8/7/2019 John Mays

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Considering he sang gospelin the 40s, doo-wop on streetcorners in New York in the50s, soul in the 60s and unkin the 70s, it seems incred-ulous that John Mays neverentertained the idea o cuttinga solo album.

Not until Andrew Galloway,the head o orontos Electro-Fi label, proposed it to himlast year.

I was pleased to be askedand wanted to give it mybest shot, Mays tells me. Iappreciated the musical sup-

port romm y b a n dmates (inFathead).I enjoyedhaving(keyboardaces) Lance

Andersonand Denis

Keldieo n b o a r d

as well, and I enjoyed (pro-ducer) Alec Frasers insightsand ideas on the project.

Galloway says always thegent, John deects most o thecredit to others but trust me,this album is what it is due tothat super soulul voice o his.

his isnt mere hype romthe head o a record labellooking to sell units.

I Found a Love is the title o

the disc and its obvious Maysbreathes classic soul, gospeland blues. You dont have tobe a an o those styles to beimpressed by the power andsincerity in his voice. Heresa singer who doesnt need to

resort to bluster or vocal histri-onics he just gets gritty withit with the help o an A-list olocal blues musicians.

L i s t e n t o t h e g o s p e l -inected title track or his ver-sion o99 and a Halfand itbecomes clear why Mays has

won the Maple Blues malevocalist o the year award awhopping six times. Dontmiss Mays when he celebrateshis 70th birthday and thealbums release at the SilverDollar Saturday.

Galloway says once Maysagreed to go into the studio, heand guitarist eddy Leonard

presented him with nearly 100songs they elt hed do justice.

H e l o v e d g e t t i n g t h echance to sort through a longlist o gospel gems and lostR&B treasures that we com-piled with his voice in mind,Galloway says. You pick emand Ill sing em was Johnsmotto.

Mays, who was born inDawson, Ga., in 1941 and sayshe hails rom church-goingpeople, discovered his love o

music singing gospel in south-ern churches as a child.At the age o 15, I became

a big an o the emerging doo-wop vocal group scene and Isang harmony on New Yorkstreet corners, he says, adding

as a member o Te Jive ones,he cut a 45 rpm recording orthe historic ABC-Paramountlabel in the late 50s.

In the 60s, I was singingboth R&B and gospel, Maysadds. I became a member oTe Christian Soldiers and wetoured the South extensivelyand recorded in 1967 or DonRobeys (legendary) Peacocklabel (in exas). And aterreturning home to Roches-ter in the late 60s, I ormed asoul band called Te DynamicInsiders and we opened orJames Brown in 1970 and 71.

John Mays is a true south-ern soul man, and his musicis as deep and t rue as it gets,Galloway says.NOTE: John Mays 70th

birthday bash and CD releaseparty happens at the SilverDollar Saturday. 7 p.m. $20.486 Spadina Ave. You can buy

the album at electrof.com

The Toronto Sunn Friday, april 22, 201150 SHOWBIZ

6435 Dixie Rd.,Mississauga

(905) 670-0635

Hot Buffet 7:30-9:30 p.m.

DOOR PRIZES

Dress Code In Effect

$15 per person (tax incl.)

15 er erson (tax incl.)

Easter Dance

April 22, 7:30pm - 1am

CAPITOLBANQUET CENTRE

THE PLACE TO BE FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Intimate 1500-Seat TheatreState-of-the-Art Sound

SINBAD

Friday, May 6 & Saturday, May 7

Showtime: 9PM

Tickets start at $25

On Comedy Centrals list of the greatest stand-up

comedians of all time, Sinbad takes the stage with his

unique humour for a night of comedy and laughs at

Fallsview Casino Resort.

DIRECT FROM NASHVILLE

HOT NEW COUNTRY TOURPEARL HEART & MIKELLE

May 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 29, 30 & June 1 Showtime: 3PMMay 19 Showtime: 8:30PM ~ May 20 & 21 Showtime: 9PM

Tickets start at $20

Two great acts,one amazing concert! Dont miss your opportunity to experience Pearl Heartand Mikelle before the rest of the world discovers their amazing talents. Pearl Heart is atrio of sisters with incredible voices and beautifully blended harmonies.You may have seen

Mikelle in such production shows as Dancing Queen, Spirit of Christmasand more. Now,see her live, performing songs from her solo career! This is a show not to be missed!

DON FELDERAN EVENING AT THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA

Thursday, May 12 Showtime: 8:30PMFriday, May 13 & Saturday, May 14 Showtime: 9PM

Tickets start at $25

Formerly of the Eagles and co-writer of the legendary hit, Hotel California,Don Felder takes the stage to perform such hits as: Hotel California, TequilaSunrise, Peaceful Easy Feeling and Witchy Woman.

HERMANS HERMITS

STARRING PETER NOONE

Friday, May 27 & Saturday, May 28Showtime: 9PM

Tickets start at $25

As part of the British Invasion of the 60s, Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noonehas sold over 50 million albums. They will take the stage at Fallsview with hitssuch as:Im Henry theVIII, I am,Im into Something Good,Mrs.Brown YouveGot a Lovely Daughter and Theres a Kind of Hush (All Over the World).

At the Fallsview Casino Resort Box Office on any show day All locations (1.877.833.3110)Online at www. .ca

Niagara Falls, Ontario www.fallsviewcasinoresort.comMust be at least 19 years of age to enter the casino or attend performances at Fallsview Casino Resort.

FALLSVIEWCASINO RESORT

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

FEATURING

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nazarethRhythms N Rhymes

Tonights SupportAroest concert atthe Centre or Cultureand Arts eaturesThe ResolutionariesMarimba Band, DonnRoberts, Ruth Mathiangand Araranto. 8 p.m.$20. 918 Bathurst St.

Suzie Vinnick

celebrates the releaseo her album, Me nMabel, tomorrow atHughs Room. 8:30 p.m.$22. 2261 Dundas St. W.

Jeremy Ledbetter,Levon Ichkhanian and10 other acts perormat Alphabet Soup,a beneft or AlphaAlternative ElementarySchool, Tuesday at LulaLounge. 5:30 p.m. $10

adults/$5 kids. 1585Dundas St. W.

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john MAYS

At 70, John Mays

fnally goes it alone