Category: Non classé

Flu season is here, and even this cat is not immune. So, after a few days rest, I am back to a reasonably good status. During that time, when not outright unconscious, I caught up on a few music series on my “must see” list.

The first was Dave Grohl‘s Sonic Highways, available in Canada through iTunes. The series concept is simple: the Foo Fighters travel to various American cities and stay long enough to be inspired by it and record one song at some iconic studio there. The narrative of each visit covers the musical history of the city, the studio itself, and interviews with notable musicians, from which phrases and ideas, scattered like bread crumbs, find themselves woven into the lyrics of the song that closes each episode. This show has plenty to offer musicians and non-musicians alike, and you don’t have to be a FF fan to enjoy it. With buying the series, you get extras, including a more detailed summary of the recording process, which I turn the crank of any recording wonk.

Second, and still in the process of being viewed is Soundbreaking. If I have to choose one, this is would be it. Fascinating through incredible, often rare footage, and insights from the best in the business, it looks at music from the point of view of the producer. For non-musicians, or at least non-studio musicians, it beautifully illustrates what a good producer does, or at least should do. For all viewers, there is a greater understanding of why certain songs resonate, and what it takes to make and capture a great performance. As much as I have been learning about the technical aspects of recording, particularly over the last six months, it has given me cause to reflect on what and how I intend to go forward. It’s brilliant!

Finally, a call out to friends and fans that F&TC are at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club again this week, this time on a weekday. Good news is we get to start an hour earlier, so maybe you could catch a set? It would be great to see as many of you as can make it.

The details are in the sidebar. The big challenge on this gig will be how to play “Runner Up” with just 3 people. New toys may be in order. Come down and find out!

Until next week or Thursday, be well!

 

I would be remiss however to fail to mention the show this past Thursday at the Horseshoe Tavern. So, here is the review in super brief mode:

Moan Toys, aka Jace Traz: with the usual gang (Rob, David, Dean, Lawrie): never disappoint; best squirrel jazz solo ever.

Tragic Hearts: lotsa Marshall power, lotsa energy, same chords, couldn’t hear a word. Sorry!

Forty Seven Teeth: good pop sensibility; two girls harmonizing–always good. Which I could have made out the words better but I can listen to the EP. Promising.

Danger Bees: now we’re talking! Great new drummer! Tons of fun, but be nice with the stage banter, guys! Loved that it ended with Heartless Jane.

Venue: a piece of Toronto history, beer is reasonably priced considering the caliber of entertainment.

Sound: a disaster. Probably not the soundman’s fault (entirely) as the acoustics are dismal, but it often felt the level, especially the bass, was turned up beyond the space’s ability to absorb that much volume. Seemed reasonably good for Jace and Danger Bees at least.

Here are some pictures and clips from the show:

Be well!

As promised last week, the demo of Runner Up. There are still glitches, as I still learn out to use Logic, rather than old trusty Garageband. Consider it a first draft. It was a challenge to do, self-indulgent and a lot of fun, particularly with the Mellotron track. Prog-Rock lives on. For an interesting demo of the Mellotron by Sir Paul McCartney, click here. Of course, I have no idea how I can play this live.

As also mentioned last time, I caught Park Eddy at the Linsmore. Even without Giordan Postorino on guitar, they put on a great show. Alan Zemaitis provided the chordal backbone on keyboards and ripped some awesome solos in between, Andrew Pacheco on bass was steady on, and Kyle Sullivan, Toronto’s most popular substitute drummer, sat in for Lowell Whitty and nailed it, as usual. But it’s Chloe Watkinson who is the band’s beating heart. When she sings, you are transported back to a time when emotional integrity rather than vocal acrobatics mattered. Chloe finds the note and doesn’t let go until she has squeezed every drop of soul out of it. She has the gift or being able to channel the essence of great rock vocalists like Aretha Franklin and Paul Rodgers.

I even heard a flavouring of Steve Marriott. It would be cool to hear the band do some Small Faces or even Humble Pie just to confirm that idea.

Park Eddy’s originals are catchy (get their album here), and their covers sound fresh, covering a surprisingly broad range of styles, but somehow a perfect fit for the band. I know that most of you reading this blog missed the show, you can catch them on December 9th at Grossman’s.

