This Comfort Cafe is a mini-tribute to Steve Dawson, The Black Hen Road Show and Black Hen Records. So much good music - I might have to do a "Steve Dawson-Part 2"

This week I was having a frustrating and annoying time of it - I could not find my special box with all my Christmas albums in it. It took hours, but finally I found them. The good thing is that while I was searching, I found all these good songs - some are old, some are new and some I have been wanting to play for your for awhile. I calmed right down listening to all this good music! December is a hectic month so I hope it does the same for you.

I've been listening to a lot of new(ish) music - at least for me it is New(ish) and decided to share.

I'vew been to see some very fine artists over the last week and looking forward to more this coming week. Now it's time for me to share with you.

House Concerts are starting up again. Yippee! I love House Concerts. AND, next weekend is the 1st Annual Winnipeg Crankie Festival at Cresent Fort Rouge United Church.

I'vew been to see some very fine artists over the last week and looking forward to more this coming week. Now it's time for me to share with you.

I am still thinking about what a great time I had at the Trout Forest Music Festival.

This is sort of a Jazz/Blues show. I even played a few instrumentals which I seldom do. Some of the artists arriving in town for the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival (June 14 - 24) are among my favourites. And once I started listening to the music I could not resist playing them for you.

OK, I admit it, I am a major Oliver Swain fan. Oliver is at the West End Cultural Centre with Glenna Garramone, they are "Tower of Song" - beautiful Leonard Cohen songs, beautiful harmonies - Friday, June 3rd.

Darn! I am away next week so I am missing a few very important concerts. I'll play the artists for you and hopefully that will make me feel better about it. On the brighter side, I am headed to Ottawa to attend the Lynn(e)s CD Release Party.

A few Mothers' Day songs and artists coming through town.

A new band for me "Lakes and Pines" from Morden - debut album, CD Release Party at the Goodwill.

This Comfort Cafe is a mini-tribute to Steve Dawson, The Black Hen Road Show and Black Hen Records. So much good music - I might have to do a "Steve Dawson-Part 2"

Fine songwriters in this show. My two new favourites Jeffery Straker and Raine Hamilton. Have a look at where they are playing and get out there. You will not regret it.

I was lucky enough to attend a house concert last week - Vanessa Kuzina, Jess Reimer and Keri Latimer - doing a Trio Tribute Show - recreating the Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris album from 1987. I'm not playing Vanessa, Jess and Keri this week - although I love them alll - but this Comfort Cafe owes them a debt of gratitude.

Stephen Fearing in town at the West End Cultural Centre. A good reason to celebrate.

When I went to see Jim Cuddy's solo show, guess who was opening - Barney Bentall - and it was great.

It's my birthday this week so I gave myself a birthday present - a whole hour of my two favourite songwriters.

My Valentine to you - one short hour of Jesse Winchester songs. Love Gail

This show is all about Oh Susanna - wonderful singer/songwriter and sensitive interpreter of other people's songs as well. We are lucky to have Suzie here in Winnipeg for two House Concerts on Sunday, February 4th (Sunset Saloon) and Monday, February 5th (StuDome).

Autumn is upon us. As September progresses, we will be leaving the summer festivals behind and get out and about in the City. First up - The 1st Annual Winnipeg Crankie Festival, September 21-23.

Awna Teixeira with Christine Fellows opening on Friday September 4th at the West End Cultural Centre and Dennis Ellsworth from PEI on Saturday, September 5th at Times. We are sooo lucky!

Wow - A brand new blues discovery for me (Crystal Shawanda). And Connie Kaldor and Family visiting Winnipeg next Saturday (Crescent Fort Rouge United church). And, in between, lots of other good songs.

Let's celebrate the music of Jory Nash.

Winniepg Folk Festival favourites - more to come. And could not resist starting out Comfort Cafe with one really fine song by Corin Raymond. Love the guy!

I'm suffering a bit of Folk Festival fatigue this week, so no "best of the fest" artists. I just heard so much good music over last weekend that I need time to process it. So Except for one really good house concert at the Studome with Mike Plume, I've taken a mini-break. Today there is Mike Plume's new album (of course) along with some other new music that I have been listening to at home, and as usual there are one or two old favourites.

Went to the Classic Rock Festival at Shaw Park last week. Well, my goodness, who knew those old guys could rock out like that - and I'm talking about the audience.

The Sturgeons are having their CD Release Party next week at the Park Theatre. I'll be away visiting Ottawa so I'll miss it but you should not. Why Ottawa? I'll be visiting with friends and my dear sister, Trish. We will all be attending The Lynn(e)'s Canadian CD Release Party - Ottawa is their home town. I'm pretty excited.

I was lucky enough to attend a house concert last week - Vanessa Kuzina, Jess Reimer and Keri Latimer - doing a Trio Tribute Show - recreating the Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris album from 1987. I'm not playing Vanessa, Jess and Keri this week - although I love them alll - but this Comfort Cafe owes them a debt of gratitude.

Some blues. A couple of nominees for our Western Canadian Music Awards (more to come). And thank you to Jeff Robson for loaning me his Martyn Joseph album so I could play "All This Time", a song he told us was inspired by the landscape of Canada. xxx

A rare treat - Royal Canoe playing their entire new album with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, May 25th. Oh Yes, I will be there.

Happy Mother's Day. I played the first song just for all of you "Dew On Roses" - I know it is not necessarily a Mother's Day song but a lovely song with a lovely sentiment and good lessons. I notice there are a lot of banjos in this show - not sure why - but you can never have too many banjos.

