To lasso these Cowboys we need a new genre label

/TORONTO EAST/

Trying to put a label on songwriter Glen Hornblast gets me to thinking about how much really we need another tag other than “Folk”, “Roots” or even “Country” for people who write pithy, stick-to-your-eardrums songs with substance which can be played effectively solo with an acoustic guitar but that are also catchy and lend themselves to presentation by a whole band.

Glen is a masterful solo performer, as anyone who’s ever heard him anywhere can attest. And his songs are master works, with lyrics containing a mix of unassuming sentimentality but also often a nearly political acerbic bite and melodies that are simple but artful and that help fix the songs in the brain long after the performance is done.

When he’s backed by his Queen Street Cowboys ensemble, which can contain another two or five musicians, depending on circumstances, the songs show just how rich they are as they expand on sonic wings to become an irresistibly powerful intoxicant. Fellow artist and knowledgeable music biz teacher Paul Cross described the group’s recent performance at Linsmore Tavern in east TO by saying: “it was like Nashville, totally –it completely reminded me of the best of what I saw in Nashville.”

Tonight the group appears at another east-end live music room, Relish at 2152 Danforth Ave., which has become like a mini-Orbit Room of East York with its policy of live music seven days a week and twice or more on Sundays –except Relish also has exceptional food!

There’s no cover for the 8-10 (or more likely 11) show but there will be a tip jar and, of course, you’ll be able to purchase copies of Glen’s magnificent (and sadly so far only) album Once In A Blue Moon .

Maybe if you drop in tonight you can help me figure out exactly what we should call this style of magnificent, accessible and fun music that’s denser than Pop, softer than Rock, less emo than Country, more sensible than Jazz and more balanced than Blues.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. 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.

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5-8> Jay MacDonald Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

6> Joe Nolan @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*6-9> Calliope’s Nest open stage/jam for women @ Lola Pub, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

6:30> Sick Kids Hospital fundraiser with Jonno Lightstone’s Klezkonnection @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7-9> Danny Michel Band & guests @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

7> Hard Time Mondays with Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

*7:30> M Factor Mondays with host Elana Harte & features Alexandria Taylor; Bryce Jardine @ Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

7:30> Bob Cary Big Band @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Blvd., TO North ~R&B/Swing

*7:30> Saxy Sady T Trio @ Melange, 172 Main St., TO East ~Jazz

*8-11> Glen Hornblast & The Queen St. Cowboys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., Toronto East ~knee-knocking Roots/Country

8-12> open stage with Julian Taylor & 9:30 feature by Angela Saini @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave. TO East

**8-1> open stage with host Alex Zdravkovic @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

8> This City Live’s Indie Mondays with Hot Peach; Dreadful Starlings; Pam White @ The Sister, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West ~indie Pop

*8-11> open stage @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

8-12> BBQ & jam night @ Moonshine Café with host Mimico Bill, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; ($8.95 with BBQ dinner special starts at 6)

*8-12> open stage @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

8:30> A.J. Croce @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic Pop songwriter; $22.50

**9-1:30> jam with No Band Required @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

*9-1> Hamstrung Stringband @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

*9-1> Lowell Whitty Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

*9-1> eclectic open stage/jam @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

*9> open mic (2 songs; signup starts 8p.m.) @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

*9-1> jam with Tom Barlow @ The Harp, 55 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

*9:30-2> Sebastian Agnello & friends @ Black Swan (ground floor), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Robert Mark’s Journeys @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*10-2> jam with Kimberley Wetmore & Company feat. Dave Girdlestone of Soul Funkshun @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore E., Port Credit

10> Jordan John @ The Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~R&B/Blues

10> Chris Weatherstone @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> HOT ROCK with members of The Beauties & Flash Ligtnin’@ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

10:30> Big Otter Creek @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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