Legends Still Rock After All These Years

An interesting mix of middle-aged yuppies, young kids in Birkenstocks and dusted off deadheads filed the Molson Amphitheatre on a chilly July night in Toronto.  Just after seven o'clock, the legendary Bob Dylan took the stage and quickly started into his set, which was for the first half, acoustic.  Classics like Desolation Row and Tangled up in Blue stood out as highlights. These songs having been played for over twenty-five years were now new and exciting and well complemented by Dylan's backing band, which featured promising artist, Charlie Sexton. Sexton once a member of the enigmatic Arc Angels backed up vocally as well as playing many key guitar parts.  It has seemed that over the years, Dylan's live show has vastly improved with songs becoming more exploratory and seemingly aggressive. "Gotta Serve Somebody" came out as a raunchy and in your face anthem while "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat" was rocked out to a nearly ten minute jam (pleasing many of the aforementioned deadheads).  The crowd of over thirteen thousand stood in applause at the end of the set, overwhelmed by how dynamic a performance they had just witnessed.  The encore consisted of the classics like Blowin' in the Wind, Highway 61, Like a Rolling Stone, Don't Think Twice, It's Alright and the new track, "Things have Changed" (off the Wonderboys Soundtrack). The animated Dylan ripped trough these tracks with newfound vigour, bending his knees during blaring solos and shaking his hips when he grabbed for the harmonica. For someone who is approaching sixty, it was nice to see the usually reclusive and stoic Dylan let loose. The fans appreciated the stellar performance with a five-minute standing ovation at the conclusion of his set- then they went home. During the intermission, over half of the audience vacated the amphitheatre leaving the pavilion half full. Most of the over forty crowd expressed their confusion as to who this Phil Lesh guy was.  I was asked on more than one occasion as to whom Phil Lesh was. Instead of finding out, the mostly middle aged crowd decided to leave, they missed out on a classic and refreshing performance by a living legend and musical genius.

The band took the stage with Phil receiving a thunderous applause from the remaining faithful, and started into a very groove heavy jam. Jimmy Herring was filling in for Robben Ford on this evening and the band seemed a bit tentative at first, keeping the groove simple and easing slowly into the first song of the set, "Mississippi Half Step."  As per usual, the musicianship was strong with the band becoming more cohesive as the set progressed.  Vocally, Phil Lesh is still challenged and it showed during most of the vocal parts. Paul Barrere of Little Feat took the vocal duties for Shakedown Street and performed admirably if not being spectacular. The bands chemistry became evident during the "Lady with a Fan>Mountains of the Moon>Terrapin Station" with Herring becoming more comfortable and taking a jaw dropping solo during Terrapin Station.  The improvisation segments of these classic Grateful Dead songs were the highlights of the evening.  The jams were refreshing and electric with Phil dropping some fantastic bass lines. John Molo was solid as usual behind the drum kit and Billy Payne showed his diversity on the keys/organ.  It seemed that during the initial leg of this tour, the band was having trouble focusing musically. It was quite obvious that the band had begun to hit their stride at this show and left the sparse crowd satisfied.

Setlists:

Bob Dylan:
Duncan & Brady, Song to Woody, Desolation Row, Love Minus Zero/No Limit, Tangled Up in Blue, The World Can't Stand Long, Country Pie, Lay, Lady Lay, Gotta Serve Somebody, She Belongs to Me, Drifters Escape, Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat. E: Things have Changed, Like a Rolling Stone, Don't Think Twice, It's Alright, Highway 61 Revisited, Blowin' In the Wind

Phil and Friends:
Jam>Mississippi Half Step, Shakedown>Jam>Brokedown Palace, Lady with a Fan>Mountains of the Moon>Terrapin Station>Cosmic Charlie
E: Cold Rain and Snow

A Solid Album Without a Doubt

Without a Doubt, the sophomore release from Hamilton's guitar god Troy Harmer and his band Infinity is an eclectic blend of blues, rock, jazz, funk and all things experimental.  Borrowing from guitar heavyweights like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Healy, Harmer crafts lush musical landscapes with soaring guitar solos and creative interplay between himself and fellow band mates which include Michael Scott on drums, Gerry Schafer on bass and Michael Popek on trumpet and alto sax.

The album consists of nine tracks, two of which are instrumental.  The band shines best during these instrumental tracks with Harmer exhibiting a very intense and skillful sound. The interplay between the musicians is strong and it becomes plainly obvious that these are extremely talented musicians who enjoy making music together.  Lyrically, Troy Harmer will never get confused with Bob Dylan with very basic and somewhat obnoxious lyrics. That's quite all right though; because Harmer and Infinity make up for his lyrical shortcomings with strong jams and heavy grooves that make the album very solid.

Troy Harmer is a self-proclaimed musical prostitute and plays live whenever and with whomever he can. He has quickly built the reputation as one of the most talented musicians in Southern Ontario and has begun to attract a devout following to many of his live performances. "Without a Doubt" is a solid indication of how talented and dynamic Troy Harmer and Infinity are when they take the stage.

If you want to hear four talented musicians having fun creating intense and soulful music then you should hear "Without a Doubt." Troy Harmer is a fantastic guitar player who has made the guitar his life and it shows on this album and on stage.

Check out more on Troy Harmer and Infinity at www.troyharmerandinfinity.com

Without a Doubt Track List:

Infomercial Man
People Are All the Same
Watching the World Revolving
Old Enough to be Your Man
Papa Moe (instrumental)
Everything Changes
Drop of a Hat
The Joke's on You
Free Spirit (instrumental)