 – Maura O’Connell
March 11 – Antje Duvekot, Lucy Wainwright-Roche, & Gregory Douglass
March 22 – Darol Angers & Republic of Strings featuring Scott Nygaard
April 30 – Tom Paxton

I recently had the surprising pleasure to see Canadian singer/songwriter Rose Cousins perform at a local house concert. I say surprising because, if you haven’t noticed yet (and thus don’t read this blog regularly-which I can only assume means you don’t know how to read at all), I’m not a huge fan of singer/songwriter/folky/chick-with-guitar type music. I leave that to my fellow blogger, Coops, and my various lesbo friends who drool over girls with acoustic guitars. Rose Cousins, however, may have turned me.

Rose’s singing seemed completely effortless, and from the moment she hit her first note, I was mesmerized. Since I’m a bit of a novice in this genre, I don’t really have any other musician that I can think of to compare her to. But if I had to make a comparison at all, I’d say this: Sometimes (on preferably cold or rainy days) if I can get an afternoon to myself, I like to curl up in my favorite corner of my couch, next to the window, and just write to my little heart’s content and reflect on life. I don’t know why, but having that time to do nothing but think about myself and my life, always leads me to this sense of happiness and thankfulness. And, that reflection always includes good times, bad times, and all times in between. The constant is that they’re the best times of my life. I’ll sometimes lose myself for incredible stretches of time in these thoughts and memories. That’s what it’s like to listen to Rose Cousins. It’s like losing yourself in the best parts of life.

You can check Rose Cousins out here.

Posted by Garvey

Rose Polenzani with Session Americana
‘Queen Anne’s Lace’

A Google search for Wears The Trousers invariably brings up two or three pages about the fabulous Rose Polenzani, not just because she was a surprise guest of honour in our Pooka interview back in 2005 but also because she loved our review of her album August so much that the opening sentence has graced her PR sheets and such ever since. Which rather begs the question how we didn’t even know she had a new record out until almost a whole month after the fact. Six months if you go from the local rather than national release date. Shame on us. When The River Meets The Sea is actually Rose’s second collaborative album of the year following the beautifully low-key Kings & Queens with former Pooka singer Sharon Lewis on which the original version of ‘Queen Anne’s Lace’ first cropped up. 

The Session Americana version is a different beast altogether. Recorded live off the floor at a studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts back in 2006, it’s a much more vibrant, fleshed out take on the song. As Rose explains, “All those present were free to play any of the studio’s instruments, from a grand piano to a toy piano to a vibraphone, and from over a dozen guitars. The resulting musical arrangements stand as unrepeatable works of chance, friendship and artistry.” Those present included fellow singer-songwriters Jennifer Kimball, Ana Egge and Jordan Caress, as well as the minimum of six musicians that make up Session Americana. When The River Meets The Sea is available through Rose’s website or CDBaby. MP3, tracklist and video after the jump.

MP3: Rose Polenzani with Session Americana, ‘Queen Anne’s Lace‘

BONUS MP3: Rose Polenzani, ‘7 Days‘ [Craig David cover]
BONUS MP3: Rose Polenzani & Rose Cousins, ‘The Book Of Love‘
BONUS MP3: Rose Polenzani & Jason Hatfield, ‘For The Turnstiles‘ [Neil Young cover] 

When The River Meets The Sea
01 Queen Anne’s Lace
02 Song Of The Stars
03 Some Way
04 Sarsaparilla
05 The Soft Parts
06 When The River Meets The Sea
07 If I Could Hit You
08 Push Me If I Snore
09 Paying a Visit
10 You Were Drunk
11 She Is A Rainbow

‘Cornfield’ [outtake]

Roll back the clock for a moment to August 15th, 2005.

That was the day we received an e-mail from Jill Barber’s “list” and learned that she and Rose Cousins would be presenting a “house concert” on the 18th, in Halifax. A house concert…we’d always wanted to go to one. And now, two artists we’d heard sporadically on CBC and liked a lot were offering us this opportunity. (We were on Jill’s list because Mike likes to be informed – and between us, we are on a lot of “lists” )

Jill and Rose charmed us…and the rest of the audience, and when they invited people “interested in having a house concert” to see them afterwards, we didn’t hesitate. It just seemed like a perfect thing to do.

