Maple Blues Lauds The Crooked Road
The December issue of Maple Blues Magazine had this to say about PBF’s latest recording…..
This quirkily named supergroup was formed by four close friends: Canadian Brass trumpeter Stuart Laughton, novelist Paul Quarrington, veteran drummer Martin Worthy & classically trained bassist Chas Elliott. Hanging out at the yet-to-be-renovated Gladstone Hotel, they performed songs that drew on their diverse backgrounds, calling themselves ‘a thinking person’s bar band’. Rebecca Campbell joined as a vocalist for the self-titled second CD. Meanwhile, Quarrington had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and, as was his fashion, went into overdrive mode, recording his solo CD among his diverse other projects. Many of his new songs were too personal for a Porkbellys album and most of them are outside the scope of this column as well, although you’ ll enjoy the fishing song, “Big Ol’ Bass”, with Colin Linden on dobro and “Hey Hollywood” will stay with you for days. Quarrington had been the lead vocalist for the band and wrote many of their songs. One gap has been filled by Worthy & Campbell, who now share vocal duties. As for the writing, Quarrington and his passing dominate the disc. Three songs were written by him, three were written with Worthy and another about him. The CD opens with Worthy’s rollicking tribute. He had been with Quarrington on the day the diagnosis was delivered. They were sitting in the back yard and Quarrington brought out a lot of wine. The song is “I Ain’t
10 MapleBlues December 2010
Leaving (‘Til The Wine Is Gone)”. Two of Quarrington’s are excellent rockers, “Nothing Costs A Nickel” had been on the set list for a long time but never recorded and “It Deals With You”, which came to him after watching a game show. Martin Worthy and longtime producer/ collaborator David Gray contributed “BooCatDo”, which all cat lovers will relate to. It and the opening song point to Worthy as the one picking up the torch. He has big shoes to fill. He does have help, though, and that includes the full band: Teddy Leonard continues on lead guitar and Chris Brown replaces the late Richard Bell on keyboards. The concluding song is by Quarrington & Worthy. “The Crooked Road” is the route to the journey’s end, gently & beautifully sung by Worthy & Campbell over a couple of acoustic guitars. No other song would have sufficed. There’s lots more at www. porkbellys.com.
The Crooked Road
The Crooked Road CD Launch-Hugh’s Room Nov.16
Porkbelly Futures will be celebrating the release of their 3rd. CD “The Crooked Road” at Hugh’s Room on Tues. Nov.16. After 3 weeks on the road in the western provinces we’re back and ready to party. Please join us!
For tickets and reservations call Hugh’s Room 416 531 6604 or www.hughsroom.com
The Crooked Road
The Crooked Road CD/Tour Official Press Release
NEW CD RELEASED ON CORDOVA BAY RECORDS OCTOBER 19th!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/porkbellyfutures/ (PHOTOS)
September 27, 2010 (Victoria, BC) – Cordova Bay Records is pleased to announce the release of Porkbelly Futures’ 3rd CD – The Crooked Road.
From folk to blues, country to rock, The Crooked Road once again gives listeners the music that is uniquely Porkbelly Futures. With a fall tour (whose routing mirrors the CD’s name) beginning October 12th in Regina, the group begins a new chapter.
Followers of Porkbelly Futures will know that this recording was not destined to fall into place like the two that had come before it. In January of this year the group lost their lead singer and founding member – author, musician, filmmaker and playwright – Paul Quarrington
Paul’s joie de vivre, silenced by lung cancer, can be found in corners and pockets of the recording, but at the core lives the heart and soul of each member. The Crooked Road is a CD that speaks to optimism and resilience and an acknowledgement that nothing was meant to stay the same.
With the vocal roles now taken on by Martin Worthy and Rebecca Campbell, many of the tracks were co-written by Paul, alongside his longtime friend Martin.
“I Ain’t Leavin (‘Til The Wine is Gone)” was Paul’s answer to his diagnosis, as he returned to the house on that fateful day with several bottles of fine wine – there would be, he said, “no more cheap wine”!
“Crazy Rain”, penned by Worthy is about a year of firsts – specifically the first time he imagined going fishing without Paul – a pastime they loved. Quarrington called fishing ‘an act of faith’ – you could not be a pessimist and be a fisherman – very much a metaphor for how Paul lived his life.
The title track, was the last song Worthy and Quarrington would work on together, but not in the usual way. As Paul was getting near the end, he and Martin talked about “The Crooked Road”. Martin felt he had the body of the song completed, but it needed Paul to come in with a fourth verse and tie it together, which had always been his special talent. When Paul heard the song however, he talked it through with Martin – he didn’t actually write the fourth verse but rather told him how to close it out. It was classic Quarrington – to stand back – take it in – and offer up an observation that once stated was seemingly so obvious you would wonder how you missed it.
And so “The Crooked Road” leads Porkbelly Futures into the next decade with their trademark sound, their love for playing live and their ever present muse quietly guiding the way.
