Cuddy Sandwich - a Halifax delicacy!

Home - The Devin Cuddy Band

The highly anticipated return of the Devin Cuddy Band to the east coast this past week was worth the anxiety and the wait. You know you are real excited for an event when you start scheduling your other activities around it - just to make sure that nothing can stand in your way.

And that was me with this particular show. I knew that a CD release was coming and hence a tour - I really wanted to be part of the release party that was held at the Horseshoe in Toronto. Logistically that was not plausible so I had to patiently wait my turn. I thought I might wait and buy my CD at the show but I wasn't that patient :) I was hearing snippets of songs and just couldn't stand it any longer. Great investment however you come to possess it though.

My enthusiasm spilled into my social circle and I began to form a little group of people who would join me to experience the talent that is the Devin Cuddy Band. One friends' childcare fell through at the last minute so she brought her kids to the bar so she could meet the band and try and get some sense of why I raved about this music so much. I think she gets it :) The others - if they didn't come they supported the band anyways. 

The anticipation for the evening started very early. I couldn't shake this feeling that this night was gonna be like no other. There wasn't a crowd to fight through but I walked to the Carleton Music Bar like I was late and my feet were on fire. I had to get the perfect seat. In fact I tried out 3 different tables before I finally settled on the one next to the stage with a 180 view of everything going on - I was in for a long wait and watching the comings and goings in a bar is a bit like reality TV. 

The Carleton Music Bar is one of my very favourite venues in this city. It is small enough to be personal and despite being a bar - the stipulation is that when an artist is on stage, they are to be respected and talking is whispered at best. It's a historic place that has hosted many fine musicians and is ranked as the oldest still standing building in Halifax (aside from a few really well built churches). Built in 1760 this former private home, then hotel and now apartments and bar is 254 years old!  

We were deep in conversation about this and that when I looked up to see an unassuming young man carrying equipment. Walking with a purpose, locks of wavy hair poking out from beneath the ball cap - I knew it had to be Devin, himself. Later my table mates told me that they didn't know who's face lite up brighter when they walked into the bar - mine, Devin's or Zach's but it was like a reunion of old friends. Yeah I get it - I am really old lol! 

Honestly, that is what it feels like to see these talented young men. Like an old friend that you admire and respect. There is so much talent on that little stage the four young men fill up with their gear! I did allow them to unburden themselves of the equipment before I enveloped Devin and Zach in a hug. Long-awaited and much-anticipated reunion for sure. When your friends from away come to visit, there is an excitement and pride that swells you heart and has you beaming.

One of the last items to be brought into the bar was deposited on my table. It was a poster that ironically Devin had in his possession for longer than I did. In the words of one Jim Cuddy "It was hanging around the house forever". "IT" was a poster in a cardboard tube.

Debra and her prized possession at the Cameron
House in Toronto :)

The Poster was the limited edition Molson Amphitheatre poster. My best Blue Rodeo buddy/friend Debra had bought it for me to cheer me up after a very stressful time in my life. I told Devin about it when I saw him opening for Blue Rodeo in January 2014. I expressed the desire of having his band and Blue Rodeo sign it for me. He couldn't get it done that night and the two bands were parting to do some solo shows, but he said that if I could get it to Toronto - he would get it signed. A lot of people came together to help make it happen, including the transportation to Toronto, then to the Cameron House and into Devins' hands including my son who was instrumental in making it happen. When it started coming together, I told Debra of the plan that was brewing. She got her poster to my boy and these paper treasures got to the Cameron House safely. 

Me and my prize! At the Carleton Music
Bar and Grill in Halifax. :)

We figured that the show in Ontario that had Devin Cuddy Band opening for Blue Rodeo and that both Debra and I had intended on being at would be a good time line to get them back. But poor Devin had had surgery on his wrist the day before the show and was somewhat affected by the medication lol. Not getting the posters was fine for I will never forget the puppy dog eyes when he said to me, "Liz I effed up." You just can't make memories like that up. God bless his heart for worrying about me. My uppermost concern was the wrist he had broken playing hockey. He looked so lost on the stage that night not sitting at his NoNo piano. 

After all that and the journey that poster travelled, it was all the better when Devin himself put in my hands on this night. I immediately pulled it out and had some pics taken as the boys were behind me setting up their equipment. Debra picked hers up at the Cameron House the night before - and she was beaming. It was so worth it and we have an amazing story to tell of it's journey. Icing on the cake...they are personally addressed!  


