NXNE Review: My Apology For Being A Concert Douchebag

Posted on by Mark in Concerts, North By Northeast | 2 Comments

Toronto – After pioneering some pretty innovative technology on how not to be a concert douchebag (picture link above), it’s with a humble apology that I admit to being just such a douchebag during one show at NXNE this year.

Apparently some types of scotch will turn even the biggest music nerds into concert douchebags

The scene of the crime was C’est What and I was busy chatting with some remarkable people from Malta and New York. One was a successful millionaire who owned a penthouse in the Upper East Side. The other owned and operated her own business training and selling Maltese Falcons. I may have just made that stuff up, but the important thing to note was that the scotch was flowing.

As this was happening, two low-key extremely chill female singer-songwriters in the form of Ghost Bees came on at 12 am. While I was at the back of the room, I had no idea that my voice was projecting up to the front like the clarion call of the beautiful Vuvuzela. At some point mid-set, a young lady approached my guest and I, “Excuse me, did you know that we can hear you way up at the front?” Even scotched up, I was pretty horrified at my behaviour. I mumbled some apology and retreated to the bar area to continue rhapsodizing without disturbing the rest of the show.

Here is an executive summary of the lessons learned:

  • Apparently some types of scotch will turn even the biggest music nerds into concert douchebags
  • A concert douchebag situation may be diffused if dealt with tactfully and in a non-confrontational way
  • My douchebag technology needs updating to reflect loud drunken talking at quiet shows

So to all those Ghost Bees’ fans who wanted to punch me in the nads but refrained, I thank you for staying your fisticuffs. To that tactful young lady that got me to simmer down, I thank you for being tactful and getting me to simmer down. And to everyone else: sorry for being such a douchebag. I promise to stay away from that particular brand of scotch. Scout’s honour!

And here is the rating for my behaviour:

NXNE Review: Elise LeGrow, Erin Hunt, June 18, Harlem Restaurant

Posted on by Mark in Concerts, North By Northeast | 1 Comment


Toronto
– There have been times at NXNE where I’ve run from one venue to the next in a desperate attempt to see and hear everything that could possibly be seen and heard. This year I decided that my new rule of thumb is no more than two venues per evening. The new plan is to minimize the hopping and get friendly with the locals and the locales. The night began at the Harlem restaurant with some sultry jazz in the form of sultry sultry Elise LeGrow.

Some people are surprised to hear that, although I am huge jazz fan, I’m not typically into the vocalists. While I do have a soft spot for the old greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, much of today’s fare strikes me as more adult contemporary. It’s perfectly innocuous music that features prominently on many a jazz radio station. Listening to a snippet of it can be like having a popsicle on a nice summer day. Too much and it’s more like cotton candy laced with bubblegum and sprinkles all melting together on an uncomfortable humid day with a smog warning in effect. That’s not to say that there aren’t legitimate contemporary jazz vocalists out there; as was evident by the first show of the evening.

Elise LeGrow is a Toronto-based songstress that has both the voice and charisma that evokes the great jazz women of yesterday. She sang a mix of both contemporary songs and classics for a small and appreciative audience at the Harlem. I have to admit her stage presence was so captivating that it was a trying affair to concentrate on the music. While making her way through the set, she bobbed up and down and playfully ran her hands through her hair at all the right times. It was so incredibly distracting that I spent the better part of the hour looking around my environment for some kind of materials that I could use to a fashion a makeshift engagement ring. Did I mention her sultriness?

If there was one thing that I was a little lacking in the performance, it had nothing to do with Miss LeGrow herself. While her band provided some solid backing, I could imagine that the addition of some musical reinforcements would really kick things up a notch. Hers is a stylish and elegant music that is perfectly suited to a classy little downtown restaurant like the Harlem. I wonder what she would sound like if we added the authentic woody thump of real double-bass, and swapped out the electronic keyboard with a baby grand? With that kind of setup, a snifter of brandy, and some arts & craft type ring making materials, I’d be as happy as a kid with cotton candy.

The next set at the Harlem was Toronto-based Erin Hunt and her groove-based funk and R&B band. She started things off with a rendition of Crosstown Traffic. I could tell during from the noodling by the guitarist during the band setup that we were in store for some really groovy stuff. Easily the highlight of this set was the work of guitarist Ricky Tillo who showcased both amazing chops and an excellent sense of rhythm. I wish he could have had more freedom to stretch his legs.

