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Just met the musical icon Nash The Slash

Chris — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:48:45 +0000

I just met the legendary Nash The Slash the other day at a patio in my neighbourhood! Holy crap, it left me speechless for a second! Imagine that, another musical icon living in my neck of the woods?! My hand s are still shaking a bit believe it or not.

It all started off as just a regular outing. My wife and favorite brother in law Terry were coming back from taking our dog midnight for a swim at Cherry Beach. After the walk we wanted to get a little something to eat on a patio, trying to take full advantage of the current warm spell that we we experiencing in our area. Going to Cherry Beach we drove along Queen St E. taking in all the pedestrian traffic just wanting to shake off some of the winter blues.

We drove past this legendary restaurant that has a great patio that was originally called Stratengers. Now it’s called Stratengers Bar & Restaurant. When it was a bar, we went there to check out the great line up of bands that were always playing there. This is the bar that I did some fabulous video work of a band called The Big Kahuna.

After Midnight’s swim and walk along the beach, we decided that this would be the best place to have a late snack. When we finally arrived there, we quickly located a prime location on the patio and sat down. After we ordered a menu and a drink I went up to the little boys room. While walking upstairs, I noticed this tiny cut away in the wall that had some glass covering it. When I stopped to investigate it I realized that it was a shrine to great Nash the Slash! It had some neat pictures, media/website info and a collection of his work.

I’ve read on line before that this was one of his favorite haunts but that was it. Before going back out to the patio I ran into someone who worked there and inquired about Nash. He told me that he came in quite frequently around this time of the day and that he’d love to chat with me if I wanted. He also said that he’d probably talk to me for hours if I had the time. Holy crap, he shouldn’t of told me about that!

With a skip in my stride, that of a little kid just before Christmas, off I went to tell my clan about what I had just found inside. I was now on the hunt for the illusive Nash the Slash on the exact same patio that I was in.

The sun was just starting to set below the top of the roof of the house across the street and we knew that very soon it would be getting cold so we asked for the bill and began to get ready to leave. BUT I HADN’T SEEN NASH YET, in a child like voice in my mind but my wife knew what was going on inside my old brain box!

As I began to untie my little dog Midnight from the patio railing, the owner came up and tapped me on the back and shook my hand. He said, so you’re the one that wants to met Nash? Well here he is! I then turned around and THERE HE WAS! I stood there speechless for the first time in a long while.

He said Hi, I’m Nash. I immediately took off my sun glasses and started babbling something to him. I was in shock.

During a gig at The Edge in the late ’70’s to raise awareness of the threat from the Three Mile Island disaster, he walked on stage wearing bandages dipped in phosphorous paint and exclaimed: “look, this is what happens to you”. The bandages became his trademark.

Imagine that, right there in front of me was the guy that in my mind, made the band FM so fascinating to listen to. Playing an electric violin and mandolin? I had never thought about electrifying instruments like that before. Remember this was in the late 70’s mind you. I understand that he is such a force of musical nature in his own rite but it was with the band FM that exposed me to his musical genius.

As a impressionable young guitarist, I can’t remember how many times that I placed my parents stereo speakers out the front windows of their home for all the neighbourhood to hear. Blasting the entire album Black Noise through it and literally soaking up all their musical prowess. Often while listening to this album I tried to focus in on individual tracks to pick out what it was that each member from the band was playing. It was so foreign to me at the time. I ate it up whole and then attempted to spit it out through my guitar playing. Most of my buddies thought that I had either left the planet or that I was really on to something here.

So thanx for listening to me ramble on for many a paragraph. I know that I have not been all that active on this and on my other blogs but I guess that after many years of playing and blogging it can burn you out after a while. I hope to have re-energized my battery’s engine and resume more work

Keep on Jammin’ Nash The Slash (RIP Digger)

Why I’m not writing that many posts lately

Chris — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:01:22 +0000

Hello there everyone! I’ve been a busy boy as of late attempting to help kick start our fragile economy back into shape. No it’s no that we won the lottery but it’s due to just plain bad luck, it had to happen sometime, AHHH!!!!

