Massey Hall-May 2008-Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

FOR THOSE ATTENDING MASSEY SHOWS:

there will be a jam session in Toronto on Thursday May 8 and again on Friday May 9 for those folks who are attending the Lightfoot concerts in Toronto - Ron Jones has set it up at McVeigh's Irish Pub from 2:30 - 4:30 each day..

Try to make it if you're in Toronto for the concerts..Bring your musical instrument and voice!

McVeigh’s Pub - http://www.mcveighspub.com/index.html
map - http://www.mcveighspub.com/map.html (Massey is at Yonge and Shuter) (Delta Chelsea is a couple of blocks north at Yonge and Gerrard)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Sounds fun! :) Sure wish I could make it.

Vickie

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Very cool! I plan to be there ... is that 2:30 a.m. or p.m. LOL ... what's the instrumentation setup ... I can bring an electric bass if there's a massive run of guitars ...

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

An electric bass would be great T.G. Sure would be a significant contribution especially in tunes like "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." All are welcome to participate. We were looking at sort of an open mike thing and a little musical back up would be great. Looking forward to meeting up with you. Cheers, Ron J.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

I don't think you'll have to worry about guitars Pam. I'll have my Martin D18 six string and Gibson B45 12 string with me to share. The folks in this group I've met are very open to sharing what they have with due respect of course. I'll be working with the pub owner to ensure we have an adequate sound system. Should be fun for all. Ron J.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Sounds like you all are going to have a wonderful time up there!! Wish we could make it - please sing a song and have a pint for me (or for those of you who prefer, a "fruity rum drink"!) while you all are having so much fun. ;)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Hi there cuz Pam, are you talking about Cathy Cowett ? :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

she means Catrinka..
Cathy Cowette won't be coming..sure wish she was with that sweet smelling mahogany geetar of hers....that's one gal who has a gift..

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Absolutely Char. I play her CD regularly and the warming effect in that earthtone voice of hers is addictive. If she can't make it up to one of the gigs I'm going to make a trip down there and jam it up with her. Other than Bonnie Dobson she's the only female that I've heard perform "I'm Not Sayin" and boy, she can nail it down there pretty good. Cathy, listen up. You and I will play that song together one day. I AM sayin'. Cheers, Ron J.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Thanks for that info Char, I kind of thought if it was not Cowett, then maybe her distant cousin Catrinka.

That sweet smelling mahogany geetar of hers.... :biggrin: I had a lot of laughs with that one, great person she is. :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Your going to that Toronto gathering well equipped Ron. A Martin D18-6 string and that great sounding Gibson B45-12 string, just like the man. :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

The Toronto gatherings are wonderful and the anticipation factor is high up there on the scale. Some of the instruments that arrive are a delight to see. Meeting the folks, hearing and telling the stories is a real joy as well. Hope you can make it to one of the gigs. Cheers, Ron.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Hey RJ - you can see my air guitar??? ...wow - you're super talented!!
;)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Here is a young kid trying out Char's famous Air Geetar... :biggrin:


Click on the photo to see him do his stuff. :whistle:

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

This is too cool. After watching him for a while it reminded me of how well the "weaving of the loom" lyric fits in "Hangdog Hotel Room." He would make a good weaver. RJ.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

HI Ron!
Hopefully I will join you in 09. Have a fantastic time and jam session. All the best to your family my friend!
Bill Hall

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Oh Billyboy..we're gonna miss you terribly in May...and Frank of course..
;)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Thanks Charzo :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

So nice to hear from you Bill and although I fully understand it's not always easy to attend some of the gigs I will be thinking of you and yours. We will pick it up though in 2009 as you say. It's never too late. You may not know it but your influence has wide tentacles. Stay loose my friend. Ron .

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

I'll be there. Someone mentioned that there are probably lots of guitars.
I don't own a D18...wished I did. Actually looking for an 18 or a 28...one I can afford. ..the older ones...
But.. perhaps there is no need to have 50 acoustic guitars hanging around. Will the MC/host make an instrument available?

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Ron Jones would be the man to speak to about availability of guitars. I do know that 3 folks from Tennessee won't be making it after all (expired passports) and they had a couple of guitars at least..
I don't think it would hurt to bring one of your own tho..

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

I'd happy to offer my D18 to you John. It has a Fishman Matrix pick up installed (similar to the one Gord has in his). Lots of capos, picks, etc. It's a treat to have the opportunity to hear your own instruments played back to you by someone who knows how to play. After viewing your video I know we are in for a real treat. Cheers, Ron.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Thanks Ron. ..appreciate your kind words. If the 18's not around afterwards..well...who knows...(joking of course)..

