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This newsletter is sent only to those
who requested it. Information on subscribing and unsubscribing is at
the end of this email. Please forward this to
anyone you think may be interested. For a full list of past
newsletters, see
http://www.to-music.ca/newsletters.htm
In this issue:
1. Mahmoud Ahmed in Toronto: Dec. 25
2. The biography of Doc Pomus
3. Best of 2007
4. Upcoming Events
5. Ike Turner
Best wishes to all readers for the
holidays: Eid al-Adha, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, New Year's...
whichever holiday(s) or combination you celebrate. And whether or
not you celebrate Christmas, there is one musical event taking place
on Christmans Day that is definitely cause to celebrate:
 1.
Mahmoud Ahmed returns to Toronto
Possibly the greatest of
Ethiopian singers, at the age of 66, he is still a powerful
singer, a great entertainer, and a giant of African music.
Earlier this year, he won the
BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Africa, beating out Ali
Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté. I saw him perform just once, in
the summer of 2003 (my
photos here), and have been eagerly looking forward to
seeing him again. Any concert by one of the big names in
Ethiopian music draws a huge, and highly enthusiastic audience.
The atmosphere will be charged.
I highly recommend this
show.
Conflict with Christmas plans?
Don't worry. The concert will start late... plenty of time for
turkey dinner, and other activities. The show won't start until
at least 11:00pm (possibly not till 12:00). It's worth it!
Some info and links on Mahmoud:
Concert details: Lithuanian Hall, 1573 Bloor St. W, one block
west of the Dundas West subway station. Tickets at door: $25
before 11:00, $30 after.
 2.
A GREAT READ: The biography of Doc Pomus
Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely
Life & Times of Doc Pomus by Alex Halberstadt. might
be the best of the many music books I've ever read. However,
it's inaccurate to call it a "music book". More accurately, it's
a highly entertaining, excellently written story about an
amazing life. Doc Pomus is known as a songwriter of classic 50's
and 60's R&B and pop: "Save the Last Dance For Me",
"Youngblood", Suspicion", and hundreds more. That barely
scratches the surface of Doc Pomus, who was paralyzed with polio
at the age of seven, became possibly the most unlikely blues
shouter of his day (His was often the only white face in the
clubs, but he was up on stage in leg braces and crutches,
belting out songs like his idol Joe Turner). He later turned to
songwriting, and with his partner became possibly the most
successful songwriters of their day.
His life got even more
interesting after the era of the songwriter ended with the
Beatles, Dylan and others. (Dylan himself came to visit Doc to
help him get over writer's block). The stories of the backrooms
and foot soldiers of the music business are fascinating. The
characters surrounding Doc and their stories are endless, and
Doc's life will amaze you.
"If the music business had
a heart, it would be Doc Pomus": Jerry Wexler
A review and account of Doc's
life, along with links to audio, CD's, interviews and more:
http://to-music.ca/docpomus.htm
3. BEST OF 2007
Again, I am putting together a
list of some of the best or most notable CD's, live shows, etc.
My own picks will be posted later this month. (My "Artist of the
Year" is posted). However, I have put up selections and awards
by several critics and organizations. More to come.
http://to-music.ca/bestof2007.htm
 4.
OTHER EVENTS
(See the
events page for
details on these and numerous other events)
Dec. 21: Zale Seck
(photo) at the Lula Lounge
The griot from Senegal (now living in Montreal) was a hit at
this summer's Afrofest.
You can hear parts of his Afrofest concert on CBC Radio Two's
"Concerts
on Demand". Scroll to the bottom of the page for the audio
links. There are also audio samples on his
Myspace page
A great way to kick off the
holidays, only $15 at the door. Opening: Dean Crone on kora.
Sponsored by Karibuni Radio (CIUT) and Music Africa.
Dec. 21 (and 28): My
Dinner with Jimi at the Bloor Cinema
A story of London, 1967 by Howard Kaylan (The Turtles, Mothers
of Invention, Flo & Eddie), with Brian Jones, Donovan, the
Beatles... and Jimi Hendrix
Dec. 21: A Very Foggy
Christmas at the Silver Dollar
Wit the Foggy Hogtown Boys, Oh Susanna and more.
Dec. 22: The Gospel
Christmas Project at Massey Hall
Faith Chorale, Jackie Richardson, Kellylee Evans and others
Dec. 31: New Years: Blues,
Cuban, Ethiopian and more
2008: A lineup of events. Watch
for the Master Musicians of Jajouka, Feb. 1. (Small World Music)
5. RIP, Ike Turner
A final note on his passing.
His great musical accomplishments today are overshadowed by the
stories about his marriage with Tina.
An appreciation of his music is
posted here, written by one of the editors of No Depression
magazine:
http://livinginstereo.com/?p=393
John Leeson
www.to-music.ca
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