trevor caswell's Blog
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A New Political Correctness
Political Correctness hangs over modern conversation and interaction like a worn, wet blanket. It stifles true sentiment and disregards culture and tradition in an attempt to whitewash all things for all people. This seems all the more apparent throughout the Holiday Season. It is a shame because in this attempt to not offend we are in fact doing the opposite: offending and being disrespectful not only to others, but to ourselves. In the true spirit of the season we should be open and accepting of each other, relishing in the vastness of our cultures, and building towards the brother and sisterhood of human kind.
There are a great many holidays and celebrations that happen throughout the world during the months from November through to February: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa being probably the most well known in the western world. Each has their own history and traditions, both formal and familial. If someone says to you "Joyous Kwanzaa" it is an honour. This person has welcomed you and wished you well with a peaceful saying from their heart. No offense meant and none should be taken. The same for "Happy Hanukkah" and "Merry Christmas": well wishes that should be accepted in the same manner they are given.
By denying any one celebration we are denying them all, we are turning our backs towards our cultural diversity and saying "my traditions might offend so best not". Traditions are important, terminologies and symbols are import, and most definitely our cultures are important and worthy of recognition and celebration. A Christmas Tree is a symbol of Christmas, a Menorah is a symbol of Hanukkah, and a Kinara is a symbol of Kwanzaa. None are offensive and coincidentally each is a candle holder which shows just how closely related we all are.
Moving forward from this year, I suggest we adopt a new form of Poltical Correctness. Not the jaded, homogenizing Political Correctness we've become used to, but a new aware and enlightened form. A form where we don't have to be afraid or cautious of using our own terms and traditions nor offended when offered someone else's. A change of thought and attitude that is open and accepting and shows respect and admiration for the ways of others as well as our own is in line with the meaning and teachings of the season and is a true gift for all. -
Kamloops Walk for Peace and the Environment
On May 2 the annual Walk for Peace and the Environment will take place in Kamloops, BC at Stewart Wood School. Music and guest speakers begin at 10am with the walk itself starting at noon.
In the spirit of the event, I've uploaded the songs The More Things Change, Revenge, Late One Night While I Was Drifting, and All Around The World and I hope you can take the time to listen to the lyrics of these songs. I've had the honour and privelege to play at this event for the last 8 years and off and on for years before that. It's a great time for the community to gather and rally around the absolutely important issues of peace and environment. A world of sustainability is a world without need, and a world without need has nothing to make war over.
We all want a peaceful, healthy society to live in, and to raise our children in- a society of equality and understanding. When you take the time to participate in these such events you are standing up and saying yes to the future, you are standing up as an advocate for the betterment of humanity.
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Maple Blues Review of Folksinger Blues
...primarily an acoustic folksinger, one who has been performing blues as encores. For his fifth release, he’s collected these blues and it’s a very impressive package, no doubt helped by his early years busking. He has a high, plaintive voice, not unlike that of Sleepy John Estes, a comparison he plays up on “Most Things Don’t Work Out” with Hammie Nixon’s harmonica and Yank Rachell’s mandolin (played by Caswell & Sean Curry) very much in evidence. He has his own songs, though, and doesn’t rely much on the common tradition for lyrics. Other songs follow a similar pattern, with Rev. Gary Davis or Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee recalled, but only recalled - Caswell has largely been successful in forging his own sound. “Devil In Disguise” has Caswell channeling Son House on his National Steel with a vocal just as powerful in his own way. “World Gone Wrong” is a traditional blues to which Caswell has added lyrics but the one cover is a surprisingly bluesy version of a Pretenders song, “How Much Did You Get For Your Soul?”. Chrissie Hynde’s song does not sound out of place here at all and is another one of the highlights. “Yukon Lizzie” is a good example of his presentation, with a spoken introduction to a lovely little song about a girl in Dawson City who loved to dance.
-John Valenteyn
Maple Blues -
Blues Underground review of Folksinger Blues
Here's the first review of the new CD by John Vermilyea of the Blues Underground Network: Performing the Blues, especially the good old Acoustic Blues, is not an easy feat. It requires, in my opinion, more of an expertise on the instruments used, usually guitar and harmonica, and for all the pieces to fall into place it requires crisp vocals and engaging lyrics. All those requirements and more are met with Trevor's Caswell's newest CD "Folksinger Blues".With "Folksinger Blues", Trevor bring his own unique style to the Blues, especially with infusing a more folksy feel to his music. It kind of reminds me of how a young Bob Dylan would sound like singing the Blues, but with much better guitar playing and a voice that is not only unique, but is also second to none.Besides Trevor's obvious talents as a musician and singer, he also displays his amazing ability to write good songs as well. In fact, he wrote 11 of the 12 songs on "Folksinger Blues" and the one he didn't write, "How Much Did You Get For Your Soul", he simply makes up for by performing it to perfection."Folksinger Blues" is poignant and honest, an album which reflects Trevor Caswell's unique ability to decode the world around him and piece it back together for the pure enjoyment of his audience.Trevor Caswell's newest offering, is surely to become an album that transcends it purpose and reaches out to a much larger audience of those that simply love good music.John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)