Where the sun rises

It's been a rough couple of months for Japan, what with earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear disaster, so naturally a bunch of local musicians (and a couple of spoken word artists) decide to put a show together and generate a couple of bucks for the relief effort being made by the Red Cross. Chris Landry and Tara Porter from The Train Jumpers and Greg 'Lefty McRighty' got things together, and a good time was had by all.

First up, L. Poushinsky ... the local folk artist actually sent me an invite to one of her shows back in 2009, and I actually managed to get around to seeing her before the usual two-year delay! Anyway, she reminds of Eleni Mandell a bit, and was aided by Dave Edwards on drums and Stuart Rutherford from the Train Jumpers.


L. Poushinsky at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Claude Munson is another blues-folk artist; he put me a bit in mind of Jeff Buckley. He normally plays in a trio with guitarist Jean-Francois Delaquis and drummer Pascal Delaquis, but it was just Pascal with him on this occasion. They played an intriguing cover of Verve's Bittersweet Symphony.


Claude Munson at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

The Train Jumpers played another set of country-blues, with Stuart switching between banjo, steel guitar and acoustic; Tara took lead vocals on a faithful version of Come On In My Kitchen.


The Train Jumpers at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Spoken word artists PrufRock Shadowrunner and Sergio "Hyfidelik" Geurra performed next, with each man taking the lead on a composition and handling the third more equally.


PrufRock and Hyfidelik at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Things began to rock a bit more seriously after that with the latest incarnation of The Polymorphines tearing through a six-song set that included a cover of The MC5's Shakin' Street.


The Polymorphines at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Lefty McRighty and The Shameless Bastards played a short set of outlaw country, with songs about infectious diseases, motorhead wives, murder and other Lefty family favourites. They have a show at The Elmdale April 23 with The Train Jumpers.


Lefty McRighty and The Shameless Bastards at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Wise, Young & King were the last "official" band; they play a vaguely bluesy rock and roll that make me think they should share a stage with Jonas and The Massive Attraction if they haven't already. They have a pretty ferocious two-guitar attack.


Wise, Young & King at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

Finally, a late addition, flamenco rumba guitarist Doug Towle, who had just flown in from British Columbia, closed the evening off. He's performing at Cafe Umi tonight should anyone have a hankering.


Doug Towle at The Rainbow, April 13, 2011

The rain no doubt made a bit of a dent in attendance, but otherwise everything went off quite well.

• Show reminder: The Creepshow, Sick Sick Sicks, Patron Saint Of Plagues and Brain Damage play Mavericks; Babylon is rocked to its very core by Bare Wires, The White Wires and Davila 666; Hawt Rawk Robawt, All On Me and Celery Troff play Zaphod Beeblebrox; Doll, T42, Chasing Curiosity and Hippie Campfire are at the Live Lounge; Old Whiskey Road, Huntley Slim & The Suburban Cowboys and Lucas Henderson play the Elmdale.