Presenting "jam rock with a songwriter's sensibility", Sean Cotton will be performing at the Take Note! Music House on Saturday, February 8 at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30). Tickets are $15, and you may call (705) 305-1687 or email concerts@takenotepromotion.com to reserve your seat. Directions will be given upon reservation, but we're located close to downtown Orillia, just west of the Opera House and north of the hospital.
Accessibility-wise, there is one step in throughout the side door, or a ridge through the back sliding door, and there is a main-floor washroom, although not big enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Allergy-wise, we're pet-less, although do occasionally have some dogs coming for a visit, and we're tree-hugging organic types who are notoriously lousy housekeepers, so those with chemical sensitivities need to worry about our use of harsh cleaning agents. :) (A reminder, as always, to please refrain from wearing scents, as it will be close quarters and some of our "regulars" do have sensitivities.)
As Sean has been living in Muskoka for the last little while, some of you may already be familiar with his music, but if you'd like a taste of what to expect from his solo act, there's a video online at http://www.tvcogeco.com/huntsville-gravenhurst/gallery/shows/6725-the-griffin-sessions/83885-sean-cotton-1 which we think you'll enjoy. He's also recently started TreeRing Records (http://treeringrecords.com) with Michele Bateman, who many will remember as the former Artistic Director of the Orillia Folk Society.
Sean Cotton (www.treeringrecords.com)
"Sean Cotton's fingers do cartwheels, round-offs, spinning kicks and pirouettes with the strings, and he sings 'as if his finger work were no distraction to him at all." - TJ Dawe, Vancouver
"acoustic guitar wizard" - Andy Frank, Roots Music Canada
As a musician Sean Cotton has been the straight guy; the co-star; the character actor. For 16 years the international touring folk duo THE UNDESIRABLES had been his main creative outlet. Over those years he co-wrote, sidelined with and sidemanned for many very talented front men and women, including Corin Raymond (the Canadian Tire Money Guy), Suzie McNeil (Rockstar INXS contestant turned Canadian Pop Star/TV personality), Treasa Levasseur (Blues Juno nominee/Maple Blues award winner), and Marshall Dane (New Country rising star). Finally, he is taking on the spotlight' the leading man role.
He performs seated, as though at the helm of his own wooden spaceship, with both hands firmly placed at 10 & 2 on his Martin acoustic guitar. One foot on the gas pedal and one on the clutch, he stomps away at a tambourine adorned guitar case, providing his own backbeat and accompaniment. This spaceship travels musically through time to where he finds the inspiration for his own songwriting. From New Orleans in the 50s to England in the New Millennium, music styles bend and blend into songs that reflect Cotton's creative state of mind.
He has been compared to VAN MORRISON, which he graciously accepts. Toronto music journalist GARY 17 wrote that Sean Cotton is 'a star attraction in his own right." While another wrote, ''his incredible guitar riffs and impressive vocals are spot on and pretty soon the crowd is under his spell.' [SAMANTHA ROSS, The Bulletin]
CCMA multiple 'Guitar Player of the Year' winner WENDELL FERGUSON recently wrote, 'I LOVE Sean Cotton. He's so multitalented. His voice and songs are so good but you don't realize he's a great guitarist too. He's got a bunch of northern songs right now that I just love.'
Sean recently released his new live recording, Sean Cotton's Wooden Spaceship, and is currently performing at concert venues and house concerts in the Muskoka/Near North region.