KURT SWINGHAMMER & MAURY LAFOY (THE COCKTAIL TWINS)
@ SOGROVE CONCERT SERIES, TORONTO
APRIL 30, 2025
Multi-disciplinary artist Kurt Swinghammer, and collaborator Maury LaFoy, recently presented Swinghammer’s 2011 album Turpentine Wind in its entirety at the SoGrove concert series in Toronto. In this intimate concert space, the pair gave an excellent performance, with Swinghammer on guitars, vocals, and harmonica, and LaFoy on bass, keys, and percussion, presenting a work that had been originally recorded with a full band.
Addressing the audience at the top of the show, Swinghammer introduced the concept of Turpentine Wind, and how it was inspired by the life and work of Canadian painter Tom Thomson. Taking on his subject matter as a transparency of his own life and Thomson’s life together, Swinghammer and company produced a wonderful album, with songs that were historical, personal, and artful.
It is always interesting to witness an artist revisiting previously-released music. The original work is a moment in time, and much may have changed in the intervening years. The artist, and the circumstances in which the music was created have changed, not to mention the changes in the broader world. With all that said, this music has held up well.
PURCHASE TURPENTINE WIND VIA BANDCAMP
Swinghammer and LaFoy presented the album’s songs in order, often doing double- and triple-duty with their voices, their instruments, and a multitude of effects pedals, electronic percussion, and sampled sounds. The songs were laid out in groupings that matched the four seasons, against the backdrop of Thomson’s (and Swinghammer’s) life and experiences. This is a winning structure that brings the listener along on the journey, both on the album and in the live setting.
It was a rare treat to hear these songs performed live. Things kicked off with the opening thunder crash and steady drum beat of “Owen Sound”, with Swinghammer in fine voice, teasing out flowing passages from his Stratocaster, while LaFoy (the ideal multi-instrumentalist collaborator) provided stunning bass, and harmony vocals. The pair led us through Turpentine Wind with many highlights, such as Maury LaFoy’s bass intro to “Illustrating Man”, and his piano interplay with Swinghammer’s guitar work on “Evergreen”. Ever the electronic gear proponent, Swinghammer was impressive with his use of electric harmonica through a Moog analog delay, and his guitar work with the EBow, in addition to employing many other tools and textures.
In all, it was an excellent set, adapted well to a two-person format. I regret not having heard Turpentine Wind until recently, but am buoyed by having witnessed it live, and highly recommend this album. Speaking after the show, Swinghammer mentioned that, while there are no plans for other performances of Turpentine Wind, he does hope to present other works from his back catalogue.
Interested fans are encouraged to check out the SoGrove concert series: https://www.instagram.com/sogrovetoronto?igsh=b2lkOGVncmwydm5y
(Photography by Evan Cameron)
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Photo Credits: Evan Cameron
