Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 25 May 06 - 08:26 AM

Jed - did you have any particular states in mind?

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 May 06 - 11:36 AM

Sounds like we missed a time!

And ya know there can never be to much banjo!

I gave up the day job years ago, Joanne - I'm not sure if I'm managing too well - but I actually had to pay taxes last year, so I guess somebody thinks I'm doing allright (the bast*rds)!

Maybe you and Paul should take your show on the road - we'd love you in the States.

;-)

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 22 May 06 - 10:44 PM

Hey Peter, I hope you'll make it out to our show sometime. I think you'd like it .... And yes, the room got quite warm quite quickly.

Joanne

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Peter T.
Date: 22 May 06 - 12:10 PM

Sorry I missed it, unavoidably, I am sure it was great. Warmed up a cold weekend, I am sure!

yours ever,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 21 May 06 - 06:34 PM

Paul's banjo is a very welcome addition to our show, and of course he plays it with impeccable taste.

Joanne

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Paul Mills
Date: 21 May 06 - 05:03 PM

Yes it was a great evening, to be sure! Joanne has brought repertoire to the table that stretches and challenges me as a guitarist and I'm all the better for it. It just goes to show you, you're never too old to learn and improve. I'm a better guitar player than I was when we started this little adventure and, look out!, I've started playing the banjo in public!

Paul

PS big ol' bear hug to you too, Mick!

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 May 06 - 03:42 PM

I envy you that crowd, Joanne. There is a special place in my heart for them. It has been said that Toronto is the New York of Canada. Having spent considerable time in both, I must tell you that Toronto is beyond comparison to anyone. I am so pleased that it went well for you both and wish you so much more. Would you give that big ole Beef Brother a hug and tell him it is from Mick?

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 21 May 06 - 03:35 PM

Well Paul and I had another wonderful musical outing last night. He's just going from strength to strength right now. We intoduced two new original songs to the show; one is my first-ever effort at a protest song, the other we wrote together, and both were very well received. I've had several exciting musical periods in my life, but this Crabree&Mills adventure is definitely a high point.

Later on, sitting alone in my kitchen, my thoughts were all about the audience. The room was filled with friends, and friends of friends, and everyone was with us from the start. We didn't have to warm them up or spend energy on heckler management. No wiles were necessary, just picking and singing and a whole lotta love. They sang along, laughed, cried, and cheered. They felt like an integral part of the show. The outpouring of affection helped to make the evening very very special.

We took a moment to remember Rick Fielding from the stage.

Happy birthday, Jed. I hope you're managing without that day job.

A big thanks to Mick and Jed for the words of encouragement re C&M, and thank you, also, for sharing some of the history of your friendships with Rick and Paul.

See you down the road,

Joanne

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Tinker
Date: 15 May 06 - 07:25 PM

Preview right now on Acoustic Workshop with Heather Fielding...
Great stuff


CIUT

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 May 06 - 10:57 AM

I said, "Everyone accused us of being brothers" at the Getaway because Mick is lucky enough to look a lot like me.

;-)

The "Beef" was added some time later that weekend by our friend Rick. The rest, of course is history.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 May 06 - 10:23 PM

... had a couple shows in Louisiana this weekend. Nice folks, nice visit - but it's nice to be home. Last night was my birthday, so I thanked the audience for giving me the best birthdady I've had all year.

I sang Aengus Fraser and told 'em about Rick and the Beef Brothers.

I stumbled onto Mudcat on my own. I used to use the DT before I ever paid any mind to the posts - but once I started posting I met Rick about right away. I met Mick at the Getaway in 2000 or 2001. Everyone accused us of being brothers ... Rick convinced to give up that foolish day job, and then introduced me to Paul. Two things for which I am eternally grateful!

I'll be thinking of y'all on your show at The Free Times

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 12 May 06 - 07:04 PM

One week to go, The Free Times is half full.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 12 May 06 - 07:03 PM

Thanks for filling me in on the history, Mick.
I was with Rick, in his studio, the day he discovered The Mudcat cafe. I might have told him about it, having just discovered it myself. I was amazed at how quickly he found his place in the heart of the community.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 May 06 - 02:25 PM

No need to explain anymore than you already have, Jed. All I will add is that it stirred some intense remembrances for me. As I have told you, when I do my CD, that one will be on it.