In gig news, I am happy to announce that we are back at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club, on Thursday, December 15, 2016, starting at 10 PM. Come on out and show the Holiday spirit by supporting live music. You can always sleep on the weekend!

Until next week, be well!

 

I’ve got a new song inspired by recent political shenanigans and loosely connected thoughts and events. Wanna hear it?

You have a choice:

Wait a week or so for me to finish recording the demo, or better yet, come to Relish tonight to hear me premiere it live.

Here are the lyrics as a teaser:

Runner Up ©2016 R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats

Intro

Verse 1
I am the drunk that sings along
The same words to each different song
I’m Major Tom, I’m an Old Man,
It doesn’t matter, there’s no plan
The guitar player calls my bluff
It’s clear he’s really had enough
But it’s not me who’s seeking fame
Why should I be the one to blame?

Chorus
It’s easier to crash and burn
Than make the effort to relearn
Better to raze it flat than up
Better dead last than runner up

Verse 2
I am the man, the one unknown
Desperately checking on my phone
For reassurance from the world
Where striped and starry flags unfurl
But little birds can only croak
Their sharp and disappointing joke
The man upon the stump is king
The bell is cracked and cannot ring

Chorus

Verse 3
No one will listen anymore
My voice is lost, my life ignored
But others angrier will shout
The cursed words I can’t let out
And decree with their shrill demands
My fate be in their tiny hands
While stubby fingers punch the code
To make the torrid world explode

Bridge
I close my eyes and hold my breath
And stay under until it’s past
Will sun dogs greet me when I rise
Or will the skies be overcast?

Instrumental out

If you can make it, check out Park Eddy this Thursday at the Linsmore. Park Eddy is a super awesome cover band featuring one of the best rock vocalists I’ve heard in a very long time, Chloe Watkinson, and keyboardist extraordinaire and occasional Cat, Alan Zemaitis.

Until next week, be well!

In non-Trump related news, this past week was characterized by more non-Félix and the Cats activities. The day job took me to Niagara Falls for a conference which I have been attending regularly for years. Each year, a small group of attendees have gotten together to jam, and I wanted to make this one even more prominent. I have to thank fellow attendee/players Norm Hartshorne (whom I spoke of in an earlier post here), Chris Demers and Andrew Foster from SRB for putting up with my insistence on how things should run, conference organizers Leslie Boerkamp and Cathy Tier for their enthusiastic support, and Peter Pakjou at Securelinks for online wizardry. A special thanks to Sheri Katz at Long and McQuade for special prizes!

 

In the end, we played twice, loosely but with spirit, and some great people sat in both times. We tried to stick to crowd-pleasers, too, and it seemed to work best that way.

I had expected this would be my last conference and opportunity to do this, and if so, it was great! If by chance circumstances change, I look forward to doing it again.

Here is a brief clip of the band doing Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville (one of those songs we play but never admit to – hence the shoegazing) with me desperately trying to kick it up into a rockier groove. The hip shot near the end is particularly funny!

Video courtesy of Leslie Boerkamp.

Until next time, be well!

Just a short post this week.

First, a belated and huge thanks to friends who came out to support us at the Linsmore Tavern on October 25. After a frantic search for cymbals, oddly referred to as breakables in percussion parlance, we started late but eager. Many thanks as well to the Dial-up Raiders for the aforementioned cymbal scavenger hunt (and the friend who came through), and to Mary-Elizabeth Gilbert for curating Indie Tuesdays, and ongoing encouragement. If the Linsmore ownership reads this, we’d love to do a full evening. Give me a call!

The Amsterdam Bicycle Club gig the following Saturday had a different vibe. Always welcoming, for sure — thanks to Tim and the staff! As challenging as an 11:oo o’clock start is for rustling up a crowd, we did well, and pleased all, or almost. Coulda played some Rolling Stones songs to make that 100%, I guess. Here is something for those gals!

This week is busy due to the day job, but I managed to squeeze out a moment of inspiration. I have a new song in the works, springing from a single idea. If all goes well, I might even have a sample ready for next week. Wish me luck.

