Submitted by Don Graham
Photo Credit Christopher Lawson
There was a buzz in Toronto’s iconic Hugh’s Room on Monday night. There is always a bit of a buzz preshow but this was a buzz of a different register. Canada’s living legend and a huge part of the fabric of Canadiana and our roots, Sylvia Tyson was in the house. The anticipation was palpable as fans and admirers eagerly awaited her arrival on stage.
Sylvia slowly made her way through the crowd to get to the stage accompanied by violin legend Scarlet Rivera ( Scarlet came to international acclaim on Bob Dylan’s Desire and Hard Rain albums, and is included on his Biograph and Bootleg Compilations. She also toured with Dylan on several live tours, including The Rolling Thunder Revue and bass player Randall.Kempf, who is coming up on 40 years of service with Sylvia.
Sylvia took the stage looking every bit the classy star that she is, in a red top, blue jeans and her trademark cowgirl boots, this pair trimmed in red. It was her birthday and the first words out of her mouth were “Doesn’t seem like 77 years!” Indeed not, and doesn’t look like 77 years either. The richness and power in her distinct voice is as vibrant as ever.