Track of the Week: Kiss Another Day Goodbye by David Kauffman

So I've mentioned the Numero Group many times on this blog. I absolutely love their compilations. I've really enjoyed the Wayfaring Strangers series. One of them is called Lonesome Heroes, and features 17 tracks by unknown folk musicians from the 60's and 70's. One of the tracks particularly caught my ear.


Kiss Another Day Goodbye is a heartbreaking track, maybe a little sad for a Monday morning, but you take the sour with the sweet I guess.



"I don't know how much longer I can live the way I live and never die. I don't know how much longer I can kiss another day goodbye".

This Week in Toronto Feb 4-10

THURS FEB 4

Lisa Bozikovic at The Holy Oak Cafe
I'm loving Lisa's new album Lost August, I even included her track "Grey Sky" as Mondays track of the week. She's playing tonight at the incredibly intimate Holy Oak Cafe. I'm gonna try to make it, see ya there!


FRI FEB 5

Martha and the Muffins CD release at the Music Gallery
The "Echo Beach" new wave rockers will be releasing their first album in 18 years! Playing Friday and Saturday at the Music Gallery, with Birds favorite Wilderness of Manitoba opening! Nice.


SAT FEB 6

Great Lake Swimmers at Trinity St. Paul Church (427 Bloor St W)
If there was ever a band to see in a church, this is it. I know, I've seen them in a church.


MON FEB 8

Magnetic Fields and Laura Barret at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
It's great to see some of my favorite local acts getting the chance to play with bigger acts coming through town. Wilderness of Manitoba opening for Martha and the Muffins, and Laura Barrett opening for the Magnetic Fields. Plus I love the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.


TUES FEB 9

Daryl Orr Jazz band at Gate 403
Man, I haven't been out to see a jazz band in some time. I can only assume that you haven't either. So, how about we meet up in my neighbourhood at Gate 403? A pint and some jazz? Anyone?


WED FEB 10

Wavelength 10th anniversary concert
This is the start of a 5 night event! Tonight will be Bruce Peninsula, Evening Hymns, Pony Da Look, Deep Dark United, and Canaille. To see times and who else is playing this week, check out the facebook page here.

OH! Canada compilation

Hey there. Not sure if you've seen any of these yet, but a really great website out of England puts out a compilation called OH! Canada featuring (you guessed it) Canadian music. They just put together their 7th one, and it's free to download at their site! The music is always great, this one features some of our finest; Zeus, The Wooden Sky, Slow Down Molasses, Spiral Beach and more!!

Check it out here at The Line of Best Fit dot com.


I mentioned it's free right?

Video: Frightened Rabbit- Nothing Like You

A few months ago, the good people at Fat Cat Records hooked me up with a spot on the guest list to see Frightened Rabbit. I had just gotten into them, and was excited to go! The show was great, high energy rock and roll. Today I received a video for their new single "Nothing like you". It will be the lead single from their upcoming album The Winter Of Mixed Drinks.


Frightened Rabbit on MUZU

What did ya think? These scots will be playing in our fair city on May 4th, you can catch them in Montreal the night before.

Happy Tuesday!

Track of the Week: Grey Sky by Lisa Bozikovic

It's really interesting how music scenes work. Everyone will just start talking about someone. It will seem like collective concionce or something.... For example, last week I picked up the new album by Lisa Bozikovic. Typical situation, I walk into Soundscapes records, do the round of listening stations and find something I love. That very day I had 3 people bring her up to me.


Lisa has a very unique voice, a voice that stays with you. Her songs are heartfelt, and one of my personal favorites is Grey Sky. I love the horn pads.



Lisa is playing Thursday night at the Holy Oak. I'll probably be there, say hello!

Track of the Week: Country Music

Country music didn't always suck. It was never perfect, you will always find crap in every genre, but the country music of today manages to be ALL crap. How did it get there?! Is it as simple as country always panders to the lowest common denominator, mix that with record exec mentality for cookie cutter products produced with the finest gear?

Or maybe old country wasn't good. Maybe there is just a nostalgia connected to the music. For example I can't hear anything by Patsy Cline without thinking about my mother doing house work when I was young.



Not to say there aren't people still making good country music. I just picked up Rosanne Cash's new album "The List". Apparently when Rosanne was 18 she went on tour with her father Johnny Cash. During a conversation about songs and songwriting, Johnny was surprised at Rosanne's lack of understanding of the country greats. So he wrote her a list of 100 essential country songs. "The List" compiles 12 of these songs, including this one, "Sea of Heartbreak" featuring Bruce Springsteen.




I love some of the voices of country music. One of my favorites is Roy Orbison. Orbison got his start in Rock and Roll, but like Johnny Cash, his heart was in country music. He had one of the most exciting voices in music. Capable of strong soaring falsetto as well as a tender baritone.



