T.O. Music Pix Newsletter #5

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Unfortunately, it was sad news that prompted this newsletter, so soon after the previous one.

In this issue:
1. Steve Starchev
2. Changes/Corrections: radio concerts
3. Sacred Steel comes to Hugh's Room
4. Summertime at Harbourfront

1. STEVE STARCHEV
I am very sorry to pass on the news, to those who haven't heard, that Steve Starchev -- known to many as the host of CIUT FM's "The World is Sound" -- passed away last Saturday, Feb. 18.

I never met Steve; I exchanged a couple of emails with him, and otherwise knew him only through his radio show, where he played what was probably the most wide-ranging, eclectic music I listened to. He covered every corner of the world, but what struck me more than the music, was his passion for and fascination with the music: its variety, its eccentricity, its history. (And its dangers: he warned a few times on one show that listeners should not try to imitate the throat singers he was playing).

I'll miss his music, but more so will miss him. The music I heard on his show was terrific, but it was his character, and love of the music that came through even more strongly.

My sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

CIUT has a note on its website about Steve, and note that according to his family, the memorial service will be private. See http://www.ciut.fm/events.html.

This Saturday, Feb. 25, "Global Rhythms" host, Ken Stowar will be hosting "The World is Sound", and says that "I probably will be playing some music that Steve and I had off air discussions about, read some e-mails from his fans, I might even have some voices on air providing their own take on what Steve and the show meant to them, and so on".

Update (Feb. 24): A special edition of Steve's show "The World is Sound" remembering Steve will be held on Saturday, Mar. 11, 3-5:00pm rather than Feb. 25 as printed above.

2. CHANGES/CORRECTIONS: Two updates from the last newsletter:
a) Donne Roberts on CIUT Mon. Feb. 27
The second set of Donne's Feb. 11 CD Release concert will now be broadcast on "It's (A)Live" Mon. Feb. 27, 1-2:00pm. CIUT, 89.5 or www.ciut.fm. See www.itsalive.info for details.

b) African Guitar Summit II on CBC Mar. 12
The Feb. 18/19 concerts will be broadcast on "On Stage", Sun. Mar. 12. Radio Two (94.1), 2:05pm, and Radio One (99.1) 8:05pm.

Photos from both shows are at www.to-music.ca/photos.htm

3. TOWNES VAN ZANDT film, Fri. Feb. 24
Be Here to Love Me: A portrait of the great Texan singer/songwriter who died in 1997 is playing one night only at the Bloor Cinema (Bloor & Bathurst). 9:30pm.

"An extraordinary documentary about an extraordinary man!" -- Los Angeles Times. Billy Joe Shaver calmly stated "As far as I was concerned, he was the best songwriter that ever lived".

The late Townes Van Zandt never had anything resembling a hit in his nearly 30-year recording career. He had a hard enough time simply keeping his records in print. Labeled a problem child, he was given shock therapy in his early 20s after he fell backward from a four-story window "just to see what it felt like". But since Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard had a #1 country hit with "Pancho & Lefty", he's become widely respected as one of the greatest country and folk artists of his generation.

The above information comes from www.filmswelike.com. For more on the film (including the trailer), visit http://www.filmswelike.com/pages/behere.html. For more on Van Zandt, go to http://www.townesvanzandt.com/

4. SACRED STEEL COMING TO HUGH'S ROOM: Mar. 5
Part of the continuing "Gospel Brunch" series, Sunday Mar. 5 features the simply amazing Campbell Brothers, stars of the "Sacred Steel" tradition. Going back to the 1930's the music is Gospel, built around lap-steel guitars. Robert Randolph has lately become known in broader music styles, but few musicians can play with the fire and energy of The Campbells. (Few musicians of ANY style). I saw them in 2002 at the Grassroots Festival in Finger Lakes, N.Y. It's a wonder there wasn't a grass fire.

A couple of years ago, Joe's Pub in NYC featured a night of sacred music, teaming the Campbells with Moroccan gnawa musician Hassan Hakmoun.

I highly recommend this show. I won't miss it. For more on the Campbells (including most of their 2000 Grassroots Festival concert), and Sacred Steel, visit http://www.campbellbrothers.com/

A good selection of Sacred Steel music (including the Campbell Brothers) is None But the Righteous: The Masters of Sacred Steel, a collection on Ryko.

For details on the show, visit www.hughsroom.com

5. SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS...
Why not look ahead? Harbourfront Centre has announced their weekend festival themes. See http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summerfestivals/

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca

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