Can You Hear Me Now?

I just had the most wonderful night! My dear old friend Blair’s wife Arlene Bishop did a performance in Cochrane tonight… in someone’s living room! It was fantastic. Her and Blair were in town playing the folk festival this past weekend, and I unfortunately missed them there. Blair had to head back to Toronto on Monday, but Arlene stayed behind to do a few gigs in the area… a bar in Picture Butte, a cafe in Nanton… (ahhh, the life of a Rock Star!) and this House Concert in Cochrane. What a great idea, this house concert! The couple hosting it are avid music festival attendees and musicians in their own right, who just happen to have a lovely home in Gleneagles overlooking the golf course (Arlene took great pleasure in pointing out the fact we were in Phase 8 of Gleneagles… conjuring up images of Poltergeist… but you didn’t remove the bodies, did you!!!!! LOL). This is the third time the Scotts have opened their home up to musicians passing through town looking for another gig. They have a large group of friends and music lovers they know, and spread the word. Last time they said they had 40 people attend. At $10 a head that goes directly to the performer, that’s not too shabby! There were at least 20 people there, and even if Arlene had played Jackdaw’s or another pub in town she would have received no more than $150, so she’s ahead there. An intimate venue filled with an appreciative audience, a beautiful view, free wine and Fishermen’s Friends for your sore throat, and you can be guaranteed you’ll sell a few CD’s. (I’ve got all 3 of Arlene’s myself). What more could a musician ask for? It’s B.Y.O.B., and a great evening was had by all. Just Arlene and her guitar… she grabbed the audience and held our unwavering attention the whole night (well, except for a couple minor interruptions at the door). Her between song banter is HILARIOUS, her show is actually part stand-up comedy routine (whether she would call it that or not!) The woman is very, very funny. Not all of her songs are though! They are powerful, thought provoking stories about love, hurt, loss, death, drugs, teen pregnancies, and other sad topics (some of them. There is a fair share of her wit in them too!)

Anyway, it was great to see her… I haven’t seen her or Blair since 1997 and have only seen her perform live the one time all those years ago. Tonight was unforgettable… the intimate setting, sitting on a very comfortable sofa basically right in front of her, hearing her songs performed live and RAW with the emotion in which they were written. Words can’t even describe it!

If you know anyone with a house and a big living room, start planning a house concert!! Woooooooo hooooooooo!