Canaille, the rich and dynamic Toronto jazz quartet, hit the stage again this Friday. You may have caught their set at Wavelength 500 which was amazing. Check out their new full length on iTunes or Zunior or better yet LIVE THIS FRIDAY…

Friday February 18, 2010
Canaille at the Holy Oak Cafe
1241 Bloor St, just east of Lansdowne
PWYC

Tortoise are touring the East coast and land in Toronto Thursday! Glad to have the opportunity to see them again. The latest and 6th full length album, BEACONS OF ANCESTORSHIP, is another solid effort. One of the trailblazers on the epic Thrill Jockey label and definitely worth checking out, especially LIVE!

Thursday February 18, 2010

Tortoise with Dissapears at Lee’s Palace
529 Bloor St. W. Toronto
19+
$20.00 at the door

Joel Thibodeau of Death Vessel at Lee's Palace.

The Sea and Cake were a band with a mission at Lee's Palace Nov. 14th.

Glad I was able to catch The Sea and Cake last night. They are truly an amazing band and a must see live. The opening act was interesting as well.

Joel Thibodeau’s Death Vessel was impressive. His solo acoustic set peppered with his silvery voice got things off to a great start. Great to see the “return of the acoustic” with Iron and Wine, City and Colour and others moving this style of music back into the limelight.

Next up were The Sea and Cake. I was interested to see them play again. Last year’s Everybody, an album made after a four year break, was quickly followed by their latest, Car Alarm. The Sea and Cake wasted no time getting back into the studio after last year’s CD and tour. Good thing! I’ve seen The Sea and Cake a few times now but they appeared like a band on a mission and an even tighter unit. Hoping they continue to ride the momentum! They cranked out some gems from their latest album. I was most taken with tracks performed from their earlier material infused with a serious drive. A solid set and sweet encore were barely enough to appease the packed crowd at Lee’s Palace. Ring the alarm indeed.