Nobody Rocks the Blues Like Downchild!

Donnie ("Mr. Downchild") Walsh and Jane Vasey (1979)

Hock Walsh - 1974 (Photo by Gary G)

I admit I balked at paying $30 for a one-hour Downchild show earlier this year at Tucson’s, but I just couldn’t resist getting in on the fun this time around (May 26).

While Ottawa’s historic Barrymore’s nightclub has lost some of its original charm, Downchild (impressively opened by local guitar king Tony D) succeeded last night in rekindling the venue’s musical laurels. The band itself continues an almost 40-year-long tradition that began in the “Summer of ’69” (giving additional significance to Bryan Adams’ hit of the same name) with the recent release of Live at the Palais Royale, which was preceded in 2005 by an all-star recording of original material entitled Come On In.

I still miss hearing the late Richard “Hock” Walsh’s distinctive vocals, but the band was indeed fortunate to find a more than suitable replacement in Chuck Jackson (who also dazzles on harmonica duets with erstwhile guitarist Donnie Walsh. Likewise, although I’m not old enough to have caught Tony Flaim and Jane Vasey’s contributions to the band, I couldn’t be happier with the current longstanding line-up. Several members of the band (Gary Kendall, Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey, Chuck Jackson) perform and record with equally notable side projects, as well.

The larger than average dance floor was filled throughout the night, but not so much that there was no room to strut our collective stuff in a manner befitting the entertainment at hand. This is not music for the cardiac-challenged dancer or musician (but it would be my preferred method of "checking out")! I’ve only seen the band performing live perhaps a half-dozen times, but they always give 100% in their delivery, with a versatile selection of music, guaranteeing a fresh new show every time.

I’d like to thank a new friend, Angie, who spotted my “happy feet” itching for a dance partner. We (or, more accurately, Downchild) eventually succeeded in getting our respective dates up on the floor with us, so a fabulous time ensued for all. Check out these icons of Canadian musical history at www.downchild.com.

The show ended around 12:30, so the die-hard partiers moved across the street to the Royal Oak, where the Bank Street Boys were putting down some great grooves, too, including a rockin’ rendition of “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl”, a la Ten Years After (Alvin Lee’s band, that is). We also heard some Bob Dylan tunes, no doubt in anticipation of his imminent appearance at the Ottawa Bluesfest, an event that will likely bring hordes of additional tourists to this extremely festival-friendly town in early July.

Added to that excitement, of course, is the upcoming Senator-Ducks hockey tournament, so, putting politics aside, there really is no better place to be right now than the nation's capital!

D.D.