Grossmans Tavern, Toronto
March 11, 2008
by Live Music Head
Old country, blues and bluegrass,
waltzes and Hank Williams Sr,
no wonder I enjoyed this gig.
A three-piece band of
upright bass, guitar, vocals ~ Alec Fraser
banjo, guitar, vocals ~ Joe Toole
harp, vocals ~ the one and only Jerome Godboo.
I thought I'd only stay for one set,
but after the band started,
I knew I was in for two.
There was energy in the room, a festive vibe.
Joe Toole has a strong vocal
and a commanding stage presence.
I loved the Hank Williams cover of
I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow.
These boys know real country music.
Entertaining us with chatter between songs,
Toole mentioned visiting
Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame
and was thrilled to find the displays impressive.
This is good to know.
It's a trip I wouldn't mind making one day.
What a rambunctious audience
in the old tavern for a Tuesday night.
And if they weren't worked up enough already,
Godboo leaving the stage to wail a harp solo
certainly rouses a drinking crowd.
And drinking they were.
This is Grossmans Tavern after all,
where you always get a glimpse of the human condition.
We got the token "drunk who falls off the bar stool".
We got "the drunk who thinks he can dance".
And the best one of all,
"the drunk who wants to be in the band".
What is it about Grossmans that has wannabe musicians
compelled to invite themselves to the stage?
Godboo was diplomatic as always,
but I wasn't so sure about the lead singer,
cringing when Toole muttered "motherf***er".
But the drunk in black did finally sit back for
Brokenjoe's Cheap Wine and Cigarettes
at Toronto's Home of the Blues.
True to old-timey country
with nice harmonies between the three,
I had to buy the cd.
Jerome told me
Long Walk to Nowhere is his favourite work.
With a great harp opening,
I listened to it on the way to the office the next morning.
They do a cover of the traditional Walkin Boss.
The city of Toronto always amazes me with its great talent,
and it was wonderful seeing the enthusiasm
of a small Grossman's crowd.
Humourous too.
When a chick brought two cowboy hats up to the stage
for Joe and Jerome,
there was a pause.
And then Fraser said...
"I suddenly feel like that guy in ZZ Top...
you know,
the one without the beard".
http://www.brokenjoe.com/
http://www.grossmanstavern.com/