We’ve been hit by the everything must break down all at once syndrome. Our washer, God bless it’s soul, was made in 1974 and it had it’s last spin a couple of months ago. It was a Kenmore washer and it worked great! It obviously not Energy Star rated by any stretch of the imagination but it worked. It came with the house and it did look well … rather dated? Like all older appliances it had some weird quirks. You gotta talk nicely to it or it produces a wild grinding like sound.
I had to lift the washer up on one side and drop it to get it going from time to time.

For around 4-5 months I had to head on over to our local laundromat and did the wash there and then came back home to use the dryer. It was great meeting people and talking about the neighbourhood and sharing stories. My wife thought that I was bent, as usual but it was fun! I just love meeting new people … maybe that’s why I love my job so much! Not many people can say that.

So now we have a new washer and dryer! It cost a few bucks but in the long run we will save money. We purchased a Inglis front loader washer & dryer. The reviews in most of the forums we read were great. The only problem was with mold in the washer. You have to dry the washer down after using them and some people thought that they were too loud. My wife got a steam cleaner with this in mind but we haven’t had to use it yet. We found the exact opposite when we fired ours up. I have to say that going through forums to find out the pros and cons about products before you get them is A MUST to do. I realize their are so many forums out there to check out but take your time it’s really worth it.

We received them on Saturday and had lots of things to do to prepare before using them. We got the risers for both and had to level them before placing both appliances on top them. This is VERY DIFFICULT to do in the basement where the floors are not level. We plan on finishing it later on when we have the house payed off in a few short years. Why go in more debt when you don’t have to right?!

After taking for what seemed like an eternity, we had both risers leveled off and had to make sure that we placed them exactly in the correct area of the floor after we attached both washer and dryer on top of them. I had to call my cousin to help us out on that one and here’s to you Jeff, thanx again!

I also had to install a dryer receptacle which was a piece of cake but going all over the place for some parts was a real pain in the ass.

In total it took use about 15 1/2 hours from start to finish. I didn’t count all the time spent on forums and going to stores to get a better look at what it was that we were going to spend a good chunk of change on. Damn I’m tired just thinking about what we did!

So that is only a small part of what was taking up all of my precious time on. Next thing to talk about is our old 52″ DLP TV, AHHH!!!

Keep on Jammin’

The How Long Blues in the Recovery Room

Chris — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:01:01 +0000

Here is the video of Dr. Lefkowitz and myself playing at my work. We did a 2nd take of this one because one of my favorite nurses of all time Bev and my favorite anesthesiologist Les missed the 1st one!

I now have a fonder respect for blues guitarist! I find the rhythms to play are difficult to master. The lossie goosie timing takes a bit of getting use to. The coming in and out of time signatures at unfamiliar times are something that I have not tried before. I am more accustomed to straight forward rhythms so I must appear to come off as a spastic rhythm guitarist, ha!

Just a question here for all you musicians out there, have you had certain challenges when you try to play the blues properly when your own style of playing is completely different for the blues? I just want to find out if it is just me who has the problem adapting to this unique genre or is it just me.

Like most guitar players I love attempting different forms of music to broaden my musical horizons and repertoire. It is also an advantage to having a number of tricks in my hand bag to pull out when needed.

This genre of music will take me a while to get a proper handle on it but I feel that I am up for the task. So a practicing I a go!

So sit back and have a laugh at my expense! Cheers!

Update – sorry had to remove the video as the doctor I work with made it private. Darn!

Keep on Jammin’

Micheal White and Orchestral Zeppelin

Chris — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:01:54 +0000

Micheal White & The White with their Orchestral Zeppelin project is a fascinating to say the least! The adulation from this group for that Zeppelin sound shows everyone the depth of love that they have for this great band. Having the drive and skill to pull off something like this makes one’s blood cold with excitement!

They were the first band ever to call themselves a ‘tribute’ and have performed over 4000 shows to over 3 million fans around the world. Even Jimmy Page himself commented to me in 1985 that “Michael does it best”.

The White is considered to be first act to be known as a true Led Zeppelin Tribute Band and the rest is history. I think that I’ve heard about this band for a while now but I never really paid that much attention to them until today. While driving home from the store I came across a commercial on the radio, promoting the bands next show in Toronto at the Sound Academy.