His influence can be felt today. Rock singer Chris Isaak has been mining that sound for 2 decades. Here he covers Orbison's Only The Lonely




Thats a good chunk of songs for today! Happy Monday y'all!

No Shame: Wilderness Of Manitoba, Ghost Bees, Casey Mecija

Last night I finally got out of the house, after finding $8 worth of change to pay for cover, and walked the 40 minutes from my house to the Garrison. Last nights event, put on by No Shame (the new exciting promotion company) featured a great lineup of Casey Mecija (of Ohbijou fame), Ghost Bees, and Wilderness of Manitoba.

I'll get to the show in a bit, but first a quick question to most of the audience; Who where you there to see last night? I only ask because a good amount of you talked through the whole show. As a case study I picked a couple small groups around the room and from time to time would observe them. The talked through Casey Mecija's set. The talked through Ghost Bee's set (although they may be forgiven for it, more on that later), and they talked through the Wilderness set. Why did they pay $8 to be there?! It's one thing to have a small conversation once in a while, but....

Anyways, on with the show. Casey put on a short set of new songs (with the odd Ohbijou cover), playing guitar, a bass drum and hi hat. She has a sweet voice, and I didn't really miss the full band she's usually with.


Ghost Bee's had problems from the beginning. At the time of their performance the keyboard player had yet to show up. So the already restless audience became more restless, and by the time the show got started barely anyone was listening. The normal Ghost Bees lineup of twins Romy and Sari was extended to add John O'Reagan (Diamond Rings) and the late keyboard player who's name I didn't catch. The additions weren't very helpful. Not to blame the musicians, but Ghost Bees are really an entity of their own, I honestly don't know what anybody could add to their unique sound. Seriously if you can see them in a more suitable venue, do it. Ghost Bees can be one of the most mesmerizing acts around, last night just wasn't the night.

photo by Dallas Ludwick

The Wilderness of Manitoba are rising fast. Not only are they rising in popularity and praise, but they're progressing musically at a fast rate. The addition of Sean Lancaric on drums has brought the band to a new level. Now we get the dynamic range only hinted at on "Hymns of Love and Spirit". I can't wait to hear their new album, which we'll hopefully be seeing sometime this summer.


Well that's all folks. It looks like I'm being dragged to the CBC haiti benefit tonight which, although for a good cause, features the worst of Canadian music. I just hope Kanaan sings something other than "Waving Flag".

This day in Toronto: Thurs Jan 21

Hey kids. Just a quick one today. I'll try to get the rest of the week up later today. On this day you have some seriously awesome choices for shows, they are as follows:

Dinosaur Jr at Sonic Boom 6:30
This is awesome for so many reasons. The big one is that it's free! Dinosaur Jr! for Free!! In a small intimate room!! Get there early.


Wilderness of Manitoba, Ghost Bees, and Casey Mecija at the Garrison
The good folks at No Shame have put together another stellar lineup. Wilderness sound better every time I see them play, Ghost Bees are one of the most mesmerizing acts playing today, and Casey Mecija... well, I'm really curious to see what her solo work is going to be like. I do enjoy Ohbijou, so I imagine it'll be great.

Track of the Week: Can't Run But by Paul Simon

I recently got a hold of the entire Paul Simon discography. I've always liked Paul Simon, but have avoided his albums for some reason. Anyways, one of his most interesting albums is "The Rhythm of the Saints". Released after "Graceland", "Saints" retains some of the formers south African influences and adds a healthy dab of Brazilian music.


"Can't Run But" is rhythmically charged, and it's melodies and chords create an eerie back drop for Simons lyrics, concerning Chernobyl.

This Week in Toronto Jan 14 - 20

Hey folks. OK, I'm gonna rush this, because I'm off to New York City tomorrow, and I gotta get some things together. Sooooooooooooo check this yo.

THURS JAN 14

The Strip CD release at Hugh's Room
Good folks, releasing their 2nd CD (although I think it's just a duo on the album), at one of Toronto's finest venues. The Donfors are opening as well. So a good night of music!

SAT JAN 23

Clues at Comfort Zone... Silver Dollar?
Former Unicorns and Arcade Fire folk got together to form Clues. I haven't heard much of their music, but what I have heard is intriguing. So, I think it's at Comfort Zone, but Eye Weekly is showing it at Comfort Zone AND Silver Dollar at 9pm... I can't imagine it's at both. Maybe show up a bit early and check.

SUN JAN 24

Wale Tooth at The Garrison
Part of the always exciting Wavelength series. Whale Tooth is good fun.

MON JAN 25

Kill Bill Vol 1 and 2 playing at Bloor Cinema
See Tarantino's brilliant and fun take on samarai, spaghetti Westerns, and revenge films. It will be a great double feature.

TUES JAN 26

Robert Hedge at the Horseshoe
Robert released one of the best EP's of the year, "The Observer". You can go pick it up, and/or just say happy birthday (it's his birthday!) on Tuesday. He's on first, so get there early.