Like a man with a TV remote, it’s sometimes not about what’s on but about what else is on. Last night I was like a musical sailor on shore leave. Not that I was trying to set records but these are the stats: 9 bands in 6 clubs in 4 hours. I focused on College St. last night hitting the Elmocambo (affectionately known as the Elmo), the Savannah Room, Rancho Relaxo, the Silver Dollar, and Sneaky Dees. I had started the evening on Queen at the Rivoli again. The bands/musicians I saw are as follows: Lily Frost, Dearly Beloved, LAPKO, Nick Perreault. Amy Seeley, America’s Sweetheart, Ox, Harmonica, and United Steel Workers of Montreal. All of the afore-mentioned were good in some way. ++++++++++++++++++++ The highlights of the night however were these: Lily Frost, Harmonica, and United Steel Workers of Montreal. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Lily has star written all over her. A great voice – and there seems to be no shortage of good female singers at this fest (or in Toronto for that matter) – with a terrific stage presence. Her songs are all over the place stylistically, but everything she does works. Have a listen to her here: http://www.lilyfrost.com/music.html +++++++++++++++ Harmonica are from Norway. Fronted by three blond women, they sound like a cross between the Go Gos and Abba (if Abba didn’t take themselves so seriously). They play very high energy FUN music with interesting arrangements and slightly mangled English lyrics. Always dance-able, I could have listened to another full set from them. You can find them here: http://www.harmonica.no/ They will be playing again tonight (Sat.) at the Rivoli at – yikes – 2:15 AM. Tonight we also “spring forward” so I guess it is more like 3:15 AM. Enjoy for those of you still partying! +++++++++++++++++++++++The United Steel Workers of Montreal are a roots/bluegrass-y sort of band with six members none of whom is a drummer. Can’t say I miss the drums however. They play great original songs with various members taking lead vocal duties. They too play the Riv again tonight, just before Harmonica at 1:30 AM. http://www.uswm.ca/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Although the Rivoli seems like the place to be in the wee hours, tonight I plan to go to the Mod Club to see Serena Ryder and the Trews. After that who knows… Enjoy the last night of CMW 2007!