The equipment got set up, Zach assembled his drums. After a 20 hour drive, there were no roadies to help tune the guitars and lug those amps. Once the sound-check was completed - man they can set that gear up fast - we had a chance for a chat. A very dear friend was very excited to meet and hear the band that I had ranted and raved about for so long. When her childcare fell through she came with the rugrats and the most she heard was the sound check. But even if just for that to hear the magical fingers of Nichol Robertson on the electric guitar. What a treat, he is so talented. Not a real song in its entirety but the whole band got a chance to prove to her that they were more than just pretty and friendly faces. For the record, meeting Devin was the highlight the young girls life - after a Disney Cruise. We love you Devin but you aren't a princess :) 

Work done, it was time for the boys to have some space and time to eat and relax a bit before the show. In their absence Dave Borins took the stage. Not even 10 years in the business, Dave is a professional and consummate guitarist and songwriter with a comedic flair. I would strongly suggest that you give him a listen if he is in your neighbourhood or at least check out Dave Borins Sound Cloud account. Normally with a band behind him, we enjoyed the solo acoustic version of his music. I was impressed. It was a bit like two shows for the price of one, for in between tunes (and tuning) we got some comedy relief along with the back story behind the man and song. Hailing from Toronto, it's not hard to find him playing the music scene there.

Keep It To Yourself - Devin Cuddy Band

With that, Devin Cuddy, Nichol Robertson, Devon Richardson and Zach Sutton were back in the house and ready to make some beautiful noise. They started the first set off right with "She Ain't Crying Over Me". Never a set list, the bandmates decide on the fly what song is going to be played. A couple of notes or chords on the piano from Devin and everyone knows what to play. That's talent in itself. Making it look easy as Devon Richardson on the bass does is genius. His long and slender fingers pluck at those heavy strings like they are flimsy thread. I'm reminded of walking ones fingers along the desk at school when we were bored. Stop for a moment and try that again right now. Got it? Okay now go backwards? Now try a vertical climb? Suddenly my fake legs are disabled and I can appreciate even more how hard it is to play bass and how effortless Devon makes it look. Vocally he has perfect harmony with Devin. It's a melodic treat for the ears. 

Nichol Robertson is someone who I think is talented beyond his years. Nichol lets his fingers sing on the electric and acoustic guitars. And he does it with style and flair. You get a sense of the passion for the craft that he has with an underlying intensity that demands perfection from himself. He touches that guitar and I know I'm in for a real treat. I am grateful that there is often at least a little Nichol showcase in each song. As someone who has tried and failed to play the guitar - I appreciate the talent and ability that Nichol so easily demonstrates. Love to watch him play!

Zach Sutton - the very name makes me smile. He has the kindest heart and sweetest soul in someone so young. He is the drummer for the group and grabbed my attention from the first moment I saw him perform on stage. I had never seen anything like him. His style was like no other...except for maybe Animal from the Muppets show. For that was the image that came to my mind as I watched Zach that first time. Unlike Animal, Zach did not his head on the snare too many times but rather it is the expressive intensity that kindles the similarity notion. Watching Zach play is like watching a show on TV, you can't look away because you will miss one of those endearing expressions on his face. Either that or he is eating one of his drumsticks lol. I think I saw tooth marks in the drum stick he gave me :) 

But just for fun - if Zach is Animal then Devin is Fozzie Bear. Cute and cuddly, his hair flops around and over his eyes like Fozzie ears. But the similarities stop there for Devin is tall and lanky. His eyes tell you that he has deep passion for music, (well when you can see his eyes lol) and there is a wisdom that reaches far beyond his tender years. He's all class and talent - he doesn't have the over-inflated ego and abrasiveness as some of the younger musicians I have come across. I have been following Devin and his career for several years now and he never ceases to amaze me. His long nimble fingers are a pianists dream and he uses them well. It would have been easier to follow in the footsteps of the path his dad had already carved out and become a second generation Blue Rodeo. But it seems that from a very young age, Devin had a preferred style already in his mind. Mainstream pop isn't his style.

Many people have asked me, "What kind of music does he play?" I say that you can't pigeon-hole him. There is a sense of Louisiana style blues, some pop, some comedy, some country, some folk, some gospel blues. Now the last bit was mostly prevalent in this latest album and I suspect that his fine producer Greg Keelor had some influence there. That man can belt out a gospel song that'll have the atheists kneeling. Okay maybe that is an exaggeration - but not much :) 

One of the very first songs I heard by the Devin Cuddy Band was My Son's a Queer. I thought it was fabulous and brave to write about a sensitive subject like that and put a positive beat on it. It's a catchy tune and a fun sing-a-long. Just recently I came across someone who complained about the offensive nature of the song. My jaw dropped. Now I don't claim to know what goes through the artist mind when they pen a particular song and although knowing a back story adds more meaning to the song for the listener, I don't generally analyse the words of a song. My feeling when I hear a song is my feeling. The song is often open to personal interpretation. I don't believe that the tender soul behind Devin Cuddy would have a song with hate towards anyone or anything in his heart to come out on staff paper.

