\ TORONTO \

It’s good to see Murray Powell finally stepping things up a notch to perform a headline show in a club known for high-calibre acoustic acts after many years of open stage and special guest performing at others’ gigs.

While the barrel-chested, baritone-voiced and very prolific Roots-Country songwriter/balladeer has done a few feature nights —most notably of course the release of his excellent Remedials debut album 3-1/2 years ago as well as occasional appearances at Black Swan as part of a combo— his show tonight at iconic Free Times Café hopefully marks the beginning of a higher profile for this most deserving and absorbing talent.

Powell is an interesting songwriter because he incorporates widely diverse subject matter into his music and has clearly made a study of the craft of song composition, utilizing lyrical hooks and stick-to-your brain choruses.  Songs of bittersweet love, pithy observations of characters he’s met in a very interesting life, anthemnic declarations of morality and toe-tapping singalong style Rockabilly-infused fun pieces comprise the remarkable repertoire of originals he has assembled.

He’s also been writing up a storm of late and finally, I’m told, undertaking long-overdue recording of a new album. Hopefully he’ll play some of the newer tunes along with familiar gems like “Needle In A Haystack” during the fairly short set or two he has planned starting at 8 p.m. There may or may not be a cover but either way if you don’t already have one you’ll want to pick up a copy of his first album.

-Gary 17, www.TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Tuesday, January 20, 2022

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). 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.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

5-8> Jazzfornia featuring Claire Riley @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

*6-9> Julian Fauth solo @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues piano

6> Lonesome Ace Stringband with Kristine Schmitt @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6:30> Nathan Hiltz & Whitney Ross Barris @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*6:30-11> The Woodshed jam with Don Niblett & Frank Zochodne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

7:30-9:30> Mr. Rick @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Americana songwriter

7:30> Jonathan Adjemian @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8> FingerStyleGuitar.ca open stage @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots

8> Murray Powell @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~Country-Roots balladeer

8-10> Lily Frost @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

*8-12> Marshall Dane Trio @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~New Country/Pop

*8> open stage with host Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

**8:30> aBabe Music presents Chris Martin & EB Anderson; Emma Hewson; Carly Thomas; Uforia; The Good Fight @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie showcase; $5

*8:30> open mic @ Falcon & Firkin, 10300 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*8:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zadkovich @ Culchain’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga

**9> open mic with host Jody Ferrer & 10 p.m. feature by tba @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Tom Waits tribute

9> karaoke with Randy Petrie @ King’s Belly, 429 Donlands Ave., TO East

9> Kyp Harness & The Chemical Valley Cowboys @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~trenchant Roots

9> Christine Aziz Jazz Quartet @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Zeppelinesque @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

9> Riki Knox @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*9> open mic with Manny D, Andy Earle & Dave Breckels @ Big Chris BBQ, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket

*9:30> The Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ The Fossil & Haggis, 790 Military Trail, Scarborough

*9:30> Peter Verity @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Roots

9:30> Django Gypsy jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

9:30> Simple Damned Device @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~Hard Rock

*9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jennifer Brewer @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9:30> jam with Frank Wilks & Friends @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East

9:30> jam with Chris Gale @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*9:30> jam with Derek Downham @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

*10-2> The Sattalites @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~orig. & cover Reggae/Funk

10> The Ken McDonald Quartet & guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO ~Jazz

10> Sinners Choir @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10:30> The World Is Yours Acoustic Duo @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

*11-1> Jamie’s “Hack’s Jam” unamplified amateur open stage in the round @ The Roncy, 390 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~acoustic

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