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Iconic Canadian folksinger Valdy brings all the juice of a performer half his age to the stage. At 8 p.m. on September 7 at the Sechelt Pavilion, local fans will settle in to hear this master weave his nuanced tales of life, love and battles won and lost, in spoken word and song.
Ever since the gentle humour of his 1968 breakthrough hit, Play Me a Rock and Roll Song, first captured listeners’ hearts, Paul-Valdemar Horsdal – known simply as ‘Valdy’ – has been a staple of the national music scene. After more than 40 years and a few grey hairs, the folksinger continues a grueling touring schedule, taking his music across country and as far afield as New Zealand and Denmark. With 18 albums (four of them gold) and 24 singles to his credit, Valdy has also picked up two Juno awards (seven nominations), SOCAN’s 2005 National Achievement Award, the 1971 RPM Gold Leaf Award for ‘Folk Singer of the Year’, the Order of Canada and a performance on The Beachcombers during his life journey – and continues to crackle with creative energy.
A recent Globe and Mail review notes that “in concert, Valdy remains a musical odyssey of poignant metaphors. Real life stories are delivered from the wise perspective of an old soul with earthy, practical values, dowsed in an aura of ease, wit and good old-fashioned fun.” Those hoping for a recap of Play Me a Rock’n’Roll Song, a humourous rendition of an amiable story-teller facing a decidedly hostile audience at British Columbia’s first officially-sanctioned rock festival, will also enjoy selections from his albums, including 2012’s Read Between the Lines.
Tickets ($25) are now on sale at Strait Music in Sechelt, MELOmania in Roberts Creek, and Gaia’s Fair Trade in Gibsons.
