Romantic loves come and go and so do fashions, jobs, political movements and whole lot more, but musical greats and our love for their product endure in memory long after we forgot why in Grade 7 we thought we couldn’t live without the love of Carol Thurston or regarded Pierre Trudeau as hip in Grade 11 or believed a mullet just the thing to complete our look in college.
This afternoon and this evening a lot of people will be revisiting happier (and certainly more youthful days) to reclaim the joy of memories that won’t fade as Mike McKenna and his Slidewinders band put on another Blues retrospective at Black Swan Tavern and a panoply of stars at Horseshoe Tavern will celebrate the release of a new album of tunes by the late great Handsome Ned of The Sidewinders (among other names).
I never had the pleasure of hearing Ned live, although along with millions of others I was impressed by his recording of signature tune “Put The Blame On Me” in Bruce McDonald’s film “Roadkill”, released in 1989 two years after the Country songwriter, born Robin Masyk, died at just 30 years of age of a heroin overdose.
Ned did release a few singles while alive (and got a posthumous 1990 Juno nomination as Best Male Country Vocalist) and packed a lot of living into a few years on the Toronto scene, performing under a variety of band names, hosting a radio show and holding a residency at Cameron House, but most of the musical magic he made was believed ephemeral and lost.
But recently, according to organizers of tonight’s 8-12, event a former booking agent at the Horseshoe, X-Ray Macrae, unearthed a tape that no one knew existed of Ned and his band The Handsome Neds, opening for a then relatively unknown Blue Rodeo at a 1985 show in the club. From that, producers have worked their digital magic to create the new 6-song ep, which is being released in the room where it was created thirty years and a couple of weeks after Ned’s passing.
The show in the room at 370 Queen St. W. will include performances by many of Ned’s contemporaries and chums from the proto-Punk/Country Punk scene he was part of and adored by (see details in show listing) and will probably be worthy of being recorded as well!
Blues icon Mike McKenna, although he’s had a few brushes with mortality (I was recently re-reading a 1996 story I wrote in to-nite #084 about how he lots the tip of his left middle a finger in a garage door accident that autumn) is very much alive and still pumping out great riffs, with help from his current Slidewinders group.
As we’ve told you many times previously, McKenna is a living legend to anyone who’s a fan of Blues slide guitar, having practically invented the seminal techniques with his band Mainline, back in the ‘60s ‘70s.
Today’s fifth edition of the “Hoser Blues Party” series, featuring McKenna and his group. is experimenting with a new time frame of Sunday 4-8 p.m. in the club at 154 Danforth Ave., and will also include a guest set by one of the most versatile and unpredictable singers on the scene, veteran crooner Steven Ambrose.
Put on by Pete Otis Music and SongTown, the show will also include opening sets by Otis and by Pat Little before McKenna’s gang (which includes Tom Robertson on guitar and harp, Hap Roderman on bass and Rob Kirkpatrick on drums).
With the timing of the two shows being what it is, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some people at both, especially since covers are equally affordable, at $10 for each event.
-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, January 29, 2022
For KEY to listings codes and schemata see note at end of shows list.
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ONLINE / ON AIR
*6, 7, 10 & 11am; 5 & 7 pm> “Sunday Morning Soul” with Johnny Max @ www.sundaymorningsoul.com ~Blues
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
11am-2pm> The Shpeelers for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO
*11am-2> The Mercenaries @ Drake One Fifty, 150 York St., TO ~retro Rock/Soul
noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz
noon-3> Richard Underhill Quartet @ Trinity Common, 303 Augusta Ave., TO ~Jazz brunch; $12
3-5> Cosmic Homeostasis II @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~electro-acoustic art Pop
3:30-6:30> Freeway Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $ 
*4-7> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots
4-8> “Acoustic Café Finale” with Glass Cactus; Jake Feeney; Jackie Marr; The Mighty Height; Guy @ The Central, 503 Markham St., TO ~acoustic songwriters
*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz
4:30-7:30> Beverly Taft & Reg Schwager @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO ~Jazz
5-9> The Dreamboats @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10
6-7:30> Sam Broverman @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc
6> Beyond The Beat student showcase @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~0$
*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St., TO
*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St., TO
7-9:30> Jake Koffman Quartet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
7-9:30> Hisaka @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Japanese Jazz singer; $
7> Aesop Rock; Rob Sonic; more @ Mod Club, 722 College St., TO ~$22.50-$40
*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B
7> Vanessa Smythe & Friends @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO
8-11> Handsome Ned’s “Live at the Horseshoe” ep release with performances of Handsome Ned songs by John Borra, Steve Koch, Cleave Anderson, Screamin Sam Ferrara, Tony Benattar, Johnny MacLeod, Tony Kenny, Ferraro, Devin Cuddy @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO; $10
8> Kristen Karma; Santanic Mills; Kelvin Wetherell @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $
8> The Doublecuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO
8-11> Wood and Water @ Soozapalooz Studio, 648 Bloor St. W., TO ~acoustic Reggae/Soul-Jazz; $15-20 donation
*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W., TO
*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO
8> Al Stewart & The Toronto All Star Big Band with The Sisters of Swing @ Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St., TO North ~Broadway/Hollywood songs of the 20s-50s; $30
*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; 0$
8-10> Mad Cats @ Trinity Common, 303 Augusta Ave., TO ~Roots-Rock
8:30-10> Bobby Hsu’s Ob-Sessions with Gabi Epstein @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc
9> “Closing Party” showcase with Kali Horse; Luna Li; Rogue Tenant; Busker Bros.; Hot Garbage @ The Central, 603 Markham St., TO ~indie
9> Sages; Sad Sorcerer; High Road Pilots @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W., TO
9:30> Barry Romberg @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock
10> Michael Keith with Nilan Perera, more @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~exotic stringed instrumentals & improvisations
10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country
**10> Blues jam with Bill Hedefine & guests Dan McKinnon & Jerome Tucker @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO
416 – TORONTO EAST
11am-2pm> Claire Riley for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East ~Jazz; 0$
