A Musical “Love In” At 3rd Installment Of The Centre Stage Cafe

Apr 04, 2013

Love was definitely in the air on March 21 in Sharbot Lake as music lovers filled the Legion for the third installment of the Centre Stage Cafe. Members of the CSC house band, Jim MacPherson, Gary Giller and Terry Reynolds and Dave Limber demonstrated their love for the recently deceased Canadian music giant Stompin' Tom Conners who passed away on March 6 with their renditions of his classics Big Joe Mufferaw and Sudbury Saturday Night. Jim MacPherson tackled the two densely lyric'd, rapid fire tunes with precision and heart-felt enthusiasm and left the crowd wanting more. The band then cleared the stage for couples duo Rob and Nancy Moore, whose set of sensitive covers that included Willow Tree, Birds and Ships and a beautiful rendition of Sarah Harmer's classic Basement Apartment. They quickly won over the capacity crowd in what was just their third public performance. Last up was old world, but still young, country crooner Mitch Barker who demonstrated his love for two of his favorite older musicians, Dan Gibbs and Lorna Cooke, who shared the stage with him and who in his early years helped to give this amazing vocal talent his musical start. Dan performed numerous favorites, such as “He Stopped Lovin' Her Today” with Lorna playing some impressive dobro solos throughout the evening. Mitch, always a humble performer, shone brightly in his classic country covers of “Please Release Me”, Dwight Yoakam's “Heartaches by the Number”, and Ray Price's “Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me”.

Mitch's voice and delivery never fail to meet the mark with his perfect pitch, subtle phrasing which are the backbone of his exquisite gifts, along with his guitar playing.

The lack of dance floor space due to the capacity failed to deter a few dancers in the crowd who were obviously taken over by the musical love in the air. The final Centre Stage Cafe event will take place in April, featuring the Cellar Hounds and more. Watch Northern Happenings to see who will be joining them at the final installment in what has been a very popular first winter season.