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T.O. Music Pix Newsletter #50: Dec. 20/07
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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