Cran… Feb. 11

Cran
with Collapsing Opposites, L. Abramson, Chris-a-riffic, and Franklyn Currie
at Turd Ferguson, February 11, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The standard late start that Turd Ferguson has had attached to its name applied nearly doubly so at the first, and last, folk show at the Abbotsford punk house. I missed a lot of this show, so I’ll piece it together as best I can. It doesn’t help that that night I was sleep deprived, and that it has been a week since the show actually happened. I’ll try my best.

Franklyn Currie was first up and managed to pull off a sound a bit more upbeat than many similar artists. He was really good, but not really my thing, unless I am tired. I was tired.

I didn’t know what to expect with Chris-a-riffic. I was fearing the sounds of Human Hi-Lite Reel, but hoping for the energy of They Shoot Horses. It turned out to be in the middle, but thankfully closer to the horses. He played an awesome set, with quite powerful songs. Chris’s dual keyboards compliment each other as well the drumming. Midway through his set, a freestyler tried to take the mic. Chris, being awesome, told him off. The kid laid down some rhymes that got people laughing (at the kid) and stormed off. Really hilarious.

I didn’t hear any of L. Abramson/a>. Sorry. That is not a comment on the quality of her music, I actually just missed her set.

Collapsing Opposites was second to last on the bill, and despite having his drums taken by cops, still rocked. With the aid of pedals, Ryan used his keyboard, guitar, saxophone, and microphone (not just for his voice) to create amazing layered songs. His songs were fun and his lyrics were silly, but still meaningful. See him live!

Finally, at around 12:15, was Cran! At first it seemed like he wouldn’t be into it, but he was super awesome. He had tonnes of energy, and even though I didn’t, I still had tonnes of fun. Lots of fun sing-alongs, and I can’t wait for him to release another album. In the meantime, buy his current album. Jonny has gotten so much better at everything!

This sets the record for quietest Turd Ferguson Show ever. Jonny didn’t even need his mic. At all. He was just singing. Oh, and what happened to the freestyler? Apparently he went to City Limits and got attacked. He came back to the house, clothes ripped, blood soaked, looking for protection. That guy was hilarious!