In the previous set, the backing band needed some shoring up to match the talent up front. In this set, it was the opposite dilemma. Erin didn’t have the vocals or stage presence that could captivate the audience. What she did have was a kick-ass band that I would not hesitate to go see in a purely instrumental incarnation. Unfortunately she made a few gaffs that weren’t terribly endearing. She forgot the name of her drummer when introducing the band. Then when encouraging people to stay for the next set, she admitted that she didn’t know what band was following her, but was “sure they were good”. Not the classiest move of the evening.

I’d definitely go see that guitarist again in any other setting though.

Natural Disaster Review: Earthquake, Toronto, East Coast, June 23rd, 2010

Posted on by Ricky in Everything | 26 Comments

Toronto – So everyone will probably remember where they were when the G20 Earthquake hit. Me? I was sitting at my desk doing work. Then my monitor started wiggling back and forth and the floor was kinda wonky. I was like “hmm wtf? Earthquake?”. Quickly checking twitter, then facebook, I realized that yes, it was an Earthquake. It’s incredible how slow traditional media is nowadays. The Earthquake was apparently 5.7 and hit some place near Quebec.

Luckily for us, this Earthquake was not of the biggest proportion but yet, it is a bit disturbing because it follows the trend of crazy ass natural disasters happening all around the world in the past decade – Katrina, the tsunami, Heidi Montag, and the Earthquakes that rocked Haiti, Chile, China and other places. I’ve only come to the conclusion that Earth hates us.

This was not my first Earthquake, nor the biggest I’ve experienced. The biggest was the first day I arrived in Tokyo in 2008 and I was checking out the balcony in my hotel room. I got out there, and the balcony starting shaking and my balance was way off. At first I was like “this hotel sucks! the balcony is not working!” and then when i stepped back in, it was still wonky and I was like “am I drunk?” Finally, it was confirmed there was an Earthquake. Crazy stuff.

Where were you when the Earthquake hit?

TO Jazz Preview: Tips, Tricks, and Tomfoolery

Posted on by Mark in Concerts, Everything, Toronto Jazz Festival | 7 Comments

Toronto – The Toronto Jazz Festival starts this Friday with musicians all over the city getting ready to serenade our world leaders. Like so many Toronto festivals, it can be overwhelming to try and decide what shows too see. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this handy dandy guide to help you navigate through all the music that will be playing from June 25 through July 4.

1 – There Be Riches Off The Beaten Path

There are some amazing acts that will be appearing on the main stage at Nathan Phillips Square. While this is a good go to option when it comes to choosing a show, there are definitely many benefits to be had for those willing to wander from the road well-traveled. Great musicians will be playing at all sorts of fun venues. In addition to better sound and a more intimate experience, it will also be cheaper than those main stage acts. Consider:

  • Martha Wainwright (June 25, The Great Hall)
  • Lady Son (June 26, Lula Lounge)
  • Esthero (June 27, Lee’s Palace)
  • Grace Kelly (June 29, Trane Studio)

2 – Find The Free

With most of the tickets for the headliners in the $30-40 price range, going all out at the jazz fest can be an expensive proposition. It’s comforting to know that there are free shows all over the city. Pretty much everything at the main stage that happens before 8 pm is free admission. Furthermore, the main stage at Nathan Phillips Square is basically an open air tent, and there are plastic chairs just on the other side of the tent in the Peace Garden.  Wink wink. Here are some worthwhile free shows:

  • Brandi Disterheft (June 26, Jazz FM Broadcast Centre)
  • Jaffa Road (June 27, Mainstage) – NXNE Review
  • Lost Fingers, Chaka Khan, Macy Gray (July 3, Yonge & Dundas)

3 – The Grandmasters Can Turn It On Like A Switch

With so many great musicians playing at the festival, it can be difficult to choose which shows to attend. Thankfully you’ve already taken some of my penny saving advice to heart and have some leftover funds to splurge on the musical equivalent of fine cognac. The people at the top of their game in the jazz world have a mastery of music that can be turned on like a switch. They’re Jedi masters that communicate with each other and with you using only the force.

  • Herbie Hancock (Jun 26, Mainstage)
  • Stanley Clarke featuring Hiromi (June 28, Mainstage)
  • Dave Brubeck (June 29, Koerner Hall)
  • Keith Jarrett (June 30, Four Seasons)

4 – Jazz Fuses With Everything

At the heart of it, jazz is an improvisational music. Under the right hands it can fuse with pretty much anything. For hip-hop with jazz elements, you can see Andy Milne & Dapp Theory, or the Roots. For soul and African influences, there is Angelique Kidjo. For some soul and funk, check out Mavis Staples or Maceo Parker. There’s amazing music for all stripes, so get out there and soak it in!

  • The Roots (June 29, Mainstage)
  • Angelique Kidjo (July 1, Mainstage)
  • Andy Milne & Dapp Theory (July 3, Trane Studio)