An image of Spectrum Road — Jack Bruce, it must be — in action on the road sometime before the Toronto show this week.

Courtesy of article.wn.com

Ace #ldnont jazz fan Randy Fisher has contributed this report from the frontlines as Spectrum Road played Toronto’s Sound Academy as part of the TD Toronto jazz fest. Just reading about Jack Bruce singing Politician has me going “drn drn drrrrn drnt drrr drr drr drr drrn drnt.” It helps if you know the song JBNBlog admits. Thanks for this, Randy.

By Randy Fisher

Hilary Bates & Neil McAlister in a rehearsal shot from Listen to the Wind. Courtesy of Hilary Bates Neary.

Christine DeVeber, left, and Alice Giddings (in the foreground) rehearse a scene for the 1966 premiere of Listen to the Wind. Seated in the background are Daryl Kaufman, left, Paul Fleck, Sheilah White and Victor Hoar. Courtesy of Hilary Bates Neary.

Went over to Bob’s.

Saw Act One of Dad’s play.

– June 29, 1966

Up to Huntsville.

– June 29, 1967

Up to Wyses.

Search for Lost Mission.

(an arrow pointing here) Floyd MacIntyre/ Roving Reporter

– June 29, 1968

Swimming at Beaver Lake.

‘Memphis Birthday Blues Festival’ & ‘Way It Is’ #71 on TV.

Bought Colonist.

– June 29, 1969

Pulled up bushes at the Lambert’s.

– June 29, 1970

The bush-pulling exercise at 329 St. James Street is the last entry in the diary . . . just to loop the loop, JBNBlog will keep it going through July 2 to complete the circle starting with this series’s first appearance here via July 3′s entry almost a year ago. When we get there, I will have some final thoughts.

All these decades later, the Lamberts are still inspiring me . . . Brian Lambert is at work on a major punk rock retrospective, Peter drums & plays in many fine Toronto bands, the oldest brother, Craig, & I saw each other at the memorable NFG reunion gig (one of Peter’s first bands). At the time, I returned to their mother Monica Lambert the copy of Sonny Rollins’ The Bridge given to me back in the 1960s by the late Harvey Lambert (a tenor titan himself & their dad). In giving it away to the callow youth who might have pulled up a few bushes in exchange, Harvey said Sonny must have been “smoking something” when he made the RCA Victor album.

Elsewhere on June 29, Act One of Dad’s play would have been Listen to the Wind soon to premiere at Talbot Theatre. Dad’s last big trip was down to the Grand to see Act One of The High School Project’s revival of Listen to the Wind a few months before his death in June 2008. Dad loved it.

I wish I could remember more of the June 29, 1968 trip to see Anne & Alex Wyse, artists/teachers/writers/bus drivers/publishers/great spirits who lived in the Parkhill-Sylvan area . . . the “lost mission” must have been a grail quest of sorts for Dad & the Wyses. Helping that day was a truly remarkable Canadian, the “roving reporter” Floyd McIntyre (McIntyre is the spelling I have found in a few Internet sources). Floyd was a spirit so free he would apparently zoom off in any direction he felt was the right one when he heard a story call. He was in The Free Press universe at one time . . . you can see his photo in the same in-house publication as Morley Safer’s, another talent who left the LFP fold for the wider world.

Floyd McIntyre seems to have written books about family history in North Lambton and perhaps inherited a lumber fortune. He was centred at Forest . .  . but was never still for long. Any Floyd McIntyre details would be greatly appreciated.

*An occasional series based on a v. cryptic diary kept as a pen&ink forerunner to JBNBlog during the late 1960s, when our family lived in London, Stratford (parts of summers of 1966 & 1967), Victoria, B.C. (July 4, 1968-July 4, 1969) and then London again until June, 1970 when I was in Grade 13.

The background on Paul Luftenegger’s music is included here, because it has already helped me understand & appreciate it more.

The sound of the 27 minutes plus album is v. hushed & confessional, something like Joni Mitchell’s River but with vocals rarely rising above an intense whisper.

Lines about there being no antidote for the pain but it’s time to move on may look flat on the page . . . with Luftenegger’s approach though they have the effect of an inner debate being resolved.

Reading more about him in the material here, I can see (& hear) how the tragedy of a father’s suicide is finding a healing through art just as it has in Jonathan Holiff’s film My Father and the Man in Black.

So it is possible to hear shock, loss & strength in the words & music . . . Paul Luftenegger calls it going back to the basics with just piano & vocals. Since he began creating songs about 20 years ago, some music be quite separate from how I’m hearing it.

All this said, the next thing the singer-songwriter needs to do is find out if he can add some changes of pace, some sounds beyond that quiet voice & the piano to his world. He doesn’t have to, of course . . . but it may be the addition of other voices/instruments/moods only make the confessional intensity all the stronger by way of contrast.

Now here is some material from Paul Luftenegger:

Good Morning/Afternoon,

I just thought I would touch base again as I never heard back from the LFP/Scene Magazine/Times Journal after contacting you back in March 2012 about my Album release.

