Gladstone Mesmerized Hughsroom

by Joe Curtis

Brian Gladstone, Canada's "Bard of Pholk", played selections from his newly released Psychedelic Pholk Psongs and also from his last successful Folk CD, Back To The Dirt, to a large, happy audience of fans at Hugh's Room in Toronto's west end on Fri., Nov. 23.

Bonnie Gladstone, Brian's lovely sister, sang beautiful background and some lead vocals, while Brian and Tony Quarrington mesmerized the crowd with awesome finger and flat pickin' guitar fusion. Maureen Brown, on a small drum kit as well as scrub board and a few other unusual percussion instruments, added sweet percussive harmony to the friendly, folky atmosphere. One beautiful brunette in the audience was seen singing along happily to every tune. Hugh's Room is a beautifully laid out, multi-level establishment that offers great acoustics, a good view of the band, and an impressive dinner menu.

Some of my favorites were "Norm's Living Room", "I Like Me", and the very atmospheric "Save The Wolverine", which ended the highly enjoyable musical evening there. Jim Layeaux and singer Lenore, also did a set prior to and between the two hour-long sets Brian played, which the crowd also loved, and which suited the atmosphere, superbly.
One beautiful brunette in the audience was seen singing along happily to every tune