Acoustic Harvest has been running for 27 years and still going strong. They are an organization that raises the awareness of Toronto’s fine folk musicians that need a brighter light to shine in. But this is a story I will tell another day. For now, let’s talk about what happened on Saturday night at St Paul’s United Church.

The night promised something special, because Julian Taylor was on the bill and the sold-out sign was stamped on the poster. People were trudging through a big snowstorm to warm up with a tea and sweet treat. Yes, Canadians with do strange things for sweets and good music.

Quote the Raven

Once the weather resistant music fans made their way in with their warm Num-Nums, we realized how dedicated music lovers truly are. The opening band came on right on time. They are a duo named Quite the Raven, and they hail from Newfoundland.

They drove all the way from Gatineau, Quebec just to come to Scarborough and perform a handful of songs for us. We enjoyed Kristen Rodden-Clarke on vocals and Jordan Coaker on Guitar and Vocals, even though he let us know he had to learn guitar because then they would just be an a cappella band.

I have to admit, whenever I see a band from Newfoundland, they have very funny and charming stories. Jordan told us about his Grandfather who loved to swear and knew how to tend to a great garden.  The song, “Borrowed Time” was dedicated to him.

Like most folk music should be, their harmonies are lovely and gentle. The show seemed like a typical folk show, until Jordan enraptured us with his personal story about a place where he grew up. It felt like a ghostly tale as he told the dark story of people who were deposited in a place called “Dead Man’s Pond”. The entire audience lit up with an apathetic grimace and quietly laughed their uncomfortable laugh as Jordan set sail into this gruesome urban legend. Dark folk music done lightly; it was genius!

Here is the dynamic duo:

Julian Taylor and Friends

After a quick break where people could mingle and get another tea and treat, Julian Taylor quietly set up his guitar and started his set with a powerful opener about the Human race.  His next song went into his feelings of gratitude.

Gratitude comes in many forms, and in this case, it belonged to three friends who joined him on stage. Tyler Ellis is a longtime friend whom he had met at an open stage at the Rose and Crown. A good part of our musical health as performers comes from these open stages. This is a place for musicians to meet and collaborate is the building blocks of musical growth and creativity; it also builds a strong community.

Robert Priest was the second friend. I have been seeing Robert about town quite a bit lately. Not only does he play music, he has a healthy library of poetry that he is happy to share with everyone. We all got a taste of that poetry with his take on the great Muhammad Ali. The two of them met when Julian was just 18 years old. He was newly signed to record deal on the same label Robert was and soon the two of them connected and have been close ever since.

Lastly, the third friend is a neighbour of Julian. Her name is Rosanne Baker-Thornley. I really enjoyed their meeting. They met because of a guitar. There is a guitar that gets passed around and whoever gets it must write an original song to bring to the table. Julian took his time, and as time was quickly running out, he came up with a song called,” Ballad of a young troubadour”. This has become one of Julian’s biggest songs to date.

There was a great mixture of stories and emotion to fill up even to most diehard Soap opera watcher. Rosie sang a song that was going to be called “Naked” but changed the title because the true meaning of the song was about being completely vulnerable and still being able to be inside your safe space. 

Robert did a tribute to the late great Leonard Cohen. What made this song so poignant was that the song was written in a similar style that Leonard Cohan would have sung it. Mr Priest connected those dots very well.

Tyler wrote a lovely song about his Father, and somehow Julian ended up recording it. If that doesn’t say friendship, nothing does.

Other moment that really made this evening special was that each artist had a moment where they got the audience to participate in some way. It could have been a sing a long of maybe just shouting out one word. The entire room was connected and in the moment. This is the reason these artists strive to receive, that honest moment of connectivity.

I could write short essays on each song they performed. That is the way of a great folk singer. It is an art form to keep the conversation going. But I will comment on one song that has come to mean something to me.

“Seeds”, is one of the best indigenous songs about resistance. I believe Canada is about to musically shift into new musical territory and I believe it will come from all the indigenous artists wanting to tell their stories. I think it is time to listen. “Seeds” to me is a cornerstone song that will help build the momentum we need as a nation to reclaim its all-inclusive identity. We just need to open the door and our hearts just a little wider as we let in these new messages.

What I learned about this songwriters’ circle is that I got the privilege to sit within their stories. Each of these artists may be their own island but the still rely on each other as a community and support each other to lift all our voices. The audience at St Pauls’ sang with happiness and joy.  This is just proof why Acoustic Harvest is 27 years strong and will continue into the future.

Here is the circle of friends:

Come out to one of the future shows. See their schedule at Welcome

You can always use our Events calendar to find their show. Go to www.blasttoronto.com/events/