140719Sa
With a large or small combo, James Clark Institute will spice up Relish
\TORONTO EAST\
I had the delightful pleasure of catching the full 5-piece version of the band known as The James Clark Institute last week at cozy Dora Keogh on Danforth Ave. and while I’m not sure whether that full ensemble will be at tapas eatery and music emporium Relish tonight when the man also known as The James Clark Institute performs, it won’t matter a whole lot.
James Clark Institute 5-piece @ Relish, Sept. 2013 -Gary 17
Not that having a keyboard player isn’t a great thing and certainly the fellow who was with Clark last week at Dora, and whom I also saw when the full JCI appeared at Relish in September of last year, is a more than adequate player who enhances the musicality of Clark’s trenchant and somewhat quirky songs as heard on several albums over the past ten years.
But whether with the five-piece or a more stripped down version (which will still, as always, include ace versatile accompanist Chris Bennett) it’s Clark’s songs, most specifically his lyrics, that will carry the day no matter how they’re dressed in arrangements and accompanists.
I’ve been a fan for a decade now, ever since the release of Clark’s debut disc Home Is Where The Heart Attack Is, which title pretty much sums up his approach to songwriting —ruthlessly provocative with a twist of often macabre, intellectual humour. Subsequent discs like Sideshow Unattraction (2008) and the follow-up ep Son Of A Sideshow in 2011 have only confirmed and enlarged that impression.
Clark’s website bio astutely observes describes his songwriting as “a theatrical, esoteric journey into a world of carnival illusion, heartbreak, melancholy wit and bitter double entendre.”
In addition to the many appealing and unforgettable tunes from his previous albums, you can expect to hear new material at tonight’s 9:30-11:30 two-set show in the room at 2152 Danforth Ave. a block east of Woodbine.
Clark has been recording new tracks with producer Moe Berg (of the famed band Pursuit of Happiness) over the past year-and-a-half and in June of last year released a two-sided 7” vinyl disc of a pair of the tunes that will be included on the forthcoming album: “I Don’t Leave The Radio On Anymore” and “Company Hearse”.
No cover for tonight’s show —as always at Relish— but you will want to pick up some of his back catalogue while it’s still available and as always there’ll also be a tip jar.
-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca
LISTINGS:
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.
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12:30-2:30> Jason Ogden @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~acoustic Roots/Blues/Pop
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*3-6> Danny B’s House Party Band feat. Michael Keys on piano @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Pop
*3-7> jam with Michelle Deneault & Redder @ Port Credit Legion, 35 Front St., Port Credit
*3-6> jam @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East
*3-7> open stage jam @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2
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*4-8> The Meteors with special guest Jay Speziale @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Blues/Rock/R&B
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5-8> John Wayne Swingtet @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West –Rootsy Pop
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5> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
6-8> Al Tuck @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO
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8> Bryce Jardine @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East
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