Saint John Exhibition TONIGHT, Sept. 1, 2011

Randy Vail

LYONS AND VAIL TONIGHT AT EX, N.B. COUNTRY HALL OF FAME FRIDAY

It seemed to many local country fans that when Randy Vail and Steve Lyons split and the Lost Highway band subsequently disappeared an era had ended.

It was hoped both of them and the original Lost Highway band could be brought together in one revival show on the Saint John Exhibition Building One stage. But that couldn’t be arranged. Randy has close ties to most former vocalists and musicians, Steve has new affiliations.

So the next best thing was arranged; a double header for tonight with a Steve Lyons Concert 5:30 p.m., Randy Vail Presents at 8:15 p.m. Which means you see two shows for only an $8 admission.

STEVE LYONS & RANDY VAIL TONIGHT

Steve in recent years has worked with some very talented singers and musicians who will join him in concert tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Saint John Exhibition’s Building One. These include former Lost Highway bandmate, Joyce Boone, one of N.B.’s great country music voices. And two other thrilling vocalists Kaysie Meehan and Candice Phillips plus singing multi-instrumentalist, recording star Reg Gallant, an NBCMHF inductee; his brother C.J. (Claude) Gallant, another great voice, one of southern N.B.’s astonishing young fiddlers Matthew O’Connor; an innovative guitarist with a loyal following, Mike Hanlon; country drummer Tim Wallace and the helmsman himself, Steve Lyons, a singing songwriter and recording artist.

The Randy Vail Presents concert at 8:15 p.m. has a spectacular cast that includes former Lost Highway members: John Somerville their drummer, Mike McNamara, a favourite area singer and guitarist; his wife, Lost Highway’s longtime keyboardist, Jennifer McNamara, who sings superbly and is a fine songwriter; and piano man Joe Ness, a frequent guest with the band. Add to these, the amazing fiddling talents of 20 year old Matt Hayes who was two years with the Bluegrass Diamonds, has just returned from a festival in Paris, France, and has a new CD, Driven, his third, for sale; the fabulously multi-talented Randy Currie of the Marshall’s Hill Trio; a long time Sussex singer and dance band leader Austin McGinnis; his son, rising young Canadian country star Darren McGinnis; another outstanding lady vocalist Beth O’Donnell; her husband, instrumentalist Jimmy O’Donnell and former Men of The Deep mining chorus vocalist Cyril O’Neill. And Randy Vail himself, a guitar stylist, bassist, songwriter and recording artist with four acclaimed CD’s in wide circulation. He is also a NBCMHF inductee. And Randy says he might have another guest, outstandingly blond. Where else could you see two such shows on one stage for only $8?

N.B. HALL OF FAME FRIDAY

The N.B. Country Music Hall Of Fame Concert, tomorrow, 7 p.m., in Saint John Exhibition’s Building One, is another spectacular explosion of N.B.’s best known and exciting talents all for an amazing $8 admission. There will be 90-year old fiddling legend Ned Landry, the man long time RCA Records chief Jack Feeney once called the world’s greatest country fiddler; another much acclaimed former Maritime Farmer fiddler Perry Craft; singing multi-instrumentalist Reg Gallant, and another fiddler with a legion of fans, Pat Boulanger; another former Maritime Farmer and Art Marr Jamboree star Rick Russell who has just released a third CD; and singing, songwriter Al Hooper who recently released a terrific 50^th album Fifty Years of Country Music; one of N.B.’s most legendary pedal steel guitarists, Fran Rooney; a favourite singer songwriter of audiences Mavis O;’Donnell; yodelling singer songwriter Gene O’Connor who has a third CD nearing release; a favourite gospel singer, Hazel Marie Robertson, who also yodels beautifully and is presently recording a new CD; a great country gospel singer Dwane Drost who has released a number of CDs and singing songwriter Shirley Haines, who is as well known in Maine as in NB. Gary Morris heads the show’s backing band, playing rhythm guitar, Wayne Hachey plays bass; Terry Patterson, drums; Tammy Morris, keyboard; John Jeffries, steel and Allison Inch, fiddle. NBCMHF President and Secretary, Ivan and Vivian Hicks, will be in attendance.

RICK RUSSELL’S NEW CD

Not intrusive but almost whimsically enhancing from its lead into Red River Valley, the first selection, on Rick Russell’s new CD Homeward Bound,

Rick Russell,new CD aug 2011

Matt Hayes eloquent fiddle makes it’s presence known. Mike Hanlon adds distinctive lead guitar especially on the traditional country folk song Wayfaring Stranger and Nobody’s Darling. Matt’s fiddle work on Wayfaring Stranger is magnificently strong. The Hawaiian love lament Beyond The Reef, written by a Canadian, Jack Pitman in 1947 and introduced to country audiences by Marty Robbins three decades ago, is accentuated by Rick’s son Randy’s bass guitar. Phil Bustard’s mandolin adds greatly to a wonderful song penned by Rick, Homeward Bound and to his Sailor’s Lament, a really tremendous song that breaths the same nostalgic imagery as the sea songs of Irish and Scottish ballad traditions. Then it’s a jump back to the Texas swing days of Bob Wills and Tommy Duncan and their great song writing collaboration Misery.“On recording that song”, Rick says, “I heard a fiddle really cry for the first time. Matt Hayes is a master fiddler and it really shows on that track.”

The Bustard mandolin is again mood setting on I’ll Love You A Thousand Ways and on Silver Wings, a song authoritatively from the pen of Melvis Lafferty but, bought by BMI, accredited to Merle Haggard and to Jimmy Buffett when they recorded it. Rick’s interpretation of it is great and his deep impressive voice imbues It Makes No Difference Now with a stark sense of depression. Gerry Wilson’s intuitive harmonica is heard on the CD, as well.

Rick Russell’s clear, distinctive voice is always a pleasure to hear. The CD is dedicated to his wife of nearly 60 years, Shirley. His song Homeward Bound tells their story: of his years in St. Patrick’s Orphanage, living on Saint John streets at 14, embarking as a sailor in 1948. Of being introduced to a smiling girl who caught his eye when in port here again, going to her home Of dreaming of her for three years while sailing the world’s oceans until finally back here again going to her house, asking if he could take her out. Marrying her soon after, he found work as a carpenter, never returned to the sea.

This is a very esoteric mix of12 songs with most very traditionally folk country. Although Red River Valley is thought of as a southern U.S. cowboy song it was originally written about Manitoba’s Red River Valley and according to CBC Radio and numerous folk music authorities it’s refrain was originally “This Metis who has loved you so true.” But it is the two of three songs written by Rick, Homeward Bound and Sailor’s Lament that make this disc a ‘must have’ for any serious collector of N.B. songs.