Convention Day 2: John Michael Talbot
John Michael Talbot performs at the Boiler Room May 29 in Toronto. This picture is taken from the second floor. The main eating and drinking area is underneath Talbot. (Herald photo/Bill Howard) Last night was capped by a Mass at St. Paul Basilica celebrated by Quebec Cardinal Marc Oullett, followed by a night out at the Boiler Room bar and restaurant in the Distillery District, a renovated group of warehouses that reminded me a little of LoDo in Denver. Music was provided by legendary Catholic musician John Michael Talbot.
"I haven't played a bar since I was 15," Talbot joked as he tuned his guitar above the loud din of chatter and clinking glasses. The setup was a bit odd -- the "stage" was a walkway of sorts that jutted out from the second level over the main floor on one end. It was like he was hovering above us and provided for an odd distance between performer and audience.
He played some songs from his latest record, "Living Water," and did a lengthy medley of classics ("Healer of My Soul," "Holy Is His Name" and "Come Worship the Lord." I wondered if Talbot was bothered by the surroundings, as during "Come Worship..." he made invited the crowd to singing along saying, essentially, that if they didn't sing along they didn't understand why there were here (not sure if he meant the dinner or the convention in general). But he sounded great and the performance was taped for Salt & Light TV, the Catholic television network in Canada. I'm not sure when it will be broadcast... maybe Jim can find out for us after meeting the director of the program last night.
It was a blessing having Talbot perform, as just a month ago to the day, a large part of the hermitage where he lives burned down. He was scheduled to tour a week later, and he went ahead with it, wrapping up the jaunt through Montana and Canada last night in Toronto. If you're looking for great Catholic meditation music, check out his CDs "The Quiet" and his "Pathways" seasonal series.
"I haven't played a bar since I was 15," Talbot joked as he tuned his guitar above the loud din of chatter and clinking glasses. The setup was a bit odd -- the "stage" was a walkway of sorts that jutted out from the second level over the main floor on one end. It was like he was hovering above us and provided for an odd distance between performer and audience.
He played some songs from his latest record, "Living Water," and did a lengthy medley of classics ("Healer of My Soul," "Holy Is His Name" and "Come Worship the Lord." I wondered if Talbot was bothered by the surroundings, as during "Come Worship..." he made invited the crowd to singing along saying, essentially, that if they didn't sing along they didn't understand why there were here (not sure if he meant the dinner or the convention in general). But he sounded great and the performance was taped for Salt & Light TV, the Catholic television network in Canada. I'm not sure when it will be broadcast... maybe Jim can find out for us after meeting the director of the program last night.
It was a blessing having Talbot perform, as just a month ago to the day, a large part of the hermitage where he lives burned down. He was scheduled to tour a week later, and he went ahead with it, wrapping up the jaunt through Montana and Canada last night in Toronto. If you're looking for great Catholic meditation music, check out his CDs "The Quiet" and his "Pathways" seasonal series.
posted by Bill Howard @ 10:34 AM
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