Shooting Stars

October 20, 2007. The Liberty Lounge at Mount Royal College. Justin Nozuka and Nathan Wiley. Enough said? I think not.

Nathan Wiley opened and it was the first time I had caught his act. You know it's a good night when you want the opener to play for another hour, at least. Where does he get the inspiration for these songs that explore the dark alleys of the urban soul? His repertoire reminded me of Fado, the European Urban music genre which only appears late at night in Lisbon to sing of human frailty and celebrate, in a backhanded way, that it is fundamental to the human condition to push back against what fate deals us. May it please the music gods to bring Nathan Wiley back for a full evening.

Justin Nozuka appeared with his small but tight band. Great musicians all, particularly the bass guitar. I have been listening to Justin's CD, Holly, for weeks, but was still unprepared for the magnetic intensity of his live performance. He held the crowd spellbound with is guitar playing and that soulful voice, that ripples along the melodies. Again, what great lyrics, exposing what it means to be haunted by Psyche, who was the lover of Eros before Freud used the term to describe the complexities of the human mind and soul interaction. When he and his bass guitar player started playing riffs at each other it was music making at its most magical. I doubt if we will ever have the opportunity to see him again in such a small venue; he seems destined for super stardom.