I'm not gonna say that I go to the Carleton a lot, but there are some there who know my name. I'm just an enthusiastic fan and enjoy sharing my love of music. I can't remember how the conversation came about, or even exactly what point of the night but an employee did make a point of coming to our table to share a bit of news. Jim Cuddy was in town and may be stopping by. Well not even the Jim Cuddy could tear me away from the Devin Cuddy Band...but when they went on break between sets I was on high eagle eye alert. 

I needed a break too! And it was on my way back that I very nearly bumped into Jim. I took a quick step back and started pointing in his direction to alert my official photographer for the night to grab the camera and come hither. I was waiting right for him to finish with the group he was chatting with and then tapped his right shoulder to ask for a picture. Jim is so gracious to his fans! The picture was taken and I introduced myself and thanked him. He laughed when he said that Devin had the posters for months hanging around the house. I thanked him again on behalf of Debra and myself for everything that he and Devin had done for us and said that I would see him again in Truro. 

I almost let him go, and then saw Devin walking towards. I hope not too enthusiastically, but I reached for Devin and begged for a photograph with my two favourite musicians. And there I was, in the middle of both Jim and Devin Cuddy. A Cuddy sandwich it was called on the internet. My photographer did indeed get the million dollar shot! 

I have been asked, if Jim stayed for the second set and I have no idea. I know that I invited him to sit with us :) and he didn't. The thing is when the second set started it was all about Devin and his band. That's what I was there for. I hope that Jim was able to stay and listen to his boy, for being a typical parent he is proud of his son. 

Zach had asked me what I wanted to hear - Sidewalk in the South from Volume One has always been a fave. Listening to Zach count it down has always made me smile. Zach didn't know if it was set to be played but he said he'd suggest it if he could. And he came through for me...one, two, three, four! Love it. The strong piano, the beat of the bass strumming, the crash of the cymbals and the guitar solo about halfway through it's magic to my ears. Add the vocals with a hint of a drawl and and the harmonizing just bring the whole thing up to another level. 

After the show I had some more signage for the boys to do. The Kitchen Knife CD and the Carleton advertising poster. There is a decor theme going on here at home. Pink Panther meets musicians lol!

"It was a magical night in Halifax. The stars aligned and the Cuddy's were in town. I am over the moon with excitement. At the Carleton to see Devin Cuddy Band and Jim showed up." (facebook post)

From the bottom of my heart I wish to thank all the members of the Devin Cuddy Band for your music and for your friendship. You guys are the best! I would also like to thank everybody who was involved in getting the poster signed and especially the members of Blue Rodeo who made every part of this night what it was. For it is all the moments in my life that Blue Rodeo were musically a part of that pulled me through and kept me going or smile just a little broader for the past 25+ years. The Devin Cuddy Band is one of many bands I learned to appreciate through my Blue Love.

 (pictures and words are the property of the photographer/author/camera owner and may not be reproduced without permission)

Zach Sutton builds his drums!

The set and the no no piano

Dave Borins warms up the crowds with songs and laughter

And we wait with baited breath

Devin Cuddy

Nichol Robertson, Zach Sutton, Devin Richardson

Zach Sutton

Nichol Robertson, Zach Sutton, Devin Richardson

Me and Jim Cuddy in Halifax

"Cuddy Sandwich" - Devin, Me, Jim

Nichol Robertson, Devon Richardson

Devin Cuddy 

I feel it but I don't see it so clearly
Re-do Zach?

Carleton House poster

The Travelling Poster :)

THE POSTER! 

