This week, singer/songwriter Michael Brennan, front right, celebrates 10 years of casual Sunday afternoon gigs at Graffiti’s Bar in Kensington Market. Last weekend, I dropped into the club and I have to say, it was one of the most authentic and satisfying live music experiences I’ve had in years!
As is their custom, Brennan and company occupied seats just inside the front door, no stage or barrier between them and the audience. The core duo of Brennan and guitarist Steve Briggs, front left, is augmented by whoever happens to be on hand that afternoon; last week it was mandolin player John Davis, back right, guitarist Colin Bradley, back left, and singer/percussionist Helen Stewart, who kept time on a beer box squeezed tightly between her knees.
Brennan has a strong, piercing voice that’s confident but not showy; I had the distinct sense that he’s a man doing exactly what he was born to do. His own original songs mixed easily with tunes by Johnny Cash, Johnny Rivers and Joe Maphis, among others.
“You get pretty comfortable after 10 years,” he concedes. “When I’m introducing a new song, especially if it’s one of my own, I’m always a little more on my toes, but the audience here is so forgiving that it’s really not much pressure.”
“Some of the people in the house are friends, others have become friends; there’s always some new faces, but it’s very comfortable and relaxed.”
Brennan has two solo CDs to his credit and a trio of band efforts with The Wayward Angels. During the week he’s a math teacher, a vocation he enjoys but not as much as singing and playing country tunes.
“This is my only local, regular gig,” he says of the Graffiti’s slot, “but I play three or four times per month elsewhere — at The Local, The Troubadour, Cadillac Lounge or the Gladstone. Since I started this 10 years ago it’s gotten easier; before that I was always in a full band and now things are a bit more flexible for me. I prefer the solo thing, it’s much more informal. We just do songs off the top of our heads, there’s no need for structure.”
Which is not to suggest that the music isn’t top-drawer; it is. But it’s also salt-of-the-earth and effortlessly folksy. After the band played a hurtin’ rendition of “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke,” Helen told a funny story about singing the tune — which is less than kind to the female antagonist — at a girlfriend’s wedding, years ago in Temagami. “She didn’t appreciate it,” offered the percussionist by way of a punch line. The audience howled with laughter.
This Sunday’s anniversary show is guaranteed to be a standing-room-only affair but if you enjoy roots music, whether it’s country, folk, bluegrass or rockabilly, definitely put this show on your list — you could hardly do better.
WHERE/WHEN: Michael Brennan, Sunday’s at Graffiti’s Bar and Grill (170 Baldwin Street, 416.506.6699), 4 – 7 pm, Pay what you can.
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I used to catch Michael at The Brunswick on Saturday afternoons where he ocassionaly sat in with Mary DeKeyser and Melody Ranch. Knew then he was a very special artist and always enjoyed his original songs. Helen Stewart was also a crowd favorite then. Good for you Michael and congradulations!
The best Country in this City !