Here’s a clip of Martin Sexton in Winnipeg, April 15, 2009. This is how he started his encore set. Personally, I thought it was the best part of the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WkZxBjH6vc

’twas a marvellous evening. Even better than I expected. I hope to find more time to write about it at length, but until then, check out some photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tellthebandtogohome/, and even better, check out the video of “The Randall Knife,” performed unplugged and unamplified mere feet from me. Absolutely amazing.

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

Jaine and I went to The Park Theatre last night to catch the Other Brothers CD release show. Here are some quick, unpolished thoughts.

I’ve been a fan of Chris Neufeld for a long time. I remember a couple of things: hearing him on CBC radio on DNTO and wondering who the heck he was and how he landed that spot (unknown kid from Brandon, national exposure) and seeing him do a couple of songs, I think it was at the West End, but can’t recall what for (a Back 40 coffee house, some singer/songwriter showcase, something). I was impressed right away with his unique, interesting voice, his talent with a melody, and his way with words. I quickly invited him on my show to find out more about him. He turned me down. Huh? He said that he wasn’t good at that kind of thing, didn’t know what to say, wasn’t confident, etc. He ended up turning me down many times over the past few years, and I’ve had a running joke on air as a result, calling him all kinds of names every time I play him. In truth, Chris and I know each other and get along famously, which frustrates me even more when he refuses to come on the air. He did come on once when he released his solo CD “Colorado Low,” and I thought it went well, although he refused other invitations after that. It was very nice to have him finally ask me if he could come on, and show up last week.

I was familiar with Donovan Giesbrecht by reputation only, having seen and heard his name around, but I hadn’t heard any songs. Last week I found out how good he was, and how great the two of them sound together.

So I knew the live show was going to be good. I was expecting to be entertained and have a good night of music. Even so, my expectations were very surpassed.

First off, Chris and Donovan know how to put on a show. They’d been tirelessly promoting the gig for over a week, visiting countless radio shows, newspapers, etc. They had posters in all kinds of places, and had clearly done the legwork to make the show a success. Plus, they have the backing of the Manitoba Mennonite community, and they are a loyal and supportive bunch. Getting to the show, Chris and Donovan were working the door, selling tickets. I know that it wasn’t because they couldn’t get someone else to do it, but they genuinely seemed to want to sit there and greet their guests. They shook my hand and welcomed me warmly, which was a nice touch. I walked into the theatre and was saddened to see it mostly empty. I hoped that more people would show up, but I couldn’t have imagined how many. At show time, the theatre filled up quickly and impressively. All of the theatre seats were taken, and people started to sit on the floor and stand at the back. During the first act, The Land, Chris and Donovan went and found chairs, and set up rows of chairs and made sure that anyone who wanted to sit could have a seat. How often do you see musicians that concerned about people who come to see them?

First up was a married duo called The Land, whose vocal harmonies and charming songs made for a nice introduction to the evening. After a short break, my old pal Darren Day came on with his latest band. Darren is a class act who works really hard and is one of the most adventurous, interesting songwriters I know. He could easily make simple melodies that I’m sure everyone would love, but he’s a fan of more obscure, challenging stuff (he always amazes me rattling off lists of bands that he’s totally passionate about, yet I’m completely unaware of), so he fills his songs with similarly interesting and challenging music, lyrics, and arrangements. He’s certainly diverse, so I can imagine it’s a bit hard for some people to make sense of it all, but he’s a very genuine and talented guy, so I know that at the very least people respect him and want him to succeed, even if not everything he tries pleases all ears. I enjoyed his set indeed, and wish he’d play out more.

The headliners played alongside the multi-talented Bill Western, and needed nothing else to complete their sound. It’s clear that there’s some magic in the chemistry, because both Other Brothers sing and play marvelously on their own, but combined, the group is even better than the sum of its parts. They are perhaps the most seamless duo I’ve seen in a while, adding greatly to each other’s songs to the point where you really can’t tell whose song it even is. They shift naturally between melody and harmony lines, and their guitar work, while subtle and not flashy, suits each other and the songs perfectly. For the most part, they let the music do the talking, not telling many stories about the songs, but when they did speak, they were really humble and funny and charming. They were obviously a bit nervous off the top, and relied a bit too heavily on self-deprecation at times, but that will change as they do more shows. And this fan can only hope that this is the start of many regular shows.

Darren Day repeatedly wondered aloud why more festivals hadn’t booked The Other Brothers, and I wholeheartedly agree (although I worry a bit about Darren’s threat to pester festivals and the way he encouraged others to do the same… note to Darren, festivals don’t like that… could be career suicide if you’re too annoying). These guys would be perfect at a festival in a number of settings and workshop ideas.

And how could I not love a night that ended with a rousing Rheostatics sing-along! These are musicians after my heart, and they’ve got it.

