April 22, 2014
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T-Model Ford

At one time I listened to a lot of blues music. Back in the early 80s when I was in university, I would go into the listening room at the York U library and sign out all sorts of obscure blues records, and sit down at one of the listening stations – each one of them had a turn-table and head-phones, and listen while I worked on assignments (some days I may have done more listening and less working).

I was attracted to blues that emphasized the song and the groove and I was never much interested in extended blues guitar solos.   Over the years, my musical tastes changed quite a bit, and I found myself listening to less and less blues, but still there are some performers who get my attention anytime I hear them. T-Model Ford is one of those. Ford was born in the early 20s and passed last summer. He didn’t start a musical career until he was in his early 70s. Here are a few performances I really enjoy, found on YouTube…

 

April 21, 2014
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Paintings from the Lost Forest

Trail Head, 2014

Trail Head, 2014

I have an exhibition of paintings opening up Saturday afternoon at yumart. Yumart is at 101 Spadina Ave here in Toronto. (just south of Adelaide, east side, 2nd floor walk-up).

The show is called Paintings from the Lost Forest. I’ll be there Saturday 2-5 – hope to see you. The exhibition will continue until May 17.

Filed under: Art
April 21, 2014
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Coyote in the Park

I was out with the dogs this early morning, walking along the south side of the R.L. Clark water filtration plant, when a coyote emerged up the hill from the lake. It didn’t so much as look in our direction, but trotted along the trail away from us. At the fork in the trail, the coyote chose left toward Humber College. I could see it trotting along through the trees. This is the second coyote I’ve seen since we moved to Long Branch. The first time, it was trotting west along Lake Prominade toward me, turned up 25th St. and disappeared, perhaps into somebody’s yard.

April 20, 2014
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Country & Western

Remember Country & Western music? Somewhere along the way the “Western” part disappeared and everything went to hell. Let’s listen to some vintage Ernest Tubb…

And here’s Floyd Tillman Drivin Nails in my Coffin…

Remember Lefty Frizzell? Saginaw Michigan…

Let’s close with the Pavarotti of the Plains, the most excellent Don Walser singing his signature tune Rolling Stone from Texas. (Warning: contains awesome yodelling)

April 20, 2014
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New Toronto

IMG_0985New Toronto is the middle of the three former South Etobicoke lakefront communities in Toronto. The co-op housing complex on the far side of the street is on the lands once occupied by a huge Goodyear tire plant. Mimico is to the East and Long Branch is to the west.