Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 32

The Edmonton Journal, Thursday, March 4, 1999 owaira needn't womrys aft ireaDDy is happening Canadian (and former Scot) makes his mark on world Preview Sandra Sperounes Journal Musk Writer Edmonton "In the last two years, I got to play in Israel, Bosnia, and Egypt, in the Sinai Desert It was for a United Nations tour and it was flat-out surreal The odd time I'll think back on it and I really have to remind myself if it really happened or not. Lawrence Gowan Gowan Where Tonight 9 p.m. When: Urban Lounge, 8111-105 St Tidrets: $12.50 at the club or Tcketmaster. Discography: Gowan (1982), Strange Awna(1985), Great Dirty World (1987), Lost Brotherhood (1 990), But You Can Cat Me Larry (1993), The Good Catches Up (1995), Gowan au Quebec (1997), Best Of (1997) The Canadian Press Lawrence Gowan heads into the studio to cut a new album later this month feflffiffljUR VRIrJstffttt You can call him Larry but most rf his Canadian fans still call him Gowan. In the U.K., they call him LaWrence and play up the fact he was born in Glasgow, Scotland even though he changed continents a year later.

After eight albums and more than a decade of fame in Canada, Gowan has found a following across the pond, thanks in part to his song, Healing Waters. It caught the ear of Princess Diana's brother, the Earl of Spencer, who asked Gowan to perform it on BBC television for the opening of her memorial last year He gained even more notoriety after the concert, when he led a singalong at the Eari's estate. That incident earned him the headline "Cheeky Scot gets the Earl to sing!" in the UK's most popular tabloid, The Sun. -I was totally honoured to be involved in it," the Toronto-based musician says. "They invited me to the house and I played the piano.

And because the Earl of Spencer got up to sing, they released it to the press. Except the papers called me Scottish. "I was born in Glasgow, so it does count But believe me, when I'm in Scotland, they laugh about the Scottish guy who doesn't speak with a Scottish accent" Even more funny was the documentary Gowan did for a Scottish TV station. The producers took him back to his old home and then asked him what he remembered about his one year in Glasgow. "Not a thing," he responded.

Gowan chuckles at the memory "There was this big tattooed guy hanging out of the window and he burst out laughing, 'I don't remember you Gowan's now back home in the colonies, finishing up the last leg of a solo tour in which he performs stripped-down versions of hits such 1995's The Good Catches Up Despite his long sabbatical from recording, he's not eager to get off the road. For Gowan, touring is a treat "In the last two years, I got to play in Israel, Bosnia, and Egypt in the Sinai Desert," he says. The last location still has him in a state of disbelief. "It was for a United Nations tour and it was flat-out surreaL The odd time I'll think back on it and I really have to remind myself if it really happened or not" he says. Touring has also helped Gowan test out the new songs he hopes to put on his upcoming album.

In some cases, he's altered the tempos of his new tunes. "Very often, something that feels right in a certain mood when you play it alone can sometimes be immediately altered when you're playing in front of an audience," he explains. "It's almost like having a conversation, where you pick up the tempo of the conversation from the person you're having it with. And in the solo shows, I'm allowed so much leeway to experiment on the spot with what feels right for that room and that moment." Having said that, Gowan still isn't sure what direction his album will take. He's still pondering what instruments to use and whether to try singing a few more French tunes.

If he does, he might have to add another country to his touring itinerary as Strange Animal, A Criminal Mind, Moonlight Desires and AU the Lovers in The World. During most of the '80s Gowan toured with a band, but about five years ago he caught the solo bug by accident He was asked to perform for a live Toronto radio program but his band wasn't available, so he decided to go it alone "Although there was a massive crowd, I just seemed to connect immediately with them and I had this certain sense of musical accomplishment when I came off stage that is different from when I play with the band," he says. "When I play with the band, I'm more impressed with what they're doing than having to look at my own input" In 1996, he toured Quebec and released a live solo disc in 1997, Gowan Au Quebec, which included two French songs, Pour un Instant and Stephanie. Last year, he performed 140 dates across Canada and the U.K. the majority with just his piano, some with string quartets, a few with his band.

"These different ways of approaching the music on tour keep things very, very fresh and keep me from getting too relaxed with what I do," he says. On March 15, Gowan will head into the studio to record his next album. It will be his first studio project since "Magical" The Guardian London MSB tlGold Medal Dfc35 Interactive theatre the whole family will love. Tickets for as little as $6 plus afnqr hi (Ham winner at the I Oth annual Chopin Piano Competition performing Tchaikovsky's Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra Op. 56 in Major.

