John Landry at the sound of music

Burlington Sound Of Music Festival

Friday June 14, 2002

One of the highlights of the summer festival season takes place in Burlington Ontario, when the city plays host to the annual ‘Sound Of Music Festival’. With four stages, three days of music and many genres to choose from it’s easy to find your favourite entertainers during the weekend. Our favourites were appearing on the Friday night at Spencer Smith Park ~ the ‘main stage’ ~ and the lineup consisted of the Colleen O’Brien Band, Steve Fox and John Landry. Now, we’d attended this show in a different capacity altogether so this is going to be an ‘overview’ of the day’s happenings. But let me tell you, it was a GREAT time and I look forward to any chance to see this bunch again.

The first group up has been making quite a name for themselves lately in the Southern Ontario and while I’d heard lots about them I was looking forward to seeing them in person. Colleen O’Brien heads up an energetic bunch and with her dynamic stage presence and huge voice (packed into a tiny package) she puts on quite a show. Material as varied as the female performers who sang them fits when Colleen puts her all into it and boy, does she put her all into it. One minute she’s behind the keyboard, next she’s dancing beside her guitarist. Then she’s out front, getting the crowd to clap along, and then she’s got the mic in a death grip singing to the other side of the crowd. I was not envious, seeing how soaked she was when she came offstage due to the show and the lights to sit signing autographs and meeting fans for about the next hour and a half in the cold, damp evening. For the middle of June it was weather more befitting April or even early May. It was a great show and I’m hoping to see them again soon.

Steve Fox is not only an incredible songwriter but he’s one heck of a singer. I was last able to enjoy his voice (in person) when he appeared at John’s Christmas Wish show last year. For his part of the evening he pulled out all of the hits you’d expect and have become familiar with on the radio. “Couple On The Cake” was even a selection and no, Beverley wasn’t there...the duet was handled quite ably by Steve and his lovely keyboard player, who’s name I didn’t catch. His latest single, “Cheap Red Wine” was very popular and the crowd got a treat when Steve announced one song as “My first gold record...a song I didn’t even record”. He was referring to the HUGE Montgomery Gentry hit song he’d written - “Daddy Won’t Sell The Farm”. Yes, that was Steve’s song. As was the Diane Chase hit “In The Middle Of Something” but no, Steve didn’t sing that one at this show. It’s always great to see Steve perform and believe me, you won’t find anyone more fun, more self-assured or more real (every time you meet him) than Steve Fox. I can’t wait to see him again and share some more laughs.

The headliner for the evening is not only a very treasured friend but he’s one incredible performer. John Landry has been incredibly busy over the past few months preparing for both his summer tour (that kicked off May 30th out west) and the imminent release of his new CD “Bottom Of The Ninth”. We have been lucky enough to have heard this CD a couple of times now, both in it’s very early stages and live, at the studio while the bed tracks were recorded (with the musical genius Rick Hutt overseeing the production). It is going to be a masterpiece, no doubt about it. The lucky crowds in Burlington were treated to many songs from the new CD in addition to some of the older favourites (“My Heart Says Yes”, with the Stacey Lee parts handled more than adequately by Jeremy Williams). The first single from “Bottom Of The Ninth” is “When Will Your Memory Let Me Go” and it’s a very bouncy, fun country - rockabilly song and the video will be soon be a CMT staple, as are the rest of John’s singles. John has said that filming the video (while videos are a lot of work) was pretty fun and it’s different than his other videos.

My favourite song from the new CD is “Everybody Rides” and it’s written (as are many of the new songs) with a couple of John’s country music pals, who’s names I’m sure you’d recognize when you pick up the CD. John’s mentioned at earlier shows how he was writing with Gil Grand one afternoon (and as a side note - Gil’s new CD is going to be awesome too, currently being finished by producer Jason Barry up at Cedartree) when there was a knock at the door. They opened it to see a wide, hulking figure outlined in the sunshine and both backed up a step...it was just Julian Austin, stopping by for a visit. So, he pulled up a chair too and helped them write for the rest of the afternoon. Wouldn’t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall that day? Yeah, me too. Anyway, John was joined on stage at one point by 820 CHAM’s Linda Martelli as they told the crowd about their upcoming November ‘Texas Boardingpass Cruisetour’...and they proceeded to toss huge beach balls out into the crowd (which soon disappeared out of sight, it must been some big crowd ‘cause I couldn’t see the back at all). (Details of this tour can be found on John’s website - http://www.jlandry.com).

I have been to many of John’s shows and this one was up there in the top 10, no doubt about it. It was fun, it was action packed and the fans were kept dancing the whole time. THAT is the sign of a good show! Feet don’t lie. When this CD is released pick it up - you won’t be sorry. If John’s passing by your area on his tour this summer go out and see him, you can never have too much dancing on a beautiful summer night. My only wish is that I could go to more of them. Good music, friends you adore and lots of laughs...what more could you ask for?

We would like to thank the ‘Sound Of Music’ crowd, our friends at 820 CHAM (Joel, Linda, Scott, Michelle - and Jeff, it was great to meet you), Colleen and band - you guys did a GREAT job and we’ll be in touch soon. Steve, what can I say?! I hope we can hook up again soon; the little time we had to laugh at each other wasn’t long enough. And keep away from those rivers in the meantime...

John, Sheila, Cathy and Gus - I’ve heard that the sign of true friendship is being out of touch or apart for any length of time but it making absolutely no difference when you are able to be together again...whether it’s been days, weeks or months, it’s like we were never apart. Always in our thoughts and prayers, we’ll always be there when you need us. Thanks for your faith is us...we love you guys.

Written by Kim Jamieson

Photos by Wayne Tozzi