The story of the Beef Brothers has been told before. Jed, Rick, and I were at The Getaway. Rick asked Jed and I to accompany him on a song at the evening concert. As we stood on stage, Rick looked at the two of us with a smile and introduced by name, then added otherwise known as The Beef Brothers. And so we were born. When I came to TO to sing at Rick's CD release, he (knowing where he was at medically) pronounced Paul as the new Beef Brother. And Jed and I concurred with his wise move. I have always felt that we should find a way to meet in TO and do a Beef Brothers concert. We all would like to, but this nagging little need to support ones self keeps getting in the way. But it is something we need to do.

One more funny bit from that night at the Getaway. When we came off stage, folks were still chuckling. Rick asked someone (might have been Bill D) what they were still chuckling about. This person said "Rick, until tonight no one ever thought of you as a small person before".

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 12 May 06 - 01:40 PM

Duke, I haven't sung Shiloh for a while, but all this Civil War talk has brought it back to me. My kids grew up with Silverstein's poetry.

Jed, I knew Rick was a Beef Brother, but I didn't know he invented them - why am I not surprised? Btw, I believe Rick would be the first to disavow any claim to sainthood.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: Duke
Date: 12 May 06 - 10:35 AM

I'm glad to hear that someone is still singing "The Hills of Shiloh". It is one of my best loved songs and not too many people know it. Shel Silverstein sure wrote some interesting songs.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: JedMarum
Date: 12 May 06 - 09:26 AM

Beef Brothers were bestowed upoon the world by the sainted and the wise Rick Fielding - well, OK wise anyway ... I am not sure if we can add others, but it involves things like size, as in stature and other sort of featues of groady and whsikery old dudes (well; not to old).

I don;t know the Shel Silverstein song. I'll look it up. You know when Mick first arrived in TO during the production of SOUL OF A WANDERER. We were listening to a rough mix of Banks of the Mobile. I loved its simplicity and was really just captured by the marvelous recording genius of Paul Mills - after the track was over I turned aorund and saw Big Mick listening with big tears running down his cheeks. I was floored! Mick took a moment, then explained that he had a nurse that cared for him in the same manner that Kate did in the song. That he had felt a personal bond with her, even though he could only be one out of many to her -and that did not diminish the one on one he felt from her.

Actually - I should let him explain it ... but I guess you get the idea.

I wish I could be there for the show/s but maybe on my next visit to TO.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 12 May 06 - 09:05 AM

Paul's in Ottawa this weekend. He's releasing his wonderful cd, The Other Side of the Glass, at Rasputin's tomorrow night. Then at 7PM Monday, Crabtree&Mills visits with Heather Fielding on Acoustic Workshop, CIUTFM, here in balmy Toronto.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 May 06 - 12:56 PM

y'have to bulk up some for starters...

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 11 May 06 - 12:23 PM

So, how does a guy get to be a beef brother? Are secret rituals involved?

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 11 May 06 - 12:02 AM

Jed, those Civil War ballads, they just tear your heart out. Thanks for giving us one more. Another one I've treasured over the years is Shel Silverstein's Hills of Shiloh. Do you know it? I guess it's the womens' stories that hit me hardest.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 10 May 06 - 11:46 PM

Perhaps we should put out cookies on the Free Times' buffet table....

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 May 06 - 11:36 PM

I am indeed honored to hear you are singing The Banks of the Mobile. I love the song too, thank you for singing it.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toronto)
From: black walnut
Date: 10 May 06 - 10:23 PM

Did somebody say cookie?

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 10 May 06 - 06:49 PM

Jeff, thanks for the ringing endorsement! I was so happy to see you there in the front row, even though I knew full well you and all the other hot pickers in the front row were 90% focused on the flying fingers of my partner. I love his playing too...so how could I possibly be jealous?