Happy Mother's Day. I played the first song just for all of you "Dew On Roses" - I know it is not necessarily a Mother's Day song but a lovely song with a lovely sentiment and good lessons. I notice there are a lot of banjos in this show - not sure why - but you can never have too many banjos.

Gail is away until 2019 - here's a great episode originally broadcast in 2017 on December 3rd!

I'm away in Fargo at a Rufus Wainwright concert - what better time to do a little Wainwright/McGarrigle special

Lots of artists coming to town - I already have my tickets for Amy Rigby, Murray McLaughlan and Natalie MacMaster - busy time.

House Concerts are starting up again. Yippee! I love House Concerts. AND, next weekend is the 1st Annual Winnipeg Crankie Festival at Cresent Fort Rouge United Church.

Autumn is upon us. As September progresses, we will be leaving the summer festivals behind and get out and about in the City. First up - The 1st Annual Winnipeg Crankie Festival, September 21-23.

Let's celebrate the music of Jory Nash.

Went to the Classic Rock Festival at Shaw Park last week. Well, my goodness, who knew those old guys could rock out like that - and I'm talking about the audience.

Winniepg Folk Festival favourites - more to come. And could not resist starting out Comfort Cafe with one really fine song by Corin Raymond. Love the guy!

I'm suffering a bit of Folk Festival fatigue this week, so no "best of the fest" artists. I just heard so much good music over last weekend that I need time to process it. So Except for one really good house concert at the Studome with Mike Plume, I've taken a mini-break. Today there is Mike Plume's new album (of course) along with some other new music that I have been listening to at home, and as usual there are one or two old favourites.

I'm suffering a bit of Folk Festival fatigue this week, so no "best of the fest" artists. I just heard so much good music over last weekend that I need time to process it. So Except for one really good house concert at the Studome with Mike Plume, I've taken a mini-break. Today there is Mike Plume's new album (of course) along with some other new music that I have been listening to at home, and as usual there are one or two old favourites.

This is sort of a Jazz/Blues show. I even played a few instrumentals which I seldom do. Some of the artists arriving in town for the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival (June 14 - 24) are among my favourites. And once I started listening to the music I could not resist playing them for you.

The Sturgeons are having their CD Release Party next week at the Park Theatre. I'll be away visiting Ottawa so I'll miss it but you should not. Why Ottawa? I'll be visiting with friends and my dear sister, Trish. We will all be attending The Lynn(e)'s Canadian CD Release Party - Ottawa is their home town. I'm pretty excited.

Darn! I am away next week so I am missing a few very important concerts. I'll play the artists for you and hopefully that will make me feel better about it. On the brighter side, I am headed to Ottawa to attend the Lynn(e)s CD Release Party.

Happy Mother's Day. I played the first song just for all of you "Dew On Roses" - I know it is not necessarily a Mother's Day song but a lovely song with a lovely sentiment and good lessons. I notice there are a lot of banjos in this show - not sure why - but you can never have too many banjos.

Some blues. A couple of nominees for our Western Canadian Music Awards (more to come). And thank you to Jeff Robson for loaning me his Martyn Joseph album so I could play "All This Time", a song he told us was inspired by the landscape of Canada. xxx

The Black River Drifters have a brand new album - Drive by Feel. I'm looking forward to the cd release party on the weekend. And Martyn Joseph is here this week. He is an artist and an activist in equal measure. Look up "Let Yourself Trust" and you will see his life mission.

Wow - A brand new blues discovery for me (Crystal Shawanda). And Connie Kaldor and Family visiting Winnipeg next Saturday (Crescent Fort Rouge United church). And, in between, lots of other good songs.

This Comfort Cafe is a mini-tribute to Steve Dawson, The Black Hen Road Show and Black Hen Records. So much good music - I might have to do a "Steve Dawson-Part 2"

I was lucky enough to attend a house concert last week - Vanessa Kuzina, Jess Reimer and Keri Latimer - doing a Trio Tribute Show - recreating the Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris album from 1987. I'm not playing Vanessa, Jess and Keri this week - although I love them alll - but this Comfort Cafe owes them a debt of gratitude.

Stephen Fearing in town at the West End Cultural Centre. A good reason to celebrate.

Talking about the Junos.

New album from Raine Hamilton and a visit from John Brooks - something to get excited about.

When I went to see Jim Cuddy's solo show, guess who was opening - Barney Bentall - and it was great.

It's my birthday today so I gave myself a birthday present - a whole hour of my two favourite songwriters.

This show is all about Oh Susanna - wonderful singer/songwriter and sensitive interpreter of other people's songs as well. We are lucky to have Suzie here in Winnipeg for two House Concerts on Sunday, February 4th (Sunset Saloon) and Monday, February 5th (StuDome).

Trying hard not to make this show "Best Of" Part 3 - couldn't resist playing the Sadies though - what a great gig at the West End Cultural Centre (last September) and I was standing right in the front row. Anyway, this show is somethng old, something new and something I've been meaning to play for you for a long time. xxx

I am still thinking back to all the fine music I heard in 2017. So this is Part 2 of my "Best Of". I know I am being a bit self-indulgent but, still, it is great music. Lucky me.

It is that time of year again when we all attempt to produce a "Best Of" list. What I like to do best is go out and listen to live music - so, as usual, I am going to take a walk back through 2017 and play some of the artists that really touched me in 2017. (Part 1 - to be continued next week)

Happy Christmas.

I'vew been to see some very fine artists over the last week and looking forward to more this coming week. Now it's time for me to share with you.

I am still thinking about what a great time I had at the Trout Forest Music Festival.