READY TO SAY FAREWELL
A CONVERSATION WITH SAXOPHONIST PAT CAREY OF THE DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND
In 1969, brothers Donnie βMr. Downchildβ Walsh and Richard βHockβ Walsh formed the Downchild Blues Band. In 1972, they released their debut album, Bootleg, which did very well. In 1973, the band took the Big Joe Turner song βFlip, Flop And Flyβ into the Canadian top 40.
The Downchild Blues Band would go on to record a multitude of albums and perform for 55 years.
βI joined the band in June 1985,β Pat Carey told me recently during our chat on the telephone. βMy first gig with the band was the Welland Hotel. The first album I recorded with the band was Itβs Been So Long, and we toured for three months.β
Over the years, touring has been front and centre for the Downchild Blues Band. Currently they are on their 55th Anniversary Tour, and it is also their farewell tour. Donnie Walsh, who has remained with the band over the years, is pulling the plug and they are saying farewell to their fans the best way they know how: with an extensive Canadian tour.
While touring is a staple of any band, Downchild Blues Band really paid their dues and gained a reputation as a fantastic live band. Having seen the band several times over the years, they never fail to provide an energetic and exciting show.
According to Carey, when he joined the band, members who were in the band in the early days talked about those touring experiences. βMembers who had been there in the β70s commented that three months was nothing. They told me βwe used to do the entire year, two weeks off at Christmas.β They used to say, βwhy did we even rent an apartment in Toronto?ββ
Toronto was home for the band. Carey had to move from Winnipeg, where he was well known and an established musician, to Toronto. βI was 25 when I joined the band,β Carey said. βAnd moving to Toronto was a big deal.β
Although the Downchild Blues Band was known for their live performances and dedication to the traditional blues, they were equally well known for their studio recordings. They actually brought their distinct sound to radio at a time when pop, glam, progressive rock were ruling the airwaves. Surprisingly, they never recorded live in the studio. βWe never did an album where we sent in tracks. Up to our last album we were in the studio together, but we never recorded live on the floor. We would do the rhythm section first, and the singer and I would do ghost tracks to plan the song. Those would be replaced later and do other overdubs.β
Now, the band is ready to say farewell, although Carey is quick to point out, βI am not retiring, the band is just ending, but all of us have work right after the tour is over.β And for Carey, the tour is bittersweet. βI try not to think about it, because I know it will be hard performing for the last time with these guys.β
And for Carey, there have been several highlights, such as when the band celebrated their 50th anniversary with a show at the Toronto Jazz Festival. The 2019 concert was recorded and released as an album in 2020. βThat was a great show: Dan Aykroyd, David Wilcox, Kenny Neal and Gene Taylor.β When asked if concerts from this tour will be recorded and released, Carey laughed, βI canβt comment on the live album.β
Although it is bittersweet, Carey is sure that the time has come to bring this chapter to a close. βWe did some dates out west, and one thing is for sure, I am not 25 anymore.β Carey still enjoys the thrill of performing to a crowd that, in some instances, grew up with the band.
βThis tour, we are doing the songs fans want to hear and a few deep cuts. It is so great seeing people enjoying the songs. We are aware that we have been a part of these peopleβs lives for a long time. We never take that for granted.β
And when all is said and done, although he has many memories playing with the Downchild Blues Band for 40 years, for Carey, he will always remember one aspect of his time with the band. βPeople enjoying the music and the shows.β
Tour Dates
02/11/24 Imperial Theatre*** Sarnia, ON
13/11/24 Hugh’s Room Live** Toronto, ON
20/11/24 NAC β Babs Asper Theatre** Ottawa, ON
21/11/24 The Port Theatre** Cornwall, ON
22/11/24 The Regent Theatre** Picton, ON
28/11/24 The Studio** Hamilton, ON
29/11/24 Aeolian Hall** London, ON
** With Special Guest Jeff Rogers
*** With Special Guest Suzie Vinnick
ArtistΒ Links
