2 Weeks Ago In Oshawa with Theo Tams

Above: Theo Tams performing live in Stouffville, Ontario.

Hard to believe that just two weeks ago, I drove myself to the Toronto area so that I could catch a few shows by the amazing Theo Tams. I had talked about the first show in Stouffville earlier, and the how excited I was when I returned to the hotel, almost too giddy to sleep. Well, I woke up the next day and rushed out to find a mall so I could print the pictures I took, and with the help of a GPS - cause God only knows, I am directionally challenged - I was able to find a store, but it couldn't print the RAW format, so I went back to the hotel, figured out a way to convert the files, and return to the mall to get some prints. Soon it was time to head to Oshawa, Ontario, to find the Thirsty Monk, where StereoGoesStellar and Theo would be playing for the next stop of the Taking It All Back Tour. Again, thank you GPS.

So, I found the place, and eventually caught up with Sue and Melony, and we sat down to eat. We were finding out some interesting tidbits about the show, like the band was setting up so that basically 4 people had a clear view, and the lighting wasn't good at all. So I immediately knew the still camera wasn't going to be out tonight, and thought the video camera would be recording sound, and that was about it. Soon, I also met Sandy, another Theo fan, as well as a young girl who was brought to the show by her mother, as she loved Theo's music. That was great to see! And soon Theo and the boys started to set things up, and I then knew this would be an audio night.


Me and Theo Tams at the Thirsty Monk in Oshawa, Ontario.

But I have to say there is something freeing about an audio night. I flipped on the video camera, set it on the table, and was able to sit back and enjoy the music, because I wasn't able to really see Theo at all. But with the hustle and bustle of the bar/restaurant, it was a very different feel from the previous performance, and one I very much enjoyed. It was a similar set list, but with each song, there was a different feel, a different sound, with Theo singing straight from his heart. Hey, I can (and do) listen to his album enough, when I go to a show I am expecting that something special, and every time Theo delivered. Here he sings Missy Higgin's Where I Stood, with pictures from the prior night in Stoufville.



Take, for example, his cover of Lady GaGa's Bad Romance. Far from a copy of the original, I had seen clips on YouTube, but there was something very special about his version at the Thirsty Monk. Here it is from the show, the audio at least, with some pictures taken while I was on the trip.



Another cover I really like was the Regina Spektor song Samson. It is an incredible song to start with, but as Theo gets going with it, I am just about blown away.



And I couldn't leave you without one of his incredible original songs, this one called These Clean Walls. A really cool song, I can't wait for it to be a part of the new album coming out next year.



After the show, we once again waited in line to see him, and were greeted with a fantastic smile and the engulfing hug I have come to know as the Theo Experience. He was sweet and kind, despite having just given another personal performance. Quick and witty, he signed one of the pictures I had printed out, and gave more hugs before we left. And for the second night in a row, I made my was back to the car with a big smile, and tons more memories to take back across the border.

Theo Tams Live - August 19, 2010

Photo of Theo Tams performing live courtesy of Sue Jackson

OK, so I am at the show now, so the following aren't clips from my show, but I thought I would share clips from an earlier stop on the tour with you while I am enjoying him live. I will be at the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment in Stouffville, Ontario. The first video will be Theo singing a cover of Missy Higgins' Where I Stood.



The clips are courtesy of KathyP60, who is also a Twitter buddy of mine. So, thanks Kathy! The next video is Theo singing a cover of Damien Rice's Cannonball. It is such a lovely song.



And, finally, here is a video of Theo singing an original song, Doesn't Make It Easier. I really like his songs, there is such a great emotional connection. I just think he really writes from the heart.



So I hope to be reporting back to you soon about the phenomenal time I am sure to be having. For more about Theo, check out his official website here.

Live Music - Theo Tams in Toronto II

Photos by Sue Jackson

Now, I have only seen Theo twice in concert, and both times were over the internet, but I can say those experiences have convinced me to make a trip to Canada to see him live sometime soon. His voice is so sure and strong, and he has an amazing sense of phrasing. Of course, as an accomplished pianist, this musicality is second to none. I had run a video of a complete set from The Supermarket in Toronto earlier, here, from a concert on March 24th, He returned and did another set on March 31st, and I was lucky enough to catch that as well. In both shows he played seven songs, but did mix them up. My online friend, @Tigger7, was at both shows, and at the second show, videoed two songs. The first of those songs was These Clean Walls, a song written earlier this month. It is a beautiful, tender and personal song I really love.



He also covered a song performed by Britney Spears (or, as he says, 'It's Britney, Bitch') from her first album. Sometimes, is so sweet and tender, I really enjoyed it. He, of course, makes it his very own, with that special Theo spin on it.



Speaking of covers, Theo does an amazing version of Lady GaGa's Bad Romance. This version was taped at the March 24th show by SaraSmile09 - thanks Sara!



He also does an amazing cover of the Missy Higgins song, Where I Stood. The song is just so brave and personal, and Theo sings it with a grace that brings a tear to my eye watching. This was also from the performance on the 24th, but played at both shows.



For more about Theo, you can find his official website here, his Twitter account here (Follow him!), and his FaceBook here. I hope he is working on a next album, cause he is a talented young voice we need to hear.

30 Minutes with Theo Tams

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Last Wednesday, and again this Wednesday night, Canadian singer Theo Tams performed live in Toronto at a space called The Supermarket. As the regulars here know, I am a big fan of Theo. In my humble opinion, he is clearly the most talented man to come out of the Idol franchise in North America. Obviously, fans of some of the others might disagree, but I think Theo has the voice, musicianship, and interpretive skills that are unmatched. So I am posting a video from the most recent show, and thought I would share them with my readers.

The video of Theo starts at about 02:30 and runs for 30 minutes. I've watched several times, and just love it. Theo plays Wait For You, his last single. Then he plays Broken, a song from an out-of-print EP he made in 2005, and one of my new favorite songs. Then comes a lovely version of Regina Spektor's Samson. Then there is These Clean Walls, an achingly beautiful new song written by Theo recently. That is followed by an Theo-tastic version of Lady GaGa's Bad Romance. Then comes the first single he co-wrote from his debut, Lazy Lovers. He ends with a cover of Missy Higgins' Where I Stood, a haunting version that actually brought a tear to my eye when I first heard it.

There is a commercial at the beginning, and then it goes to the concert. Once that is over, you can use the slider below the video to move to 02:30 and see Theo starting the show. Once you see Theo, you can click on the full screen button on the right below the video, sit back and enjoy.


Watch this show and more at SyncLive.com

You can order your copy of Give It All Away from Amazon here. It is an import, so it costs a more than usual, but I bought it and thought it is worth every penny. For my money, it is one of the best Idol debuts, certainly in North America, and possibly the world. Of course, your mileage might vary, but for me, Theo is the real deal. You can follow Theo on Twitter here. This morning on Twitter, Theo announced his next single will be Manhattan Blue! So, my Canadian friends, time to start making the requests to your favorite radio stations.