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"It Ain't what You Do, it's the way that you do it".
attributed to Xi Zhang. circa 443 BCE.
Well, Sy Oliver always looked Chinese to me. Point is, he had a point: there is nothing essentially WRONG with anything or anyone using yer basic three-chord blues progression. It's basis for most North American folk and popular music.
The Wintermarket play blues vamps, true, but they do so in a manner that recalls the late night swoosh of Jimmy Smith, the barbeque'd genius of Brother Jack McDuff, the finger-poppin' soul strut of The Crusaders, and any number of budget Prestige acts that I could invoke if I was really trying to fill space. I only have one page, though- one shot –so hear me now, boogie children.
The Wintermarket is a lounge trio that can play jam-band bills. Or a jam band with enough subtlety to work the lounges. How do they do it? Well, they add colouring; bits of jay-uzz technique, a hint of reggae, and – above all -an understated sense of humour. It's understated, because there are no vocals on these pieces. When you listen to Artie Fufkin Express, you have to imagine the gesticulations that go along the Spinal Tap promo guy's character. A tough challenge in these limited attention span times, but I think you're up for it, high pockets.
There's three of them, starting with Ron Elliott on the MIGHTY Hammond organ & clavinet. Like the rest of this crew, he's been around the block a couple of times. As a keyboard player living in the guitar town of Hamilton, ON., scene, he's had to prove his salt on more than several occasions to fret-centric lunkheads. He prevails.
Tone Valcic is one of the most in-demand drummers in the Hamilton area, the preferred choice of tubster from Bob Lanois, to Michelle Titian, to the local Croatian wedding combo. (Don't laugh: let's see YOU try playing in 17/8).
Dino Verginella lays down the bass, tight and right. He's been playing with Tone so long, he not only hits the proverbial "pocket", he can snatch "the wallet", lift the "credit cards", and have a nice "steak dinner" at Shakespeare's, before you know what hit you. Not that he would do that, I'm just making an analogy, see? He's a nice guy. Really.
The Ballad of Artie Fufkin is their second disc. I recommend a dry Shiraz (a '0' or at least a '1') to go with it. If the radio doesn't play it, try a night when The Blue Mole does his lounge thing. He knows what works…
Spin Turlock M.O.T.W Moosehead Tavern, Hamilton, ON Feb 5, 2008
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