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: JeffM
Date: 10 May 06 - 02:53 PM

Well, I was sitting in the front row of the kitchen concert. I refused to leave when it was over until they played another dozen songs or so. I highly recommend this concert.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 10 May 06 - 09:16 AM

In this show we do some pop tunes, one of which, I Love to Love, contains ALL OF THE ORIGINAL WORDS as performed by Lena Horne on her LIVE AT THE WALDORF album in 1956, with one modification. Marlon Brando is out. Curly Boy is in.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown (Toron
From: balladeer
Date: 10 May 06 - 06:53 AM

Thanks to whoever added Toronto to the thread name (Joe?). I was speaking to a Toronto cat in a local club just the other day, but I don't know her name. If you're reading this, delurk and say hello...

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 10 May 06 - 12:06 AM

Well at least Mudcat cookies are cholesterol free.

Jed, I don't know if I ever told you, I added The Banks of the Mobile to my repertoire after I heard you sing it at Paul's house.

My rule is, if a song makes me cry when I hear it, I have to learn it.

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: Paul Mills
Date: 09 May 06 - 11:18 PM

Hmmmm...TASTY!!!

Now I got me another cookie, though! Lookout!

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 May 06 - 09:39 PM

We friggin' look alike, we sing alike, we own the same hats, and we both came up with the same joke. We need to get Paul and Joanne and make some damn music with them.

Mick

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: JedMarum
Date: 09 May 06 - 09:24 PM

That's right; He's a Beef Brother. He probably ate his cookie!!

;-)

I wish y'all the very best - and I wish I could be there!

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 May 06 - 09:19 PM

He's a Beef Brother. He probably ate it. Break a leg you two.

Mick

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 09 May 06 - 09:07 PM

Hey Paul, did you lose your cookie?

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: GUEST,Paul Mills
Date: 09 May 06 - 08:33 PM

I'm really looking forward to this gig. Playing with Joanne is pure joy and this body of music we've developed together stretches and challenges me as a guitar player. There's real musical chemistry between us and the songs are all wonderful! Looking forward to seeing a bunch od 'Catter's there!

Cheers,

Paul

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 09 May 06 - 07:26 PM

Crabtree and Mills at the Free Times on May 20 is coming up fast. I'm a little nervous about it because every time I've played there (in various incarnations) folks show up at the last minute and are turned away. I hate that!! Please, if you're planning to come, please book NOW. I'm getting really excited about this new adventure with Paul. He's just so much FUN to play with. I hope you'll join us if you're in town. Joanne

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:31 PM

Mick, please let me know when you are able to come to TO.

Btw, Paul and I finished our first co-write last week and immediately recorded it.

Balladeer

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: Big Mick
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 06:14 PM

Joanne, I could probably do a half hour comedy monologue on the history of the Beef Brothers. And what I wouldn't give to lend a little harmony to your music. We will do that one day, hopefully I am going to find a way to get to Toronto this summer. I am really ready to do some backyard singing at Paul's and at Heather's.

I sure hope you will give a full report on how these gigs go. I am anxious to hear!

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 11:55 PM

Mick, I really wish you could come and be with us (and tell me all about the Beef Brothers).

Subject: RE: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 01:03 PM

Man oh man. Do not miss this if you get a chance. I cannot imagine how this would be anything but entertaining and first class music. balladeer is an amazing singer, Paul turns a phrase with inordinate skill, and is as good a player as you will see.

Sure wish I was in Toronto for this.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: Paul Mills and Joanne Crabtree downtown
From: balladeer
Date: 23 Apr 06 - 10:52 AM

As most of you know (because I talk about it a lot) Paul Mills and I have created a duo we are calling Crabtree&Mills, in which the featured instruments are his guitar and my voice.

We were so encouraged by the enthusiastic response we received from the sold-out crowd at the Kitchen in Toronto's east end earlier in the spring, we decided to bring the show downtown at the first opportunity.

Many of you have asked me for the details, and here they are.

Saturday, May 20th
The Free Times Cafe
320 College Street (2 blocks west of Spadina)
Dinner 7-7:30 pm
Show 8:30 pm
Door $10
Call 416 967 1078 for reservations

This is a cozy room that fills up quickly, so reserving as soon as you can is a good idea.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support.

Joanne

PS. We will be guesting on Heather Fielding's radio show, Acoustic Workshop, on Monday, May 15th at 7 pm.

PPS. Crabtree&Mills, the album, is progressing nicely too.