The Monday Morning Mailbag

A million or so people with myself included took in the Beaches Jazz Festival this past weekend, and two things stood out.

1. There is an amazing amount of great music available in this city year round, but to see so much of it concentrated into a small area over a short period of time is wonderfully overwhelming.
2. Torontonian musos do not give a horse’s patootie about a Biblical proportioned downpour if hot blues, jazz, and Latin beats are the reward for getting soaked through to the skin.

People who are devoted to anything, whether it’s music, comics, or jello wrestling, will tolerate pretty much anything to enjoy their addiction. Case in point, the daytime portions of the Beaches Jazz Festival that were inundated with enough rain to last the rest of the year.

Seriously, I haven’t been this wet fully clothed since the time I got thrown into Mary Wheeler’s swimming pool when I was 13.

That said, it was beautiful on Saturday night, and the music was fantastic. Walking down Queen Street with Vince Alexander and his friend, who has video taped the festival for the last 10 years or so, was like wandering through a musical theme park, one group fading into the next as we plowed through the crowd you see here.

Highlights for me? Rob Christian, Scott McCord, and Steve Strongman. Totally different performers, all at the top of their game and crowd favourites on the street. If you get a chance to see any of them, do yourself a favour and seek them out.

Thanks to the folks at the festival for making our visit so pleasant, Vince Alexander for his hospitality, and Jay Jackson and Jim Richards for being good company when the heavens opened up and tried to drown all of us.

Kudos also, to Lou Dawgs for their amazing smoked brisket on a bun. Unreal…

Looking forward to next year’s festival…minus the shower, squishy socks, and fish in my shoes…

Time for this week’s Mailbag…

Nikolas Santiago

From there, it spread to the city. Lazybones can always find a game to interest her. There’s never Highlight while playing my Mousekateer lust.

SEG SAYS:…and that is the most cryptic post we have ever received. The wind is in the buffalo…

=Ae=

Goood column, Mr. S. Lamps are endangered species where certain felines are involved, notably one tabby called Whiskey C. Howl, aka Wrecking Ball. A good system to adopt Bob, is to dispense with lampshades entirely. Gives the place that cinema verite look.

Meeting Martha? Looking forward to part II. I can relate after a fashion. Remember briefly meeting a twenty-something Liona Boyd after a small-venue gig. Reduced to a puddle with a single smile, I was. She positively glowed. But I was so much older then …

SEG SAYS: Cats are innocently destructive, and as such, are  the creators of the Shredded Couch, the Hairy Pillow, and the Chewed Table Leg.

Carla Lockhart

Too funny!!! Martha Reeves was so hot…

SEG SAYS: Amen to that, Carla…

Toni

Well that was really too short… but loved it! I was dealing black jack in Reno the first time a guy walked up to me, at my table, and asked me if I wanted to fuck. I said “Yes I do”. He asked me what time I got off work. I told him, “I don’t wanna fuck YOU”. He didn’t know what to say to that, and just walked away, poor guy. More stories please, Toni

SEG SAYS: Where do you keep his nads? In the freezer, or in a jar on the mantle…

Keith Fraser

Are you it wasn’t Flo of Flo and Eddie fame? I remember asking a girl if she wanted to fuck. She said sure so I unzipped my zipper. She then said, no thanks I don’t smoke.

SEG SAYS: I’m positive. Martha’s Flo was a beautiful young black woman. Flo, (Mark Volman), is pictured with me here. As you can see, Mark is not a beautiful young black woman.

Mark John Vukovich

Classic…freakin’ CLASSIC. I too loved Bonnie Fovinci and another Italian princess…just to rock your memory brother…how about Jane Biasotti..! That’s the way those Stockton girls are/were…very worldly and able to put a smuck in his place. I never heard this line personally…but I always liked for the neighborhood flasher. ”Oh look…its just like a penis,  only SMALLER…!

SEG SAYS: Jane Biasotti…mmmmmmmmmm.

