Hi...yeah I'm still here....I somehow got saturated and overwhelmed by the quality of the musicians in my previous posts...check out the videos......
See....that's how self-promotion works....and I'll now introduce you to the lady in the picture...................................
Acoustic Jam #98 was very special.The lady pictured is Ms. Tamara Morahan, a local vocalist/percussionist/performance artist who took the stage this night after my own A+ set(see above), and delivered a brave and gutsy performance for the stunned,but appreciative audience of about 35......yes...she's about 35.....I was fascinated that the audience,who usually talks and laughs loud during my set, gave her such reverence and listened intently to her whole presentation....for her first time ever on stage,Tamara delivered an exemplary performance and reminded all of us what it would be like if our dream of singing and dancing on stage came true.You're an inspiration to little girls all over Oshawa.....use the guitar player next time and pound some more bluegrass or something!
It was an awesome evening.This night also included an incredible set wth Alison and Nate(...yes,Alison...he DOES own a record company) and Lindsay and Luke,as well as Pete Merilovich and my co-host,Mr.Don Niblett and others....
Tamara, by the way is also an accomplished videographer and is known at Youtube,Durhamrock and other fine establishments as "AnteRockstar" and her MTV approach to the local scene is refreshing and informative.....(shit....I'm starting to sound like McGuirk.....I better end this).
Here's a link to anterockstar.........(Auntie Rockstar...I love it)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=anterockstar&aq=0&oq=anteroc
ACOUSTICALLY SPEAKING
ABOUT LOCAL LIVE MUSIC
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
ACOUSTIC JAM #98 AT CHICAGO'S
Posted by Howard Stacey at 9:05 PM 26 comments
Friday, June 6, 2008
I.T.B. ROCKS CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:04 PM 1 comments
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Weber Brothers Rock Chicago's!
What a night! The much anticipated return of The Weber Brothers to Chicago's last night came and went in a flash of brilliance that may remain unmatched for the rest of 2008.One of those special evenings where the phrase,"you had to be there",was an understatement,even those that expected and demanded full value for the ten dollar cover charge found themselves on a wild ride on a lightning bolt across the skies and horizons of rock and roll.Dazed and satisfied beyond expectations,we were then returned in a state of comfortably numbness to the harsh reality of it all being over as we reluctantly dragged ourselves out the door after the encore.I heard so many people state at different times during the evening that either they were being treated to a delicious dream or asking if they were the only ones that realized how great it really was. From the first slap on Ryan Weber's stand-up bass to the last crash on "Fergie's " drums, we were all constantly in shock and awe at the magnitude of the talent and energy coming from that stage.Sam Weber was not to be outdone by his older brother or anyone else last night and with machine-like precision delivered above average guitar solos and soulful vocals to the mostly original song list.Shai Peers danced and rocked behind his keyboard like a possessed morph of Jerry Lee Lewis and Garth Hudson,the wizard he has competently replaced in the legendary Hawks.
When local writer Will McGuirk described in Friday's paper that the Webers are entertainment with a capital "E", he was spot on.You could not take your eyes or ears off of them.The pictures above and the video below are only a small appetizer to the feast that awaits us on their return.
Thank you Ryan and Sam for delivering such a stellar performance and for agreeing to return to Chicago's on July11 in return for a fee that I'm sure is well below your actual worth.Another packed house is guaranteed and never underestimate the love and appreciation felt for you by your loyal friends and fans.If this sounds like I'm one of them,it's not at all by accident.
Posted by Howard Stacey at 11:54 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
THE STABLES at CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:37 PM 1 comments
Thursday, January 3, 2008
HERE COME THE STABLES to CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 11:37 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 24, 2007
2007 in Review...2008 in sight...
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to all of the great musicians that made my reviews a job of amazement and pleasure throughout 2007.
Thank you to all of the great players and appreciative listeners that attended our Tuesday night Acoustic Jam at Chicago's this year.
Thank you to the owners of Chicago's and all of the other live music venues in Oshawa for giving us a place to do what we love to do.
Thank you to my cat Sylvester who passed away this year at the age of 15 who was, and still is, an inspiration on how we all can live our lives.Eat.Sleep.Play....God Bless
Please support live music in Oshawa! Starting Sunday January 6th,2008 at Chicago's enjoy the irreplacable Terry Blankley and his guest Fabulous Frank Zee,as they serve up some tasty ambience through dinner into the early evening! Every Sunday from 4-ish to 8-ish .Bring the kids.
Join me at the Tartan Tavern on Friday January 11,2008 when I visit my old friend Ilse Themen and her band for one hell of an effin party.This lady rocks!............See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 9:11 PM 1 comments
THE BRIAN ROSE LITTLE BIG BAND AT CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 6:43 PM 1 comments
21st FULL COUNT BLUES BAND CHRISTMAS PARTY at CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 5:01 PM 0 comments
THE DAVID ROTUNDO BAND with JEROME GODBOO minus DAVID ROTUNDO
Posted by Howard Stacey at 4:15 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
ROMAN POKORNY at CHICAGO'S!