2-4> Lazy Cat open stage Pot Luck Jam with hosts Linda Lavender & Andy Du Rego @ Bain Co-op Community Centre, 100 Bain Ave. (enter off Sparkhall Ave.), TO East ~0$
**2-5> Lisa Particelli’s Girls Night Out jam @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz
*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East
4-8:30> SongTown presents Hoser Blues Night 5 with Mike McKenna & Slidewinder; guests Steven Ambrose; Pat Little; Pete Otis @ Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Blues; $10
4-7> Roots ‘n Branches @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~acoustic Blues
*4:30-8:30> Rock/Blues jam with William A. Miller’s Black Bear All-Stars @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East
7> Adam Ant @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~touring; $34-44
7-11> Mike Nagoda and the Spectrum Blues Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues; 0$
*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East
*10am-2> tba for Bluegrass Brunch @ New Town Billiards, 2878 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Bluegrass
1> Arlene Paculan @ Bier Markt Queensway, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~original Jazz/Pop
4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Mark “Bird” Stafford & Darran Poole @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B
5-9> Lost Boys feat. Gordon Deppe @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Pop Rock
*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
*2-6> Dan Walek hosts acoustic jam @ Norm’s Place, 3439 St. Clair Ave. E., Scarborough
*6-10> jam with Ron McLeod & Supernatural @ Tara Inn, 2365 Kingston Rd., Scarborough
*7-11> open jam with host Billy Zee @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough
8-12> acoustic jam with hosts Tommy Rocker & John Robbie @ Al Mac’s, 2459 Kingston Rd., Scarborough
416 – TORONTO WEST
**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West
11-1:30> Jorge Maza & Pancho Galván @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Latin Jazz brunch
*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues
* noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass
1> The Hurtful Two @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West ~
**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. TO West ~Country
5-8> Chris Coole & Ivan Rosenberg @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~old-time Country Roots
5-8> Zane Pimiskern Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz
6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc
7> “Soul Slam” indie artist competition showcase with tba @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~songwriters; $25
7> Poetry Slam @ Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West ~$10
8:30> “Piano Fest” with Isis Giraldo & Adrian Underhill @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~piano songwriters; $12
8:30> Whitney Ross-Barris Trio @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc
9-1> Kalya Ramu Jazz Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz
9> Cody McMillan @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots
9> Liam Betson; The Pinc Lincolns; Rob Nicholls @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie
*10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~retro Rock/Soul; $10
10:30> Luke Vajsar @ Motel Bar, 1235 Queen St. W., TO West ~Jazz
519
1> songwriters showcase @ Churchill Arms, 355 Erb St. W., Waterloo
2:30-5> Offworld; Bolette @ Red Brick Café, 8 Douglas St., Guelph ~songwriters
*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge
8> Abigail Lapell (album launch for Hide Nor Hair); guest Nate Coles @ The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~songwriters; $10
*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street East, Milton
9:30> Romeo Sex Fighter @ Duke of Wellington, 33 Erb St. W. Waterloo
*10-2> open mic with Nathan Coles @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph
705
3> Odd Man Rush @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
6:30-9:30> Joe Huron Trio with guest tba @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Jazz
10> Justin Million @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough
905 EAST
*3-6> Chris Stapley & Earl Johnson @ Ridges Pub, 776 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~acoustic Blues/Rock
*3:30-7:30> Jon McCann & JD Bass host jam @ West Shore, 893 Bayly Ave., Pickering
4> Pete and Sue @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
6-10> open jam with Juggernaut @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax
*7> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues
*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby
*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock
905 NORTH
**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz
*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots
*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville
*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway South, Keswick
*4-8> open mic with backline & keys @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill
*5> open mic with Crosstown Band @ Time Out, 68 Main St., Georgetown
*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton
*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues
*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing North Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket
905 SOUTH
1-5> Screamin’ Evil Blues Band featuring Keith Danby @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview St., Burlington ~Rockin’ Blues/Blues Rock
2-5> Sean Pinchin @ Lou Dawgs Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton ~original acoustic Blues
*3> Brother Tom Finochio hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton
3> Mein Count; Deomcide; Nude Dogs; Terrible and the Horribles; Bleeter @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~original Punk; ?$
4:30-7:30> Alfie Smith @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton ~Blues
*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton
8> Vallensl Pool People; Blunt Chunks @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie Rock; $10
9-12> Adam Ostrosser & guest @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton
9> Alabama Clam Hash; Good Apollo Kid; Our Father Star @ The Baltimore House, 43 King William St., Hamilton ~indie Rock
10:30> Chris Chambers Group @ Gallagher’s Bar, 69 Augusta St., Hamilton
905 WEST
**2-6> Mark LaForme @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country
?*2> open mic with John & Sheila Ludgate @ The Queen’s Head, 400 Brant St., Burlington
*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
3:30> James Anthony @ Abbey Arms, 481 North Service Rd., Oakville ~Blues
3:30> Brad James @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Country
*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues
**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock
**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock
*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington
*9-1> Dan Ford @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$
*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington
LISTINGS KEY
Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.
Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.
-Copyright © 2017 by Gary “17” Webb-Proctor & TorontoMoon,ca. All Rights Reserved
