This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, October 2004 Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5) Gentleman Reg (Reginald Vermue) is also known as a member of The Hidden Cameras and occasional guest with Broken Social Scene.  Darby & Joan is his third album, and it’s amazing.  Sounding like a cross between Rufus Wainwright and Belle & Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch, Reg’s voice is odd but pleasant. The opening track, “Bundle,” gets the listener into the album right away.  Reg’s voice immediately stands… Read More »Gentleman Reg – Darby & Joan

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, October 2004 Songs of sadness, songs of love, and a soundtrack for a life.  Elliott Smith’s songs seem to be the soundtrack that has helped thousands of listeners get through a rough part of their lives.  A discussion of Smith’s music doesn’t tend to involve musicianship, vocal ability, songwriting or even individual songs.  It’s the memories associated with it that matters.  Smith leaves behind a general feeling of comfort and warmth that… Read More »A Fond Farewell To A Friend

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004 Rating: ★★★ (3.0/5) Everyone has heard William Shatner’s rendition of The Beatles’ classic “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.”  There are many who wish they never had.  Montreal-born William Shatner is not a singer and admits this whole-heartedly.  Has Been, Shatner’s first album since 1968’s Transformed Man, consists of spoken word-over-music produced by Shatner’s friend Ben Folds, with help from a few other stars such as Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson… Read More »William Shatner – Has Been

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004 Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Liz Phair, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Pavement, Neko Case, Guided By Voices, Khan, Spoon and Mogwai.  What do all these artists have in common?  At one point or another they were part of the Matador catalogue.  But this list only scratches the surface of Matador’s history.  Though now partially owned by Beggars Group, Matador is running independently and releasing incredible music.… Read More »The Indie’s Turn – Matador

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004 Rating: ★★★★ (4.0/5) Peter Elkas’ debut record, Party Of One, is simply beautiful.  Elkas has spent the better part of the past year making his way through Canada on numerous occasions, touring in support of such acts as Sloan, Joel Plaskett, The Superfriendz and Jet.  After releasing six of the album’s ten songs as an EP with the same title, Elkas gained the attention of Maple Music, who are now… Read More »Peter Elkas – Party of One

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004 The Moment: “Mull of Kintyre” is performed by Paul McCartney. Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 13, 2002. I feel the excitement mounting as I eat dinner with friends and talk about the upcoming show.  Seeing Paul McCartney live is an amazing thing that I have been hoping to do for a very long time.  To whoever it was that booked this tour, I am very thankful.  McCartney is… Read More »Been There! – McCartney at Air Canada Centre

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. I really didn’t like this record when it first came out. Since then it’s grown on me. I still wouldn’t put it as a favourite, but I might give it three stars now instead of two. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, September 2004 Rating: ★★ (2.0/5) Perhaps the best thing I can say about A Girl Called Eddy is that the cover art is great.  Picking up the album, I was greeted by what looked like a… Read More »A Girl Called Eddy

This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive. By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, August 2004 Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) …It’s Smoke Time is a collection of the complete works of The Smoke. I found this one day when I had earned enough points to get a free CD from a record store. I’d say it was worth the price. The material found on this album was recorded between the years 1965 and 1972, with most of the songs being bonus tracks. “My Friend Jack” and “High… Read More »The Smoke – …It’s Smoke Time