Aaron Cadwaladr
May 7, 2010
The Main
Vancouver, B.C

Sometimes a guy just needs to hear some acoustic and piano-infused (or keyboard, in this case) melodies on a mild Thursday evening.  Some days I wish all music were arranged this way.  Tonight, upon running around, stressed out, ensuring I bought the right ingredients and goodies for my work’s BBQ the next day (thanks to my newly restricted diet), I stopped by The Main on Main for some folk-rock reprieve.  I sat at a table adjacent to the miniature stage, amongst many 1970’s era orange light bulbs, sipping my black n’ sugar coffee, humoring myself with the menu.  Coffee it is.  (In retrospect, it’s funny that I had three litres of almond milk in my bag but was too daft to put two and two together)

I waited for Aaron Cadwaladr and company to band together miraculously on what I believe may have been the smallest stage for a full band I’d ever seen.  Impressively, they assembled and with some quick tweaking of Aaron’s vocals—it was just as I remembered them back when I reviewed their CD release (Wade Through The Dark) at Café De Soleil.  I’d put my notebook away and took it back out a couple of times.  To review or not to review?  That is often the question I’m plagued with.  Tired eyes and ears don’t always make for the strongest of interpretations, but when something’s worth mentioning, it’s simply that—worth mentioning.

“Shape Changing Sky” @ Cafe De Soleil music video

The keys and their solo on the eerie, yet fantastic “Cooling Our Backs” was an early treat this evening.  Wires brushed the drum set and the bass followed close behind on rockabilly-esque numbers like “Take These Chances.”  Blue-grassed countrysides were drawn during “The Stop and Start” and “Slow Down,”—the latter, a tune that remembers travels on a Van Island highway.  Hearing a personal fave “Wade Through The Dark” was redeeming, as I had my critiques for its arrangement the last time.  Even a self-proclaimed ‘dance hit’ was heard as the spicy, latin “Come Undone” played out.  With enough variety in their performance to appeal to many, they’ve twice left a fellow like me, wanting more.

“Wade Through The Dark” live @ Old Fire Hall restaurant

While the original tunes should be celebrated—two of the covers I’ve heard them play have each time, left me with a great sense of admiration.  The unique thing about that is that the songs aren’t even from artists I otherwise listen to (or much).  At their CD release it was hearing “Karma Police” by Radiohead that spawned a new, overdue interest in the original act.

Tonight’s number, though, couldn’t have been more apt.  Here’s why: He introduced it as a Tom Waits cover. Tom Waits being a recent topic of discussion with the little lady who I’m currently enamored with and who couldn’t believe I was unfamiliar with Tom’s greatness.  Additionally, while I’d assumed I’d be completely unversed with the tune, it happened to be “Cold Cold Ground.”   To my shock and pleasure, here was a song I’m thoroughly familiar with, thanks to Brian Fallon’s (of The Gaslight Anthem) solo rendition. Brian’s version once saw me through some rough times, and here’s Aaron’s guiding me through some rather proud, exciting times.  While I should indulge Tom’s version—regardless, this song will forever have its importance.

This weekend was a personal milestone—an anniversary of sorts.  For reasons such as seeing an exciting artist who I reviewed shortly after embarking into the fun, redeeming world of rock journalism, combined later with the company of some people who mean the world to me—I couldn’t be in a better place.  Thanks to Aaron, to Brian, to Tom, to her, and to the rest of them.

- Steve Roland

“Bring a dollar with you baby.” – Tom Waits

Visit Aaron Cadawaldr online:  aaroncadwaladr.com /  myspace.com/aaroncadwaladr

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