Credit
Dave Borins
https://soundcloud.com/dave-borins
Carleton Music Bar and Grill
http://www.thecarleton.ca/
Devin Cuddy, Zach Sutton, Nichol Robertson, Devon Richardson
http://www.devincuddy.com/
Blue Rodeo - Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor
http://www.bluerodeo.com/

First Set list*: 
She Ain't Crying Over Me - DCB Volume One
Johnny from the Mountain - DCB Volume One
Forty Four - DCB Kitchen Knife

How the Other Half Lives - Jack Marks release Blues Like These
I Got a Girl - DCB Volume One
Jambalaya (On the Bayou) - Hank Williams release
Home - DCB Kitchen Knife
Take Me Back To Tulsa - Bob Wills release
Prelude - DCB Volume One
Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong - Randy Newman release
East Coast Bred - DCB Volume One

My Sons a Queer - DCB Volume One
Dancing - DCB Volume One

Second Set list*:
Town - DCB Kitchen Knife
Afghanistan - DCB Volume One
Jelly Roll
Chug-a-Lug - Roger Miller release
Maggies Hardware Store - Jack Marks release Blues Like These
Kitchen Knife - DCB Kitchen Knife
Ode to a Gypsy's Daughter - DCB Kitchen Knife
Town - DCB Kitchen Knife
When the Ship Hit the Sand - Jimmy Dickens release
Sidewalk in the South - DCB Volume One
Keep It To Yourself - Sonny Boy Williamson release
Lie To Me - DCB Kitchen Knife
Walking - DCB Volume One
Catfish Blues - DCB Kitchen Knife

*Not an official set list and subject to errors

A Part of the Rodeo - BLUE RODEO! concert review

  

The Ballad of the Dime Store Greaser and the Blonde Mona Lisa 

Blue Rodeo

(my version and pictures...their talent and property)

Where to start? The Rolling Stones are still kicking ass and drawing sold out crowds at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. For their 50 and counting tour, more than 19,500 people had the opportunity to shell out somewhere in the neighbourhood of $500 each to see Mick and the boys showcase more than 5 decades of hits. I saved a bit of money and got up close and personal with three all Canadian bands the same night a little further away from the mayhem of the big city. Although I got a good taste of the insanity of a metropolitan city on a Friday night as I joined the exodus departing on the highways across the top of the city, the one hour drive time was easily doubled. But so worth it - yes even the stress in wondering if we were lost or worse going to be late. Lost was unlikely since I had made the same straightforward trip several times. West on the highway, north on the bi-way - not too complicated. Lol! It was all good, for in the end we were parking as the doors were opening and we "stormed the stage" prepared to park for the night. Yes, liquids were restricted because there is never a good time for a break :)

Canadian music rocks!
Shared passion makes the loving sweeter and it applies to music as well as the horizontal tango ;)

The venue was a local hockey arena in a tiny town. Larger arenas and entertainment centres could be sold out and have been, but this is a charity event hosted by a community group that has been going on almost as long as the prolific career of the headlining band. This was the 16th year for Blue Rodeo and the first for the Devin Cuddy Band.

I don't know how long Who'sArmy has been opening with Blue Rodeo at this venue but this is my second time seeing them and I liked them even more than last time. A young band, Who'sArmy was formed during the school years but really didn't gain a following (an army) behind them until a very successful run in 2011 on Cover Me Canada. They won that competition and have been showcasing their musical talent ever since. I had the good fortune of meeting the proud Mom of one of the members of the band when I went to pick up my tickets at her home. She is right to boast - he's a talented young man. Every song the band played last night was awesome. For you television fans, a quick youtube search showed me that this band had penned a song with Chantal Kreviazuk entitled Alive that was shown in the finale of the Being Erica show. Not to shabby to have those credits under your belt. If you appreciate real young talent not media manufactured, check them out.

A brief intermission while Who'sArmy carried away their instruments and gear and at the same time we saw the first glimpse of the Devin Cuddy band in action. Although by "in action" I mean that they were playing the part of roadies. Yes, indeed it was Devin Cuddy himself who moved his piano to the front of the stage and made the connections to it, the foot pedal and the mic. The glamorous life of a rock star :) As his father said in a song "All In Time". The music...Well, let me tell you, the apple sure didn't fall far from the tree. A very distinctive voice and a different style of writing and singing, but the talent is clearly evident. There is a tone of blues in a several songs we heard, and humour. I like that a lot. Devin played the entire set seated at the keys and it was the only time I cursed being so close to the stage. Every picture I tried to take had a mic stand shielding his eyes. His wild mop of curly hair hid his eyes the rest of the time...until as the set wore on, the sweat acted as a gel to control it when he swept it up and away. You could hear the passion in the voice if not see it in the eyes, it was all good. The members of the band - talent without famous fathers.  He called himself the "other Devon" when at the merchandise table a fan of Jim Cuddy professed her love for his dad - on stage he plucked the base and with a look that seemed to fit the style of the music if not his tender age, this Devon was perfect harmonization for Kid Cuddy. I cannot mention the talent of this young band without a word about Animal. It's not an insult. Animal was the rocking drummer from the Muppets. The Muppets were the puppets from the educational program Sesame Street who left the pre-school sect and went mainstream. When you watched Cuddy's drummer perform you saw the same faraway gaze and intensity. Someone get that boy a sandwich he is eating his drumsticks. I am glad we had a chance to chat after the show and I love the CD I purchased. Still need one signature - did you even find Master Cuddy? Good PR guys enjoy the ride up.