OK...Problems solved and I'm pleased to bring this review to you from Sunday Nov.25,when Chicago's and the Durham Region Music Society presented the great Czechoslovakian guitarist,Roman Pokorny.What a treat THIS was! Playing with a natural fluency that incorporated his classical learning but driven by a highly imaginative freewheeling style,Roman threw all language barriers and any other differences out the window.A virtuoso jazzman,but also a solid blues-rocker and even an adept country-rock picker at times,Mr.Pokorny had many of us wondering if we should have maybe taken a few dozen more guitar lessons.Capably backed by Society members,Terry Blankley on keys,Bobby Watson on guitar,Howard Ross(on bass!) and Greg Stokman on drums, Roman took us on a musical rollercoaster from cool jazzy bends to hot bluesy slides and left an appreciative audience to end each piece with loud applause.Joined later by Frank Zochodne on guitar,Joe Lambert on sax and the awesome vocals of Lynn McDonald,I couldn't help but feel proud to be able to hold the Tuesday Acoustic Jam on the same stage as these very talented musicians. Thanks to Lynn and the DRMS for bringing Roman here and check out his clips on Youtube.I was able to record the part of the concert where the band falls out and Roman flies solo for about four minutes,which I've included below.I'm sure you will enjoy it.
It's going to be a busy month with the DRMS Christmas party featuring Jack De Keyser on the 9th at the Wing Shack,David Rotundo w/Jerome Godboo at Chicago's on the 14th,followed by The Full Count Christmas on the 15th at Chicago's featuring Howard Ross with special guest June Eikhard,as well as many more great shows this month to follow.Check the DRMS and Chicago's calendars for details on these and other events coming soon.
As for me and the Tuesday Acoustic Jam,we just passed the nine month mark and since Christmas Day and New Year's Day are Tuesday's, I hope to see as many of you as I can on Dec.18,because we'll be off for two weeks until Jan.8,2008.All the best to all of you over the holidays and throughout 2008 and I hope to be still jammin' and writin' to ya'll this time next year..........................See Ya!!!!!!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 10:46 PM 0 comments
Sunday, November 25, 2007
DANNY BROOKS at CHICAGO'S!!!!!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:22 PM 0 comments
Friday, November 23, 2007
DAVID ROTUNDO at CHICAGO's!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 1:28 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
PAUL JAMES AT CHICAGO'S!!!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:05 AM 1 comments
Sunday, November 4, 2007
CHICAGO'S WINS ANOTHER AWARD!!!
Well... Approaching Acoustic Jam #34 this Tuesday night at Chicago's,we get the news that the establishment has once again been honoured!After being bestowed with the "Friends of the Arts" award in September by the Durham Music Society,Chicago's has now claimed the Gold Medal for "Best Live Entertainment Venue" in the Reader's Choice Awards hosted by This Week Newspaper!Thank you to the owners,the staff and all of the great performers that appeared there during the last year,but most of all,thank you to all who voted.Without any of you this never could have happened. Live music is alive and well in North Oshawa and will always thrive as long as the support and appreciation continues to come from those who make the effort to attend. On the downside,however,my favourite bartender,Karen Lean,did not get enough votes to snag a prize,but that's obviously because when she made the list of nominees,the paper for some reason didn't indicate that she worked at Chicago's,so I'm sure some people just didn't recognize her name.That's OK,Karen,they also omitted the listing for the Acoustic Jam the last two weeks in their "What's On" column.Go figure.Anyway,you don't need a medal to prove that you're the best in the business.Your legion of fans,friends and admirers is well aware of that.
All right,then.....go to http://www.chicagosdiner.ca/ to see the upcoming schedule and try to make it out this Tuesday night.More players..more people..more fun..See you there!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 3:44 PM 0 comments
ROBIN HAWKINS BAND AT CHICAGO"S!
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:28 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 21, 2007
JEROME GODBOO AT CHICAGO"S TONIGHT
What the hell was I thinking? Not only did Chris Burgess do everything needed to enhance and punch out every one of Jerome's songs as intended and expected,but at the same time established himself as another premier guitar player with this band and in this country.Well done,Chris,you made believers and fans of all of us.
As for Jerome,maybe he thought that he had to try harder or be even better than usual to overcome these expectations,but from an inspired soul,sang and played as well,if not better, than I've ever heard him before.I was going to list the songs that were highlights,but a shorter list would be which ones that weren't,for there would be nothing on it. I was disappointed that I couldn't say hello to and spend some quality time with Jerome's fiancee, Ms."...gardenjane.com...aka Janey," Jane Hayes,but there goes those expectations again. Maybe next time.Circle Friday Dec.14 on your calendar to witness the concert of the year,when Jerome brings in the other greatest harp player in Canada,David Rotundo,with any one of the above mentioned guitar geniuses, to blow us all away into Christmas. I really hope that were all still alive and well to experience this...Hope to see you there..............
Posted by Howard Stacey at 2:39 AM 1 comments
Monday, October 15, 2007
JEROME GODBOO"S NEW CD AND SHOW!!!
The new CD by Toronto's
Posted by Howard Stacey at 11:55 AM 0 comments