TIM SWADDLING

Friday, June 14th 2024 found a packed room for the return of $2 Bill at Phog Lounge in downtown Windsor. The Tipsy Two were also on the bill, following up their performance at the previous Tim show at Phog on May 11. 

Tim opened the show with band members Billy Bee on bass and lead guitarist Grady Caplin, who switched to pedal steel guitar for this show. The 8 song setlist consisted of 5 songs never performed before by Tim. The first of which was the traditional Trouble In Mind, which was based in large part of the legendary rendition of it by Bob Wills. A deep nugget from the catalog of the prolific songwriter Carson J Robison was next, Someday You Gotta Make Up Your Mind, a country & western side cut for MGM in 1947. The band switched gears for a take on Charlie Rich's funky R&B influenced 1965 country hit Mohair Sam. A radical left turn followed that with a version of a late period Leonard Cohen classic, Darkness. The set ended with a version of the traditional folk song The Cuckoo that incorporated a number of different lyrics from variations of the song throughout it's extensive and long history.

Also played in the show were two songs from Manifests, Real Gone and Rollin' On, and, for the second time ever, Darling Corey, a traditional folk / bluegrass tune that is closely associated with Bill Monroe, Tim's grandmother's favourite performer. Darling Corey had only previously ever been performed at the December 18, 2022 Spinnin' Stories Record Pop Up Show at Chapter Two Brewing. 

The full setlist for the show can be found by clicking here.

A whompin' good time was had last night at Phog Lounge as Tim and the band returned to the stage for their first live performance in over 8 months. Also featured at the show was the first ever live performance in Windsor by roots banjo player Lotus Wight and Windsor's own rockabilly roots duo The Tipsy Two. A capacity crowd was engaged the whole night long by the diverse acts.

Tim played his longest Phog show to date, fourteen songs in length. Seven songs were songs under consideration for the next record, five songs from Manifests and two Bob Dylan covers (Down Along The Cove from 1968's John Wesley Harding album, and Million Miles from 1997's Time Out Of Mind album) for the bard's 83rd birthday later this month. Of the seven songs being considered for the next album, three of them made their live debut at the show: Price You Gotta Pay, Knows I Know and The Riverside. 

Down Along The Cove was a live debut performance for Tim. Million Miles was performed for the fifth time overall by Tim, the first since October 4, 2019 in Leamington and the first performance of the song with a full band. The October 2019 Leamington show has been added to the setlist archives page.

Two Manifests songs, The C&O Don't Stop Here Anymore and The Devil's Tail, were performed in new arrangements with many new lyrics. This arrangement of C&O was performed live with the band for the first time, the two previous performances of this arrangement were done as a duo and solo performances.

Midnight Trail, a song recorded in a few different arrangements for Manifests but not released on the album, was performed in an all new arrangement with new lyrics. It was the fifth performance of the song overall, first since January 23 2023 in Cottom, Ontario.

 

A very special show was held at a packed Phog Lounge as $2 Bill played Windsor for the first time in almost 20 years. The show also featured Windsor music legend Lonesome Lefty performing a set of songs prior to the $2 Bill set. 

Tim Swaddling opened the show with backing from two of his usual band members, Grady Caplin on lead guitar and Billy Bee MacKenzie on bass. Setlist highlights included mixing in some covers. Among them was a first ever performance for Tim of The Harlem Hamfats' “Root Hog Or Die”. Tim also performed a cover of The Mississippi Shieks' “Blood In My Eyes” for just the second time ever and the first since April 28th, 2018 at Taloola Cafe (click this link for that setlist).

Tim, Grady and Bill then backed Lonesome Lefty for a six song setlist of his favourites, including a very rare outing of a cover of Good Deal Lucille. Kenneth MacLeod joined in on fiddle and backing vocals.

$2 Bill started his portion of the show with a solo performance on the banjo, playing and singing the Big Slim song “Sunny Side Of The Mountain”. Bill was then joined by Tim, Grady, Bill, Lefty and Kenneth for 24 songs over two sets and three encores. Lefty took several lead vocals on some songs (including a very rare outing of the lyrics to Ward Allen's Canadian classic fiddle anthem “Maple Sugar”). Tim took a lead vocal on the jazz standard "Nagasaki". 

Read the complete setlist by clicking here.

The Kingsville Music Society held a Double Album Feature show at the Grovedale in Kingsville, Ontario. Fresh Breath released an all new full length album on CD and Tim's Manifests was featured in his hometown for the first time. 

Tim was accompanied by Grady Caplin playing electric lead guitar and pedal steel guitar for some unique stripped down takes on some of the Manifests songs as well as newer Tim material featured recently in setlists with the full band. Making rare outings in the setlist on this night were two Manifests songs, Little Timmy and, in an entirely new arrangement with some new lyrics, The C&O Don't Stop Here Anymore. 

Grady also put on a show of his own during Rollin' On by switching between both the pedal steel guitar and electric guitar to trade lead licks with himself to the great amusement of the audience.

Read the complete setlist by clicking here.

The Kingsville Music Society Presents:
Album Launch Party ft. Fresh Breath wsg Tim Swaddling & his Band
 

Press Release from the Kingsville Music Society:

DOUBLE ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Join us for an unforgettable night of rock and folk vibes as we celebrate the much-anticipated double album release of Fresh Breath and Tim Swaddling!

Fresh Breath - Josh & Katie Pascoe, the dynamic husband and wife rock duo, bring their electrifying sound influenced by legends like Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette. Named finalists in three categories at the International Singer Songwriter Association Awards, they've been rocking stages across Canada. Don't miss the chance to catch them before they head back to Texas for a winter tour on South Padre Island!

Tim Swaddling - Hailing from Kingsville, Ontario, Tim Swaddling is a third-generation musician whose soulful tunes have been compared to a young electric era Bob Dylan. Armed with an old typewriter and the same guitar his grandmother played in 1932, Tim's music is a nostalgic journey through time and emotion.

 Live Performances, Good Vibes, and More!

Experience an evening filled with soul-stirring performances, good company, and the joy of music. Get ready to groove, sway, and celebrate the release of these incredible artists' latest works.

 Ticket Details:

General Admission: $30

Tickets available at https://kingsvillemusicsociety.tickit.ca/events/21181

 Spread the Word:
Invite your friends, family, and fellow music enthusiasts! Let's make this album release party a night to remember.

The Canada South Blues Society held the finals for the “Memphis Challenge” event today at the Lion's Head Tavern in Windsor. Tim was asked to fill in as an opener for the event after an illness caused another band to have to cancel the night prior. Tim brought along the full band to perform a six song set.

Read the complete setlist by clicking here.