Denise

Things we have learned on moving…
Wall units are amazing, great way to organize your books, cds, and hide crap you don’t have time to sort through.
Other spots to hide stuff, under the bed, the balcony.
Kitty litter box. Where to put it? wish she could just use the potty and then we could get the closet back to store more stuff.
You cannot put a 30 foot truck into a parking spot that is only 10 feet long. Learned this one trying to move in the middle of the night, middle of winter, and after 6 hours of loading our apartment, to final destination. at 5am in the morning, we honestly had lost it that time..:)

SEG SAYS: Thanks for the info, Denise. Too late to help us, but could save others some trouble.

Mark John Vukovich Bob…All this talk of food has me thinkin’ about my trip to S.F. next week. I’ll forgoe No. 9 and instead head for E’Angelos on Clement…best green tortellini around. Wish you and Pie could be here and share. Eat well my friend..!

SEG SAYS: Have some sourdough garlic bread and a glass of vino for us, Mark…

Jaimie Vernon

Bob…I tried really hard to bring back some Pink’s hot dogs and chili for you on my trip to LA in 2003. The airport wasn’t scanning for explosive liquids yet, but they decided that the chili was too risky to take over the border anyway. Sorry, man…

SEG SAYS: It’s the bloody Crossing Guards. Michael White also tried to bring some back after 911, and they confiscated my dogs and my Ne-Hi Root Beer. Hope the bastards enjoyed the free meal. Oddly enough, my lawyer managed to bring some back with him. Lawyers are magic.

Jim Chisolm

Hey Bob,

Now I’m hungry. I’ve got some capicola hanging around in the fridge. I remember Cotts Black Soda. They had a manufacturing plant in Chomedey back in the 60s. They were a large and respected local employer. I’m thinking I want some Brio Chinotto right now.

Katherine Elizabeth Stewart

We checked the place out and loved it! Great atmosphere. Had the hand cut fries. It got a bit confusing having separate bills for food and drink, but the service was friendly and prompt. Too bad Caplansky’s is moving up the street, though.

SEG SAYS: Let me know the next time you’re going. Pie and I will join you for a pint…

Toni Ambiel

OK, this made me hungry! Thinking what would I like??? I would like to go to Chez Bernard’s in Reno but they closed. I never have room for desert so think I will find a place where I can skip dinner and just get some Bananas Foster. Yum!

SEG SAYS: I haven’t thought about Bananas Foster for eons. Thanks for reminding me. For those of you who have never had the pleasure, here’s some history and a recipe, courtesy of Brennan’s in New Orleans:

BANANAS FOSTER

In the 1950’s, New Orleans was the major port of entry for bananas shipped from Central and South America. Owen Edward Brennan challenged his talented chef, Paul Blangé, to include bananas in a new culinary creation-Owen’s way of promoting the imported fruit. Simultaneously, Holiday Magazine had asked Owen to provide a new recipe to appear in a feature article on Brennan’s.

In 1951, Chef Paul created Bananas Foster. The scrumptious dessert was named for Richard Foster, who, as chairman, served with Owen on the New Orleans Crime Commission, a civic effort to clean up the French Quarter. Richard Foster, owner of the Foster Awning Company, was a frequent customer of Brennan’s and a very good friend of Owen.

Little did anyone realize that Bananas Foster would become an international favorite and is the most requested item on the restaurant’s menu. Thirty-five thousand pounds of bananas are flamed each year at Brennan’s in the preparation of its world-famous dessert.

Ingredients: – 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup banana liqueur
- 4 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:

• Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet.
• Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
• Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan.
• When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum.
• Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum.
• When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream.
• Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately.

