Matt Mays, On the Road Again

Wednesday November 11th
Truro, Nova Scotia, Marigold Centre

With a capacity crowd awaiting Mays to dawn the stage Adam Baldwin warmed the ears of the Marigold crowd. Baldwin won over many smiles with his witty banter and clever lyrics during his half hour set. This was my first time seeing Adam playing solo acoustic and I was very impressed. His material seemed to draw from a number of influences from Tom Petty to Daniel Lanois to Blue Rodeo. Adam was very grateful for the opportunity to play a few of his own songs, to be asked to tour with Matt and to have his parents in the crowd. He joked over not being very prepared because he and Matt had gone for greasy chicken wings and salad at the Engine Room between sound check and the gig. If he was truly just winging it he sure seemed to pull it off well.




Matt christened the stage with a solo version of Downtown, which he played on grand piano. The crowd was instantly won over by this raw, stripped down, melody. After a minor technical difficulty with feedback on the piano during Downtown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSLvpc_SiGA">

Matt moved to the front of the stage and tuned up his Gibson. Matt called to the wings to ask Adam if he left his set list back stage but Adam could not find it. Looking very confused and somewhat baffled Mays continued to look for the list…….Nerves? Fortunately I was paying close attention as he moved across the stage because I was scouting photo opportunities. I happened to noticed he had a piece of paper in his back pocket. I don’t like being the center of attention and pointing this out would with out a doubt draw everyone’s attention. The whole soft seat theater was dead silent. I felt bad for the guy so I told him to “check you back pocket man” and sure enough, after a roar of laughter the show went on.

He began to play a new song, which as far as I know is still untitled. Jian Ghomeshi suggests it should be called Chasing Hurricanes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxK0Q2SHf5A

Matt began playing with no amplification what so ever. I was confused if this was intentional or if audio problems where still being worked out. After the minor feedback troubles I was assuming, and presumably Matt was assuming the reason he had no volume on his guitar was something to do with the sound board controls. After a few verses of the song it was getting apparent that either Matt was unaware that he had no volume or the audio technicians were stumped. All things aside it was a great rendition of the song despite being miced for vocals but not on guitar. Turns out after tuning his guitar Matt forgot to turn off the tuner pedal so the sound could pass back into the PA…….Nerves?



Once Matt worked out the guitar problems it was smooth sailing. He jumped right into an intricate finger style cover of The Jeannie, by Stan Rogers. Keeping on the finger picking train Matt mention he had never finger picked live before, and that he was scared by the whole transition from strumming to picking in front of a crowd.

Matt settled in as the night moved along, looking more and more comfortable with out a band behind him. He kept things light with jokes on wine flu, keeping his harmonicas clean, being razzed for moving to NYC and so on. I have seen Matt play close to 20 times I can imagine, and the only times I have ever seen an ounce of nervousness is when he plays a solo show. Matt is a song writer through and through. He can make two chords and a few sharp lyrics into an eight minute instant classic. When I was sitting on the coach at home post show, reading over my notes I had made and noticed he had only played the one new song. I don’t want to read into things to much but typically if you are releasing a new album in the near future you would at least mention it. I hope there isn't trouble in paradise.



The evening was so laid back that time seemed to slip right through my ears. Matt’s set spanned 90 minutes but I honestly could have sat for 90 more. He and Adam came back to the stage for a cover of Dark Angel, by Blue Rodeo, who was playing simultaneously at The Carleton in Halifax. An audience member then requested St. Georges Lane, this wish was quickly granted and that tipped off the night.

Keep the beat,

Jesse

Garrett Mason

Let me tell you people I got news for you, there used to be a time when a guy got respect.






Garrett Mason has dazzled these eyes far too many times for me not to give this guy some attention. Garrett grew up a few blocks from me in the small town of Truro, Nova Scotia. Although I never crossed paths with Garrett until I was about 18 I have grown to be quite a fan. Garrett, the son of the late Dutch Mason: Prime Minister of the Blues, was born into the blues limelight. From a young age Garrett began to follow the prime ministers lead into the Atlantic Blues scene. Garret picked up a guitar “at the lucky age of thirteen” and hasn’t put it down since. By the time Garrett had drawn attached to guitar Dutchies health had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer show Garrett the ropes on guitar so with the help of long time band mate, The late Rick Jeffery Garrett quickly developed a solid base of skills. His playing quickly developed into a fast, unique, riff rocked blues style.

This lanky guy can rip through a groov’in rhythm, blaze through a smooth solo and belt out a serious chorus; he is the full package. Garrett won himself a Juno Award for his debut album “I’m just a man”. Since his national recognition Garrett has earned Group Recording of the year and Blues Artist of the year this past week at the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Awards for his 2008 release “Love & Sound”. The pure soul that fuels Garrett’s music is very apparent, both in his live performances and in his recordings. More and more bands seem to loose the “atmosphere” or “vibe” of their live performance on their recordings. Garrett Mason and the Vibrations have captured the essence of their live show in the recordings.

