While pubcrawling with Chris D on vacation in Toronto last weekend...

Saturday night, date night in Toronto. After watching the Blue Jays pummel Jon Lester and his Boston Red Sox wicked bad (our hotel was infested with Sox fans), we had wonderful post-game meals at KitKat on King Street. Reet wasn't feeling so hot, so she passed on any Saturday Night Fever. Kathy and Tom were having none of the idea either. Jan? No way, Jose. Well, it's just Johnnyk and renown troubadour Chris Dubose left to bear the mantle of party animals. We wait until Carl Pavano safely guides the Yankees to another win before we venture out, West Queen our destination. We wind up at Gorilla Monsoon, a dark little bar with al fresco seating, a stage at the front where the performer can address both the insiders and the outsiders. We choose to be insiders and take up residence at the bar in the back.

Let's let Chris take it from here:

Phill with two L's grabbed hold of the Gorilla Monsoon about 11:00 for his first gig of the night. Johnnyk and I kicked with back with a couple of blondes at the bar (and there were more blondes ready when we were done with the first ones) and played a little "Name that tune" with Phill's set list. We had several intentions at the Monsoon: catch the local music scene and rid ourselves of all of our Canadian cash.

Though Phill was not a Toronto native -- actually he was a Newfie -- he did cover one Neil Young song is his eclectic repertoire, which also included Ric Ocasek, Lennon and McCartney, the Who, and scads of post-modern alternative songwriters. Phill had no shortage of young female admirers. After he boldly and langorously embraced two young ladies between sets, they took leave of the Monsoon, headed for home, no doubt. Phill wasted no time in settling in with another table of young, adoring women.

As a musician, Phil left nothing behind. He was ardent and persistent, to say the least. He wielded a steady right hand, engendering a rhythm that rocked the modest house. It's not easy playing to both an inside crowd (that numbered easily more than ten) and, at the same time, to a somewhat disinterested sidewalk crowd (that also numbered well into the teens, at times) -- while attempting also to bring passersby into the Monsoon.

(Phill at Gorilla Monsoon on West Queen:)


Of course, three blondes later, we had to move on, hoping the Rex was still offering cool jazz, but for some reason Canadian jazz seems to have a curfew, so it was on to the Official Motorcycle Bar, where a most efficient and hospitable (to say nothing of her attractive appeal) bartender ran the show. No music, just a little Warren Beatty on the tube, but the place was clearly run by the well-appointed blonde that served drinks on both sides of the bar, often submitting herself to some sampling of shots with the well-oiled customers.

Johnnyk and I enjoyed one more blonde each, then began the spirited walk back to the hotel -- JK bolstered by a street-vendor-hotdog. No subway because the drivers must be in the same union as the jazz artists -- no signs of life after 2:00 a.m., for some unknown reason.

All in all, while there may be more well-known artists playing Saturday night gigs, we could not have found a more pleasurable way to lighten ourselves of our Canadian coin. We would recommend just such a night for any who can't sleep in the lovely city of Toronto.


Jazz had ceased for the night by the time we got to The Rex.


Of course, Chris had to pick up some necessities at the Condom Shack


So, where else would we end up, but the Original Motorcycle Cafe for a beer and conversation with the locals before walking back to our hotel at 3am.



A history of folk icons: Chris Dubose

Hailing from the Daily Grind coffee house in Medway, MA, Chris Dubose rose to the top of the folk scene in 2000 with his debut album, Speak English, Talk Smack. The troubador's latest album, Retired 'N Confused, merges Chris Dubose's hushed hooks with countrified piano flourishes to somehow churn out simply beautiful music. With standout tracks like "Kath's on the Run," look for Chris Dubose to be a major force in the folk landscape for years to come.