Things are finally slowing down on the concert calendar, so not a lot to look forward to, but we did have a few fine shows to relive. That left us with some time for some classics, some new stuff, and a few we just plain felt like playing.
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A busy night with some very special, very exciting guests, live in-studio. First up is the wonderful artist behind one of this year’s most beautiful albums, Rose Cousins. Her voice and reputation have been well known to us, since she’s appeared on dozens of great albums that we love, but we’re finally getting to know how great she is on her own. She dropped by to chat and play us some of her gorgeous songs.
Next in was a hot, up-and-coming roots-rock combo from Ottawa called Silver Creek. They’re young boys with a heap of talent and they showed off some of their great songs.
We’re on a roll with great guests as of late, and this week is certainly no exception. First up, a chat with probably the most important songwriter in my life, Ron Hawkins of The Lowest of the Low. He’s coming to town opening up for Billy Bragg, and he’s got a heck of a great new album to play for us, so we’ll chat about the past, present, and future. As if that weren’t enough, joining us live in studio is a band we’d never tell to go home, Sunparlour Players. They are without a doubt one of this country’s best live acts, and it won’t be long before they get the huge following they so rightly deserve. This week we’ll prove that we knew them “back when…”
Greetings friends,
It’s this time of year that I start thinking about my annual “Best of” compilations and going through my favourite songs & CDs of the year. There have been plenty of good ones, so there’s no shortage of material. I also start looking back on the guests who have appeared live on the program for that compilation. We’ve had some pretty stellar live guests this year, but I was a little bit worried that I wouldn’t have a whole lot for that compilation. I don’t agressively chase interviews & live performers as much as I used to, so there haven’t been as many guests as in some previous years. I didn’t want to let you down, though, so I’ve been hard at work securing some GREAT live guests in the near future, including this week’s Tell the Band to Go Home, which promises to be one of the best of the year.
First up is a guy who is quite honestly the most important songwriter in my life, Ron Hawkins of The Lowest of the Low. I live and breathe great songwriters and have done so, ever since I heard Ron’s songs. I was already a big music fan, but I had no idea how powerful a truly great song could be until I heard an album called Shakespeare My Butt in 1992 (at least, I think it was ’92…). The melodies and the music fit right in with the stuff I loved on the radio, but there was something about Hawkins’ lyrics that seemed like they were written for me. I understood them. I felt like I lived some of them. I laughed, I was moved, but most of all, I was motivated to hear more great music that I wasn’t hearing on the radio. That band has continued to be a cornerstone of my musical existence, and I suppose they always will. In 2005 I was lucky enough to have Ron & Stephen Stanley from the band come into the studio, and it was a very intimidating experience, but one that turned out to be one of my favourite interviews of all time. They were intelligent, interesting, and I don’t think I embarassed myself too much. They even liked the interview, so much so that they took a copy and have several times suggested that when they eventually get around to rereleasing Shakespeare My Butt, our interview will be included as a bonus (the rumour mill is buzzing that it will happen soon… I won’t hold my breath.) The Low took another long hiatus a couple of years ago, but Ron Hawkins is not one to retire. He’s been active and making some of the best music of his career. His new album 10 Kinds of Lonely is a gem. It’s a more country/rootsy kind of affair, but it contains the same lyrical genius that changed my life so long ago. Hawkins describes it as “Songs about dead-ends, deadbeats and deadmen… Tunes about whiners, piners and miners…Ditties about dust bowls, watering holes and lost souls…” and what more could you want from a collection of songs. Ron Hawkins makes his long, long awaited return to Winnipeg next Saturday, opening for the legendary Billy Bragg. I’m very excited to be speaking with Ron on the phone this Sunday about it all. Please join me.
And he’s just the opening act. Following that, joining us live, IN-STUDIO after that is one of the most exciting, interesting, original live bands in this country or any other, Sunparlour Players. Those guys came to our attention a few years ago when they opened for another band that fits that description, Elliott BROOD at the West End. Sunparlour Players get a lot of comparisons to the BROOD (they’re both trios, both primarily acoustic, both write some pretty country songs about death & other touching topics, and both can REALLY rock out live). However, don’t go see this band expecting to hear Elliott BROOD v.2.0, beause they are an entity unto themselves. There’s something so powerful about leader Andrew Penner’s vocals and Dobro guitar, and drummer Rosie is one of the most entertaining stickmen I’ve ever come across. Multi instrumentalist Dennis rounds out the trio in fine style. All three are expected to join us for some songs & conversation this Sunday. Trust me folks, this band is the real deal. Get your tickets NOW to see them Dec. 6 at Folk Exchange, because after they play live on the radio this Sunday, the word will be out and the rush for tickets will be on.
And that’s just Sunday. We’ve got even more guests lined up for Thursday on Steel Belted Radio, so mark your calendars, set your alarms, do what you have to do, but don’t miss these episodes.
New music, considerations for Best Of lists, upcoming shows, classics, stories, etc. etc., you’ll get it all this Sunday, so tune in!
You know, as much as we like to complain about Winnipeg sometimes, it seems that the good shows just keep on coming. This week we feature the Michael Johnston concert at my house, Matthew de Zoete, Joshua Cockerill, Vic Chesnutt & Nathan, Sunparlour Players, and more! We previewed them all, and still had time for some classics and a little bit of the pop music.
It may be cooler outside, but the music scene in town is still hot, hot, hot, and this week proves it as we have upcoming shows to preview by the likes of Justin Rutledge, Melissa McClelland, David Wilcox, Matthew de Zoete, Amelia Curran, and one of our all-time faves, Skydiggers! To think, even on a week like that, we fit in some new & notable stuff.
Steel Belted Radio has been blessed with a LOT of very special guests in-studio over the course of our 6 years on the air (Sexsmith, Collett, Plumb, Brock Zeman, Deep Dark Woods, Paul Kelly, etc.), but there’s one guy we’ve been chasing all along, Mike Plume. He blessed us with an ideal name for our show, and we’ve always wanted him to come into the studio and sing our theme song for us. Tonight’s the night. Now, what do we hope for in the years to come?
A few of our favourites playing upcoming in town this week filled up most of the show. It’s hard not to get excited about a week where Matt Epp releases his new disc, Vance Gilbert makes his long-awaited return to the West End, and Mr. Mike Plume returns to town with his band! Still, we had time for some great new music and a dip into the mail bag for some new submissions.