48 ~ North Shore News — Friday, Deceinber 10, 1999

* West Coast awards

ic’s best

Bob Mackin

News Reporter
SOMETIMES the
venue outperforms the

performance peopie
come to see.

That’s what happened
Sunday night when the West
Coast Music Awards returned
to the Commodore Ballroom.

This year’s marathon pre-
sentation was in stark contrast
to last year’s clockwork event
at the B.C. Pavilion’s
Enterprise Hall.

While Sarah McLachlan
made sure she was there to
take home an armload of trophies in 1998, the
big-name nominecs this year were conspicuous-
ly absent. David Gogo, Tal Bachman, Bif
Naked, Lions Bay’s Colin James and North
Vancouver's Alpha Yaya Diailo were no shows.
54-40, winner of song of the year and best
album, sent drummer Matt Johnson to the

stage alone to accept its awards. Obviously the
Ys Coast Music Awards don’t yet rank on the
list.

Technical problems prevented West

- Vancouver's Smugglers from being announced
as nomince for live performer of the year, which
was snagged by Lions Bay's Colin James. Pacific
Music Industry Association executives spent a
few too many minutes on stage in a seemingly
endless line of mutual admiration specches.

~ Despite the miscues, the show had its
moments. —

‘The poignant video tribute to late producer
Bruce Fairbairn and standing ovation to his wife
and sons was one such highlight. As was the
industry builder award presentation to former
Commodore proprietor Drew Burns. ;

._- Award-presenter and Rogers’ Daytime hast
Fiona Forbes added some levity to proceedings
“when she went off-script to tell a story about

. FORMER PMA. executive EXie O'Day

wae honcured for her hard work.

MOS MUS

BRUCE Fairbalirn’s widow Julle (leit) and sons Sreit
and Kevin were on hand for a special tribute to the
late, world-renowned producer.

finding a certain piece of fecal waste on the
sparkling new floor of the women's washroom.

And then there was North Vancotiver’s Roy
Forbes (the Artist Formerly Known As Bim).
He was cestatic to receive the award for best
folk, roots and traditional album, but not
pleased with che increasing chatter during his

accepraace speech. Ir

was worth the price

of admission just to

hear the meek wou-

badour shout “shut
up back there!” His sentiments were fater
echoed by host Bill Henderson in a more sub-
dued plea for silence. Klezmer band O!zm and
F-Jam, a funk group similar to Toronto’s Len,
were among the performers who rescued the
show from mediocrity.

Awards with North Shore conneciions: live
performer of the year Colin James; best world
music album: Alpha Yaya Diallo The Message,
best dance/techno release: Adam H “Push It
Up”, best folk/roors/traditional album: Roy
Forbes Crazy Old Moon; video director of the
year: Keith Berman/Steve Cousins “Since
When” by 54-46 (shat on lucation in West
Vancouver); best jazz album: Metalwood
Metalwoud 2; best blues/R&B album: Colin
James and the Little Big Band If; best country
album: Farmer’s Daughter This Is The Life, song
of the vear: “Since When” by 54-40; best
rock/pop album: Since When by 54-49.

54-46 drummer Matt Johnsen (left) and
Lee Aaron were emong preeentess.

B.C.'s leading caline shopping market.
www. mycitymarket.com

| S49

NEWS photos Sprout <www.eyeteaser.camsprout>
FEMALE vocalist award nominee Kristy Thirsk (leit) with friend Stacey Reneauilt.

=

NORTH Shore's Adam H (left! and
broadcaster/sexpert Rhona Raskin. ameng the live performers.

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