So I thought that I’d give you a heads up about these guys and I’d love to see them sometime … anyone out there got some free tickets for yours truly?!

If anyone is interested in going to the show here is the info.

Q107 the radio station that I was listening to at the time is presenting Michael White’s ORCHESTRAL ZEPPELIN featuring the Symphony Of Rock Youth Orchestra on Sat Jan 16, 2010. Doors are open at 8pm and TICKETS are $20 IN ADVANCE and $25 AT DOOR.

Keep on Jammin’ Micheal White & The White!

The Mountain Music with Sheesham and Lotus

Chris — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:01:34 +0000

The musical style of Sheesham and Lotus is called mountain music. That is what Sheesham told me when I met him while walking my dog Midnight. The music is simple and refreshing. Toe tapping is another phrase to describe the band’s genre but right now I can’t find the proper words to define these guys.

I just can’t help but feel so upbeat about life when I am taking in their unique musical way of life! The music from Sheesham and Lotus gently brings me back to a time that seemed more kinder and respectful to one another. I just want to get up and dance … ok I won’t because I’m down right pathetic at it.

Check out more video’s of Sheesham and Lotus and see if you to get that feeling?!

Keep on Jammin’

The band Cinema Face

Chris — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:01:51 +0000

Cinema Face is the best progressive art-rock band that I have ever seen play in Brantford. The band was playing in Brantford in a popular bar called Alexanders Tavern. This band stopped me dead in my tracks and left me, not to mention everyone else in the bar, screaming for more.

They had all these tv sets beside the stage that featured holographic images on them. They also had these black light effects that blew my mind, a first for me at a the local level as well as a phenomenal light show!

The band members of Cineman Face were Frank La Magna (guitar, vocals) Armin Hart (keyboards, vox) Randy Infuso (drums, vocals) Darryl Peterson (bass, vocals).

The band played at variable clubs throughout Ontario and started building a small fan base over their 13 years together. While the band faltered in Canada, they finally gained some ground in Europe and Japan. In Germany, the band gained near legendary status!

Even though they did not achieve overall commercial success they tried their utmost but came up short. Finally in 1983 Cinema Face recorded a self-titled album, which was released under the Red Sun Records label. Though the band had already called it quits by 1994, their debut was then re-released on the Pacemaker Records label. The album did well enough to bring Cinema Face back to life in 1996 to complete a sophomore offering, Face Card.

This is a video of the band playing at the old Gasworks in Toronto in 1983. For those who are not aware of this Toronto landmark, it was the bar that Wayne and Garth went to in Wayne’s World.

Below are some links to check out if you were a fan of the band and you want to pick up some of the bands CD’s for your collection!

Cinema Face
Face Card

Keep on Jammin’

80’s band Zon and Put on the Show

Chris — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:01:15 +0000

A Canadian band called Zon, was a theatrical band that was ahead of it’s time. Although I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing this band, it does hold a special part in my rock and roll heart!

While playing in Pylis, we played this song as an opening number. It got my heart just a pumping at break neck speed! The great keyboardist Tony F., recorded this circus like pipe organ sounding song that was followed by a keyboard solo that helped us lead into this tune! Ah, the memories!

Another tune from these guys that we did was called Time for your Love. It had lots of fun openings for me to jam on stage and boy was that fun! See CounterPoint, there was a time that I could pull off some free jamming/soloing on my axe! Too bad that I couldn’t reach deep into my little bag of tricks and show you what I mean.

If you are a fan of this band and you are looking some of their tunes to download, then check out this site for more info.

Enjoy.