In the meantime, be well!

This past August, Mrs. Félix and I were in Stratford, Ontario to catch some theatre, and where she took the picture used for my post on the Tilley song.

During an afternoon matinee of Macbeth at the Festival, there sat near to us a interesting elderly woman who kept chatting to herself, and rummaging through the ample bag she had taken with her, examining her meds, and counting change. The usher was kind to her, keeping her company as much a possible and despite the disruption, not asking her to leave.

However, the patrons around her did not care for the noise, and migrated to empty seats as far away as possible, leaving a large swath around her unoccupied.

After intermission, she got progressively louder, and in a clear voice announced, “I left my nitro in the restroom!”, meaning her nitroglycerin pills, I assume, not the high explosive. Later in the performance, Act 5, scene 5 to be exact, Seyton enters and informs Macbeth, “The queen, my lord, is dead”. The elderly lady loudly responds with “Oh my God!” to general laughter through the hall. It’s a wonder the cast kept it together.

This, I thought, deserves a song.

So here it is for your enjoyment. The references should now be obvious.

The Queen Is Dead ©Robert Pelletier/Félix and the Cats 2016

Verse 1

A moat of empty seats surrounds
The frail old woman all alone
Will she begin to make a sound?
A cough or a frustrated groan?

 

Chorus

She left her pills in the restroom
The plastic bottle on the shelf
She sees the actors in their costumes
But she keeps talking to herself

Verse 2

The click and clacking of the coins
That she is counting once again
In the dark of the theatre
Oh my God, the Queen is dead

Chorus

Bridge

When she was a young
So many men around
Catering to her every whim
Oh! What a pretty dream
Oh! What a pretty dream

Verse 3

A moat of empty seats surrounds
The old frail woman once again
Will she begin to make a sound?
Oh my God, the Queen is dead

Last Chorus

Chorus

She left her pills in the restroom
The plastic bottle on the shelf
She sees the actors in their costumes
But she keeps talking to herself
But she keeps talking to herself
But she keeps talking to herself

 

Until next week, be well!

It’s going to be a busy week! The band is getting together to rehearse on Monday in preparation for two shows this week: the first at the Linsmore as part of Indie Tuesday. We play from 9 to 10 so that would be a good choice for anyone wanting to catch a short, intense set without sleep deprivation at work the next day. The second show is a return to the Amsterdam Bicycle Club on Esplanade. Come down and make an evening of it, either at the Old Spaghetti Factory directly attached to the ABC, or at any of dozens of restaurants in the neighbourhood. We hit the stage at 10:30.

Looking back, it was also intense. This past week, I caught another Indie Tuesday show at The Piston, with performances by Jace Traz, David Macmichael (both of whom I have written about before) and opening the show, Lawrie Ingles and Henry Lees. Drummer/vocalist/voice actor Brilliant Fish sat in as well. All round top talent! The sound at the Piston is one of the best I’ve experienced in a Toronto club, courtesy of Richard Fairthorne.

On Wednesday, I attended the Relish benefit following the summer vandalism, where again, amongst awesome talent, there were Jace, David, Henry and Lawrie. Tyler Ellis played a set and kindly invited me to join his band, along with Lawrie on keyboard. I guess it’s time I talk about the fabulous Dr. Jingles.

Lawrie Ingles (aka Dr. Jingles) – Mild mannered bondaholic dentist and dad by day….crazy SOB with a sensitive side….by sundown. Geddy Lee and Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John wannabee…backing player to Jaimie Vernon and, occasionally, Geddy Lee! Many things to many people!

The 2012 International Pop Overthrow

Lawrie Ingles (aka Dr. Jingles) who is a lapsed dentist and self-effacing keyboardist/vocalist/bassist/guitarist/songwriter. There isn’t a song he does not like. There isn’t a song he does not know how to play.

Jaime Vernon

 

Lawrie and I have gotten to know each other a bit more over the last few years, and he was even invited at one point to join the Cats. He is an affable, quick-witted, and incredibly talented both as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. If he ever asks to sit in, always say yes! To hear his clever and touching original compositions, just click on his Soundcloud site.