I would love to share my work with London/St. Thomas being that I am from London/St. Thomas and am developing an International Music Career.

I am very interested in having a chat with the LFP/Scene Magazine/Times Journal to discuss some very exciting developments taking shape within my music career.

I am currently in discussions with several New York Recording Studios – This includes a Broadway Orchestrator who has recently written me a review for  “BE THE LIGHT” with great praise.

I am also in discussions with a Record Company in Ireland as well as a Sound Engineer from Los Angeles (I will not name-drop but I am very encouraged by this as it is a sound Engineer who has worked with several Iconic Legends).

I am entered in session 1 – in the John Lennon Singer/Songwriters Contest in New York.  I am also entered in the International Singer/Songwriters Contest in Los Angeles.

I am also in discussions with an International Author from the South of France whom I have been asked to work with for a new International project she is developing for Global Peace.

I am currently at our home in Bermuda and will be back to London on June 30^th 2012 to take some time to do some new writing/recording.

Please feel free to visit my website to have a listen to some of my music.   www.paulluftenegger.com

Just recently – I reached 2000 views on YouTube for a video I released as a P.S.A.  about Suicide Awareness – as a direct result I have had some amazing stories from people that have found inspiration through my music.

BEAUTIFUL WORD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3MjP90RMAU – I was asked to attend a TOWN HALL with CTV in Toronto at the Masonic Temple as a result of this recording.

My Goal as a Singer/Songwriter is to Inspire and Grow Global Kindness through the music I produce & write.

I have had some amazing stories of people sharing wonderful feedback from the London Community as well as amazing stories from listeners writing me from all over the World.  Just recently I had a girl from Denmark write me to thank me for my music!

Here are a few comments left on my iTunes Reviews for Canada: http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/worthy/id506931800

My music is available in the following 56 Countries: For more details of distribution please visit my website: http://www.paulluftenegger.com/distribution.html

iTunes: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland
Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela

I would really like to share my success and shine some light on London/St. Thomas Ontario.

I am proudly from London and I think the London/St. Thomas and surrounding communities would welcome this wonderful success with open arms and great interest.

Thank you again for yet another chance to prove my loyalty to London/St. Thomas by contacting you again.

I would really like to share my story and get a little help to grow some success locally from a community I have performed in my entire life through St. Mary’s Choir and Orchestra Program as well as The Catholic Central Choir.  I also sang for the late Pope John Paul II in Rome at the Vatican when I was 16 in a private audience with the choir from CCH.

Wishing you Peace, and Diamond Waves of Light,

Kindest and Warmest Wishes from Bermuda,

Sincerely,

Paul

– 
Paul Luftenegger
President / Director

Luft & Co. Inc.

591 Sanatorium Road, London, Ontario, Canada N6H 3W9

Telephone: (519) 852-5838

paul@luftandco.com
www.luftandco.com

Hi James,

I just wanted to touch base to see if you had a chance to listen to the CD I dropped off?

The feedback from the album (WORTHY) thus far has been amazing.  I am catering to an older demographic and I would love to have some feedback from you.  The tracks are unplugged – recorded live with me and a Steinway Full Size Grand Piano in Toronto.  Our iTune sales have been going very well.  I have put a few samples of music and videos online on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fybC5jb4KSY&feature=channel

My story runs much deeper.  After losing my 56 year old Father to suicide on March 6^th 2010,  I decided to finally start releasing the music I have been writing since the age of 17…it all began with releasing a FREE music video and campaign to bring awareness to suicide.  I wrote and recorded Beautiful World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3MjP90RMAU&feature=channel the summer after my Father took his own life.  Last year I was invited to CTV town hall in Toronto to be a part of their show on suicide awareness as a result of Beautiful World.  We have had close to 2000 views on youtube thus far and I am very proud of our work.

It is my goal to help this campaign grow for those that may need a little song to inspire anyone in pain.

Worthy – my recent collection of work is pure and from the heart.  I would love and be honored if you could somehow assist me in my goal of helping others through music and reflection – I believe London getting behind me is the start of growing as an Artist.  I would love a little press coverage of an up and coming from London.  It would be great if you could aid in my dream of getting my message and word out there to help spread some love and light….from London first would mean the world to me…

I am very proud to be from here.  You would be the first to cover me and I would be honoured to always remember who helped get me going to give great press in the future.

Thank you so very much,

Kindest and Warmest Wishes,

Paul Luftenegger

Good Afternoon James,

Thank you again for taking a moment to speak in relation to my release of: “Worthy” Copyright © 2012 Paul Luftenegger

Please find attached my press release for quotes and details to aid in understanding me as an artist and what “Worthy” is about…

In the end my intention is to share my light with those that respect the craft of piano and vocal arrangements.  I like to call it going back to basics.

I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter.

As I mentioned, I am in London for a couple of weeks while my sister is visiting from Australia and would love to gain some support from the London Community for this Album.  I am 35 and ready to share my craft…

Some additional family history/information:

Our family owned and operated Gifford’s Farm Markets as well as Jane’s Fancy – Our locations operated in London, St. Thomas, and Port Stanley for over 30 years.  Most would remember these from the 70s, 80s, 90s.

