Andy Kim Continues to Hit the Right Chords

Last year I attended Andy Kim's Christmas Show at the Mod Theater in Toronto and subsequently decided to review the show. Actually, it was less a review and more a rediscovery of a lost musical relic.

Kim was back in 2006 and I enjoyed the concert enough last time around to make the trek back to the Mod.

The line-up was slightly different from last year. However, Ron Sexsmith, Canada's own rock' n roll pearl, came back. As did the classy and sharp Haydain Neale of Jacksoul and Newfoundland's own Kim Stockwood - representing one-third of her group Shea.

So, what caught my attention this time around? With Kim's exemplary band hammering the first notes to 'Rock me Gently' to open the show, something hit me odd of the blue - That Canada's Walk of Fame continues to ignore Andy Kim. It consistently blows me away that Andy Kim has not been presented a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. No offense to Brendan Fraser but I would submit - and many would agree - Andy Kim should have been honored before him. In fact, it's hard to explain why Canada - and specifically his hometown of Montreal - have been cool to his return to his native land. I digress.

As was the case last year, the show offered a solid cast and collection of Canada's indie and pop music scene. A line up that included strong and spirited performances from Tomi Swick and Stabilo.

Concerts such as this one allow fans to meander through the vibrant existence of Canadian roots music without any pretensions.

The Bicycles are a great example. Hopping on stage with their t-shirts sporting the letter 'B', these cats were a unique and wickedly weird act. A special blend of The Partridge Family meets the Brady Bunch mixed in with the playfulness of the Barenaked Ladies this group could have easily fit into the 1960s eclectic scene. Their rendition of 'Jingle Jangle' revealed to me that they are genetically constructed for this sort of music. All what was missing was an acid trip with Josie and the Pussycats.

This contrasts with the incredible evocative voice of Serena Ryder. Watching her sing 'Silent Night' was a highlight. The words 'Sleep in heavenly peace' never sounded more powerful. This gal can move from soft hush tones to hard notes in a flash.

Emm Gryner was another performer that was at ease with emotional contradictions by allowing the audience to discover her delicate intimate style as well as her subtle power by playing a passive aggressive rendition of The Beatles' 'Revolution.'

Ron Sexsmith was, well, Sexsmith. He superbly covered Kim's 'How'd we ever get this way?' alongside Kim himself. The night reached its apex when Ed Robertson - and a couple of Ladies - stopped by for a couple of Christmas tunes.

Come on, there had to be a flaw somewhere? Well, not really. While the show was not as rambunctious as last year, my only tiny complaint is that I wished they played 'Rainbow Ride.' The song seemed tailor made for the style and hard edge of Kim's band.

Never mind about that. The concert helped raised funds for Children's Aid and this is what matters most.

All in all a grand success once again. The elder statesman of Canadian music took his place on the stage and was clearly well entrenched. What's an Andy Kim concert without an all-out jam session of 'Sugar, Sugar?' Easily, hands down, one of the most endearing rock tunes of all time. It's the one song everyone looks forward to hearing. And judging by the artists on stage, performing it looks like a blast.

That's what you want out of music. In many ways, Canadian music has a message for their American and British cousins: keep it real. Layoff the gimmicks and play the music. Let the artist shine. Once more, Andy Kim - unwittingly or otherwise - is helping to pave a new off-road for Canadian artists.

It's an odd fact of reality that Andy Kim is often associated with 'bubblegum.' If this is the case, we can apply this to many great artists of the 1960s and 1970s who did not get stigmatized with this moniker. Still, for one night, if this was 'bubblegum' it was clear the bubble never burst.