Jim lives on an unassuming street in the West End of St. John's, which is really the south end, but who's going to argue? He and Lillian must be well known for their hospitality because they often seem to have an occupant in the guest room. Thierry Artur from St. Pierre was staying with Jim and Lillian until he got to go home after the CD release party. We had met Thierry the other night and he seemed very shy but had warmed up by the end of the evening/morning. Vic went right into the computer/workroom and I was directed to the living room, cozy and inviting, with instruments in various places. Thierry came down from upstairs (we really had woken them up!) and started coffee in the kitchen. I followed and noticed Instruments in the kitchen, too! There was a basket FULL of whistles on one of the counters.
The workroom off the kitchen was very small but that also had a box of unusual whistles in it. Jim is an instrument maker as well as performer, songwriter and producer. He has made whistles out of various unusual materials like PVC pipe and copper pipe. Those whistles have bigger holes and a different kind of mouthpiece but sounded great to me. An engineer staying at the house one time worked with Jim to design one that didn't go sharp when played open, as all the others apparently do. It took a while but they finally did it! What talent Jim inspires!
Thierry poured a cup of coffee for the two of us and we stood around chatting for a bit. He is a personable man who puts you at ease early on. Lillian and Jim finally joined us and we all sat out back in the yard nursing our coffees and talking about whatever. Lillian and Jim decided that brunch would be in order and set out preparing the new grill in the backyard. The backyard was brightly painted and partly shaded with a small patio and a hill of grass and flowers. Their cat, Gypsy, decided to join us for brunch. Such a cutie!
Let me tell you what a wonderful cook Lillian is! Oh my goodness! I don't usually like sausages but I ended up having two big ones along with a bit of delicious omelet and hash browns. Thierry sprinted off the the store for French Bread and we just enjoyed the home cooking. What a feast! I now know why Jim gets off the radio as soon as Lillian has supper ready. I would too!
Even better than the food, if that's possible, was the conversation. We talked about everything, trust me - politics, religion, peace, music, food, idiots, Ham Radio, etc.
I was at the patio table with Thierry for a while by myself while Vic was fixing something on Jim's computer and we got to talking about Mr. Sax, inventor of the saxophone, and musical geniuses, of which we both agreed Jim was one. We told each other about the places we had lived and where we grew up, polar opposites almost. I grew up in a row house in the city of Philadelphia and he on the island of St. Pierre, right off the coast of the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland, but a French territory.
Jim eventually came out to join us and was explaining to me a French/English play on words the two of them had come up with. If you don't like puns, don't ever wish to meet Jim. Every other sentence is a play on words and he delivers them with such a straight face! Today was a reminder that Jim and Lillian are real people and don't put on any airs at all. Sometimes it's hard to remember that when you are in the company of such musical talent. But I am happy to consider the two of them among my friends.
It was with much regret that I had to leave their wonderful hospitality and go to my volunteer job at the Festival but the promise to get together at Erin's Pub after the close of the Festival made it easier. We left the trio and went back to collect what we needed at our hotel. The last night of the Folk Festival was supposed to be good! |