There are a number of high quality live recordings from some G.M. concerts floating around that will explain his talent far better that I can:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080912hrvst

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRXq3P2pHs4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1FCam-zJaI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L75oiUOsEM





Garrett’s shows are among the most consistent in the business. He play’s grueling sets filled with finger aching licks but he always seems to make it look effortless. The Vibrations consists of long time bass player Mike Farrington Jr. and drummer Damien Moynihan. I have noticed Garrett is earning a good chunk of air play on local radio stations in Halifax lately. As a matter of fact I won a radio contest for correctly identifying a Garrett Mason song just yesterday! (Thanks CBC)

I have high expectations for Garrett to maintain and revive the Halifax Blues Scene amongst today’s youth. When ever I have slipped a G.M. song into a party play list people always seem to get right into the grove, tapping their toes and hands. On top of being a true performer Garrett is one of the most approachable musicians I have met. I guess it’s a part of blues culture for a performer to mingle between sets but Garrett always goes out of his way to shake a hand, sign an album or catch up with a friend.

If you are looking to get out for a great live performance I would highly suggest getting to one of Garrett’s upcoming dates:

November
6 - The Astor Theatre, Liverpool, N.S.
7 - Rodd Grand Hotel Ballroom, 11:00 PM Showcase
Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week Festival, Yarmouth, N.S.
21 - Pats Place, Antigonish, N.S.



Keep the beat,

Jesse James

The Novaks at The Seahorse Tavern

I hold a grudge with this band, and quite frankly I kind of enjoy hating them for procrastination, postponing, and elongating the wait between their debut album and the 2009 release “Things Fall Apart”.My grudge makes me enjoy their grit more.

This was the third time I have scene the guys play the tracks from the new album and they are obviously working their way back up the Canadian rock totem poll. I wish I could have counted the number of times Mick Davis, The Novaks front man was a) on his knees, b) rock’in the feedback from this Gretsch 5120 or c) laying on his back playing a solo.

I love the simplicity of this band, a three piece (Adam Baldwin did play the gig on keys with them for this occasion), simple drum kit, value but awesome Gretsch guitar and one bass. That’s all it takes this NFLD natives to rock the roof off a rowdy bar. I have to confess I think that Elliot Dicks has the best stage presence of any east coast drummer I have ever scene. I would even go as far as saying that the only drummer I have enjoyed watching as much as Elliot is Abe Laboriel Jr, Sir Paul McCartney's drummer.

The Seahorse is my favorite Halifax bar. It’s a grungy, unequally loud, cold, basement bar with years of character written all over the tables. These guys are no stranger to the tavern, they have played there numerous times over the years and most recently used the bar as a practice/trail space while the recorded Things Fall Apart. While recording Things Fall Apart in capital city they played a show at the Seahorse to mark at unofficial release of their new album for Haligonians.

If you haven’t scene, heard of, been to, or know of The Novaks I am sure you will at some point in the very near future. That is, if this time instead of putting out a killer record and then disappearing of the music scene for years on end the band can keep the hype up with more new material, rolling tours and bass ass vibes.

Keep the beat,

Jesse

Matt Mays at the Seahorse Tavern

Matt Mays at the Seahorse Wednesday November 4th.

This was a secret show that was only announced a few hours before the gig. The band was working out the kinks (not that there was many) before they hit the road for a string of maritime gigs.


After Matt and the boys set up their gear and plowed through a tray of shots the band took the stage around 1:00am. For an un-promoted show there was a sizable Wednesday night crowd. Damien Moynihan (of The Garret Mason Band) was manning the trap kit, Serge Samson (a former Guthries member) on the bass, Adam Baldwin on the keys and Jay Smith on guitar. The band made numerous references to "Dale" and not knowing where "Dale" was. I am assuming this Dale they speak of is the one and only Dale Murray who has played pedal steel guitar for Matt many times in the past.

Mays played two new songs, I didn't catch a title to either but both had a classic Matt Mays feel with a simple G-C-E chord progression. The second of the two new songs was a really great roots rock song with a nice repeating lick. I was somewhat surprised that they didn't play more new material but then again the new album is a solo project so I guess playing full band renditions of unreleased songs might not be the best way to do things. I am going to the November 11th show in Truro which is a solo show with side kick Adam Baldwin, so this time next week hopefully I can report on more new material.

If you have ever been to the Seahorse you know the dark, rock'en vibe that the joint is known for. The boys beefed up the distortion, cranked the amps and fed of the feedback throughout the show. The highlights for me where Time of Your Life and September. Time of your life was basically made for the Seahorse Tavern. The bar was lined with familiar faces from local bands and and former tours mates like Gloryhound.

As I walked home from the gig around 2:30-3:00am on a brisk Wednesday night, realizing I have to get up for work in about four hours I thought to myself "this is what Halifax is all about".

Keep the beat,

Jesse

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