Our Family has been very active in the London and surrounding communities throughout our life and we are proud to be a part of London’s wonderful community.

More than anything, I would love to honour London in being the first media outlets I contact as I grow my Worthy Album Globally.

The official release date is February 29^th, 2012

Purchase: itunes link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/paul-luftenegger/id506931802

Amazon.com will be offering hard copies of my album within the next three weeks.

(other direction à go to www.itunes.com  and in the subject field type: Paul Luftenegger it will take you to my album.)

I really love London and hope to always have a home here…

Wishing you Peace, Love, Joy, Happiness and Prosperity…

Kindest and Warmest Wishes,

Paul

– 
Paul Luftenegger
President / Director

Luft & Co. Inc.

591 Sanatorium Road, London, Ontario, Canada N6H 3W9

Telephone: (519) 852-5838

paul@luftandco.com
www.luftandco.com

*An occasional series devoted to random reports on good music which has come JBNBlog’s way.  A couple of notes: plenty of ace sounds will go uncelebrated here, but may find another home on lfpress.com or in The Free Press &,  as you might expect, On the turnturnturntable loves vinyl & the 1965 Byrds, but 45 rpm masterpieces are experiencing a bumpy ride on the new $33.01 Fisher-Price player (the penny is to weigh down the arm). So.  Let it rawk, CD, album, LP, EP or (here’s hoping) 45 . . . whenever the mood strikes & space allows.

Bill Mailer, left, meets Garth Hudson & Maud Hudson backstage at the LPL’s Wolf Performance Hall after their performance at Wednesday’s London Music Awards. Bill Mailer worked with Garth at an organ-making business in London back in the day & was one of many old friends & family who enjoyed the chance to renew auld acquaintances etc. Courtesy of Dan Mailer.

Aside from being Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Garth Hudson & Neil Diamond both appeared in 1976′s The Last Waltz . . . possibly the last time they have been in such approximate proximity before v. separate performances this week in London.

Garth Hudson was here on Wednesday to receive a lifetime of achievement award from the London Music Awards at the LPL’s Wolf Performance Hall. Having caught the last moments of Garth’s piano solo &  Maud’s fantastic of Tears of Rage with his accompaniment,  JBNBlog would say they were in top form. Later, there were many meetings with old friends, like Stratford guitar hero John Till. A favourite post-concert moment later at the Palasad had Garth laughing merrily upon hearing a London music fan dismiss Joan Baez’ cover The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. Another moment had Maud at the Palasad singing I Shall Be Released with a young London group gathered around  her.

Congratulations to Scene Magazine & all involved.

Neil Diamond is here for Thursday’s show at the John Labatt Centre. Which could be historic too. Does anyone know if Neil Diamond has played here before? JBNBlog just donesn’t know . . . & so any help is greatly appreciated.

The classic Ian MacEachern photo of the Nihilist Spasm Band c. 1968 in a distorted imaged courtesy of noiset.com

Met Archie Leitch.

– June 28, 1966

Last Mar. Rehearsal

– June 28, 1967

Bought Jumpin’ Jack Flash & Crawdaddy/HP/New Rock Life

Showed films in (basement? that’s just a guess, JBNBlog June 28, 2012)

– June 28, 1968

Bought Pants, Socks, Lyle Crosbie 45, ‘Someday Soon’, ‘Hey Grandma’ & MM

Heard ‘Blues From Laurel Canyon’, ‘Season (of the) Witch’

– June 28, 1969

JBNBlog’s younger self was getting into some crunched up details there . . . HP equals Hit Parader, MM equals Melody Maker, Mar. is short for Marionettes. Well. I was in a rush. Or something.

Archie Leitch is third from left, nice jacket & tie combo, in the photo of the NSB seen here. In fact, he is the only one of the band wearing a tie. He retired from the NSB fray early on but is part of their majestic first recordings & was on hand for much of the mayhem & misunderstanding greeting these prophets in their own land. Many years later, his son, Ernie Leitch, urged me to get on board when it came to writing about Los Mondo Bongo. It was band with allies of the late Joe Strummer celebrating his music. Los Mondo Bongo played Call the Office back in 2009.

“Even you know that he (Strummer) was the founding member and driving force behind the Clash,” (e-mailed) Ernie Leitch, one of Cool Mothers, who were also on the CTO bill. “Hope to see you there . . . it’ll undoubtedly be an unforgettable event. These folks are some of the best players in the business.”

From one child of the #ldnont of the 1960s to another, thanks for the heads-up Ernie & keep a-rawkin.

*An occasional series basecad on a v. cryptic diary kept as a pen&ink forerunner to JBNBlog during the late 1960s, when our family lived in London, Stratford (parts of summers of 1966 & 1967), Victoria, B.C. (July 4, 1968-July 4, 1969) and then London again until June, 1970 when I was in Grade 13.