Gregory Paul @ Spot Coffee on Wednesday, December 8, 2004

 I’m not a fan of Spot Coffee on 200 East Ave @ Matthews in the old Hallman Chevrolet Building. It’s drafty, expansive space lacks the cozy, womblike surroundings that I prefer in a coffeehouse establishment. It does though, have a couple of redeeming qualities about it. One is the diverse clientele that frequents its many areas – students with laptops in the tables by the main front window. Others tucked away behind thick curtains on sofas away from the door and peering eyes. Or others still that take advantage of the view from the high balcony tables above. But to me, its real phenomenal advantage is listening to the angelic tinged with angst voice of Gregory Paul reverberating through it’s high ceiling open room. Like a well versed choir in an ancient cathedral, Gregory Paul single handedly (with the aid of various pedals and reverb looping effects) takes you to another place outside and beyond the venue.

His self-penned material is dreamlike, gently exploring the emotional sphere in the open chords of his music. His techniques are creative, as he takes a bow to an acoustic guitar to enhance his original approach to the performance. His Jeff Buckley arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” totally captures the beauty of a very missed Buckley, who died in a tragic drowning accident in Memphis in 1997. You could almost feel Buckley’s spirit in the room.

Songs of the departed but not forgotten seemed appropriate for the evening, as it was the 24th year anniversary of the tragic murder of John Lennon in 1980. Greg paid tribute to the great Beatle legend with his rendition of “Working Class Hero”.

Whether with his three piece band, The Autumndivers, or on his own as he was so eloquently tonight; Gregory Paul is a shining light of talent of the local Rochester music scene. Now signed with Onlinerock records in Belmont, California and with tracks of their music being featured on MTV and NBC’s airing of the Olympic Games, one can see that he will not be just Rochester’s own for too much longer.

Crash Test Dude - Brad Roberts

Brad Roberts takes us on a trip..., May 16, 2002.

Most of us know Brad Roberts from The Crash Test Dummies and their hit single, MMMM MMMM MMMM. Mr. Roberts, in the video that goes with this double live CD, takes us along on his working vacation through as he puts it "the redneck bars of Canada". The music for the CD being recorded from performances at Ted's Wrecking Yard in Toronto, ON.

I found this recording to be refreshing in sound/musical quality, variety and content. Brad and guitarist/vocalist Murray Pulver superbly take us through the decades with the music of Johnny Cash's "Understand Your Man", Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes" and even the Trident Gum Theme! Classics such as "Cocaine" and "LaGrange" are also covered, along with a lively audience assisted version of Tom Jones' "Delilah".

Sprinkled throughout the performance are acoustic versions from the Crash Test Dummies extensive song library, as well as hysterical stories, poetry and humor from the thought processes of Brad Roberts.

I will add that this kind of humor is at times bawdy, coarse, and not for everyone. But for the rest of us that enjoy our humor a bit twisted and even a bit dark, this CD set (and the video) is a must have!

April 9, 2005
The Saddest Music in the World
(2003) on DVD

"If you're sad, and like beer, I'm your lady."
This is the theme of The Saddest Music in the World, set in depression-era times in Winnipeg, Manitoba, known for it’s long dark, hard, cold winters and appetite for the bizarre in both their music and art. Director Guy Madden is actually a native of Winnipeg, bringing authenticity to the somber tone and mood of the story.

Isabella Rosselini is the aforementioned lady above, as Lady Port-Huntley, rich from making beer in the poorest of times. Anticipating the end of prohibition in America, and poised to exploit the event for profit, she presents an international challenge to all to come to Winnipeg and play the saddest music in the world, with the winner going home with $25,000.

Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall fame) plays Chester Kent to the hilt, representing America in the game with a purely heartless, 40’s style gum-shoe banter. He makes dastardly time not only with the Lady Port-Huntly, but also his morose brother’s amnesiac wife, Narcissa. Fyodor, the dueling brother’s father, played by David Fox, shines in his role of naïve, wistful WWI Canadian veteran with regrets caused by drinking and trying to own Lady Port-Huntley many years ago.

The film itself is visually expressive, shot mainly with 8mm handheld cameras, and absolutely no tripods on any of the cameras, giving the film a fast moving, almost jerky at times pace. Madden drapes most of the story in shadowy black and white, with Vaseline covered lenses that add to the ethereal, grainy tone and then surprises you from time to time with bright yet still blurry color, like sprinkles on your ice cream cone.

The story line can be confusing, at times choppy and is definitely not the strong point of this film. But as art films go, it is easy enough to follow and the humor revels in the glory of cheesiness and absurdity. Madden gets extra brownie points for managing to work hockey players and beer filled glass legs into the musical melee.