Dear Editor:
I attended the Sunday evening performance of Murray McLauchlan on Oct. 25; it was a delightful few hours. I was only aware he was a Canadian singer of many decades and wasn’t familiar with his songs. I expected simply to listen to one song after the other; the show was so much more.
Mr. McLauchlan could do stand-up comedy with his sardonic twist to many of the anecdotes he told prior to another of his songs. There were many occasions where the laughter of the audience was a fun aspect of the evening in response to another hilarious experience of Murray’s interesting life.
His expertise on his guitar was superb with varying strumming styles and accompaniment with a harmonica as well. Much to my surprise he also used a grand piano for numerous songs with a pleasing command of the keyboard.
He presented one of his songs for a proposed musical of his composition with his versatile voice projecting as if in the musical already – for me, a highlight of the show. Accompanied only by one other musician, Victor Bateman, playing a very stripped-down double bass with only steel structure for the strings. The two blended sounds seamlessly.
Following the show, it was gracious of Mr. McLauchlan to spend some time in the lobby to speak to some who were delighted to have his latest CD, “human writes,” signed. I was among those happy to compliment him on the show. In Canada there is a wealth of excellent singers, composers and musicians. Murray McLauchlan is indeed a treasure in our country and proved why in the show on Sunday evening.
Wendy Alden
North Vancouver
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