CALL WtNSPEAR CENTRE 428-1414 CALL VWCPEM CENTRE 428-1414 mm Stewart's old heartbreak ballads might be a little more real this time Knight-Rtdder Hackensack, N.J. theydo." In the meantime, Stewart will be throwing himself into his work. After touring for the first time in three years last summer in support of his latest album When We Were the Boys, he's back on the road for the second leg of that tour. Stewart says he'll probably be a bit "lonely" without Hunter as he travels to the 40-plus dates in the United States and Canada. He feels that the time on his own will be good, "a growing period" he says, personally and professionally On the latter front, Stewart has slightly revamped the band that is accompanying him.

Back for a second tour of duty are Carmine Rojas (bass and bandleader), Chuck Kentis (keyboards and vocals), David Palmer (drums), and Jimmy Roberts (saxophone), as well as backing vocalists Lamont Van Hook, Fred White and Dee Harvey New to the group are guitarists Paul Warren and Don Kirkpatrick and multi-instrumentalist J' Anna Jacoby, the first female member of a Rod Stewart band. "She adds a new dimension to the group," says Stewart referring to Jacoby, a triple instrumental threat on violin, mandolin, and dulcimer, and an additional voice for the group. "I really loved the 'unplugged' stuff I had done on a previous tour, and her instrumental talents and vocals will allow us to do more of that this time around." Know that Rod Stewart, ever the consummate professional, will give his all when it comes time onstage to sing Reason to Believe and Have I Told Yqu Lately. $ut also know that deep inside, he'll be struggling with those signature ballads. think it's going to be real difficult to sing the ballads," says Stewart, on the phone from California, shortly before kicking off his current tour, which visits the Skyreach Centre May 2.

lot of the lyrics in those songs ring home a little bit more true than they did in the past" The reason: two months ago, Stewart's wife, Rachel Hunter, left him. And that has left the fabled womanizer who reportedly enjoyed his first monogamous relationship with the 29-year-old supermodel brokenhearted for the first time in his 54 years. "It's been hard," says Stewart, quickly adding that he is still hopeful for a reconciliation with Hunter; with whom he had two children, Renee, 6, and Liam, 4. "I don't believe all is lost; there are still a few lifeboats left on the boat '-'It's a bit of a cliche, but Rachel just needs her space. And I'm willing to give to her.

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Book now and save 13 off on a package that includes airfare, hotel and skiing. Call your Travel Agent, or call Western Escapes at 1-800-641-6140. Air, 4 Nights Hotel and a 3-day ski pass from 3 What's On 1999 EDMONTON BOAT SPORTSMEN'S SHOW This year's show will be the biggest ever with more than 150 new exhibitors. Returning favourites include the Subaru Climbing Wall, Kids Fishing Hole and Outdoor Life Network Seminar Theatre. In addition to products and services, there Will be demonstrations, seminars and entertainment.

One of the major new attractions is a virtual fishing tournament with daily prizes. When; Today and Friday, 12-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 ja.rn.-5 p.m. Where: Northlands Agricom. ytamfesfon: Family $18.50 (two adults, two juniors); adult senior junior RUSSIAN MASTERPIECES The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra with special guest Dang Thai So, piano. Music by Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky.

When: Today, 8 p.m. Where: Winspear Centre. Tickets: student and Isenlor. Call 428-1414. CONGO SONO The Unconscious Collective presents a tlay written by Nicole Zytstra, inspired by a novel by Stuart Cloete.

It's set deep in the mysterious Congo. There, an eccentric group of European scientists and spies pursue their dangerous personal agendas. When: Opens tonight at 8. Runt until March 14. Where: Varscona Theatre, 10329 83rd Ave.

VcketK 988-4810. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Sherard Musical Theatre presents this musical tale about the lives of Impoverished Jews in Czanst Russia. You will laugh, cry and tap your toss at the Story of Tevye the dairy man and his family, Directed by Richard Wlnnick. When: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Where: Festival Place, 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park.

7fcfs; Adult $13.25, student and senior $8.50. Tickets available at TIcketMaster outlets, 449-FEST, sgency fee In affect Thlt It a tehctton ofeventt For complete lafaQ, consult Friday What On aec tkm. mm i i (11 WD a nmnt I WIIISTLERI HIGHER OROUNO Rick -J Al CANADA alrBC Bronson Call 1-800-899-91 36 to book a comic TICKETS SALE K23f! Ultclton ofhottliivitliblt. him quottd inptrpmon bsudortdoublt occuptneu All uxtt x(tt. Vtokind trtvtmmlumt pply, AtfporttrnMfntonafrom v'irdbrtnvtuntfAprtiO, 1999,.