LITTLE 'BLUES' ENGINE THAT COULD

Well, Still chugging away on the Biscuit Train. 

'I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN' has a whole new meaning for me. 

Building a musical project in this unforgiving town has been a steep hill with a heavy load..but I have no room for self doubt and haters..so CHUG CHUG CHUG! (That goes for the booze too)

Fortunately, I am surrounded by many talented, kind players and well- wishers who have all been tremendously patient while I figure this out. Believe me, there's lots more figuring to do!

Jack has been a dream..assisting with set list construction, producing the beginnings of my first jazz and blues CD-  not to mention being a great friend and the best damn bass player around. John Nolan is such a gentlemen...and newcomer Dave Webb adds some seriously fun dynamics on stage as well as incredible competence...nice to have you on board, Dave! I really don't deserve such a great band..I don't know enough yet. So I thank my lucky stars and try to do right by them. I've learned to shut up and listen lots..

My calendar is as full as I want it to be. My goals for 2012 include booking a tour.. just a small one..but I don't really know how to do that yet, so hopefully its not too complicated.. naive right?

The new tunes are getting out there on two radio stations..and the next live performance is tonight at Guilt and Co. I love playing there. I'll keep posting the new bookings as they come up..

Until then, ALL ABOARD!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!

I'm finally feeling better. looking forward to my next show at falconetti's. I need to concentrate on healing the vocal chords, they feel damaged. That was a terrible flu. Searching for new tunes to add has been stimulating- there is so much amazing music out there past, present, inside and out. 

Its my mom's 70th this January. Any folks who know my mom are also invited to join us in the celebration of music, friends and fun.

 

HAPPY  2012!

WHAT WOULD FRANK DO??

Sinatra had it right. Not only was he handsome, talented, cocky and in command..he had his own style.


I get alot of advice and critcism from alot of people. One thing I know for sure is that I respect every word of feedback I receive. I don't however, always adhere to it.


Since completing half of my Blues album, I'm more convinced than ever that I can only creatively produce what I have dwelling inside of me. If this means that I'll never be a commercially viable musician than so be it. Music has always been a personal journey and celebration that I share with others who enjoy what I'm capable of. I don't expect anything from my efforts. Regardless, I am driven forward to discover whats exciting and new, while staying true to what moves me musically and connects me with others who I learn endlessly from.


Pretty happy to be at home in my pyjamas this Saturday night and hoping that I'm doing what's right by following a passion greater than anything I can understand. Not worried about failure, cause there's nothing to lose.


Except money- 


What would Frank do? 

BOW DOWN, MERCURY!

Mercury goes into retrograde today. Bad time for starting new projects, signing deals and communication. 

Mercury is the messenger and when he appears to be moving backwards because the Earth is traveling faster alongside him, anything involving comprehension and correspondence runs the risk of going awry. If you believe in that crap. 


Mercury in retrograde is just about the only astrological function I respect and fear. Simply because I have had direct experience with numerous endeavours swiftly sailing south within the approximately 3 week duration of challenge and confusion. This particular period starts today and ends Dec. 13th 2011.


So what does it all have to do with the music? Well if I told you, I'd be inviting the little red planet to invade my plans and inspiration only to dissuade and diffuse whatever schemes are brewing up in my brain. So that being said- I won't be doing anything until after Christmas- and maybe even longer. Regardless, its been a busy year and my kids could use a mommy around the house at night time during the holiday season and beyond.   

WENDY BISCUIT - a year in review...

I think it's been almost exactly a year since i posted the first live performance of 'Wendy Biscuit Blues'
at The Main on Main with Wayne Evans on bass and Steve Ranta on keys. I felt like the luckiest gal in the world playing with those boys and nothing's changed...except a lot. 


We've covered a lot of stages this past year with my little project as well as players..(mostly drummers) 
but I'm quite content to settle with these current gentleman, whose presence i'm honoured to share.


Here we are at Falconetti's at our Commercial Drive debut last week. That's Willie MacCalder on keys- and yes he's a dreamboat (check him out @ 1:33 mark in above video)...but we know how smitten I am by him....Jack Lavin on bass who so wonderfully stepped up to the plate after Wayne Evans - my favourite person in the whole wide world-  told me he was too old and too tired to play regularly. Mr. John Nolan on drums who has spent the last 8 years booking and backing the best jazz piano/singers at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown Vancouver. By the way - Falconetti's was a full house....:)


Tomorrow we hit the studio. Five of my own tunes are up for grabs (produced by Mr. Lavin himself) and I am just plugging forward like I always have without letting fear and insecurity overcome me. I know these guys are better than I can ever hope to be..and so I just take the leap of faith and hope for the best. What else is there??


Then Tues. Nov. 22nd takes us to 'Guilt and Company' in Gastown. Thank God Wayne and my mom will be in the audience. Makes it so much easier knowing my most loved ones are hanging around! Wayne doesn't drink anymore, so he can give my mother a ride home!!

MY NEWEST FRIEND...

Meet my new friend Willie MacCalder. Who am I kidding? Everyone knows Willie! He began his 40+ year long career as a professional musician as the front man to 'Willie and the Walkers' from Edmonton AB in 1963. The Euro- inspired group were soon signed to Capitol Records, and released a number of incredible tunes that landed plenty of radio play, and a number one hit on the Canadian charts.   


He quit the band to join 'The Powder Blues Band' in the late 70's with Jack and Tom Lavin. 

Isn't he adorable? he looks just like Paul McCartney..

Willie is an amazing musician who attacks the keyboard with unbridled creativity coupled with incredible precision. He is one heavy hitter and I'm scared shitless to play with him for my next two shows...in fact, at our rehearsal yesterday I was so intimidated I couldn't even look him in the eye. So much for me and all my confidence...

Here he is today, so handsome!! Will is still very busy, working as a professional piano man..performing as a top solo act or as a sideman anywhere the tides wash him ashore..I'm nervous about our upcoming show at Falconetti's on Commercial Drive, but honoured and excited too.....thanks for joining the Biscuit Blues train, Will...

I'm a lucky gal!

Blowing In The Wind

Here's the song i was practising tonight-




Bob Dylan is so cool. He wrote many songs that touched alot of people. He also believed what he was singing and boy do I respect him. He grew up listening to blues and country..his parents were from Turkey..he dropped out of college...his heros were Little Richard and Woodie Guthrie...he helped mold modern folk music...


I think I take Dylan's tunes for granted..campfire tunes! So I sat down to chart and learn one all over again. How I appreciate his compositions and lyrics!


Thanks, Bob Dylan. You are a profound songwriter with a powerful message.