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| GREAT BIG ROCK JAM Published by Erika The Red � 2005 (Graphic donated by Don Berryman) |
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| April 22, 2005 |
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| Canada�s �golden-tongued� multimedia performing artist Doctor Ron Hynes, is going to have his work cut out for him, topping the enthusiastic reaction to the first of two nights of live recording (April 21-22) at his old haunt, the LSPU Hall, in St. John�s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The recording is being overseen by Paul (Curly Boy Stubbs) Mills and the CBC. Ron is showcasing and recording a slew of brand-new songs to add to his immense catalogue, while acknowledging his longtime fans and peers by playing many of the older ones still held so dear to their hearts (e.g. �Sonny�s Dream�, �Atlantic Blue�, etc.). He was accompanied off and on by Adrian Doyle on pedal steel guitar, and Dennis Pendrith (of Murray McLauchlan fame) joined him for the second set on upright bass. There were some false starts on a couple of songs, due to �technical� difficulties, but the audience took these good-naturedly. Ron remarked that one heckler�s comment, in particular, was definitely going to be included on the disc. The concert also featured songs from Get Back Change, his 2003 �d�but� recording under Borealis Records (after splitting from EMI), notably �Someday� and �Dark River�, the latter being a song written for his nephew, Joel (�He�s probably at home writing his next War and Peace�). �Godspeed� and �Bone Dry� also stand out in my memory (it was way too dark in there to take any notes). The highlight of the concert (other than the �Sonny�s Dream� sing-a-long) was a song whose title is unknown to me but included the lines, �We may be dirt poor, but we�re not dirtbags.� The acoustics in this concert hall are top-rate, and the audience at this practically sold-out event behaved themselves admirably. That�s not to say they could be stifled altogether, though. The spirit with which this charismatic entertainer infuses his performances was just too damned infectious to endure without any hooting, stomping or just tapping your feet. Ron�s success in songwriting seems to be attributed to the fact that he addresses issues that speak to the human race in general (woman and children being very prominently featured). He can be equally comical and serious, too. My companion, Angela Barton, noted that I probably didn�t catch the humour in some of the lyrics, not yet being attuned to Newfoundland accents and humour, and I have to admit she was correct in that respect. Also in attendance at the show was Sandy Morris and Blair Harvey (with his friend, Alison). I'm going to have to find a photo of Blair and commit it to memory, as this is the second time I have failed to recognize him - sorry, Blair. Talk about being visually challenged... In any case, it was a helluva show and I encourage you to go and participate in the second recording tonight (April 22)! Show time is at 8:00 p.m. Erika The Red |
| RON HYNES� LIVE RECORDING STRIKES A RESPONSIVE CHORD AT LSPU HALL |
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