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We last saw Charlie Angus and his band at the Horseshoe Tavern back in May of 2023 (see blog post). While there are several players who remain the line seems to have changed considerably. Nevertheless, it was a good show. Lots of tunes we recognize, many that brought me to tears. Charlie doesn't have a great voice, but he does have a way with words and he does assemble a great supporting band. He "leans to the left" as do we.
On Charlie's "way with words".... These days he has stepped down from the House of Commons — he was an NDP sitting member for many years and even ran for head of the party. He's doing his best to save our democracy, our country, in this "time of monsters" (we mean you the Orange Felon) through his "Canada Meidas Network" on YouTube and his essays on "Charlie Angus/The Resistance" on Substack. We follow both as do many in attendance. But enough on that tangent. Music can be a good way to express your resistance to the current circus. Hence, this concert.
We've only been to Hugh's Room a few times over the years. My most solid memory is seeing Tom Russell many years ago the evening that Kate received the Queen's Jubilee medal. That was quite a while ago — we were so much younger then, we're old than that now. We were a little tipsy then and Tom Russell took my camera away! We were interrupting his show.
Back then Hugh's Room was on the west side of downtown Toronto on Dundas near the Junction. At that time it was a restaurant, bar and live music show room. These days it's on Broadview on the east side of downtown just over the Don River. It's in a smallish converted church which might seat about 150 people; there is a balcony and main floor with good seating, good lights, good acoustics. It has a bar (no cash, only cards) but there is no restaurant. I understand there are plenty of eateries in this funky neighborhood.
We have been Grievous Angels fans for years and have collected as much as we can (we checked their "merch table" and we have all the CDs on offer (no I don't want an LP and Kate says we have enough T-shirts). Kate and I with our friend Sam rehearsed "Sarah Gordon" (1990) for the KBS Conference Banquet (2025) but didn't get to perform. Anyways, "One Job Town" (1990), where that song is found, was our introduction to the band and our desert island album for many years. "Toute la Gang" (1989) we had on a C90 (since ripped into iTunes but chase the link to Bandcamp — it's available even now!). We really enjoyed those early albums where Michelle Rumball's voice helped to shape the sound of the music. Charlie has always been the words but her voice was lovely. "Revolution" (2026) is the latest album and "In the Time of Monsters" is the single getting most play from it. But with 40 years under his belt Charlie has a pretty extensive catalogue to draw on and played tunes from all those releases (see set lists in the photo album).
Charlie had a lot of patter between tunes that helped to connect the music. For example, stories about living in "One Job Towns" and the parental sacrifice to do so and to get your kids out of there for an education and better jobs in the south. ... a dad telling his son to "remember these hands" and the hard work and sacrifice.
I was wearing my "punk shirt" which got some attention. We were chatted up by a fellow from the 1980's era who knew our friend Dave in London ... he claimed to have smoked some dope with Johnny Rotten at the 100 Club in London England back in the day. I couldn't top that story although I did get to shake hands today with Charlie Angus and some time ago with Gary P. Nunn over the pisser in the Broken Spoke, Austin! We swapped cards and I invited him to check on some of our blog entries on bands and events from back then.
If you don't already know about the Grievous Angels music take some time to explore the catalogue. If you like listening to live music Hugh's Room is a good place to support it.
See also:
- Grievous Angels on YouTube
- Grievous Angels on Bandcamp
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