A concert not capable of forgetting
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
I’ve been with Curtis and Barry since the beginning. Literally.
I can honestly say Friday’s gig was the best yet. Taking nothing away from other former members but Friday saw the best assembly of Cruzeros yet and the energy, camaraderie and love just oozed off the stage and into the crowd. So glad Tez and I dragged my oxygen tanks out and made it to the Creekside Theatre.
Part of the reason I occasionally get referred to as reading like a broken record is because I do.
I’m sometimes absorbed or preoccupied with certain subject matters and – like a dog on a bone – shake them until there is nothing left. This week, however, when I launch into my rant about how I’m a complete fan of the band the Cruzeros it’s because I am.
They prove why Friday.
Their once-a-year reunion gig (this time held at Creekside Theatre), was literally a sensational show stopper. A visit to Facebook or other such venues indicates Kelowna music fans agree that the dynamite band, with amazing harmonies, top shelf vocals and magical musicianship, knocked the roof off of the Creekside.
We are spoiled in Kelowna with so much local musical talent. This Valley is plugged with musical skill to the point where I believe we take it for granted. The Cruzeros are a classis case: multiple nominees for Junos, provincial, national and international music awards out the ying-yang, recently named to the B.C. Country Music Hall of Fame, numerous individual awards including harmonica/saxophone player Curtis Tulman named Canada’s Special Instrumentalist of the year twice, the list goes on.
Friday night at the Creekside seemed like the boys decided to really strut their stuff in case they or anyone else had forgot just how good they are.
A talented, personable Dave Barber Band from Penticton opened the show with an entertaining warm up, singing mostly original tunes with his two other band members. Dave sings and plays well and is more than adequate in talking with the audience. I snagged a copy of his first CD Molly’s Eyes and have not had the chance yet to listen to it, but hope to soon. Love new talent. Well done Dave.
The boys wasted no time kicking out the jams when taking the stage.
It was an all-star team of six leading off with one of Canada’s best and highly respected singer songwriters Barry Mathers. Barry for the large part has been the main vocalist for the first half of the bands’ 25 year history and has penned a plethora of killer songs. His unique dulcimer (raspy rich yet silky smooth) voice earned him the nickname ‘golden throat’ by band mates 20 years ago. He is a strong guitar player and has, during the past few years, mastered the difficult mandolin.
Curtis Tulman is, well, Curtis. A unique, absurdly talented and way off the wall gifted musician – Tulman brings his solid guitar and strong vocal harmonic skills to the act but it all seems to pale under the spotlight of his phenomenal ability to make his belt of harmonicas dance. A multiple award-winning harmonica player he is regularly seen playing both his ‘harp’ and guitar at the same time. When asked he’s more than happy to dazzle the crowd with his saxophone talents.
Rachel Matkin stops the crowd with her pitch perfect vocals. She began playing music before she could hold up the guitar. When finally hooked up with the Cruzeros it was a marriage meant for heaven. Listening to her sing makes me feel like I am visiting there. Rachel is likewise a talented musician playing multiple guitars, violin and flute. She is the finest female singer I know.
Jim Ryan is the animated and inspiring bass player who also makes a keyboard, any keyboard, do what he wants. Some suggest he created the word talent. The consummate musician with a lot of experience Pa also chips in on harmonies.
Jay (Terrence) Swetlishoff is the grove that keeps the band going. A very talented man on the drum kit he is raved about by other drummers in the industry. That’s a rarity. His skill level is such that he can literally play a concert on anything. One of his favourite tricks is to show up to a gig and play his gig on a suitcase. Unbelievable.
Last but far from least the newest addition to the crew guitar virtuoso Scott Thielmann. Without question Scott is perhaps the most talented of all the band members. Other guitar players and musicians – drummers, bass players… are stopped in their tracks when Thielmann takes over the stage. You know a player is talented when he makes everyone stop and watch. Whether its rock, country, blues, folk, even jazz – Scott can play it – and well. On top of that he is incredibly humble about it.
Each one of the six brought their ‘A’ game to the Creekside Theatre Friday.
Mathers was thrilled with the concert’s success and wrote on Facebook “It’s an honour for me to play and sing my songs with the best musicians I know: Scott, Jay, Rachel, Rachel and Jim and my musical brother forever, Curtis Tulman. It does not get any better than that.”
At the end of the night the band received two standing ovations. That naturally inspired Tulman to grab his saxophone for the first time that evening and lead the band in playing Sam the Sham and the Pharohs version of Wooly Booly, which drove the crowd bonkers. Great stuff.
Closing with my favourite Mathers’ ‘This Lucky’ calmed the back down.
Having viewed such a wonderful, joyful evening of music calmed the heart. Everything is back in its place in my universe. What a night!
