On October 24, Dave Bidini hosted a celebration of the life and times of Canadian author Paul Quarrington, whose novel Whale Music has figured so prominently in the history of the Rheostatics and whose friendship has meant so much to its members. Paul has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.
The occasion included a Rheostatics 'reunion,' some of which was caught on video and in still photos. Dave Clark and Don Kerr were both present, as was Kevin Hearn, a frequent guest collaborator over the years.
Desmond Howl has posted a video of the Rheos performing "Claire" to YouTube.
Rheofan par excellence Darrin Cappe, the same wunderkind responsible for Rheostatics Live, has completed work on an idiosyncratic DIY Rheostatics' box set. Visit Northern Wish for details about Static Journey, volumes 1-9. The 'release' concluded on the first anniversary of the Rheos' farewell concert in Massey Hall.
Volume 1: The Beginning, Rheostatics and the Trans Canada Soul Patrol
Volume 2: Melville
Volume 3: Whale Music
Volume 4: Whale Music OST and Greensprouttakes
Volume 5: Introducing Happiness
Volume 6: The Sevens
Volume 7: One Night Only, Nightlines and The Story of Harmelodia
Volume 8: Night of the Shooting Stars
Volume 9: 2067, Covers and the Last Whale
The total product of nine releases runs about 14 hours and includes 231 separate tracks, including interviews, demos, outtakes, live and studio performances.
March 30, 2007
Massey Hall, Toronto, ON.
Rheofan extraordinaire Darrin Cappe has captured lots of fan input following the Rheos' final gig on his Rheostatics Live site. Got a recording of a live show you wish to share with fans? Contact Darrin and share them with other Rheofanatics.
A newly released tally of the top 100 Canadian albums was topped by Neil Young and included the work of Cancon stalwarts like Joni Mitchell, the Band, Gordon Lightfoot and the Tragically Hip, plus our own Rheostatics.
Nearly 600 music fans and critics, artists, retailers and other members of the industry submitted their votes for author and journalist Bob Mersereau's new book, The Top 100 Canadian Albums, released October 18, 2007.
Based on the input of the people Mersereau consulted, Canada's top 20 albums are:
- Harvest, Neil Young (1972)
- Blue, Joni Mitchell (1970)
- After the Gold Rush, Neil Young (1970)
- Music From Big Pink, the Band (1968)
- Fully Completely, the Tragically Hip (1992)
- Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette (1995)
- The Band, the Band (1969)
- Funeral, Arcade Fire (2004)
- Moving Pictures, Rush (1981)
- American Woman, the Guess Who (1970)
- Songs of Leonard Cohen, Leonard Cohen (1967)
- Reckless, Bryan Adams (1984)
- Five Days in July, Blue Rodeo (1993)
- Twice Removed, Sloan (1994)
- Up To Here, the Tragically Hip (1989)
- Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, Neil Young with Crazy Horse (1969)
- 2112, Rush (1976)
- Court and Spark, Joni Mitchell (1974)
- Whale Music, Rheostatics (1992)
- Acadie, Daniel Lanois (1989)
CBC.ca photo essay
CBC has posted a lovely little photo essay retrospective of our favourite Canadian Shield rockers right here.
Pete Nema
Fan Pete Nema posted a review and photos of the Rheos' second-last show at the Horseshoe. Visit here.
The Torontoist
Anonymous blogster the Torontoist covers the Rheos' final concert.