It is always an educational experience to see Floyd Sillito play. He returned to a regular gig at the Lethbridge Public Library, Wednesday, April 6. I caught him mid set with special guests Barry Kfeick on bass lead guitarist Larry Kunakel and vocalist Jill Timleck.
They played a set of traditional country music from the ’30s and ’40s.
I arrived in time to hear Jill Timleck playing some traditional country and yodelling. Sillito called out the key to his band mates in between sharing the stories behind the songs. He lead the intimate audience through a rousing rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” saying abut 100 people had recorded it since 1939.
“Red Rose Cafe” was a highlight as Sillito described it by saying “this song tells you what happens at the Red Rose Cafe,” as he lead his band through the Irish waltz in A minor.
He stepped back and let his lead guitarist have a solo spot on a Chet Atkins inspired instrumental of “Skip To My Lou.”
He then played Woody Guthrie’s “Gypsy Davy,” introducing by saying “This song tells you what happened to Gypsy Davy.”
He wound down his set with a Rita MacNeil/ Men Of the Deep song about mining and ended with “Happy Trails.”
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor