LIVE - Rick Haynes with Nicole Coward

[charlene]

Winterfolk XIV Sat. Feb 13th, 3pm at Black Swan Tavern, Toronto.

Watch ONLINE at http://www.streetjelly.com/songbirdlive

Special guests include...*Rick Haynes (bass player for Gordon Lightfoot since 1969)*
Sue and Dwight* Harpin

Norm Lucien* Christine Gaidies*

John Stinson (lead singer of the Gordon Lightfoot tribute band)*

You Tube

[charlene]

You Tube

[lighthead2toe]

Hi Friends.

Hope everyone can open this file. If not I may need to call on Char to help.

HELP CHAR!

Cheers.

It’s Saturday, February the 13th and despite the bitterly cold temperature, the late afternoon the sun was setting it’s course into a sort of “pre spring” kind of light show as it slowly sank behind the bleak deciduous tree limbs looking westward.

Winterfolk is in full swing here in TO town and the cold weather clearly is not getting in the way of sold out crowds packing the venues along Toronto’s Danforth strip.

It’s a quiet lazy day at the Joneses so we’re just home relaxing. I was unable to buy a ticket for the Black Swan gig as it was completely sold out with no standing room. Most of the facilities where the Winterfolk gigs are held are smaller type rooms and the fire regulations have to be strictly adhered to.

Very disappointing as I knew Rick Haynes was invited to play bass with his friend, singer/songwriter, Nicole Coward who was scheduled to be on stage at 3PM It would have been nice to have an opportunity to see that rare performance.

The telephone is ringing and and the name showing up on the screen is Paul Bartlett.
When Paul phones me it’s usually about getting together for a gig and it’s usually “Lightfoot connected.” Always very exciting.

He’s calling to tell me that he just got home after having played lead guitar with Rick Haynes on the same stage at the Black Swan. Gasp!

“Paul, I need to hear more. Tell me.”

Paul was lying down having a nap when he received a call from John Stinson, lead singer in the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute band asking if he could be at the Black Swan in thirty minutes and “bring your guitar.”

Fortunately Paul lives in the Danforth area close by and makes his way to the Black Swan, axe in hand and struggles to get through the throngs of people lined up waiting to get in. He has to convince the attendant that he’s part of the band and to please let him get through asap. Such is life in the music business.

It seems that Nicole had heard John and the boys play previously and was quite impressed. She contacted John and invited him and Paul to join them on stage. Paul and John both are students of Red Shea, Gord’s former lead guitar player, and Rick of course had played on stage with Red many times.

I would say there would be lots of familiar lead licks kicking in there to compliment the bass notes coming from Rick. And that “Lightfoot voice” of John Stinson ringing out in the room - how could youtop that! Seemed like a match made in Heaven.

Paul was ecstatic when I spoke with him. He said Rick was great and a very nice man. Shared lots of technical stuff re tuning etc. Lots of stars all around. So sorry to have missed such an event but so happy to hear all the good news.

Winterfolk is alive and well in Toronto.

[jj]

Hi Ron .... it doesnt sound like you watched it online ... the camera was way in back of the room and the sound of the clapping audience was picked up after each song but not so much the instruments but Nicole's voice carried and she was a pleasant host (THAT came through )

could hardly hear John on Pussywillows and even SFAWN but I think he was playing in her key choices which seemed lower ... SFAWN in G# perhaps ...not sure about Pussywillows .... Nicole sounded nice on both, and they were "folk" arrangements that didnt have the haunting musical parts or signature Red bits between verses but if the bass audio had been audible to me, I'll bet it was sweet!

THEN, I see an image of a guy swiftly (and politely, as always) moving past the audience and setting up in a chair just in time to join John and Rick on the IYCRMM intro. I quickly deduced it was Paul, and felt a sudden joy. John started singing (I'm pretty sure they were playing in A ) and was joined by Nicole at times, and I realized that all was well in the world. Quite an nice ovation. The union of these folks had warmed the bleak, mid-winter of the city. Although I'm sure those tall, rich, NBA All Stars would beg to differ, lol.

BTW, in the evening I took in Murray McLauchlan, Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church. They were about 20 in front of me for 2 hours, taking me on a wonderful trip back to the 70s. Acoustic guitars and real piano (which 3 played) and very subtle precision here and there.

If the Swan had a real piano in that room, I'd have loved to add some subtle notes to Pussywillows, SFAWN and IYCRMM... I remember the first time you were over here, we played SFAWN with Kenyon and I put down the guitar and put some piano bits to what you guys were doing. I often reflect on that afternoon with contentment and a nod. Cheers Ron. Its been too long.... All the best to Nicole on her journey ahead. Sweet voice and heartfelt songs. And very musical. She, John and Paul must be still buzzing to have played with Rick. BTW, her lead guy was also very talented.

[lighthead2toe]

Hi there JJ.
Yes, you're right, I did not see the online part but Paul sure was on an all time high when he called me. He came by a few days later and we talked and jammed for hours here in the "Gord Room."
Guinness and guitars, coffee and cookies. Marian from the Mountains just made a fresh batch.
I hadn't been playing my B45 for a while so it was great to have an opportunity to crank it out and wallow in all those "Red Shea" type lead guitar licks. The B45 currently is in the hands of John Laroque, Gord's luthier for a general inspection and string change to have ready for the upcoming farmer's market season. Can't Wait!
We also played SFAWN (several times! Playing that with Paul backing me up gives me an amazing high!).
You're right, it has been too long. We'll try and work something out re setting a date when we're all clear.
Lightfoot lives!