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Live
at The Wolf is a masterful collection of jazz and blues, gospel and
roots music featuring Canadian Music Hall of Fame member Garth
Hudson at the piano and the distinctive voice of Maud
Hudson.
In the
fall of 2002 Garth Hudson, legendary keyboardist with The Band,
and his wife Maud Hudson were asked to perform a concert as part of the
inaugural weekend at the Wolf Performance Hall in Garth's hometown of
London, Ontario, Canada.
LIVE
at the WOLF captures the fun, warmth and magic of that night.
This
concert was one of the finest displays of piano playing, by a musician
who is totally dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in music. Not only
is Garth naturally gifted, but he has seriously investigated most genres
of North American piano music of the past century. He effortlessly moved
from jazz to blues, gospel to boogie, Harlem stride to hymns – all with
his trademark eclectic touch, style and wit. Garth is an original.
Maud
Hudson sings with a full-voiced power and dramatic delivery that betrays
her roots in acting. Her 'Willow Weep for Me'
has a depth of sorrow and lament that sends chills through an audience.
Their tribute to Rick Danko, 'It Makes No Difference'.
is a touching and heartfelt nod to a friend whose spirit is still very
close to their thoughts and remembered with great fondness.
The
concert and CD begin with a solo piano piece, 'Every Time
I See the Sun' The technical brilliance of this performance
will surprise even those familiar with Garth's work in the past. Another
instrumental, 'International Medley,' is a collage
of national themes and melodies, cascading off and through each other
in a virtuoso display of improvisation. Garth.s roots with Ronnie Hawkins
and the Hawks shows in his two-fisted performance of the classic 'Young
Blood'.
And
if that isn't enough, Garth also exhibits some serious multi-instrumental
chops playing some Eastern European accordion in 'Concert
Hora'!
Not
completely turning their backs on their past, Garth and Maud perform an
eerie version of Bob Dylan's 'Blind Willie McTell'.
The
concert and CD ends with a stirring stride/gospel version of 'The
Weight,' one of The Band.s most well known tunes. It brings
down the house.
Garth
has been busy as an in-demand session player for some of the world.s most
prestigious artists. He has recently appeared on recordings by Norah
Jones, Los Lobos, The Gypsy Kings,
Leonard Cohen, The Dixie Hummingbirds
and also Burrito Deluxe, with whom he has toured this
year.
Maud
has recorded and performed with such notables as Norah Jones,
Dr. John, Cyndi Lauper, Albert
Collins, Paul Butter. eld, Eric Andersen
and The Band, to name only a few.
These
two artists are not quite like anyone else you are ever likely to hear.
This is the stuff of legends.
www.garthandmaud.com/
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