WHEN JOHN McLachlan
was nine years old, Gordon
Lightfoot’s ballad The Ca-
nadian Railroad Trilogy set
the stage for the local resi-
dent’s folk singing career.

By STEPHEN BARRINGTON

News Reporter

“Something clicked and I
wanted to do what I'm doing

now,”’ explains North Vancouver *

singer/sonugwriter McLachlan, 26.
“t admire his writing very much.”’

Influenced by Lightfoot and
Canadian foik great Stan Rogers,
McLachlan’s work comes alive
with lively tales of turn-of-the-
century British Columbia life.

tn 1918, the Victoria-bound
Juxury finer Princess Sophia
foundered in a storm with the loss
of all 343 aboard, the worst marine
disaster in B.C. history.

In 1901, 64 men died when the
Cumberland mine’s number six
shaft caved in.

Tragic tales of early B.C. events
are subiccts in McLachlan’s songs.

“T just think songs are a neat
way to tell about history you can’t
do in any other way,” says the
bespectacled singer, a former
Capilano College music student.

McLachlan’s style is a warm
blend of folk, country and rock
music reflecting his love for history
and his obvious Rogers and
Lightfoot musical influences.

During a recent show at the

Vancouver East Cultural Centre,
4cLachlan and band Canidian
Sky played the classic Creedence
Clearwater Revival tune Proud
Mary. Despite this, the band is not
among the singer’s rock and roll
influences.

“T guess the closest (rock and
roll influence) | get is current Bod
Dylan.’’

Research plays a big part in
McLachlan's songs. Burying
himself in old books and articles,
he tries to root out all the facts he
can find on his subjects.

While writing the song Princess
Sophia, McLachlan says, he got
wrapped up in the luxury liner’s
tragic story. ‘‘For about a weck |
was just living it.’

Songwriting, like other artistic
pursuits, cannot be hurried. But
once the verse and the chorus are
established, all that is left is to ad
the words. :

A song may take a few days to

TBIOO

NORTH VANCOUVER singer/songwriter John McLachlan strums a chord during

McLachlan’‘s ballads are inspired by B.C.

aA

write or it may take a few months,
McLachlan says. *‘Other times it
just seems to go bang, bang, bang
and there it is.’’

Although he performs with Ca-
nadian Sky about six times a year,
McLachlan also performs alone —
‘“twhich tends to pay the bills’? ~
in various area venues.

He says a show of mostly origi-

.nal music is ‘kind of difficult at
this stage because there’s not a lot
of venues and money around to do
your own stuff."’

On the horizon is the possibility
of financial backing for the singer
and his band. ‘‘But it’s only a pos-
sibility,’’ he says, careful not to
jump the gun.

“Especially in the music
business, you wait until the
chicken has hatched.”

An Exotic Safari into the
Heart of Fine Indian Cuisine

AN INVITATION
to come & join

THE SAFARI!

to the heart of fine East African cuisine

COMPLIMENTARY APPETIZER
with an order of a dinner entree

Valid Monday-Thursday only

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
NY.

=< ; Cooking Classes

history and folklore,

}
ty SPRING

& Wine Seminars at

FANCY TORTES
S8Y GORDANA SEVON |
Tues. April 21 $20
Gordana will skow you all her shortcuts to making beautiful
and elegant tortes.

CHARDONNAY
by CAM SHIPPIT
Mon. April 27 $20
Chardonnay is the classic white grape of Burgundy, France.
This session is a comparative tasting of Chardonnays from
some of the countries producing wine fr<:n this noble grape.

LOW FAT COOLING
By ORJANA BALDASCO
Tues., April 28 $20
Oriana will teach a variety of low fat dishes including
chicken minced balls, artichokes, dressing, ting cod fillets,
papaya saice, and desserts.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
by CAM SHIPPIT
Mon. May 4 $20
This distinctive grape of Bordeaux is, to some extent,
grown by every wine producing country in the world, Let us

13 - Friday, April 3, 1987 -- North Shore News

OW

an outdoor rehearsal fur some upcoming concerts. Many of

CANYON HOUSE

GALLERIA.

JAPANESE
By ORIANA 8ALDASCO
Tues., May 5 $20
Oriana has: died Japanese and tow fat cooking for the
past four years in Australia, Learn to prepare sushi, miso-
soup, tori no, salmon grilled in soya sauce and sake.

THE WINES OF CALIFORNIA
By CAM SHIPPIT
Mon., May 11 $20
This relatively new wine growing region (the largest wine-
producing area in Notth America) produces wines of Euro-
pean stature. Join us on this evening for an interesting tasting.

CREOLE AND CAJUN
By MARDI FOSTER
Tues,, May 12 $20
Mardi is from New Orleans, and was at: instructor and
manager of the New Orleans school of cooking. Prepare such
classic dishes as Jumbalaya, File Gumbo, bread pudding with
whiskey sauce and pecan pralines.

COOKING SCHOOL

spend an evening tasting and comparing some of the greut 3590 CAPILANO RD., N, VANCOUVER

wines of tuese countries.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION 988-5169

All classes ars from 7:00 to [0:00 p.m. Cooking classes in-
clude recipes, wine-tasting, and samples of al} dishes

prepared, Wine seminars will include the tasting of at least
ten wines, along with appropriate fight food. The Seminars
will deal with wine-making practices, grape growing, fabell-

ing laws, ete.

You may register in person at Canyon House Galleria,
3$90 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, or by telephone
with VISA, Mastercard or American Express. Payment
confirms registration, Cancellation will be accepted one
week prior to the clasy, Re-imbursement will be given with

a class or for merchandise,

NEWS photo Stuart Davis