We had that show on October 16th, 2005 so come to think of it, we’ve just passed an anniversary. Jill was still shy, slightly inhibited by the folks sitting so close, but even then, little gems of songs were being polished with her purring voice and gentle guitar. We were more than thrilled with that first house concert, and so was everyone who heard Jill and Rose.

Both have gone on to prove how talent, constant practice of a craft, determination, hard work, focus and self-awareness can merge into a powerful musical personality.

So this brings me “back” to last night at the Dalhousie Art Centre’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium where we had perfect seats for Jill Barber’s CD release – the album CHANCES. With a four piece band behind her, on piano, drums, guitar and double bass, and picking up her own guitar throughout the evening,  Jill played the crowd with her ever-evolving stage patter, never too polished, but showing a maturity of the many nights on the road that have brought her to this place. She showcased songs from CHANCES (and with this performance a seriously more organic feel than the album production, which really evokes more big band sounds and would be perfect for playing at a cool retro dance) and the songs stand up well, either way. The title song seems to be about “love in the present” while Old Flame speaks to her fondness, somewhere in the back of her mind, for those flames that went out, over the years. This note is not meant to be a “review” but a typical blog approach to what I experienced. Jill’s older songs, (though none of them are terribly old) have become obvious audience favourites, and during Two Brown Eyes, Ashes to Ashes, Legacy and others I could see the audience softly singing along.

Jill’s other shows on this tour are sure to be just as lovely, and since Jill has recently relocated to Vancouver, we won’t get to see her again in Nova Scotia for a while. So folks, get out and enjoy the songs from CHANCES while you have the chance.

I had a chance to not only interview, but also catch Melissa Ferrick live twice last week. She’s doing a solo tour in support of her new album, Goodbye Youth, which officially dropped on 9/10 at her Bowery Ballroom show (also available today on iTunes).

Melissa Ferrick at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC, 9/10/08

Photos: Dese'Rae Stage

The set is divided into two parts: Melissa plays the new album in its entirety, then there’s a brief intermission in which she changes her clothes and a bass drum is added to the stage, and she comes back out to play some older stuff. One of the highlights of the album, for me, is “When Thom Sings (Lake Effect Snow),” which she forgot to play at the Bowery show. She made up for it in Philly, though–it’s just as beautiful live as it is on the record, which makes perfect sense since the whole thing was a solo effort. Other noteworthy new pieces: “Getting Over You,” “John’s Field,” and her cover of Bush’s hit, “Glycerine.”

World Cafe Live, 9/14/08

During the second, shorter portion of the show, she heeds audience requests, but take note: no screaming out requests before she returns to the stage. She definitely seemed a bit irritated in Philly when fans screamed out “Freedom” more than once during the first half. She was totally justified in that, since she explained exactly how things were going to work the moment she set foot on the stage. She did, however, oblige when the time came.

New York fans got to see her do “Welcome to My Life” and “Drive,” which was fun, but by no means the best I’ve ever seen it. She once did a version of the song somewhere in Florida where she told the story of its origin that was easily ten minutes long. Philly got “Anything Anywhere,” a song I could listen to over and over again without tiring.

Bowery Ballroom, 9/10/08

My only disappointment, aside from the subtle notes of hostility found in the Philly crowd, was the absence of Ferrick classics like “‘Till You’re Dead” and “Will You be the One.” All in all, though, a good time with some really good music.

Oh, and while she only opened for Melissa in Boston and Philly, give Nova Scotia native Rose Cousins a listen (I recommend “Dance if You Want To”). She hasn’t made a huge name for herself here in the States yet, but she will. Her voice and her lyrics are beautiful, and she’s funny as hell. She tours a lot, usually in conjunction with Edie Carey, who was also introduced to me years ago by Melissa. Keep your eyes open for her.

Rose Cousins at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, 9/14/08

Melissa Ferrick: website | myspace
Rose Cousins: website | myspace