Toronto Tim Says: Closing Sale; A Record Store Lament

Here's where I offer up these pages to my great mate Tim Patrick in Canada.
Tim is a real enthusiast who just loves to love... stuff.
He's got great taste; I couldn't agree more about his choice of Joe Henry's 'Our Song', like a disaffected Carver short that breaks your heart; as does Joni's rework of 'Case of You' which is incredibly moving; and old lady's retelling of a youthful tryst.
I also confer on Marc Jordan's inconsistency; one minute jazzy schmaltz, the next he's nailing it with beautifully rendered ballads: 'When Rita', 'Lula, The Acrobat', 'I Must Have Said Your Name Out Loud' 'Tell Me You Love Me' and (the clincher for me) 'Tears of Hercules'. 
Anyway, here's Tim...
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TORONTO TIM SAYS:
The last surviving independent record store closed up last week here in my home town... it was kind of sad. I've spent thousands of hours in similar little shops over the years, scouring the bins for that last CD that fills a 'hole' in a certain artist's discography, something recommended in Mojo, Uncut, Paste, Q or other music rags; heard in a movie/TV/sat radio; or just instinctively looking for something that may be a secret treasure... sometimes just by album art, producer, familiar name... haphazard blind purchases. Of course, it's a trivial pursuit; Amazon is so easy (maybe too easy?), but there's a certain adventure in weeding through thousands  of CD's, being careful not to flip past what may be something precious. Memories too: 
First 45: "Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond)  
First LP: "Best Of The Guess Who" (Guess Who) 
First CD: "Shamrock Diaries" (Chris Rea)
First EP: "Love & Regret-extended version" (Deacon Blue), and countless in between...

To be honest, the local shop wasn't a great place: limited selection, a little sterile, lacking the ambiance ofthe old-time grungy, chaotic places that I truly revel in. There is still one of those great little places 

deep in the heart of the city called Vortex Records, very reminiscent of the one in "High Fidelity".

Located above an Indian take-out restaurant, creaky crooked floors, stifling hot in summer, 

claustrophobic, with obscure CD's, LP's, DVD's jammed into every nook and cranny, lots of 'character'. 

The owner is a typical, eccentric music snob, often crusty and indifferent; other times surprisingly sociable, eager to chat about all sorts of music and film. After 35 years of running a business going the way of the dodo, he's always threatening to close it down. But then soberly mutters, "But what would I do?"  I love that place, the fragrant aroma of curry...

Anyway, the shop closing nearby, was selling most leftover stock (new and used) for 2 bucks... 
I felt kind of guilty, like a vulture picking the bones of a dying animal.  A final visit, leaving with a random handful of CD's and one DVD. As usual, surely a few disappointments off to Goodwill, and hopefully a few pleasant surprises! 

Wistfully, I have to accept that brick and mortar stores are very nearly a thing of the past...

Here are a few samples of some good "finds" from my recent trivial pursuit: 

MARK JORDAN: "MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM" - I haven't listened to Marc Jordan since "Reckless Valentine" back in the 90's. 'Little Lambs' is a real heart-breaker about orphans and more. 
He never had any success even here in Canada, so he then became something of a "gun for hire" songwriter for the likes of Rod Stewart, Josh Groban, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Ross and ugh... Cher and David Hasselhoff! Yeah, sounds pretty treacly and unpromising doesn't it? But I remembered that Cassidy loved Marc Jordan, and the great lyric, "I wish this pain would just go away, I wish that dogs had wings..."  So when I came across "Make Believe Ballroom" I hesitantly added it it to my stash. Turns out to be a solid jazzy album, and 'When Rita Takes The A Train' is a marvelous track! Thanks for the tip off, TJ!