TOUR DATES:
October 12 - Regina, SK - The Cultural Exchange www.culturalexchange.ca
October 13 – Lethbridge, AB – The Slice www.theslice.ca
October 14 – Twin Butte, AB – Twin Butte General Store and Mexican Restaurant www.twinbuttestore.ca
October 15 - Bragg Creek, AB - The PowderHorn Saloon www.powderhornsaloon.ca
October 16 - Banff, AB - Margaret Greenham Theatre – Celebrate Paul Quarrington (Banff Centre) www.wordfest.com
October 18 - Kelowna, BC - Minstrel Cafe and Bar www.minstrelcafe.com
October 20 - Denman Village, BC - The Back Hall www.artsdenman.com/venues/community-hall
October 21 - Duncan, BC - Duncan Garage Showroom www.duncangarageshowroom.ca
October 22 - Vancouver, BC - Granville Island/Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival www.writersfest.bc.ca/events/porkbelly
October 23 - Victoria, BC - Hermann’s Jazz Club www.hermannsjazz.com
October 26 - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood Stage and Grill www.ironwoodstage.ca
October 27 - Edmonton, AB - The Blue Chair www.bluechair.ca
October 29 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre & Movie Cafe www.parktheatervideo.com/cafe
October 30 - Brandon, MB - The Music Studio (204-728-7993)
November 16 - Toronto, ON - Hugh’s Room www.hughsroom.com
November 27 - London, ON - The London Music Club www.londonmusicclub.150com.com
FOR INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT: Marlene Palmer/Palmer Publicity Ink, Ltd – 250-590-6261 marlenepalmer@shaw.ca
CORDOVA BAY ENTERTAINMENT CONTACT: Jocelyn Greenwood – 250-361-1444 jocelyn@cordovabay.com
Related show
Crooked Road Song Notes – The Difference You Make
Porkbelly Futures Rebecca Campbell Recording in Creemore
I was determined to have a few Q/W songs on this album. So I wrote this song with a view to collaborate with Paul. I played it for him and asked him to write a lyric for the second verse. We were in the studio doing a demo of it. It took him 5 minutes….and it’s the best verse. Rebecca sings this song so well!
Listen to an excerpt of the song >> The Difference You Make (Excerpt)
Performed on the CD The Crooked Road released by Cordova Bay Records (Oct 19, 2010)
THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE
Composers – P. Quarrington-M.Worthy
Publisher – Cordova Bay Music Publishing- Pork Belly Music
Rebecca Campbell-Lead Vocal- Ac. Guitar- Percussion
Stuart Laughton-Pedal Steel-Harmony Vocals
Martin Worthy-Drums-Harmony Vocals
Chas Elliott-Bass Guitar
Teddy Leonard-Elec. Guitar
Chris Brown-Hammond Organ
LYRICS
Funny how the rain comes every time you go
First I’m standing in the sunshine
Then I’m standing in the shadow
Of a cloud that seems to follow me
It’s one I’ve come to know
The temperature’s falling
And the wind, it blows…
And when it blows I bend and bend
Til I feel that I might break
Oh you don’t know
The difference you make
Funny how the sun goes down
And disappears from sight
First I’m standing in the sunlight
Then I’m underneath the streetlight
The skies so full of shadows and clouds
It can’t even hold the moon
Morning ain’t arriving
Any time soon
And when it does I bend and bend
Til I feel that I might break
You don’t know
The difference you make
And when the storm is raging round my door
And the ground begins to shake
You don’t know
The difference you make
Oh, I don’t need to know that you’re here beside me
It’s enough to know that you’re somewhere out there
And when it blows I bend…
(Pre) Purchase THE CROOKED ROAD CD from Cordova Bay now!
Crooked Road Song Notes – I Ain’t Leavin’ (Til the Wine’s All Gone)
Paul Quarrington Tribute April 2010 Photo by Mark Tearle
After receiving his diagnosis, Paul and I drove home from the doctor’s in stunned silence. We sat in the back yard for a while and soon after, he vanished for a couple of hours. Just as I was getting concerned, he reappeared holding two very large bags with many bottles of Chateau Neuf, Amarone etc. He looked at me and said “No more cheap wine!!” This was written as the finale for his tribute this spring at The Opera House.
Listen to an excerpt of the song >> I Ain’t Leavin ‘Til the Wine’s All Gone (Excerpt)
I AIN’T LEAVIN’ (‘TIL THE WINE IS ALL GONE)
Performed on The Crooked Road CD released by Cordova Bay Records (Oct 19, 2010)
Composer – M.Worthy
Publisher – Cordova Bay Music Publishing- Pork Belly Music
Martin Worthy-Lead Vocal-Drums
Rebecca Campbell-Harmony Vocal-Percussion
Stuart Laughton-Slide Guitar-Harmony Vocals
Teddy Leonard-Elec. Guitar
Chas Elliott-Bass Guitar
Chris Brown-Hammond Organ
Megan Worthy-Harmony Vocals
LYRICS
I had a friend and he used to say
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
Seems like he told me just the other day
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
When the wine’s all gone, we’ll just open another
Keep the party rockin’ ‘til four
I think it’s high time, for drinkin’ only fine wine
Just promise me there’ll always will be more…..
You’d better be believing, this be no time for grieving
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
I ain’t gonna stop ‘til I’ve drunk the last drop
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
When the wine’s all gone, there’ll be a space at the table
An empty glass by the door
A few steps to the gate
And as it’s still swingin’ you might hear me singin’ for more
Pay no attention at all to that clock on the wall
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
The best epitaph is to hear you all laugh
I ain’t leavin’ ‘til the wine is all gone
When the wine’s all gone, we’ll just go to my neighbour
And we’ll knock knock knock knock knock on his door
We’ll tell the fella, (we’re) gonna raid his cellar
Then we’ll come back to mine and we’ll pour, more, more, more…..