Blue Rodeo <3

When you are Blue Rodeo, you let the roadies do the last minute check to make sure the sound quality is going to be what you want. When you have been performing for adoring fans for 25 years you know that with each passing moment before you walk on stage the anticipation is building. Blue Rodeo can easily and promptly sell out Massey Hall but they also really seem to like the smaller, intimate audiences up close and personal with their fans. I have been a fan throughout their entire career but until recently, I never saw them in concert at all. I wasn't always living in the southern Ontario area, and there was a time in my life when going to any concert just wasn't an option. The first time I saw the boys was in Jarvis Ontario. Barely a crossroads tucked away in the farm fields far behind Hamilton it was a CornFest. The stage was small and the seating was bales of hay. But I stood at the feet of Greg Keelor, transfixed. I don't know if it was my excitement at being there that resonated  but I was fortunate to meet some amazing fans during the set that allowed me to get even closer so I could take pictures. Still friends with her today. That is the beauty of being a part of this Rodeo, we all paid the price of admission and we all love the music, we get the other persons passion. Since that humble foray into the live Blue Rodeo experience, I have sought out similar venues. Some bigger, some smaller - all amazing. I must give a quick shout out to my kids who tolerated my Blue Rodeo and Pink Panther obsessions and even fed them. My daughter and her b/f sent me to concerts. My son during his four years of university on the east coast would have the bar band play Try and then in a "college stupor" call me and without a word as he held his cell phone high above the crowds, all I would hear would be the drunken shrieks, but I knew that he was thinking of me. Being in the audience for a CanadaAM appearance was a highlight because circumstances allowed for a personal meeting with both Jim and Greg and a photo-op! 

Jim Cuddy

This night, like every other night, every other performance the boys of Blue are in fine form. Colin Cripps has taken a much more visible role in picking up the electric guitar solos that were once the job of Greg Keelor. Greg has been dealing with some ear problems lately - so much so that the stage was built bigger this year to give more space around the equipment and the singer. It saddens me to see Greg taking a less active role but I understand for age and ear issues plague me too. What restore my faith for the future of the band is noting that Greg's vocal contributions haven't diminished. While it may be comfortable for him to have the guitar in front, if he just sang I would be in heaven. Without a doubt, Jim Cuddy has got more than a few female fans willing to fall at his feet and are swooning and drooling at the sight of him. Who can blame them? And when he sings the deal is done. Jim seems to unconsciously (or not) play to that because many of the love songs are vocalised by him. Women relate to that relationship theme on an emotional level - and it helps with the fantasy that Jim is the other one in that pairing...lol! The songs where Greg is the main vocalist seem to be more soulful and thought provoking. Like What Am I Doing Here and Outskirts. One of the new ones resonated with me and hit me like a slap in the face is Never Too Late. I can hardly wait for the new album to come out so I can hear it on repeat :) If I could ask any question of the band it would be simply "As a duo, how do you decide who is the main singer on a song? Is it the main writer or is it based on vocal range and style? Flip a coin?" 

Greg Keelor

Attending a Blue Rodeo concert is a very emotional and moving experience for me, since the band sings the music of my life. I relate to music, particularly the lyrics and have all my life. Music moves me to love, cry, laugh, think, smile and write. I play piano but it isn't my passion. Blue Rodeo is. All three bands who entertained us are all amazing in their own right. Three different styles coming together for one awesome evening. I assure you that whatever type of music you like, you will find that one of these bands will do it for you. The audience was a testament to this. From 20 year old males who supported their friends in Who'sArmy, or were recently introduced to the Blue Rodeo legacy to the nearing-their-prime 50+year old gentlemen and the women of all ages. Some artists cater to specific demographic populations like teenage girls and Justin Bieber or Lawrence Welk and the blue-hair army. Blue Rodeo fans span the generations and sexes. It will never cease to amaze me that they haven't achieved the world wide fame of a U2 or Coldplay - it sure isn't lack of talent. But it's okay because it means that for me, I will be able to afford to go see them and appreciate them in person. 

"Here on the outskirts of life dreams seldom come true" and you go to a Blue Rodeo concert and suddenly the world is brighter and everything seems possible!!" 

Unfortunately the video's I took at the concert will not upload on this blog. If I every figure out a solution or alternate method, I will post it.