Last but not least on my fun filled weekend of hot music and hard booze buried in rough Newfoundland weather was one that was one that will never be forgotten. A friend of mine was asked to help out at a concert at a local church by selling t shirts for the artist. Of course she would, how can anyone resist getting paid and listening to great music? She agreed to do the job and for this was told that she could bring a few guests. Lucky for me I was staying at her apartment and was asked to come. How could i resist a free concert, at a church no doubt. Anyone that knows anything about live music knows that live shows at church's are amazing, the acoustics fill the air so great that there are no bad seats and the echo gives such a deathly sound. The concert was for a Newfoundland artist that is blazing the music scene around Canada named Amelia Curran. I had never heard of her before but was more than happy to give her a try. My fiance Virgina brought me to a Jolie Holland show once and I was more than happy with her soulful sound. So we head off to the church after having a few at home drinks, not a huge drinker but music and drinks always go hand in hand. After first hearing Amelia's voice I was taken back to that Jolie Holland concert and being blown away by her voice. Amelia was a lot like her in that way but with a great knack for songwriting. Combining witty lyrics and a great voice I can see how shes won so many awards around Canada and has such a cult following. The concert got a standing ovation and the crowd wouldn't stop clapping and shouting encore until Amelia steped back out for another song. I must add thank you very much Kirsten Joy for the free concert, it was beautiful hearing such a lovely voice in an amazing acoustical church.
I was running a little late for my next concert that night, which started at ten. The Curran concert was supposed to end at ten but was running late and she was called out for an encore. I couldn't wait until the end of the encore so I rushed out of the church and thanked Kirsten for the concert. Running as fast as my legs can carry me down the steep St. John's hills towards Water street I almost tripped up in my own legs a few times and slipping on ice was on the top of my mind. But that didn't stop me from getting to my next destination. The legendary Rose And Thistle pub on Water Street. Its probably one of my favorite places to drink in St. John's. Its dark and real, raw and reeking of talent. That night was a concert that I couldn't miss for the world. As I stepped through the doors I saw my buddy Harv leaning up against the bar smiling from ear to ear and watching such a talent that St. John's is most famous for. Tonight was a concert for love, a tribute to Valentines Day. Two great singer songwriters and husband and wife duo was putting on a show of hearts. Joe Belly and Sherry Ryan was tackling love songs like it was third down and the game was on the line. They are such a great pair together that its hard to take your eyes off of them when they're performing and you can see it in all the other patrons that night. All eyes were glued to the stage and that's where they stayed untill each song was over and another started. One of the highlights for me that night was when the pair performed one of my all time favorite songwriters John Prine's song In Spite Of Ourselves. The catchy and delightfully hysterical lyrics in this love song is perfect and heartwarming at the same time. Joe and Sherry really did a number on it and for me of all the music I took in that weekend it was the highlight of it all.
After Joe and Sherry did their show me and Harv wasn't done quite yet for music, I never am. So we heard there was a show still at the Fat Cat on George Street. A group called The Monday Nights. Harv heard of them before and actually has one of their albums at home. Even though it was late we decided to check it out anyways. We get to the Fat Cat and walk in and the music just electrifies the airwaves. This band was great! Full of energy and spice. What amazed me most was how uncanny of a resemblance the drummer had with legendary drummer Ginger Baker of Cream and Blind Faith. Between his looks and movements on the drums you could swear that it was a young Ginger Baker reincarnated and back on the drums. Plus the guy was playing sick drums. Heavy and hard with arms wildly flying in the air with no regard. The band only played a couple songs before it was all over with but with the few songs that they did me and Harv was blown away and impressed with the group. If you ever see an upcoming show for The Monday Nights catch your eye be sure to jot it down and clear your calender, you will not be disappointed.
Well that was it for the extra long, highly packed weekend of great live music in beautiful St. John's Newfoundland. It was a rare weekend and we were extremely lucky to have fallen upon it.
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