Recording: Cathy Young

Artist: Cathy Young

Songs: Early Morning Rain [Gordon Lightfoot cover] + Baby What You Want Me to Do [Jimmy Reed cover]

Recorded at Christie Pits Park (Bloor Ossington Folk Festival – Day 2), September 18, 2016.

Cathy Young - Early Morning Rain

Cathy Young - Baby What You Want Me to Do

Unsurprisingly, the fine sunny weather accompanying the festival's final day had the park feeling much more lively and animated with dog-walkers and playground patrons. The tent was also a lot busier from the get-go and as the warm sun held overhead, the rise of the hill beyond was soon filling as well. There was more of a poignant sad undertone to the day, with organizers, bands and audience members all dwelling a little more on the idea that this was the end of the line for the festival. But, as always, the music was a balm and a call to enjoy these moments while they last.

One of the day's biggest surprises was this impromptu, unscheduled appearance by a true Toronto folk icon. Cathy Young, who went from being a Yorkville busker to one of the scene's leading lights was urged onto the stage by festival director Kristjan Harris and she veered from the tenderness of Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" into a salty run through "Baby What You Want Me to Do", building up momentum as she went. A truly special surprise in the middle of the day.