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Having a tough time matching real names with monikers...oh well.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Ron Jones is lighthead2toe -
If Kenyon were around there'd be a battle for that guitar of Rons..
He's tried to abscond with it a few times..
;)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Wow! The fun has begun. We'll miss Kenyon this year I understand. That's too bad and he'll surely be missed. That boy can crank it out there and when he gets his hands on the B45 it rings like a symphony. Apart from the pub gig though I hope we can fit in a few quieter sessions in the hotels, etc. I really enjoy, and I know for sure that other fans do as well singin' all them highway songs in the hangdog hotel room. I'll be in the Province May1st till May15th. Can't wait! Ron Jones.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Just a footnote to add here and this is not intended to rain on the parade but a word of caution regarding personal belongings especially musical instruments. PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT THIEVES are active around large events such as this upcoming one and many of us arrive in town, instruments in tow. It would be wise to not let your gear stray too far from eyesight during the festivities. Gord would know about this having had one of his B45's stolen once. It's happened to many musicians. Also most hotel rooms are built to contain water up to a certain height on the floor to prevent flooding to lower floors so it's best to keep stuff on shelves etc. just in case. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new friends. Cheers, Ron J.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Sounds like a blast. Although I'm no pro, if people call out the chord progressions that would help accompanists. I imagine people also change keys from the originals here and there ...

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Sounds like fun. Anyone know if the pub has any age restrictions for patrons ? My daughter will be just shy of 16 when we're there. I'd like to stop by but she doesn't have any fake I.D. yet. I keep telling her I had a draft card (US) when I was her age, LOL.

Bill :)

If you know anything about the draft: 1. you're old 2. you now know I'm OLD

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

She'd only have to show I.D. if she wished to be served alcohol..it's a family type restaurant with a liquor license..as opposed to a 'bar'..

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Thanks Char - she won't be asking to be served with me in the room until she's at least 21. So I guess we'll see y'all there. Great !

Bill :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Ah, we love those Massachusetts accents! As long as you can stand the Canadian ones, of course LOL ...

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

lol I think Canadian one's are pretty neat to listen to...ahhh...I mean 'ta' :) Cathy's more Bahston -mine is South Central Mass.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Gee, I didn't know there are differences in accents even within MA LOL ... Well, be prepared for lots of "eh's" north of the border, eh?

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Oh I grew up with that :) my mom and her 16 brothers and sisters grew up on the border :) And a few married Canadians! So I may even 'slip' hehe

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Thanks for posting those photos Char! They sure bring back some great memories. Alas, Ron got it right, I won't be able to attend this year's Massey concerts as I'll be in Germany. I'm going to miss playing that B45 Ron! I do see the occasional one on ebay but am hesitant to make any bids in the case that they don't end up sounding like yours.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Great to hear from you Kenyon and although we realize it's not always easy to attend all the gigs, we have really great memories of the last one and the many great tunes that came out of that amazing gig. "In My Fashion, Baby Step Back." There were so many. That session with the whole crew doing "Seven Island Suite." How could you not forget that experience? It was like none other. Where would you ever get such a treat in a setting where the whole crew knew exactly how to pull off such an amazing piece of work in such an informal gathering? This friends is what the music of Gordon Lightfoot is all about. It's about bringing together people who have been touched by the works of a great composer. It's about people coming together who are sincerely into those great works and when they come together in a group it just seems to automatically pour out and pour out it does with a feeling you really have to be there within the confines of those four walls of that room to absorb the real effect. Almost comparable to sitting out for a little sun just when the time is right in order to get the perfect touch. I didn't intend to go on such a rant here but sometimes it's just not easy to turn it off. But Kenyon, I wish you good spaces in far away places, but the B45 is never too far away from any place where a good player like yourself can make it ring out. Cheers, Ron.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Very well said Ron,

So Kenyon you got to play that wonderful instrument that Ron is so lucky to own... Im like you when it comes to eBay, it's taking a chance. I know a guy that bought a Yamaha CPX 50, that was like new and what a sound it's got. And then some other folks who got rip off. When it's in the thousands of dollars you kind of hesitate... Me anyway. :rolleyes: Have a safe trip, and a good time in Germany. :)

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

So will there be a PA system at McVeigh's? I'm trying to figure out whether to bring a 30w or 100W bass amp to do my Rick Haynes imitation LOL.

Re: Pub jam sessions in Toronto-May 8 and 9
 

Hi T.G. At present I am in Toronto and will be at the pub 7PM tomorrow night (Tuesday) for a sound check. I will put up another post asap. Cheers. RJ.