3 months till I turn 40

and this is pretty much how I'm feeling about that:

Crowded House

I love Crowded House! I've loved them for so long and never seen them live. I didn't realize that I've loved them so long that everyone (including me) got old. Went to see them last week with Anne (in the middle) and Siobhan (on the left).

Seriously, the first two albums came out when I was still in high school. But I think it's the music from that time in my life that is tattooed on my brain.

I know all the words to "Don't Dream It's Over", "Something So Strong", and "Better Be Home Soon" and really just about anything from Crowded House, Temple of Low Men and Woodface.

So it was a small bummer that they played a lot of songs from their new record which didn't even hit stores until the day after they played here.

Siobhan was kind enough to lend me all of her CDs when I told her I didn't own anything except Neil Finn's solo album, since I threw out all my tapes a few years ago. Which reminds me I need to replace all my Tears for Fears too!

But the show was great! The band was in fine form with lots of banter about the G20 - they like to know what's going on where they're playing and they have been to Toronto, many, many times.

Mark Hart played the lap steel standing up! I love that thing!

And Neil decided that they would pay the fine and play past the 11 pm curfew just to get in a few more songs.

Ending the night with the entire theatre on their feet singing Better Be Home Soon was spine-tingly awesomeness!

(all photos by Paul Mitchell or Sharon Fischer-Mitchell - Siobhan's friends)

vintage sights & sounds

I am a vintage girl at heart. I know I romanticize the old days but I indulged myself in that romance this weekend.

(yes that's me swing dancing in a vintage dress & a wig)

First with the tribute to blues harmonica player Little Walter at the Silver Dollar on Saturday night put on by Raoul Bhaneja.

(Raoul)

Wow did some of those harp players blow the roof off that place and some of these guys really made me shake my hair.

(Shrimp Daddy)

And although David Rotundo just showed up to hear the rest of the bunch do their thing, Raoul talked him into coming up for the last two songs and man, he was the highlight of the night! Insanely awesome - I was hot & sweaty from dancing by the time the night was through.

(Jake playing guitar in the background)

Sunday I went to the island with the fine fellow to do a Jane's Walk while he worked on his boat. I love to read about the old days on the island when there were parties at grand hotels, dance halls and an amusement park. The guide for this walk seemed to share those sentiments and brought all sorts of visual aids with him so that we could really get a sense of what the place used to be like as he led us about.

(photo of skyline from the 1930's)

And I loved hearing that when people first started to build houses on the island you could actually order one from the Simpson's catalogue and assemble it yourself. I'm guessing it didn't come with an allen key!

The island was glorious and since the day had started out overcast there was hardly anyone around. I felt like a woodland nymph - all the animals were out chirping and chattering, the swans were dancing on the lake and I swear the butterflies were following me around.

hot rockin Sunday

Went to The Dakota Tavern on Sunday for some more of their yummy fish tacos and to listen to some bluegrass by Licken' Good Fried.

My friend Rob was playing the dobro with them this particular week and I do love the way he makes that thing sound.

Robby sang a song too!

Then he had the Flinstonian-sized ribs - yumm!

What I didn't know was that after the bluegrass dinner hour there was a Rolling Stones cover band playing called Hot Rock. Generally, I wouldn't say I like this kind of thing but when Rob says a band is good and fun to dance to I listen up - he was my first dance partner and he knows what I like.

So I stayed, and I danced my ass off until 2 in the morning! I was too busy shakin it to take any pictures but they're playing again on Wednesday so I might just have to go back for more.

a bluesy weekend

This weekend all things blue made me very happy and certainly made a great backdrop to the driving rain we had.

The Dakota Tavern kicked things off Friday night with some amazing fish tacos and Leon Night and the Neon Lights.

Leon was unexpectedly detained but my friend Rob Fenton and Patrick Brealey played some really fun bluegrass and early rock-n-roll.

Then my friend Jake Chisholm was playing some blues with Paul Reddick blowin some mean harmonica at The Gladstone.

I hadn't seen Jake in a dog's age but then he also turned up in two of the bands on Saturday night at The Sixth. First with Los Caballeros del Son doing some amazing sunny Cuban goodness...

then with Julian Fauth playing bluesy-jazzy my woman done me wrong songs.

Then Robby turned up again playing with Kristine Schmitt and The Powers That Be to end the night with some sweet sad bluegrass.

By the end of the night all sorts of people joined in on stage including my old friend Alex Parker and her hubby Tom from Lickin Good Fried which was really a nice extra treat!

We had such a great time we forgot all about the rain!