Local musicians entertain in the street

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/04/2020 (2216 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When I was growing up in England my grandparents had a bomb shelter in their garden. They were commonplace in Liverpool, as the city was bombed heavily during the Second World War because it is a major port. Nightly air raids, blackouts and food rationing were regarded as part of daily life back then, just as social distancing and lineups to get into stores are starting to seem normal now.

Television broadcasts, which were just in the early stage of development, were stopped as soon as the war broke out in case the signals guided German bombers to the major cities. I imagine that my grandmother would have spent a lot of time listening to the radio, much as I am now. While she might have been listening to Vera Lynn, I’ve been introduced to John Prine’s wonderful songs; on April 7 he died of COVID-19 and CBC Radio has been playing his music often in tribute to his songwriting skill.

I am really enjoying many of CBC’s programs and have gained an appreciation for the intimacy of radio. It sometimes feels like I’m sharing my home with friends but… you can have too much of a good thing.

The notes of a brass instrument recently drew me away from the radio and out of the house. Ann-Marie Williot was playing the accordion and singing French songs from her new album, accompanied by her partner Ian Cherry on the trombone. The two were walking around their West End neighbourhood playing outside the homes of friends and neighbours.

It was thrilling to hear live music, as nowadays so much is happening online. On April 19, Williot celebrated the release of her new album, Cheval Géant, live on Facebook after her planned album-release party at the West End Cultural Centre had to be postponed. It would have been some party, as she was going to be accompanied on stage by an eight-piece band composed of all the musicians who had collaborated on the album.

You can purchase a digital copy of Cheval Géant by going to annemariewilliot.bandcamp.com  
If you would like to buy a physical copy, you can email Williot at annemariewilliotmusic@gmail.com

When the weather gets warmer you will probably come across the two musicians spreading joy through music in their version of Italy’s balcony concerts.

Anne Hawe is a community correspondent for the West End. She can be reached at annie_hawe@hotmail.com