You’ve noticed. The entries are

December 07, 2003

You’ve noticed. The entries are further apart lately. I’m trying to figure it out too. If anybody wants a really good dose of the Craigspeak please buy the current issue of NUVO magazine (Trudeau on the cover). Its the first time I’ve had my magazine work illustrated by a painter. Feels and looks good. Its at the back of the magazine in a section called “last Writes”. I’ve also got the conclusion of my two part article on recording in the newest Canadian Musician. My friend Vince Ditrich has the article opposite mine so when the magazine is closed our pictures are kissing.
Sorry about the tardiness on getting images, sound and video up on the website. No promises but things are looking up. Watch for a big Craig announcement (at least in my world) coming up in this next week. Its information that doesn’t really effect anybody but me but I since I AM me its means something to me. OK...OK...you twisted my arm ...enough already. My dear friend and manager of the last 14 years of my life, Chris Blake (Blake & Bradford: Odds, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Marcy Playground, the Tan. Llama), has decided to try something other than the music business. He told me some months back and I didn't try looking for someone else for awhile. My heart wasn't in it. Then it became obvious that I needed somebody. That somebody is Mary Boutette who will be handling my affairs under the flag of Macklam/Feldman management.
I will provide more details as soon as we draft an "official" release. I'm excited about it and I'm really happy my pal Chris is following his muse instead of grinding it out in the music business salt mines when he doesn't really need any more salt. I love him. I truly do. All of you who have met him will agree a finer man could never be. I will write a nice big piece on him one day. He should be very afraid. Those of you in the Ottawa area may have spotted his surfer's physique, dashing gray mane, and elegant goatee in the crowd at recent '67's games. He drove all the way from his native California to do some woodworking research in the Ontario countryside. He easily wins the honourary Canadian award for this year by leaving that moderately tropical climate and driving thousands of kilometres to make dovetail joints, and watch junior hockey in subzero Ontario.

Sharkskin spent last week recording the next Blair Packham solo record. It was a pleasure and an honour to be asked to play on such great songs. Colin Nairne recorded the tracking at Bakerstreet in N.Vancouver and our buddy Paul Myers stopped by to lay out some stinging guitar on my favourite old Gretsch.

Gigs to watch out for? Well yes. Here are some random dates that may or not be 100% right and may or may not contain nuts.

- Private party in N.Vancouver with Sharkskin. Norm Fisher on bass. Try to find it.

- Recording what should be the last tracks on the Northey/Valenzuela sessions in Vancouver from Dec 14 to 18.

- New Years eve at the Devonian Gardens in Calgary with Colin James Band.
- Jan 9,10 Craig Northey Power Trio with the Deadly Vipers (a new band featuring Craig, Doug Elliott, Pat Steward and Colleen Jaméz at Mt.Washington BC.

- Jan 13th in Seattle with Colin James Band (check his website for more accurate listings)
- Jan 14th in Partland OR with Colin James

- Jan 28th Ann Arbor MI with Colin

- Jan 29th London Ontario with Colin and Bryan Adams

- Jan 30 Halifax, Sir James Dunn Theatre,Craig solo with the Bluebird North tour
- Jan 31 Montreal Craig with BBN, Venue TBA
- Feb 1 Wakefield PQ, the Black Sheep Inn, Craig with Bluebird North

- Feb 3 Ottawa, National Arts Centre, Craig BBNorth

- Feb 4 Kingston Ont, Octave Theatre, Craig with BBN

- Feb 5 Guelph Ont, River Run Centre, Craig with BBN

- Feb 6 & 7, Toronto Ont, Hugh's Room, Craig with BBN

I think the dates on the first BBNorth might be a day off but accuracy is not what I'm going for here, I just want to warn you and then get you to do some work on your own. Give the people the tools to work the land and don't just give them the food.

I will be back to my old hat tricks with the English language as soon as I can muster a good idea or a full hour to pound away until one falls out.