Canadian pomp rockers Zon, which were originally released at the end of the 70s. What set them apart from other Canadian bands at the time, was their theatrical approach. Anyone who saw them performing live 25 years ago, will tell you how impressive they were. With special costumes and masks, it was indeed something you had to see at the time. Musically the band played keyboard orientated rock and have always been compared to Queen and (especially) Styx. As a matter of fact, one of the highlights of their (rather short) career came when they were asked to support Styx on their “Grand Illusion” tour. CBS took them under their wings and released “Astral Projector” in 1978 and “Back Down To Earth” a year later. In my opinion, the former is the better of the two, because it’s Zon from start to finish. On “Back Down To Earth”, CBS tried to push them into a more ‘commercial’ direction and the guys didn’t get enough time to write (enough) decent songs. Negative publicity and a corporate cleanout saw CBS dropping them from their roster. A (rather weak) third album was released on the small Falcon Records in 1980 before the band called it quits.
Rock Report

Keep on Jammin’

A Cardiac Rap

Chris — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:01:35 +0000

Cardiac surgeons are certainly life savers to say the least.

They can change lives and make one aware of the simpler things in it that makes it worth living! These men and women touch our hearts in so many ways that one may not be cognizant of.

I bet you never thought about the music side of ones heart but this guy sure does!

I work with this great guy not to mention fine guitarist and he is definitely one in a million! I hope you enjoy his musical work … and never have to experience the other gift that he has to offer us.

Cardiac King, Keep on jammin’!

The magic of Scott Merritt lives on

Chris — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:01:50 +0000

I just found out through a buddy of mine on Facebook that one of the greatest musicians that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, Scott Merritt, was playing at this years Guelph Jazz Festival today.

Three Parades, by Guelph artists/multi instrumentalists/producers Scott Merritt and Jeff Bird, will orchestrate a performance by three different bands, each made up of 10-20 musicians, that will approach the St. George’s Church’s bell tower from different directions. All three bands will play a Merritt composition in counterpoint with one another and with the tolling church bell (played by Guelph player Jeff Bird), which will act as both a time pulse and key center for the composition.

Along the three routes, road signs will provide supplementary cues for the musicians to change what they are playing. The bell tower will house a PA system, which will project a pre-recorded score for solo voice that is reminiscent of a muezzin, who delivers the Muslim call to prayer from mosques. Once the bands converge at the tower and play together for several minutes, they will turn around and recede to their original starting positions.

The compositions for the three bands, the bell, and recorded voice work both independently and in concert, regardless of the listener’s position.
The Guelph Jazz Festival

The man was always a head of the curve. How he composed his songs were brilliant and very innovative. He did it such a way that I have never heard of before. I guess this is what peaked my curiosity with his overall body of work. In 1986 he was a nominee for the Juno award of Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year!

He was the kind of guitarist that when he entered the local music store, Music and Sound, everyone who was holding a guitar put it down making it look like they didn’t play it at all! We all just had so much respect for him that we felt a little bit insecure about playing in front of him. The man was always a gentle giant in person and Scott’s interviews were always insightful.

My wife and I feel in love with his Gravity is Mutual album when we first heard it. We still have our original vinyl copy downstairs!

I will leave you with a video that he did to support his album and I know that you’ll all enjoy it!

Scott Merritt, Keep on Jammin’ PLEASE!!!

More things about Scott Merritt

Sisters Euclid

Chris — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:37:51 +0000

Sisters Euclid is this local Toronto band that I have heard about for years, but I never really looked into anything about them. They’ve been on the music scene for more than 12 years. They consider themselves as a Jam/Jazz/Psychobilly band. Their musical design is exciting. I don’t think that they are going to go main stream any time soon, but if your into that unique approach, then these guys fit the bill.

I first heard them on the CBC website highlighting the Neil Young Tribute show at Massey Hall. They performed their rendition of Helpless that had a different slant then the original on by Neil Young on his album Live at Massey Hall.

Their permanent home on most Monday nights is the Orbit Room. The venue reminds you of a 1950’s New York cocktail lounge, owned by Alex Lifeson of RUSH.

So take a little listen to these guys and tell me what ya think about them!

Keep on jammin’

Guitar Licks and Tips » Home and Lifestyle

Just met the musical icon Nash The Slash

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Why I’m not writing that many posts lately

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The How Long Blues in the Recovery Room

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Micheal White and Orchestral Zeppelin

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The Mountain Music with Sheesham and Lotus

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The band Cinema Face

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80’s band Zon and Put on the Show

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A Cardiac Rap

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The magic of Scott Merritt lives on

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Sisters Euclid

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