Taking to the lovely Dakota Tavern stage as a five piece, filled out by Tom on the keys, were Oshawa's own Cuff the Duke. They've got a country-current running through them that perfectly suits this notorious downstairs enclave. With Wayne pumping his pipes they did some deeper cuts early in the night and were impressed with the crowd's attention. Everyone solidly held their own on their instruments however the keys were an especially nice touch, but the lead guitarist really fills everything out. Standing on the Edge was a particular highlight, that is until they covered CCR's Looking Out My Back Door and then invited the beloved Hayden to join them onstage. Slightly surprisingly he immediately took over as CtD backed his song, Miles Away, before all performing his favourite Dylan cover. Unfortunately that was all we'd see of him as Hayden and the Duke crew stepped off for a deserved intermission.
Upon returning they rejuvenated the crowd with a good many more well-known tunes from their catalogue, among them Count on Me, Side By Side, Belgium or Peru and Take My Money and Run. Another cover was sprinkled in before Paul set down the bass and came busting out the fiddle on a rousing If I Live Or If I Die that had the crowd divided in their singalong. Despite the good vibes and promises of hits to come the third set would not be mine for the taking.
Showing posts with label cuff the duke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cuff the duke. Show all posts
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, March 5, 2012
Juno Concert Series with Arkells, Beauties, The Order of Good Cheer (Horseshoe Tavern, March 3)
If it was an Arkells show that you'd signed up for that wasn't at all what you got, however in many ways this was more special, and undeniably more unique. This evening at the Horseshoe was a chance to pay reverence to Canadian musicians of yesteryear, or even yestermonth - as tributes reigned supreme and surprise guests arrived in bundles.
Rock me gently, rock me slowly
Up first was the Toronto band The Order of Good Cheer, including an all-white donning Serena Ryder's husband. It was no surprise when she arrived on song two for some guest vocals and stuck around for much of this fully enjoyable set rooted firmly in rock and roll. Tom Darcy also grabbed a mic for a couple songs including Rock Me Gently. Contemporary covers from Jason Collett's mouth were Weakerthans Sun in an Empty Room and Metric's Gold Guns Girls. Kevin Drew of BSS fame played a non-eyewear related Corey Hart song. The highlight came as Billy Talent's main man, Ben Kowalaweicz, tore apart a song and band I'd never even heard before. Surfing on Heroine by the Forgotten Rebels was undeniably punk with a very tangible surfer feel. Excellent way to close the set off.
It may have been for a mere one song, solo, but any chance to witness Ron Sexsmith play is a fortunate chance.
This ain't nothing new to me - well it's just like going home
The six members of the Beauties went straight into Juno territory with Guess Who's Guns Guns Guns (Godspeed Mother Nature) before inviting renowned Toronto musician Ian Blurton out to rip some guitar strings, slag the audience and sing from beyond the beard Weeping Widow. Man of the moment Afie Jurvasen aka Bahamas, replaced Ian on the guest mic next and then gave way to local member of parliament, Andrew Cash. Cash's vocals were fine but the song choice was one I was unaware of and even with Maya Davis of Ladies of the Canyon also guesting, it was a bit of a yawn. The lull continued for me as members of the respected (but boring IMHO) Skydiggers came out. The set was rescued by one of the greatest Canadian songs ever written (my personal bias now bleeds apparent) Hasn't Hit Me Yet originally by Blue Rodeo of course, sung this time partially by NQ Arbuckle's Neville, but primarily by the Horseshoe sellout crowd. Kevin Drew returned for a song about the last night in the city that sounded right up his alley and apparently is one he's been performing with the Beauties for years anyway. Another Skydiggers song closed out the middle frame.
Can I Get a Witness??
Originally I'd thought the billing was as an Arkells set, and having missed their much adored last tour I was hoping for at least a partial set but it wasn't to be. What came in its place was nothing to be disappointed about however. From the top their enthusiasm for the night, for the songs they'd be singing and the artists they'd be sharing the stage with was infectious. A contemporary classic began in BSS' Cause = Time, given justice by Born Ruffian vocalist Luke Lalonde's vocals. From the same approximate era they dug into an Extraordinary Joel Plaskett tune crooned by Emm Gryner as well as Max Herman. By Divine Right were represented next before a slew of guests arrived on stage. Among them were Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti, LOTC Maya Davis again (she made her presence felt much of the night) a touring member of City and Colour, and the violin flourish of the Great Lake Swimmers' female player. Why such a large contingency? Attempting to give the second Neil Young song of the night a proper sound requires it, and Harvest Moon succeeded because of it. Wayne stuck around for a marvelous Future Hangs from his main band. My personal highlight came in the form of OLP's 4am that featured Jeremy Taggart, as well as Dave Monks and Graham Wright from Tokyo Police Club. That compact disc, Clumsy, was the soundtrack to my generation's musical awakening, as evidenced by the ensuing singalong. Mr. Popular (Drew) returned to complete the trifecta alongside Maya for The Dears You and I Are a Gang of Losers. Probably the closest thing we'd get to an Arkells song was when they alone ripped out Young Offenders by the Cons from who they've obviously picked up the torch in many ways.
Cuz when the feeling's right...
This is all too much really. The display of talent - not only physically on display but also in the songs written by Juno contenders throughout the ages - was simply awesome. How do you wrap this up? Go with the insanely popular crowd pleasers. First get Gord Sinclair and Paul Langois on stage to perform early years Hip classic, Grace Too. Boy did that go off! Untoppable? Try bringing the house down by bringing the Beauties back out for none other than Bryan Adams' Run To You.
Canadian music was rightfully put on display this evening, and it shone bright.
