Tonight at Daravara, 3 excellent singer-songwriters teamed up. Colleen Brown ("love songs"), Kimberly MacGregor ("hate songs"), and Amy Van Keeken ("weird zone") took turns at lead. This was concert five of five in their mini-tour and they'd had time to polish up the backup and harmony vocals. I'd heard Colleen Brown on CKUA, but this was the first time live. There is something about her alto that just hits a sweet spot for me. A fine evening.

Alexandro Escovedo and band at the Starlite Room Monday night. Hot and sweaty and sexy. Amazing. Estimated median age of the audience: 45. Usual audience age for that venue: 20.

Smashula & A Bunch of Marys at the Black Dog on Wednesday. My neighbour plays bass in Smashula and rocks out big-time. A Bunch of Marys is fronted by Mike McDonald, whom I've admired since the days of Jr. Gone Wild. Plus this bass player, I first met the summer after high school <mumble> many years ago. Hadn't seen him for years. Nice mix of originals and covers. Best moment of nostalgia: "No Matter What" by Badfinger. It took me back to the seventies, under the covers late at night listening to 630 CHED on my blue plastic transistor radio. I still know every word to that song.