A Fine New Voice From Toronto

Subject: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Mar 00 - 11:31 PM

One of the reasons that I wish CIUT Fm. in Toronto would get it's act together and get their real-audio up, is so my Mudcat friends could get a chance to hear some of the wonderful new talent that I do. On tonight's "Acoustic Workshop", I had old friends "Beyond the Pale" who keep getting better and better, and a young woman making her debut on the show.

Lori Cullen has been running open stages at the Free Times Cafe for several months now, and is really honing her craft. Her songs are lyrically complex but she delivers them in a subtle and quite beautiful way. I had planned on having her sing a song or two, but she's so darned engaging we ended up chatting for quite a while. She accompanies herself on a great sounding Larrivee and her guitar work was solid as a rock..very easy to play behind. (lucky me)

I've been listening to her debut album "Garden Path", and it's definitely growing on me. The arrangements are clean and uncluttered, and considering the strength of her material and delivery, I'm sure she had no difficulty in getting the other fine musicians to be part of the project. I'd like to let you know where to get the album (maybe Dick G might carry it) but I can only find an e-mail address. [e-mail]

I have another reason to be proud of Lori's work. She told me she started learning to play from watching an old TV series I did. Man, I tell ya friends, that's worth more than all the bucks in the world!

Rick

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 08:32 AM

Makes me even more sorry I missed last night's show! Nice to hear about more new voices showcased in our burg.

O.K. Rick, which influential TV program was this? Were you surrounded by small animal puppets while wearing a banjo outfit, or was this a serious folk series on Canadian TV (sometimes, of course, the two are indistinguishable on Canadian TV)?
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 10:10 AM

Oh God, Peter, the things we do to make a living! The series that she was referring to was "Rick Fielding's Acoustic Workshop". ran from about 95 to 97 (with re-runs). I had various guests, did tech tips, sang songs etc. Channel 10.

However.... I was on the "Uncle Bobby" show, where I was a character called "Mr. Banjo"!

Most humiliating spot though? Wearing TIGHTS(!!) and wondering through a Sherwood Forest set, singing fake medieval music (they'd never have hired me if I'd done REAL old music). Some bodies are made for tights...not mine. In later pseudo-middle ages things I wore a Monk's get-up...definitely more comfortable. Told folks I was the "Chip Monk". also the "Fish Friar", and occasionally the trans-gendered singing Nun.

Rick

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 10:38 AM

Rick,

What a diverse career you've had. It's too bad so many people here have no idea about the Uncle Bobby show. I remember watching as a young child and thinking what a miserable old fart he was.

The image of you in tights is interesting. At least my image of you at the nudist camp reminded me of Inspector Clousseau.

You're so right about CIUT getting there act together, even if it were only to fix the tape deck so that you could send the shows to the Mudcat again.

What nights are the open stage at the Free Times? I'd like to hear Lori and I might even be able to get a performer out.

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 11:00 AM

Well, I guess it was better than playing a recorder with a giraffe (Canadian content, folks). I never understood why Friendly was so successful. Of course in Toronto we also had BUFFALO'S TOM JOALS (sp?) -- now there was a snazzy program -- Commander Tom. I could never get used to seeing him do the weather in later years....

Did anyone videotape the shows? (NOT the Uncle Bobby shows!!!!) yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 11:08 AM

Yeah, a past that tends to trail along.............

But I too wish that CIUT would get something in gear. For those of you who haven't heard Rick's show, check out one here in the Mudcat Radio Archives. We all know that Brother Fielding is a great performer, but his show is very relaxed and enjoyable, not to mention a lot of good music. I miss not tuning in on Monday's, even when I had net problems, it was still a winner.

Spaw

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 11:14 AM

Okay it's thread creep, but Peter I can see why you'd want taped shows of Commander Tom, if only for Promo the Robot, but I think the show predates VCR's.

What about Chez Helen?

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 11:28 AM

Helene. I meant (oh, you know what I meant....)
yours, Peter T. P.S. God, I forgot about the Robot.

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 28 Mar 00 - 11:38 AM

Hi All, This was an e-mail I received from Ron Davis who does the Jazz nights at the TRANZAC - seemed appropriate to forward it after Rick's nice words. Rana

From Ron Davis, re. Lori Cullen

Hello shameless marketee- for once, for once an e-mail that's not about me...

It's about a wonderful woman and musician Lori Cullen. It's about her CD release. Her CD: 'Garden Path'. A beautiful collection of her original songs. Inventive. Most beautifully sung.

'Garden' Path is going to be released WEDNESDAY APRIL 5 2000 at THE POOR ALEX THEATRE, 296 BRUNSWICK AVENUE TORONTO.

Lori will be playing acoutsic guitar as usual. She'll be joined by some wonderful musicians for the evening, including Kevin Barrett on guitar, Chris Gartner on bass, Ernie Tollar on wooden flute and Stephen Targett on piano. Also Ruth Frolic and Kathy Goldman are going to sing a couple of tunes with Lori.

It should be a real fun evening. And there's a party afterward at the Tranzac right next door.

You can reserve tickets by phoning the Poor Alex Theatre at 416-324-9863 ($8) or buy them at the door ($10).

Please come if you can. And please send this invitation along to anyone you think might be be interested (including all friends, relatives, employees, representatives, valets, attendants, staff, help, lovers, ex-lovers (plus their lovers and ex-lovers), clergy, mp's, mpp's, counsellors, therapists, security personnel, dog-walkers and cat groomers...

See you (I hope) on the 5th!

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 Mar 00 - 11:06 AM

The commercial was not my idea....but I think Mr. Davis might be Lori's significant other, so what the hell.

Rick (who is also a huge fan of Susan Latimer, the sister of a prominent mudcatter.)

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 07:48 AM

Had your show on in my car the other night. I quite enjoyed listening to Lori's pleasant interview. She's got a very good voice and yes really nice guitar work - good song writing. Very impressive live radio! (This coming from a guy who does not usually relate to this type of music). She should do well!

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 07:54 AM

Thanks Rick, I would like to get Lori Cullen's CD Garden Path.
Has Susan Latimer produced a CD?

Little Neo

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: JedMarum
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 08:04 AM

Any chance the show will one day appear in the archives? Can we connect to CIUT live?

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Rana
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 08:06 AM

Hi Rick,

For the record,I copied Ron's note to Mudcat and he had nothing to do with that posting (or even knew about). This is about talent - consider it an announcement not an advert!

Rana (in his none guest mode)

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 10:44 AM

I'd love to tape the shows for archiving but at the moment, we just don't have a good quality tape machine at the station at the moment.

Guess you should just e-mail her Bonnie.

Rick

Subject: RE: A Fine New Voice From Toronto
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 10:55 AM

Little Neo,

I'll field that one. Susan has not produced a CD. She did a cassette a few years ago but was not happy with it. She is in the process of trying to put together a CD, hopes to have it out later this year.

On April 15 she is opening at Greenbank for Swing Soniq, a western Canadian band who apparently do 20's Gypsy music. She is really looking forward to it, it's a great room. Maybe we'll see you there.

Steve