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| COTTONMOUTH ENTHRALLING AT CALIFORNIA'S (JULY/03) |
| The fabulous Toronto-based Cottonmouth band recently began their Sunday evening gig (5�9 pm) at California�s in Mississauga (1077 North Service Road � Cawthra exit of QEW). While they got a half-decent turnout (including a motorbike rider who had been involved in a collision earlier that afternoon!), this 5-piece group of musicians should be packing the place in no time! With no less than four alternating vocalists, ranging from capable to extraordinary (choose the order yourself), they dazzled the patrons with a broad spectrum of styles (blues, rock, soul, pop, roots, etc.), performing mostly covers but including a few of their own original blues-based zingers! There are two guitarists, a harmonica player, bassist and drummer, all immensely talented, but none of them playing the role of �star�. California�s is one of those very few classy venues that don�t charge for soft drinks, much to our surprise (and here I thought some smooth hustler was buying drinks for me!), but we left a large tip for the bar staff in lieu of payment. Incidentally, an alert staff member noticed we had left the lights on in our truck and came over to notify us � thanks! The physical layout of the club could use some improvement, but they do strive to please all of their patrons (smoking or non-smoking), as well as the entertainers, who often get left out of the equation. As the club is situated in a rather large strip mall, there is plenty of free, no-hassle parking. It is also a restaurant, as well as a bar, and there is a separate section for families to be seated, so those with children who are old enough to sit and enjoy the music are also welcome. It was a perfect way to wind down a hectic weekend, as the music (fairly laid-back, but never boring) was kept to a respectable volume (perhaps a bit too low for my personal taste) and included some unusual covers like �Love Potion 99� and �Can�t You See�. If you can�t make it out to California�s on Sunday, Cottonmouth continues its popular three-year Saturday afternoon host jam at Timothy�s in Etobicoke. Either place is well worth the drive from wherever you are coming from! I met their congenial booker/manager, Janis (sp?), who, apart from being Cottonmouth harp player Bill�s wife, is apparently a huge fan of to-nite magazine, and she has a �Wall of Shame�, comprised of to-nite photos and articles, in her home to prove it! Diane Wells |