Recording: The Ryan Driver Sextet

Artist: The Ryan Driver Sextet + friends

Songs: Stardust (feat. John Southworth) [composer: Hoagy Carmichael] / So it Goes (feat. Robin Dann) / It's Tulip Season (feat. Felicity Williams) / My Man (feat. Jennifer Castle) [composers: Maurice Yvain/Channing Pollock]

Recorded at The Tranzac's Main Hall (Ryan Driver’s Big 5-0), March 30, 2024.

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. John Southworth - Stardust

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Robin Dann - So it Goes

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Felicity Williams - It's Tulip Season

The Ryan Driver Sextet feat. Jennifer Castle - My Man

This wonderful evening was intriguing on several levels, besides being a warm gathering of many familiar faces to celebrate a landmark birthday for Ryan Driver (as well as the 25th anniversary of the Sextet/Quintet/Quartet). It was also a somewhat-rare opportunity to hear the sextet outside their regular surroundings in the Southern Cross, and performing in the bigger room, with the band spread out and a bit more attention paid to micing and amplification gave some new shadings to the group's sound.

It also expanded the palette by bringing up a parade of guest vocalists for most of the songs — with the singers above being joined by Alex Samaras, Doug Tielli, Alex Lukashevsky, and Sandro Perri. Comcomitant with that, the repertoire expanded somewhat beyond the group's usual standards, brushing up against pop, as well as bringing in a couple of Driver's own tunes (including one originally written for The Titillators). For a group that can be astonishing in its regular way on any given month, it was a treat to see this special occasion widescreen version.

[The Ryan Driver Sextet will be back in the Southern Cross on their regular last-Friday-of-the-month timeslot on April 26th.]

Recording: John Southworth

Artist: John Southworth

Song: Simple Simple Boy

Recorded at The Tranzac's Main Hall (Service for Justin Haynes), April 19, 2019.

John Southworth - Simple Simple Boy

Some things are hard. In the aftermath of a sudden loss, family, friends and collaborators joined together to celebrate the life and music of Justin Haynes. Famously banned from The Tranzac, the sad smiles at the fact of his return were indicative of the vibe: shock and sadness with a grimly-funny streak. Hopefully being together helped some people move forward in processing this tragedy, and hopefully Justin's music and spirit will be remembered and celebrated. Over the course of the afternoon and evening, many of his fellow-travelers paid tribute by revisiting Justin's material or offering some new tributes. Here's a few of the sounds from the day.

Haynes was a longtime member of singer/songwriter John Southworth's backing band, reaching back from his brand new album all the back to this one from 2004, which Southworth described as the first song they played together.

Recording: John Southworth

Artist: John Southworth

Song: I'm a Bell

Recorded at St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church ("Poor Pilgrim 7"), July 20, 2014.

John Southworth - I'm a Bell

Full review to follow. The threat of rain kept the early portion of this year's travelling Poor Pilgrim show rooted near the beautiful chapel of St. Andrew by-the-Lake. After starting the afternoon outside on the lawn for some folk songs from Ivy Mairi & Sean Donald, the crowd took to the pews to hear singer/songwriter John Southworth, backed by Thom Gill on electric guitar and Bram Geilen on double bass. Southworth has a new double album on the way, but here dipped into his large back catalogue as well, showing off his classic songcraft chops.