LUNCH AT ALLEN’S
Canadian songwriting royalty brings show to Sydney.
They’re an eclectic mix of Canadian songwriting royalty but in simpler terms they’re just good friends who enjoy making music.
As individuals, Marc Jordan, Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church and Ian Thomas have written for or sung on more than 25,000,000 CDs, penning hits for Josh Groban, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, America, Santana, Cher and Rod Stewart.
Together, they form Lunch at Allen’s and will be performing at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at Highland Arts Theatre in downtown Sydney.
In a recent interview Marc Jordan, who burst onto the music scene with the 1970s hit “Marina Del Rey,” said the idea sprung to life over lunch at a spot favoured by McLaughlan, who is well-known for several Canadian hits including 1973’s “Farmer’s Song.”
The midtown Toronto restaurant named Allen’s helped in naming the band, which has become renown for its vocal harmonies.
“Our voices just harmonically work together and so when we do harmonies on each other’s songs — on every song — that is a signature for us,” said Jordan.
“We do it for the audiences and just to be together because we’re all friends. How many bands can say that? We just hang out together and then every night we get to sing in these beautiful theatres and I tell you there’s nothing better for me in life.
“Ian and Murray are real funny and depending on how much wine has been consumed at dinner, the shows can get longer and longer, but yes, we all share that bond of being writers and performers
“My Dad’s favourite music was Maritime folk music and that’s how I got to write “Rhythm of My Heart” because I remembered those songs that my Dad used to play. I knew that idiom very well because of my Dad, that’s how I got to get that song to Rod.”
Marc Jordan
but there’s something quite special about Lunch At Allen’s for me.
Jordan said the stage show is intimate and humourous, featuring many songs familiar to radio listeners.
The Cape Breton stop is the first show on an Atlantic Canadian tour for the band’s new album “If It Feels Right,” with performances scheduled for Pictou, Halifax and Liverpool.
Having visited Cape Breton several times before, Jordan said the island is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, adding that the song “Rhythm of My Heart,” performed by Rod Stewart, was inspired by his father’s love of Maritime music.
“My Dad’s favourite music was Maritime folk music and that’s how I got to write “Rhythm of My Heart” because I remembered those songs that my Dad used to play,” said Jordan.
“I knew that idiom very well because of my Dad, that’s how I got to get that song to Rod.”
Reserved seating tickets for Lunch At Allen’s are $47.50 and are available at the
Highland Arts Theatre box office by calling 902-565-3637.