Recording: Isla Craig

Artist: Isla Craig

Songs: Spirit + Now Westlin Winds [with Andrew Patten & Ivy Mairi] [trad. arr. Dick Gaughan, from a poem by Robert Burns]

Recorded at The Tranzac (Main Hall), November 15, 2022.

Isla Craig - Spirit

Isla Craig with Andrew Patten & Ivy Mairi - Now Westlin Winds

Although there have been some airings-out of the new Echo's Reach material, this definitely felt like a special occasion, with a full band (Mike Smith, bass; Ian Daniel Kehoe, drums; Ted Crosby, sax) as well as vocal support from Vic Cheong and Ivy Mairi. (Plus frequent collaborator Jonathan Adjemian guesting on piano on the set's last track presented here.) In a nod to her roots, there was also a pause in the middle for a folky excursion, with Andrew Patten adding some acoustic guitar.

It seems like yesterday and forever ago that folks last gathered to celebrate an album release by Isla Craig in The Tranzac's big room. That made it felt like an event, one where old circles intersect — with faces you might've once seen at a Healing Power party, or on a beach on the Island. May the spirit be with you.

Recording: Isla Craig

Artist: Isla Craig

Song: Song for Boots

Recorded at The Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge (Karen Ng presents), September 22, 2022.

Isla Craig - Song for Boots

A perfect night out on the equinox, Karen Ng turned her Tranzac residency slot over to a pair of singer-songwriters who were both exploring some autumnal renewal. Playing her first band show since the beforetimes, Isla Craig brought some of the players who back her on the forthcoming Echo's Reach, including continental drifter Mike Smith on bass and Ted Crosby on sax as well as Ian Daniel Kehoe on drums. Given that gap in presenting new music, it was no surpise to even hear a couple newer-than-the-album songs in the set, which closed with this piano meditation for a lost companion.

Recording: Ian Daniel Kehoe

Artist: Ian Daniel Kehoe

Song: What's a Liar Know Anyway

Recorded at The Gladstone Hotel's Melody Bar (Long Winter 8.3), January 11, 2020.

Ian Daniel Kehoe - What's a Liar Know Anyway

I hadn't checked in with Ian Daniel Kehoe since he wrapped up his Marine Dreams project and launched his Secret Republic album under his given name. Although in its latter times Marine Dreams was winding down from a band to a solo project, this solo incarnation has zagged away from solo acoustic balladeering to deploying some one-man-band technology. The drum machine and guitar sounds hew towards a glossy 80's sound, like finding one of those obscure soundtrack albums to a forgotten teen flick with solo tracks from Lindsay Buckingham, Glenn Frey and Don Dixon. (There's also a glorious hint of "When You Were Mine"'s sonic DNA spliced into this song.)

[Long Winter is back on Friday, February 21st, returning to Workman Arts for a night of art and music — including sounds from Mil-Spec, Korydor, Laps, Tallies, Isla Craig, Hua Li, Backxwash, Witchrot, Scorpio Rising, Lavender Bruisers and Tongue Patrol.]

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: You Were Lucky 'Cause She Loved You

Recorded at Owl's Club (basement), November 10, 2016.

Marine Dreams - You Were Lucky 'Cause She Loved You

Once again, I'd gone a while without seeing a set from Ian Kehoe's Marine Dreams, so it was no surprise that once more the set had turned over with a whole new set of recent pieces. His pared-down observations keep cutting closer and closer to the heart of the matter — perfectly suited for a quiet room like this with just the occasional clack of balls from the pool table at the back of the room and muttered conversations off at the edges.

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Burdock Music Club, August 11, 2015.

Marine Dreams - unknown

Ian Kehoe's "band" has become so stripped-back, it's less of a surprise nowadays to see him playing solo as "Marine Dreams". Already with a notebook of songs newer than the ace one-man-band album that came out at the start of the year, this little ode to vulnerability particularly stuck in my mind.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: Blank Moods

Recorded at The Horseshoe Tavern ("You've Changed Records 5th Anniversary Celebration"), May 22, 2014.

Marine Dreams - Blank Moods

Full review to follow. The fifth anniversary party for essential label You've Changed Records had plenty of retrospective celebratory moments, but it also showcased artists who are busily pushing forward with new things. Though Marine Dreams' Corner Of The Eye is less than a year old, this night was also the release party for its follow-up, Lemon Tree. Perhaps reflecting on its gotta-get-these-songs-out-there spirit, the recording is a bit more stripped down than its predecessor — but that also gives a lot of room for the live incarnation of the band to clothe the arrangements in some infectiously bouncy energy.

Recording: Ian Kehoe

Artist: Ian Kehoe

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at CineCycle, December 14, 2013.

Ian Kehoe - unknown

Full review to follow. With a snowstorm shutting down the 401 to Welland, Marine Dreams leader Kehoe was stuck without a band, but took the opportunity to bring out his notepad and test out some new songs in a stripped down setting.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: I Won't Be Abandoned

Recorded at Izakaya Sushi House, October 24, 2013.

Marine Dreams - I Won't Be Abandoned

Full review to follow. New album Corner Of The Eye came out a month ago and the mix of sophisticated grooves and Ian Kehoe's articulate longings has now had a proper local release.

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: Straight Path

Recorded at Parts + Labour ("Mattyfest Summerslam BBQ 2013"), August 18, 2013.

Marine Dreams - Straight Path

Full review to follow. I think every time I've seen Marine Dreams play, it was always with a bit a of jury-rigged lineup — breaking in a new drummer or compensating for a missing member. So it was no surprise to see vocalist/guitarist Ian Kehoe beaming as his now-sextet cruised with what he declared to be Fleetwood Mac-style velocity. The band's sophomore album Corner of the Eye is going to be out September 24 on You've Changed, so while there's no tour dates listed at the moment, it's reasonable to expect we'll be hearing about some soon — and hopefully seeing this current unit sticking together.

Recording: Marine Dreams

Artist: Marine Dreams

Song: Yet To See The Sun

Recorded at Saving Gigi (Lazy Afternoon showcase), March 23, 2012.

Marine Dreams - Yet To See The Sun

Full review to follow. This unofficial CMW showcase was indeed a most pleasant lazy afternoon in the delightfully cozy Saving Gigi.