MARK JORDAN - "WHEN RITA TAKES THE "A" TRAIN" 

MARK JORDAN - "LITTLE LAMBS" (video)

JOE HENRY: "CIVILIANS" - My impatience allowed me lose track of Joe Henry when he drifted into jazzy Wait's style sonic experimentation, but I decided for a couple of bucks to give "Civilians" a shot... Organic and tuneful, it turns out to be a winner! One of the most moving pieces I've heard in a long while is 'Our Song'. An observed narrative (fictitious?), about a discreet encounter with octogenarian baseball player Willy Mays testing garage door springs in a hardware store may not seem like great songwriting fodder, but this is much more; actually a profound allegory about the inherent brokenness of America. Besides being one of greatest ballplayers of all time, Willy was the epitome of quiet grace and class... some might say, the antithesis of Muhammad Ali. Both felt the sting of racial inequality and strife, and each chose different paths. I don't know if my Euro-friends can empathize with the characters, the DIY tech metaphors or sentiment of this one, but for me this one is a genuine "dart to the heart." 

JOE HENRY - "OUR SONG" 

NATALIE MACMASTER : "IN MY HANDS" -  A Canadian gal from the Maritimes, an area of Celtic heritage and music, she is primarily a Celtic fiddling purist, traditional jigs and reels; not my favorite genre , but occasionally strays into quasi-pop territory. When I first saw her a few years ago, she had a CBC Showcase special, and I was charmed by her humble grace and beauty. She had a few guests, the Chieftains I recall, a talented Canadian musician Bruce Guthro with whom she played a lovely tune called "Fiddle and Bow." She then brought on Alison Krauss to sing "Get Me Through December," the melody taken from the traditional 18th century air "Lament For The Death Of His Second Wife," by Scottish fiddler Niel Gow. Alison sings like an angel, Nat's fiddling subtle and gorgeous, and the arrangement heavenly. A sad, moving song that I always intended to buy, but was probably hesitant to pay full price for one tune and a bunch of fiddling. Here was my opportunity. Worth it for the one gem!

I couldn't find NATALIE MACMASTER's version so here is Alison Krauss's version of:

"GET ME THROUGH DECEMBER" 

ELECTRONIC : "TWISTED TENDERNESS" - I enjoyed the first Electronic release, but the follow-up was a bit of a sophomore slump. Hadn't heard great reviews about this one either, but to my happy surprise it's actually a very good record; Johnny Marr rocking as hard as I've ever heard him play. Jimi Goodwin of  Doves on bass, and Bernie Sumner reliable as ever. Crank the volume to "11" for this one !

 
ELECTRONIC - "LATE AT NIGHT" 

JONI MITCHELL - "BOTH SIDES NOW" - Another Canadian gal, an icon this one. Many months ago there was a short film on the Arts Channel. A modern dance concept piece, a series of dance performances accompanied by Joni's mostly orchestral numbers, tracing the journey of a modern romantic relationship - from first meeting, through the full cycle of ensuing dramatic experiences. I had never heard the updated versions of Joni's classics, and was blown away by their majesty, accompanied by the sensual visuals of the dance choreography. I bought "Travelogue," Joni's symphonic make-over CD, but had yet to get "Both Sides Now," containing a bunch of so-so covers of old non-Joni "standards." Also there were new orchestrated versions of 'A Case Of You' and 'Both Sides Now'... both beautiful. I've heard a few narrow folk call this version of "A Case Of You" blasphemous, bombastic overkill, preferring the homely dulcimer driven original.  I believe it's one of Joni's most soulful performances. Her voice has matured beautifully, and the melody, lyrics and orchestration... timeless.

JONI MITCHELL - "A CASE OF YOU" 

THE REAL TUESDAY WELD - "THE LONDON BOOK OF THE DEAD" - I don't know anything about this band. But I watched a movie, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," one which I wouldn't recommend. I can only recall some kids looking for some band named "Fluffy," and vomiting. Oh, and a song on the soundtrack called 'Last Words' that caught my ear. I'm not too crazy about the rest of the album, very quirky stuff, but this one is pretty cool. Sure to find a place on one of my "Square Peg" mix CD's. Here's the accompanying cheesy video...


THE REAL TUESDAY WELD - "LAST WORDS"