Here is one in particular that I found richly arranged and quite moving, particularly as the father.

Until next week, be well!

This week I will offer up a few notes about some fine performers I saw during the week, then talk about one of my more established songs, and the lyrics therein.

I’ve been enjoying Indie Tuesdays at the Linsmore as often as possible, as it never fails to pleasantly surprise. Last week, I caught the irrepressible ex-Vancouverite Gary Edward Allen, he-of-three-first-names, as he opened the night. His set was characterized by solid performances of his own material, and top notch audience management, as a drunken patron kept singing the lines to Neil Young’s “Old Man” regardless of what Gary was playing. Safe to say, that got “old” real fast, but Gary was not thrown by this and deservedly put the heckler in place, firmly but politely…more or less. Here is a sample of his writing, a song called Hands.

He was followed by the delightfully top-hatted Sophia Radisch. She is a surprisingly mature songwriter for her age, and has a great voice, breathy at times for intimacy, and that she releases to full throated power for dynamic impact. If you check out her site linked above, you can hear studio versions of her songs, and see videos of them (one of them is imbedded below). She is also a busy actress. Where does she find the time? There are also videos of her right at the Linsmore so you can see and hear the same performance I did.

Félix and the Cats will be playing the same time and place as Sophia in just over a week, on Tuesday, October 25. For those who come (and please come!), you will hear this next song.

The instrumental part of Just Right for Me had been percolating for a many years as two overlaid simple bluesy guitar riffs. The idea just sat around unused.

Finally, something clicked for the chorus and I was able to put lyrics to it.

A disclaimer: I hope no one will perceive it as objectifying, something to which we have all been sensitized given “the Donald’s” idiotic pronouncements. Let me assure all this is not “locker room talk”, but it is Rock and Roll. In the end, the song is about, crudely perhaps,  finding the person who is your soul mate.

I have included two versions of it: the first in G with open tuning guitars, multi-layered as I wanted the two riffs overdubbed throughout the whole song. For practical performance purposes, I reset the song in standard tuning A, and minimized the overdubs so it would sound much more like the live version. I probably could have spent more time on the vocals :-\

Original version of Just Right for Me

Revised version of Just Right for Me

Just Right for Me ©2013

Verse 1
Some girls are fat with great big asses
Some girls are smart with great thick glasses
Some girls are fun, and love to play
Others won’t give you the time of day

Chorus
Oooh, when all’s said and done
Oooh, I know she’s the one
Oooh,……….she is just right for me

Verse 2
Some girls are vicious, with chains and whips
Some have delicious ruby red lips
Some superstitious with voodoo hexes
Others flirtatious with all their exes

Chorus and Solo

Verse 3
Some girls are anxious to please their man
Some are suspicious of all your plans
Some are ambitious for fame and riches
Others malicious, and downright bitches

Chorus – out

Until next week, be well!

 

 

Back in the oughts, I joined up with a group called the Nerve, with David Israelson on bass, Richard Scarsbrook on drums, and (for a while) Alex Vos on guitar. It was a fun band to work with as we all were doing it for the same reasons (hint: not the money). We kept it going a few years until our separate lives made it unwieldy to continue. C’est la vie!

Cut to 2016, when Richard sends me an invitation to his latest book launch (Rockets vs Gravity, his 9th novel) at the Gladstone Hotel this past Monday. It was a great opportunity to catch up with Richard and David, who also attended. I keep trying to convince them to make it out to an open mic sometime soon. However, I hope they give me some warning so I can review the charts if they want me to sit in.

In commemoration of this reunion of sorts, here is a recording of a rehearsal of Angeline, one of Richard’s songs. Richard is singing lead, with David on back ups and ripping scream, and Alex plays the solo, with me on chunky rhythm.

It’s the only song where I ever got to use my Heil Talk Box, a guitar effect made notorious by Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton. It’s now in storage :-(.

Angeline © Richard Scarsbrook

If you missed the previous blogs, we have two shows scheduled for this month: October 25 at 9 at the Linsmore Tavern as part of Indie Tuesdays, and October 29th at 10:30 at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club. Both should be great fun!

Be well!