Serves Four

Warren Cosford

Hi Bob: After Truckin’ 600,000 miles over five years recently in 47 U.S. States and 7 Cdn Provinces I vote… Ribs? Seniors in Toronto on Yonge one block south of St. Clair and Eddies on Yonge south of Hwy 7. I’ve tried them in a hundred different places but STILL nobody does them like Eddy. Steak? Palm Too in NYC 2nd and 45th. I stopped in at their supplier in Grand Island NE but they no longer sell Retail. Smith & Wolensky have the same Supplier but The Palm wins for Atmosphere. Mexican? Coyote Creek on San Bernardo in Laredo TX. Warning. Eating Mexican will never be the same again. Right Tucker?  Cajun? Landry’s in Breaux Bridge LA exit 115 on I10.
It’s A Franchise throughout The South now, but The Hometown is The Best. Chinese? New Kirin in Windsor ON. HUGE Asian Community in Windsor and you can meet them all here. Beef & Sausage Sandwiches? Donalds. Central & I55 in Chicago. The Chicago Sandwich is Everywhere. But Donald’s is The Best because it’s located Working Class. Just like The Sandwich. Cake. Jeannies. Notre Dame in Winnipeg. Elizabeth was once offered $50 for a Jeannies Cake while changing planes in Minneapolis. Montreal Smoked Meat? Malics in Windsor. Right Elliot? Two Windsor Favs? It’s one reason why we live here.

SEG SAYS: When we win the lottery, let’s put this trip together. I’ve got one I’d like to make, too…

Jeff Wieczorek

I’m a member of Audities. Just thought I’d let you know that after a few weeks of reading your column, I’m hooked. I love your words,

SEG SAYS: Thanks Jeff. Audities is a list devoted to Power Pop and it’s related tributaries, populated by fans, performers, and historians. A great list for those of you that would like to join up. Go here:

http://audities.googlepages.com/

Paula Williams

I just munched through your article on Caplansky’s and loved it.  I’d forgotten how funny you are. Remember the .50 cent peanut butter and banana sandwich Ernie and I used to eat at that tiny diner that was on the corner near The Mustache in Montreal?  Those were mighty tasty and an excellent value…Moe’s. That’s right.  I couldn’t think of the name.  I remember it being like the diner in the Saturday Night Live skit where John Belushi says “No Coke, Pepsi” and Bill Murray cooks all the Cheese Burgers.   A memory of that place that is frozen in my brain is when a few of us were there eating dinner and some druggie was mad because his friend was taking too long in the bathroom (hitting up I think).  He broke off the end of a Coke bottle and chased the guy around the diner like he was going to kill him.  I think the owner just yelled at them and they left.  As I recall we all sat there wide eyed with forks in mid-air en route to our mouths as the drama unfolded.  It was as sight I had never seen before so was quite taken aback. What a colorful place that was. Thanks for the info on your other columns.  I can’t wait to read them.Thanks for posting your foodie article on FaceBook.  I hope you won’t stop there – MORE!!!  ENCORE!!!

Happy Trails,

P.S.  Yes, I won’t believe a word you say Bob, because Everything You Know is Wrong!  (Firesign Theater)

SEG SAYS: Great to see you here, Paula! Ms. Williams was part of The Wackers rock and roll circus, and moved to Montreal with us as Ernie Earnshaw’s life support system. A wonderful lady who again resides in California. Another great reason that Facebook is a good thing. Putting you back in touch with friends that had slipped off your radar. Great story, Paula. Feel free to share some more…

Thanks to all of you who wrote and shared your stories with us. That’s why we’re here. See you all on Wednesday…

That’s enough for now. Email me at segarini@fyimusic.ca with your comments, complaints, and thoughts…and remember…don’t believe a word I say.

Bob “The Iceman” Segarini was in the bands The Family Tree, Roxy, The Wackers, The Dudes, and The Segarini Band and nominated for a Juno for production in 1978. He also hosted “Late Great Movies” on CITY TV, was a producer of Much Music, and an on-air personality on CHUM FM, Q107, SIRIUS Sat/Rad’s Iceberg 95, (now 85), and now provides content for radiothatdoesntsuck.com with RadioZombie, The Iceage, and PsychShack. Along with the love of his life, Jade (Pie) Dunlop, (who hosts and writes “I’ve Heard That Song Before” on RTDS), continues to write, make music, and record.