Asé 12

An evening at Myron’s with Kim Stockwood

by RYAN O’CONNOR ésshe proceeded to tell

A&E editor

It’s Monday, November Ist, and I’m sitting at a window booth at Myron’s with Kim Stockwood. A bundle of energy, Kim has just arrived after a week touring in her native Newfoundland, a week that she de-

scribed as “Incredible!”

— although she later admitted that perform- ing in front of her home town crowd was a little stressful. Stopping for a chat, as well as supper, I realized that I was talking to one of the most pleasant perform- ers around. In the most down to earth manner,

me about a New- foundland school where she was chosen as Canadian of the Year. Obviously touched by the senti- ment, she then told me how she visited the school. “Saturday before the show, I went and there were sixty-five of them — and they were all sitting on the floor. They were so incred- ible!”

Her band, which could be heard in the background, also received praise. “They’re just so excited to be out; they’re having fun all the time. Every once

Kim Steckweed CD Review

in a while I have to say ‘okay, I have to get to sleep now!”

Her new album, 12 Years Old, has already spawned three hit songs, but what can her fans expect next? “T have a Christmas tune coming out, Dean Martin.” Next thing I know, she starts crooning “It’ a marsh- mallow world in the winter...I just love it. I did exactly what I wanted to do, which is an old, old Christmas tune.”

Noticing the whirlwind of activity around us, I asked her if this was a typical example of touring. “You never get paid

Simply put, there's net a bad seng en

this CD.

Flewing beautifully frem track

te track, Steckweed has aveided the

dreaded sephemere jinx.

Add her great

veice, her wenderful tengue-in-cheek sense ef humeur, as well as her intelli- SS BO aS Me eK [| and the result is a great album. Preving that "Jerk" wasn't a fluke, she has already fellewed it up with hits such as "Yeu & Me,” and "12 Years Old." Den't miss the pepish fun ef "Puszle Girl,” er her future hit "still."

O'Cenner

for the one and a half, or two hours you’re on stage. You get paid for the eighteen hours it takes you to get there and back to another place. But it’s fun. I like the people I work with. I’m very lucky.” It’s obvious that she

isn’t making up the bit about liking the folks she works with, as I notice her get up and joke around with the band, now finished their sound-check.

Asked about what to expect from her concert that night, she replied, “You never know what’s going to happen! We do all kinds of weird covers.” And she wasn’t kidding!

The show kicked off with the homecom- ing of Tara MacLean, a talented singer- songwriter in her own right. Having toured all across North America on various bills, it was great to

see her perform on the-

Island. Clearly glad to be back, she exclaimed “Wow, it’s great to be here at Myron’s. I can re- member when I used to try to sneak in here!”

After a set that

lasted around an hour,

it was Kim Stockwood’s turn.

Charging through a set that lasted nearly two hours, she in- cluded hits from both of her albums. As for covers, those in attend- ance were fortunate to see her version of Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds,” complete with the Elvis snarl and arm waving, as well as “Purple Rain” by The Artist (Or as Kim mentioned earlier in the day, “I don’t care what anyone says, I still call him Prince!”). Judging by the rounds of liquor the crowd

bought the band, they were clearly connect- ing. Ending her set with the smash-hit

“Jerk,” she then proceeded to extend the song in order to allow a wacky routine in which she forced each of her band members tosing a few lines from an old favorite.

Numerous rounds of tequila shots, a whole lot of energy, and Kim’s

great stage presence...the end result is the best concert I’ve been to all year. END