Danny Michel: One-light, one-amp, one-man band

What does a musician who uses electronics as a key element in his act do about "Earth Hour"? Last night at his packed-house concert in Guelph, Ontario, Danny Michel explained: "When we booked this gig several months ago, we didn't realize at the time that the concert was actually going to happen at the same time as "Earth Hour". So tonight we have limited the lighting to a single spotlight, I'm only using one guitar amp instead of my usual two, and I didn't use any aerosol gel to make my hair look like this. Instead I used Coke."

Singer, songwriter and musician extraordinaire, Danny Michel never disappoints. Whether accompanied by his full rock band or sitting on a stool at Hugh's Room playing an acoustic six-string or performing solo like he did last night at the Dublin Street United Church with his trademark red Epiphone electric guitar and array of foot-pedal electronic toys, Danny commands the rapt attention of his audience. The lyrics he writes can sometimes be sober and cautionary, as in the title track from his seventh and newest CD, "Feather, Fur and Fin" and "If God's On Your Side". At other times his songs are whimsical and humorous as in "Whale of a Tale" inspired by a mostly one-sided conversation at a bar. And often, as in "I Will Love You for Miles", Danny's music is intimately romantic. But, whatever the mood of the song, I found myself listening intently so as to not miss a single delicious word that this fine Canadian poet had penned.

And, as if his compelling lyrics and unique, mesmerizing voice were not enough, you should see this guy play guitar! With artistic flare and technical precision, Danny uses his electronic loop-back machine to create the sound of a full band while he picks out exciting lead blues riffs and slide guitar solos. What a showman!

Dublin Street United Church has been host to many live concerts over the years and it is acoustically perfect for the likes of Danny Michel. He took full advantage of the venue and played the room like the masterful performer that he is earning a standing ovation from the appreciative audience. And all in the subdued glow of a single yellow spotlight.

Visit http://Living-Room-Concerts.ca to find out how you can host a concert in your living room.

Tannis Slimmon at Georgetown House Concert

Listening to Tannis Slimmon sing last night at a Georgetown, Ontario house concert, I felt like I was attending the one and only public performance of her life. She is so fully present and mindful of her audience that each of the 25 people in attendance felt she was singing only for them.

Accompanied by her multi-talented life partner, Lewis Melville on guitar, mandolin, banjo and backup vocals, Tannis gifted us with her own masterful guitar playing, a beautiful voice and a wonderful warm patchwork quilt of her songs ranging from the delightfully whimsical "Weathervane" to the haunting "Edmonton" (which brought many in the room to tears).

Growing up on a farm in Manitoba, Tannis actually attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and rode a horse to get there. Her deep rural roots come through not only in her humble, engaging personality but in the lyrics to many of her songs.

The Georgetown house concert was one of six that Tannis and Lewis are giving this week as part of their Southern Ontario tour sponsored by Homeroutes.ca. If you have a chance to go and hear Tannis sing, grab it. You'll be delighted.

For the latest on the Southern Ontario house concert scene, visit Living-Room-Concerts.ca.

Moonshine Café in Oakville hosts the fabulous Soul Surfers

My Dad passed away just over a year ago. So last night at the Moonshine Café, when Douglas Cameron sang “The Old Man”, his beautiful and haunting ode to his father, I could not hold back the tears.

“I love that old man, I guess I always will.
I remember him standin’, just a stain against the sky,
Holdin’ out his arms while I flew by.”

Toronto-based Soul Surfers is a new band comprised of three artists who are seasoned singer-songwriters in their own rite, in addition to being outstanding instrumentalists. What they do so elegantly on stage is reinforce and embellish each other’s already powerful musical compositions with harmonies and instrumental backup that turns each song into something extraordinary.

Douglas John Cameron, Adam Crossley and Daniel Roth will easily continue to forge successful solo careers in the years to come. Luckily for us they have decided not to just stop there and have given us a lovely gift in their latest collaborative project, Soul Surfers.

Keep up-to-date on Southern Ontario house concert news and events at Living-Room-Concerts.ca