Rock me gently, rock me slowly
Up first was the Toronto band The Order of Good Cheer, including an all-white donning Serena Ryder's husband. It was no surprise when she arrived on song two for some guest vocals and stuck around for much of this fully enjoyable set rooted firmly in rock and roll. Tom Darcy also grabbed a mic for a couple songs including Rock Me Gently. Contemporary covers from Jason Collett's mouth were Weakerthans Sun in an Empty Room and Metric's Gold Guns Girls. Kevin Drew of BSS fame played a non-eyewear related Corey Hart song. The highlight came as Billy Talent's main man, Ben Kowalaweicz, tore apart a song and band I'd never even heard before. Surfing on Heroine by the Forgotten Rebels was undeniably punk with a very tangible surfer feel. Excellent way to close the set off.
It may have been for a mere one song, solo, but any chance to witness Ron Sexsmith play is a fortunate chance.
This ain't nothing new to me - well it's just like going home
The six members of the Beauties went straight into Juno territory with Guess Who's Guns Guns Guns (Godspeed Mother Nature) before inviting renowned Toronto musician Ian Blurton out to rip some guitar strings, slag the audience and sing from beyond the beard Weeping Widow. Man of the moment Afie Jurvasen aka Bahamas, replaced Ian on the guest mic next and then gave way to local member of parliament, Andrew Cash. Cash's vocals were fine but the song choice was one I was unaware of and even with Maya Davis of Ladies of the Canyon also guesting, it was a bit of a yawn. The lull continued for me as members of the respected (but boring IMHO) Skydiggers came out. The set was rescued by one of the greatest Canadian songs ever written (my personal bias now bleeds apparent) Hasn't Hit Me Yet originally by Blue Rodeo of course, sung this time partially by NQ Arbuckle's Neville, but primarily by the Horseshoe sellout crowd. Kevin Drew returned for a song about the last night in the city that sounded right up his alley and apparently is one he's been performing with the Beauties for years anyway. Another Skydiggers song closed out the middle frame.
Can I Get a Witness??
Originally I'd thought the billing was as an Arkells set, and having missed their much adored last tour I was hoping for at least a partial set but it wasn't to be. What came in its place was nothing to be disappointed about however. From the top their enthusiasm for the night, for the songs they'd be singing and the artists they'd be sharing the stage with was infectious. A contemporary classic began in BSS' Cause = Time, given justice by Born Ruffian vocalist Luke Lalonde's vocals. From the same approximate era they dug into an Extraordinary Joel Plaskett tune crooned by Emm Gryner as well as Max Herman. By Divine Right were represented next before a slew of guests arrived on stage. Among them were Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti, LOTC Maya Davis again (she made her presence felt much of the night) a touring member of City and Colour, and the violin flourish of the Great Lake Swimmers' female player. Why such a large contingency? Attempting to give the second Neil Young song of the night a proper sound requires it, and Harvest Moon succeeded because of it. Wayne stuck around for a marvelous Future Hangs from his main band. My personal highlight came in the form of OLP's 4am that featured Jeremy Taggart, as well as Dave Monks and Graham Wright from Tokyo Police Club. That compact disc, Clumsy, was the soundtrack to my generation's musical awakening, as evidenced by the ensuing singalong. Mr. Popular (Drew) returned to complete the trifecta alongside Maya for The Dears You and I Are a Gang of Losers. Probably the closest thing we'd get to an Arkells song was when they alone ripped out Young Offenders by the Cons from who they've obviously picked up the torch in many ways.
Cuz when the feeling's right...
This is all too much really. The display of talent - not only physically on display but also in the songs written by Juno contenders throughout the ages - was simply awesome. How do you wrap this up? Go with the insanely popular crowd pleasers. First get Gord Sinclair and Paul Langois on stage to perform early years Hip classic, Grace Too. Boy did that go off! Untoppable? Try bringing the house down by bringing the Beauties back out for none other than Bryan Adams' Run To You.
Canadian music was rightfully put on display this evening, and it shone bright.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Cuff the Duke (Horseshoe, Mar 11, CMW)
Odd that they were playing a show without any released material to support, but I guess CMW brings bands out of the woodwork. Besides as they showed us, Cuff the Duke have gotta get back in the swing of things with a new album on its way. The native Oshawa lads have got their style down by now, anchored by Wayne Petti's strong songwriting and equally enjoyable vocals.
With all five members wielding their weapon of choice (drums, two electrics, bass and that definitive acoustic) and we knew it was going to be a great night as they began with old favourites including I Remember those Good Times, and Listen to Your Heart. The whammy bar was broken out in earnest on songs such as It's All a Blur, though as mentioned they also included some songs from an upcoming release that show that the Duke continues to steam along. Speaking of which that rambler Take My Money and Run was another highlight in a set full of them. The Future Hangs' harmonica comes to mind though, though the response to hometown shout-out Rossland Square helped make it explode. Wayne joked about their guitarmonies which were plentiful throughout, but the round of solos (no bass though) that we saw on the closing number were super impressive. In fact the set was impressive altogether. Thanks for the show Wayne and co.!
With all five members wielding their weapon of choice (drums, two electrics, bass and that definitive acoustic) and we knew it was going to be a great night as they began with old favourites including I Remember those Good Times, and Listen to Your Heart. The whammy bar was broken out in earnest on songs such as It's All a Blur, though as mentioned they also included some songs from an upcoming release that show that the Duke continues to steam along. Speaking of which that rambler Take My Money and Run was another highlight in a set full of them. The Future Hangs' harmonica comes to mind though, though the response to hometown shout-out Rossland Square helped make it explode. Wayne joked about their guitarmonies which were plentiful throughout, but the round of solos (no bass though) that we saw on the closing number were super impressive. In fact the set was impressive altogether. Thanks for the show Wayne and co.!
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