Shadows and Light

Referring to his recent Juno award win in a comment during his concert, Chris (Old Man) Luedecke quipped that he couldn’t help feeling that he must have pulled the wool over a lot of people’s eyes to win it. In that case he is a master at the wool-pulling art as his Evergreen Theatre audience was absolutely delighted with his performance. A quick link to the photo gallery can be found here. For those who want to read on for more about the performance.

Old Man Luedecke

Although it was weeks ago that we saw it, this concert stands out in my mind as a highlight of the year. I love the skillful use of words and Chris Luedecke is a wordsmith in his songwriting and his onstage banter in a way that has a simple but powerful effect. His award winning songwriting and singing, accompanied by his banjo playing have a way of leaving you humming and smiling as you leave the concert just plain feeling good!

A favourite track of mine from Old Man Luedecke’s award winning CD “Proof of Love” is “Ain’t Going My Way”. All evidence points to the contrary for Chris Luedecke, so I have featured another track on his gallery, another favourite of mine, “Just Like a River”. As he says in a line in that track he’ll “win them with song”. And win them he did! At the Juno’s and at the Evergreen Theatre. So keep winning them, Chris.

Thanks for a great night, Chris. Come back soon. Photo gallery can be viewedhere.

With condolences to John’s family. He will be sadly missed by his many, many friends – musicians and the community and all who treasure fond memories of him.

Remembering John Kavanagh. Here he is applauding for his friend, Jack McDonald who was presented with the Valley Arts Award at Deep Roots Festival 2007

John Kavanagh playing at Deep Roots Music Festival 2007

Stop press: We want to wish Dave well with his video “United Breaks Guitars”, now showing on Youtube and his complaint against United Airlines who broke his Taylor guitar.

Once again Music Nova Scotia has presented us with a great evening’s entertainment in their Bringin’ it Home series with the talented solo performers Ian Sherwood and Dave Carroll. This is a double album of images, so here is the quick link to the galleries first one (Ian Sherwood): here and the second one (Dave Carroll): here. For those who want to read on for more about the performance.

Ian Sherwood and Dave Carroll

Each gave us a complete performance of content, with Ian kicking off by taking full advantage of the intimate nature of the venue in telling his stories linked to his story songs – including “Cabin” and “Dawson Slide” (a favourite of mine). The place was really rocking – feet were tapping and hands clapping during the whole evening, specially during the “Dixieland Dirt Bovine”, the featured track played over his section of the photo gallery. Ian and Dave backed each other very well during their respective sets, aided by the bassist Mike Hiltz and drummer Scott Ferguson.

Dave Carroll played the second set and brought his own considerable songwriting and singing talents to this hugely appreciative audience. Particular favourites of the set were “Worlds Away”, “Slow Boat to China”, the comic “Death of Old Pappy” and “The Dance Goes On” although his story and song about how United Airlines breaks guitars (you had to be there) was an amusing negative commercial break!

View the photos of the 1st part of the evening (Ian Sherwood) here featuring the track “Dixieland Dirt Bovine” from Ian’s self-titled album.

View the 2nd gallery featuring Dave Carroll, with Mike Hiltz on bass and Scott Ferguson on drums with Ian Sherwood here which features the title track from Dave Carroll’s CD “Perfect Blue” .

Each gave one last song at the end, with Ian’s beautiful “We’re not alone tonight” and Dave’s moving “The Great Divide”. Thank you so much, Ian, Dave, Music Nova Scotia and the Evergreen Theatre for another great night of entertainment.

Ellie