Sometime in December, while driving back from the annual Christmas market/Indian food evening with the girls, I heard a song on the radio that literally enchanted me. Had me in its spell. I was instantly hooked. The voice, the melody, the rhythm, the words. I LOVED it. At the end of the song, I learned the artist's name: Charlie Winston. I googled him as soon as I got home. That sounds rude, doesn't it? I don't even know him, I shouldn't be googling him (reference to 30 Rock). Anyway....checked out some videos, listened to some songs. Really, really liked him. Fast forward to my birthday and it's like a Charlie Winston-themed party, sans the life-sized Charlie Winston cardboard cutout and Charlie Winston party trilby hats. My gifts included two of his cds and two tickets to his show in Montreal. So, last weekend, Bill and I braved the freezing rain and blowing snow to drive to Montreal. The driving conditions were so bad that I had to close my eyes and put my earplugs in to avoid freaking out too much. Those trucks were too close; the roads were too snowy and slippery. The lengths we go to for art! The show must go on! We arrived two hours before the show began. Ill-advisedly, we had thought we'd wing it and try to get a table at Joe Beef for dinner, but we were turned away because we didn't have a reservation. Then we were turned away from its sister resto as well, and from a pizzeria. No room at the inn. I was starting to get a complex: were we not hip enough to eat dinner in Montreal? Clearly not. I should have worn something funky...but hey, we went straight from work. So, we walked gingerly along the dangerously icy sidewalks of Notre Dame Ouest and found a tiny, inviting African restaurant. Five little tables. It was a good choice; the food was good and the atmosphere was cozy. It was nice to just chill and chat before the show.
As you might have expected, since I'm bothering to write this, the concert was amazing. It was at the Corona Theatre...a great old venue. While Bill waited in the ridiculously-long line for the coat check, I snapped up a couple of tshirts with "Who the funk is Charlie Winston?" emblazoned on the front. I had promised my friend I'd get him one. Then, we found a good viewpoint. The opening band was Current Swell, a group from my home island (can I say that?), Vancouver Island. Hence the ocean/surf-themed name, I guess. They had some really interesting, good material. Great enthusiasm, too. Then Charlie Winston. There are no words. Oh, yes there are! What a performer! A little bit magical, dramatic, mischievous. A consummate showman and talented musician (and a great dancer). Such style and such dashing good looks. Swoon. I hesitate to say this, as I have pledged my allegiance to the great Neil Finn many a time, but I dare say that Charlie Winston's show gave him a run for his money. The only downside of the concert was when I leaned over to say something to Bill at the same time as he started to put his arm around me and he clocked me in the nose by mistake. For a moment I thought it was broken and was going to bleed. And we weren't even in the nosebleed section!
We stayed overnight in Montreal and spent the bright Saturday morning at the Atwater Market and checking out the antique shops before heading home to meet up with my brother before he flew back to Victoria.
Anyway, ever since Friday, Bill and I have been humming and singing the songs and enjoying the post-concert euphoria and afterglow!
So, in the interest of spreading the word and maybe seeing Mr. Winston in Canada again, I urge you all (all 8 of my loyal followers, ha ha) to check out his website and music! Or go see him in Calgary or Vancouver.
