Love and Theft

I started out my "playing at the Horseshoe" entry by saying that it had been an interesting week. That was only part of the story.

That weekend, Bob Dylan was playing three gigs here in Toronto: Friday night at the Ricoh Auditorium, Saturday night at the Phoenix night club and Sunday night at Kool Haus night club. I had a ticket for the Phoenix show. But Friday night, blues guitarist Paul James added a late-announced gig at Cadillacs, out in Parkdale. Significance? The last couple of times Dylan played here, Paul James joined him on a few songs at Dylan's show, and Bob returned the favour, showing up unannounced and jamming with James at his club gig.

You didn't need to be a super-sleuth to surmise that Bob might show up at James' gig at Caddilacs, which is a short limo ride away from Bob's concert that night. Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that James was guesting with a band called The Catfish Blues Band, which neither myself nor any of my friends had heard of before. And Bob-philes know that Dylan has an obscure bluesy song called "Catfish" on his Bootleg Series: Vol.1-3 boxed set.

So, Friday night, after a delicious meal at Mitzi's Sister, I scooted over to Caddy's. Sign on the door said $8 cover, $6 with ticket stub from the Dylan show. Hmmm, interesting. Were they hinting, were they milking the rumours, or was the owner a big Dylan fan? First thing I heard when I entered the room was a Dylan song being played over the sound system. Hmmmmx2. I managed to find a spot at the bar near the stage. Good thing I got there when I did, because the place started filling up fast. Apparently a lot of other people had the same idea.

So, the Catfish Blues band plays a short set, and then Paul James gets up and plays a set on his own, mostly with acoustic guitar and harmonica. He plays a whole series of Dylan songs. And I'm thinking that's probably not such a good sign. Either way, I found it kind of tacky. James is a hell of a guitar player, but a bit too much of an "entertainer" for my liking. He has schtick. Plays the guitar with his teeth, behind his back, etc. Mugs for the crowd. Just a bit too much for my taste.

But between him and the Catfish band (who were quite good) and the palpable sense of anticipation in the sardined crowd, the place was rockin'! It was quite exciting, in fact. People were really having a good time (including my friend Boag's pal John/Jack, who got turfed by the doorman). But alas, closing time came, and no Bob.

So Saturday night I met up with Boag and John/Jack before the Phoenix show for a few beers at the wonderfully dive-y '70s-era Imperial Tavern on Dundas Street East, a drunk's stumble from the Eaton's Centre. We compared notes about the previous evening's proceedings at Caddy's. They had been at the Dylan show, so had begun The Celebration much earlier than me, so I was able to clear up some of their foggy memories. We cabbed it over to the Phoenix (treated to some killer church gospel on a tape the cabbie was playing) and found a spot near the back of the room, just behind the soundboard, and within easy striking distance of one of the smaller and not-too-crowded bars.

Dylan and his band came on a few minutes after we arrived, and started into their set (archived here for those of you who care to follow such things). Very nice version of "To Be Alone With You", and I was very happy to hear "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight". It was also cool to see him do "If You See Her, Say Hello". Bob stayed on piano all night, playing a keyboard that was set up stage left, dressed in his Cowboy Bob suit. Great band, as usual. He only used one drummer for this gig, I guess because the stage wouldn't fit the two kits used on this tour. Fine by me, since I think with the possible exception of Yes, or some other prog rock monsters, no band needs two drummers. Not for this kind of music, anyway.

I ventured up to the front a couple of times just to get a better look, but mostly I stayed back by the soundboard and took in the scene and the sounds from there. I can't say it was an amazing concert--I enjoyed his show at the ACC two years ago much more--but it was good, and it was cool to see Dylan in such a small venue.

After the show, I lost Boag and John/Jack, so I headed out to Mitzi's again, where local alt-country lads Jay Clark And The Jones were playing. A very good evening there. Jay and the boys sounded great, and Jay passed me a copy of their new CD, which is a very fine piece of work. Lots of good songs and a fuller, warmer production than their debut. Kudos to the boys.

Okay, I'm tired typing and I need to get ready for bed. But there's more to say about the events of last week. I'll continue with the "theft" portion of this topic at a later date.

[ooh, a cliffhanger!]