HOW CAN WE KEEP FROM SINGING?

Played with the band at a private function over the weekend.  Lots of people and good cheer, although I only caught some of the crowd in this tiny clip.

Hope everyone's holiday is filled with fun, food, friends, and/or family, and lots of love.

ON THE TOWN

The Toronto Blues Society had its Christmas party last Saturday at Dora Keogh's bar, so I got there - and even had a little (crippled) dance with John Deehan, who had dropped in too, after another gig he had, to see some fellow musicians playing in the band - who were great, by the way - the Swingin' Blackjacks.  Randall Cook, who took the photo of myself and the blues women with Rita Chiarelli a few posts ago, had his camera there, and took this picture as we came off the dance floor.
I paid for the premature boogying later when my still-healing broken leg ached all night. But I don't care.  It was fun.

If you're on facebook, you can see other pics Randall took at:

https://www.facebook.com/randall.stafford.cook/media_set?set=a.10153519201807562.1073741926.711882561&type=3&pnref=story

And speaking of John Deehan, I don't think I ever posted this little clip (with two different songs) from when we played last October at Gate 403 in Toronto.  I still had the brace/cast on my leg at that time, and was just so excited to finally be out after the enforced home-bound period of recuperation.

CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRAZY...

It's so, so....you know....everywhere! And so not fun.  And mostly about money money money.


When you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  At least have some fun.  This is a video made by my ten-year-old granddaughter, who is a whiz on all things electronic:

It's a little different from the original artist's version (Calvin Harris's "Feel So Close"), but I think it expresses how close I am to being just a kooky, crazy-happy dancin' fool. And if that's not the Christmas spirit, what is?

REVUE OF DA BLUES WOMENS

Yah, every year 'round this time, it's the Toronto Blues Society's Women's Blues Revue, and I'm there, comme toujours, seeing all the fabulous talent.
Afterwards, got some pics with the amazing Shakura S'Aida and Rita Chiarelli - both always so warm and friendly, My camera is being ridiculously stupid these days, closing down after twenty seconds or so, not zooming, and just generally being a pain.  So the pictures are a little dark - also because of the bad lighting in the area where we were, but, in the case of Rita's photo, extremely out of focus:

But here's a better one that Rita's friend Roberta took with a camera that works:

 

And then Randall Cook took one of the Blues Society goils with Rita; and it was posted on Facebook..."now, THERE's a gang of feisty ladies!"  said a guy named Dave

 

 

 I also got to meet a new performer, Cecile doo Kingue, who I thought was incredibly inventive and strong.  Here's herself and moi ;- Oh, oh, on the side again:

 

Good friend Sharon was not feeling well, so in her place, here's the gorgeous card she gave me on my birthday, which I have framed:

 

You have to twist your neck the other way, just to balance the muscles.

 

And finally, the next day, Sunday, was a very, very, very quiet one in which I did not venture even out the door.  Here I am being serenely at home, red camera eyes and all: