Mulligan Stew With Terry David Mulligan

Making great whisky is serious business. Whisky takes time. You can create it and leave it in barrel “while your kids grow up and head off to college” kind of time. For example, Paradigm Spirits -The Heritage Collection -  Whisky of the Year in Canada spent 19  years in barrels. Then along came friends and partners Michelle deBus and Irma Joeveer who were just beginning their whisky journey. They purchased the filled barrels to start Paradigm. Then blended in some Oloroso Sherry and found a stunning balance between the corn whisky and sherry. Davin de Kergommeaux Canada’s Whisky authority and founder of the Canadian Whisky Awards describes The Heritage as having “sublime complexity and elegance with fresh fruity top notes” This is a really nice story of people who dreamt a dream of making whisky and how it all led to being named Whiskey of the Year in Canada. Besting 200 other whiskeys. Our guests are Irma Joeveer and Michelle Debus  

“Friendship is like Whisky – the older the better”   Yes, my friends, it's our annual trek to Victoria’s inner harbour for the 18th annual Victoria Whisky Festival and the Canadian Whisky Awards. It was the founder of the awards Davin de Kergomeaux who whispered in my ear wondering why I wasn’t attending or tasting or writing about his Whisky Awards.  On second thought I think the voice in my ear was me saying “How could you possibly miss this?” just after I had missed the events about 6-7  years ago. I knew almost nothing about Whisky but my thinking was the same as wine – 17 years ago – every interview is going to be a master class. Pay attention and you could learn all about wine and pass it on to the listeners.     I’m pleased to welcome  to Tasting Room Radio – Davin de Kergommeaux – founder of the Canadian Whisky Awards. The Canadian Whisky Awards, held annually with the Victoria Whisky Festival, is the first and only competition dedicated solely to Canadian Whisky. The Awards have become the first sto

Let the names tell the story – With Waddy Wachtel, Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar and drummer, producer, and writer  Russ Kunkel created and played music history. Historic albums by Carole King, Jackson Brown, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steven Stills,  Neil Young, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Jimmy Buffet, JJ Cale, Ringo, Lyle Lovett, George Harrison, Dolly, Linda and Emmylou  The Trio album, Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, Tracey Chapman, Joe Walsh, BB King, Steve Winwood. On and On and ON. Now, along with seasoned guitarist and vocalist Steve Postell,  they’ve established the opportunity to be their band. The Immediate Family. Their new album Skin in the Game arrives Feb 16. Skin in the Game references the fact that they aren’t sidemen here. It’s not a play-and-walk-away kind of thing. They’re taking the music they wrote and played,  out on the road for themselves. No one else. For the rest of the story, check out the doc

Mike Grgich – His 1976 Napa Chardonnay in USA/France blind tasting in Paris was The Shot Heard Round the World.   Winemaker Mike Grgich died Dec 13th 2023.  He was 100 years old. This is his story,  as told to yours truly into a nasty microphone in the lobby of the Hotel Vancouver 2016. He had just released his memoir A Glass Full of Miracles. (Note – on his way from Croatia to Napa he travelled across the Atlantic and by train across Canada to Vancouver for a lumberjack job he had applied for. The job was gone by the time he reached the west coast. So,  Mike washed dishes until he heard of a winemaking job in Napa and South he went)   Steven Spurrier, a wine expert from England who ran a fine wine shop in Paris, decided it would be fun to organize a blind tasting to coincide with America’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. For the tasting, he gathered together the best French judges, and the finest French wines, and to salute America on its 200th anniversary he added in a few wines from some upstart winema

This Christmas Stew features the last Christmas in the Round recording we did. The year was 2020 – full Covid lockdown. Many good people lost to this virus. Far too many.   We gathered online at Dan Mangan’s Sidedoor Access.   Shari Ulrich and Barney Bentall. Both on Bowen Island. Opposite Horseshoe Bay!   Bill Henderson Not too far down the Georgia Strait on Salt Spring Island.   TDM

The Rounders are: Shari Ulrich – iconic singer, songwriter, and musician. Roy Forbes – Host of Roy’s Record Room and much-admired artist. Barney Bentall – He’s everywhere and always making great music. Bringing joy! Shaun Verreault –  One half of Wide Mouth Mason.  String Slinger. Sings like a bird Jim Byrnes – St Louis born…West Coast raised. Carries the blues with him.  Fine actor. Craig Northey – co-founder of  Odds. Touring with Steven Page Trio. Currently a member of Trans Canada Highwaymen.   Solid Songwriter. Everyone brings a favorite Christmas song and personal story to exchange. Fun was had by all…  Hope you like it. Susan would have loved it Merry Christmas all! -TDM      

Our guest is Matt Layzell from The Matinee. They have released a new album Change of Scene They’ve been friends making music for 15 years. This feels like the album that pays off all the hard work. Produced by Steve Dawson who brought with him into the studio Allison Russell and The McCrary Sisters.  

The Mulligan Stew Podcast  Guest is Devin Cuddy. (Devin Cuddy band) Son of Jim Cuddy and very definitely his own man. Jim has said, on this very podcast, that he offered to school Devin and son Sam on the fine art of songwriting and playing but the guys went their separate ways. Now, Jim says he’s very impressed with their growth and creativity. They’ve been singing together for years but just casually at fundraising events. Devin talks about a maritime tour they just did. Devin has released his first new music in 5 years. The album is called Dear Jane – with a reference to Hotlips Houlihan on the Mash TV series. The album is a soulful mix of New Orleans, honky tonk, roots and Randy Newman. Devins originals are storytelling taken to another level. He’s become his own storyteller. Devin is creating his place in Canada’s music world, just like his Father. One of the great surprises is Devin’s cover of Barney Bentall’s hit Come Back to Me. Barney sings on the track. Barney, Jim and Devin have been friends a long

Robbie and look back at Nov 25 1976 and the final concert by The Band at the Winterland Ballroom in SF. Called The Last Waltz. This is a combination of 2 interviews I did over the past few years 

It’s like having The Beatles on Saturday’s Mulligan Stew. But you can only have two. Do you want Ringo and Paul or George and John? Saturday our guests are Steven Page (BNL & Steven Page Trio) and Chris Murphy (Sloan). The other members of TCH are Moe Berg (Pursuit of Happiness) and Craig Northey (odds and SP Trio) Each leads his own group but they got together to sing covers of each other’s music. Then the K-Tel idea came along. For younger music fans  – K-Tel albums were Canadian hits crammed into 8 tracks,  cassettes and albums. With garish labels that you couldn’t miss in your local store or gasoline station.  Great hits – horrid packaging. Which is why the guys covered the best hits and copied the artwork. Steven makes the point that they loved these hits because they were Canadian.  They were ours. Our American friends had never heard these songs but to us they were Northern memories. They each take turns singing the lead vocal and back each other up. Covering hits by The Guess Who, Joni Mitchell,

In the spectrum of popular music in Canada, which is as wide as the country, Tom Cochrane falls somewhere between an electrified Gordon Lightfoot and a solo Gordon Downie. Between the universal prose of Leonard Cohen and the blood passion of Tom Wilson. Three times we went to the war-torn fields and roads of Africa for World Vision and became lifelong friends. That’s what seeing men, women and children dead or dying will do to you. You seek humanity. Tom’s got humanity in spades. He came back from the first trip under a heavy dark load and sought out the only thing that he knew would lift him up. Music. He wrote a song called Life is a Highway. It became an anthem for millions. All lifted up by his music. Tom Cochrane is heading back West now. The tour is called Duo. Friday night in Medicine Hat, Saturday night  in Edmonton (Expo Centre) Then to the coast and a complete tour of Vancouver Island. Wednesday Victoria Thursday Courtney Friday Nanaimo Sunday Campbell River Monday, Nov 20 – Duncan (in the Cowicha

Polaris/Juno Winner Jeremy Dutcher guests on Mulligan Stew. Brings New Album.    Jeremy Dutcher has the smarts., look, feel and sound of a star in the making. The Polaris Prize and Juno Award Winner has released his first album in 5 years. Motewolonywok is out now.   Jeremy just finished a tour through the West.  He's now headed to a  Nov 8 date at Nat Arts Center in Ottawa and Dec 9 at Massey Hall. The new album marks the first time Jeremy has written and sung in English. We talk about his creative process and translating indigenous stories into poetry and lyrics.  His voice is pure and as he says in the interview "my life is an open book"   Oct 14 - Susan Tedeschi (Tedeschi Trucks Band) Celebrates the 25th year of her second solo album Just Won't Burn. (1998) It kick started her career as a female blues singer/player/writer and sold outstanding numbers.  Susan was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist. Rave reviews followed - comparing her to Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. Speaking of Bonnie

This weeks terrydavidmulligan YouTube is a tour with music from the heart. Every year, just about this time, Barney Bentall gathers up friends and hits the road with a travelling barn burner. Everyone on stage is the leader of their career or a band. There are at least 16 artists in this years Express. AND best of all, they’re raising funds for the charities listed below.     Barney Bentall writes his own introduction. This was his newsletter a week ago.   Hi ya all. Gearing up for the Cariboo Express shows. Depending on how we mark the birth of this whole thing, it’s the 18th or 19th year! I think for all of us that play in this big ol’ bad ass band, it is  a musical highlight of our year. With the help and hard work of some worthy charities, we’ve managed to raise over 5 million dollars over the years. Here are the dates: Come on out! There are always great guests that show up along with all the regulars. For those of you in the Toronto area, spread the word. This will be our second year and we want to keep

First Podcast guest is Buffy Sainte Marie. Buffy has announced after a glorious 60-year career, she’s not touring anymore and her documentary Carry it on has been nominated for an International Emmy Award. They’re announced Nov 20. The only Canadian entry. I’ve been honoured to know Buffy for much of my life.   Buffy’s first comment was “How long have we been doing this Terry?”  We cover off the film, why touring can be a hard road. Early days in Greenwich Village NYC.  Her role in the indigenous community. Reveals why she’s been so committed to tribal education. Lots of other stories. Second Podcast  Guest is Tom Wilson Tom brings his music to Calgary Festival Hall October 19 and Festival Place Sherwood Park Edmonton Friday Oct 20.  He’s been just a tad busy. A new documentary, two new albums. An Indigenous Scholarship program. Named to the 2024 Order of Canada list. Working on BARK music. Reuniting his 90’s band Junkhouse and re-releasing their 30-year-old Strays album. And his art has exploded up and out

Colleen Rennison and Wide Mouth Mason Both with fine new albums   First hour Colleen Rennison.  Year after year one of the voices to keep an eye on in Vancouver, then Austin, Texas. Formerly the lead singer of No Sinner and a self-admitted artist living a life of booze and partying that bordered on harmful – to self and career. Finally, back in Vancouver, Colleen has found friends who’ve cared for and helped her recover and do what she was meant to do – write and sing. New album Persephone. not named after the tug. Finally, she’s put all the gifts together. Man, is this a good album Check out I Do. Colleen brings tales of dark times and new hope. The second Guests are Shaun Verreault and Safwan Javed – Wide Mouth Mason They have released a new album Late Night Walking They are always pushing forward. Finding a new edge to their music. For example,  one track, Minus 2 Minutes features Joey Landreth on guitar in the left channel only, with Shaun on the right. and Safwan right down the middle. On the album with

We passionately join the power of A Day To Remember.  On Saturdays Stew.  Flat out. In a long and wild career, It’s the best music Art has ever created.  After losing the love of his life after 31 years of marriage and then being honoured with The Order of Canada he returned to the only thing he knew - creating and recording music.  With the support of Russell Broom Art poured his heart into these songs, on a very personal journey from grief to hope.  Shadow Walk is brilliant. Juno brilliant.  We talk to Russell about the Art that started the recording sessions and the Art that emerged months later.  More at www.mulliganstew.ca

The first guest is singer/songwriter/composer Marc Jordan. He and his love Amy Sky were show-stopping guests on the 2023 CKUA Juno Couch. Then,  they sang songs from their nominated album  He Sang. She Sang. Now Marc returns to The Stew with his latest solo gem, Waiting for the Sun to Rise. Marc continues his journey through his jazz-influenced songbook..getting cooler and more focused by the year. Tracks like Rio Grande (with Randy Brecker), and Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World. And the standout Coltrane Plays the Blues. A small suggestion when listening to Marc Jordan play and sing. The songs invite you to – LEAN IN. Jordan and Sky are both national UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors for Canada.

Crash the Time Machine The Odds 7th album has been released. The basic Odds lineup of Craig Northey, Pat Steward, Murray Atkinson and Doug Elliott are joined by the 5th Odd – Steven Page. This is songwriting at a very high level,  then taken even higher by players who are truly gifted. I’m so glad that these guys got back together again after a hiatus from 2000-2007. You can hear multiple influences in each and every track. They’ve backed Warren Zevon, they wrote and played the soundtrack for  Kids in the Hall Film Brain Candy and their TV series Death Comes to town, toured with and played with The Tragically Hip and Barenaked Ladies, wrote music for Corner Gas. Crash the Time Machine deals with religion, the days we’re all living in and several songs in memory of their friend Spirit of the West leader/writer John Mann. The song is Somehow in a Dream. The Waterboys are mentioned. As Craig tells us .. “John told me that in his last hours, he’d like to have someone play “Whole of the Moon”

The Sept 9 Mulligan Stew has a special guest – Ariel Posen. He’s just achieving liftoff in his career but there's absolutely no denying he has a profile arc heading up. A session guitarist in Winnipeg (I saw him as the second guitarist in Bros. Landreth. If Ariel is  playing beside Joey Landreth and more than  holding his own, you know he is good) He began his career quietly showcasing new guitars online for the companies making them. He had no idea the effect he was having on the guitar and music fans of the world, especially in Europe. So. when he finally decided to start his solo career and released his first album How Long  (2019)  Ariel was gobsmacked to find a ready and willing audience in Europe and across Canada, then in the USA. Then came Headway, Mile End, Mile End 2, Familiar Ground, the Downtown EP and just now Reasons Why. He’s touring Canada Sept 26th in Calgary Sept 27 in Edmonton Sept 28 in Saskatoon Sept 29 Winnipeg  (home town) BUT FIRST – On Sept 23 he performs at the 2023 Eric Clapton Cros

We revisit two Canadian icons who join forces and become partners in music. One is/was Gord Downie. Lead singer and songwriter of The Tragically Hip. Truly beloved. And hugely missed after losing his fight to cancer but went out in a blaze of songs with The Hip and the last Cross Canada Tour. The other is Bob Rock. Known for his production work with Metallica, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Ron Sexsmith and The Tragically Hip. Bob tells the story of how they became friends and how Gord contacted him and asked if he had any tracks he hadn’t used because he had  words he hadn’t used..” so let's put them together” The album took years to complete but when they last met. Gord says to Bob “Please finish it” Bob told us " I had to fulfill the promise " Bob Rock on Gord Downie and their album Lustre Parfait Saturday on Mulligan Stew.