The Other Brothers. Watch out for them. Buy their CD: http://www.theotherbrothers.ca/

Well, that’s my plan, anyway, but anyone who’s ever heard Steel Belted Radio knows that things never really go as planned…

I’m currently fixated by the new CD from our friend Leeroy Stagger. This kid’s been on my radar for a few years now, and every record has been better than the last one (well, except for that one produced by Danny Michel, which didn’t quite do justice to the songs, but anyway…), so it should come as no surprise that this one is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, but I guess I was expecting something different. The demos I heard on Myspace and the stuff that’s been said about the record led me to believe that it was a more rockin’, dirty sounding affair, which would have been just fine with me, but the fact that it’s the most listenable, relaxed, enjoyable affair of this guy’s already impressive career is just blowing me away. Buy this one, and buy it now, because it is one of this year’s best. Fo. Sho.

Joel Plaskett’s new disc “Three” is a sweeping triple disc affair. With three discs worth, some is bound to be stellar and some is bound to be filler, and there’s no doubt that both are true, but there are some gems that I’ll try to dig up for you.

Just got Slaid Cleaves’ new disc “Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.” Haven’t listened to that yet (Leeroy is going to need another listen, I can tell already, it’s just getting better and better), but Slaid is a sure-fire winner, so you know you’ll be hearing something from here.

I finally bought the latest My Morning Jacket. How one album can have such a mix of some of the best songs of last year, and some of the strangest, I just can’t figure, but it’s got both.

Picked up this new Gospel compilation that looks promising. It’s downstairs and I’m lazy, so you’ll have to tune in to check it out. New Patty Griffin on there (but there’s also Jon Bon Jovi and 3 Doors Down, so it’s not all good…) Also a track from the Rev. Al Green who I’m very excited to be seeing in June.

I just ordered up the new Todd Snider disc. It’s not actually out until June, but the record company (Yep Roc) is offering this super cool boxed set edition for super nerds like me, which features extras aplenty including bonus tracks, DVDs, photos, and much more. The Yep Roc site hasn’t been working worth crap today, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to download the bonus tracks which are supposed to be waiting for me, but I’ll keep trying!

Got the new Indigo Girls CD, and coming on the heels of their last CD, which I loved, I figured this was an easy bet, but I wasn’t blown over by the main disc right away. I say main disc because there’s a bonus disc of the entire album done acoustically, which I actually liked quite a bit more.

Wish I could remember what else I got recently, but tune in to SBFRR tonight at 6:30 to find out!

I’m finding myself really impressed and slightly obsessed with a band called Lucero at the moment. I first looked them up a couple of years ago when NQ Arbuckle covered one of their songs at the Trout Forest Music Festival. That song was “Slow Dancing” off their album Tennessee, and it’s still probably my favourite song of theirs, although I’m digging into the catalogue and finding some other gems. Last night I stayed up too late watching a documentary DVD called “Dreaming in America,” which really shows them as they are, warts and all. The band is one of the few who can really claim to straddle the line between punk and country and pull it off (many claim, but I’ve heard few that can back it up.) They’re schooled on country but play with piss & vinegar that can only come down the line from punk rock. Some very interesting, vivid lyrics and a kick ass band to back them up make for some of the most interesting music around. They’ve got a bunch of records out. I’d seek them out if you haven’t already. Definitely one for the Steel Belted crowd more than the Band Go Home crowd, but I think pretty much anyone will find something to like. Check ‘em out.

The show is always the best way to know what I’m listening to, but in the spirit of T-Bar’s great short reviews at the Steel Belted site (www.steelbeltedradio.com), I’ll try to let you know about the new arrivals that are catching my ear.

Tom Wilson’s new project Lee Harvey Osmond is definitely growing on me big time (as almost all of Tom’s records have done over time). It features Tom (Junkhouse, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, etc. etc.) as well as a bunch of Cowboy Junkies, a couple o’ Skydiggers, and a bunch of other heavyweights. It’s a more groovy, soulful brand of folk music that should appeal to just about anyone with an ear. It’s available on CD locally at Music Trader or online at Maple Music (although they rip you off with their crazy shipping fees, so I avoid them these days) or you can buy the digital download at a site called Latent Recordings, which is the online source for Cowboy Junkies and a bunch of their pals.

A great US Label called Signature Sounds has some pretty fine new releases. I just got Richard Shindell’s long-awaited new album “Not Far Away,” which is, as usual, pretty great. Richard’s last CD was an album of covers that showed how great he is and got me hungry for some new originals. This one does not disappoint.

Not on Signature, but part of their “discoveries” series is a CD produced by Shindell and featuring some real heavyweights (Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, and more). The lady’s name is Antje Duvekot, and boy is she impressive. A great looking CD, impeccably produced, and featuring such stellar guests can’t go wrong really, but she’s got the songs and the pipes to back it all up. She sounds like she went to the Shawn Colvin school, but has a distinctive sound all her own. Well worth checking out.

Also on Signature is Jeffrey Foucault’s new CD of John Prine covers, “Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes.” Obviously the songs are great (I’m kind of glad to see no “Sam Stone” on here, I mean, it’s such a great song, but such an obvious choice. Many of the choices are obvious, but ther are some lesser known gems as well), but Foucault is as usual great as well. His rich, deep voice and expressive playing really bring the songs to life all over again, and put a distinctive original spin on things. Lots of great guests on here including Foucault’s beautiful wife Kris Delmhorst, their pal Peter Mulvey, and some stellar players. Highly recommended.