Aawww, You're my Favourite!
(Cross posted on my myspace blog)
OK I know it’s that time of year…the time when people put out their “Best of” lists for the year gone by. I don’t like saying “best of” because it’s pretty subjective and much of my response to music is visceral and emotional. So I shall call them “favourites” and the list will not be just records, or just songs, it will be all the musical happenings for my 2006 that count among my “favourites”. So here goes:
Favourite Moments:
Festival Moment:
NQ Arbuckle set at Waynefest. Carolyn Mark joins the boys onstage. Someone has sparklers. It’s a perfect night in the hoodoos. If you’ve never been to Waynefest – seek it out – although how they may top this one I have no idea. Great line-up, great weather, a million great moments – thanks Waynefesters!
Sit-down Concert Moment:
Justin Rutledge at the Winspear. Plays Too Sober to Sleep in the most acoustically perfect room there is and I cry like a baby.
Workshop/Session Stage Moment:
The hail storm nails us during the Edmonton Folk Fest – Jason Collette’s session stage. The throng of hippies and hipsters is doused by a flash storm that soaks us all to the bone and leaves the ground momentarily white. But in the end Collette’s set, complete with a wonderful appearance by Fiest, “Brings the Sun”!
Honorable mentions: Dan Bern, Stephen Fearing and That 1 Guy (if you’ve never seen him, I can’t explain); and Luke Doucet accompanied by his daughter Chloe… both of these were at the Calgary Folk Fest.
Other Favourite Moments:
Nick Perreault CD release party. Thrilled that it happened, honoured to be a part of it, proud of the success. Thank-you, my friend.
Watching Wilco from the wings of the Jubilee auditorium. Or more to the point, watching their guitar tech.
Any number of moments at the Junos in Halifax. Too many to mention, some too drunk to remember.
Favourite Music
Favourite records I bought this year:
Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Dan Bern, Breathe
Calexico, Garden Ruin
Favourite dance phenomenon:
Shout Out Out Out Out
Favourite Records it feels like I was waiting FOREVER for:
Nick Perreault, The Good Intentions
Barry Westerlund, Every Five Minutes
Shout Out Out Out Out, Not Sayin’/Just Sayin’
Favourite Shows:
Nick Perreault – The Good Intentions CD release party
Corb Lund w/ Elliot Brood at the Starlite Room
Ndidi Onukwulu w/ Madagascar Slim and Po’ Girl at the Sidetrack
Sixshooter In Store Juno Showcase, Halifax, Sam the Record Man. Featuring: Luke Doucet, NQ Arbuckle, Elliott Brood
Justin Rutledge/ Jim Cuddy at the Winspear Centre, Edmonton
