Peterborough musicians are remembering singer Charlie Earle who died late last week.
Earle arrive to the city’s music scene in 2012. Musicians, including former bandmate Dave Tough, say Earle’s raw, raspy voice brought new meaning to rhythm and blues classics. However Tough says like all musicians, she was looking to find her unique place.
“Charlie struggled artistically how to use this incredibly powerful, distinctive and timeless voice in a contemporary way, that was meaningful to her and to her peers and to those who shared her artistic sensibility,” said Tough.
Friend and fellow musician Evangeline Gentle was familiar with Earle’s career struggles. After learning of her death, Gentle says she can’t help think of what have been for Earle, who died at age 33.
“She just had all these plans she never got to experience, she wanted to make a record, she wanted to take her career seriously and to to high places,” said Gentle. “I think she was very unrecognized and unknown and what a shame that is because, she had a voice.”
The day before she died Earle performed with The Webber Brothers at a concert at the Red Dog Tavern.
“From her first note, it was game over, the audience, they’re done,” said Ryan Webber. “It’s not like a victory, it’s a blowout…she was on it all night. It was a night of total triumph for her; it was a total jump-up ovation – not a standing ovation – I saw people jump. A standing ‘O’, and she was in such joy.”
A celebration of life is being planned for July 28 at 1 p.m. again at the Red Dog Tavern featuring bands and musicians.
“Lotta bands, lotta musicians locked in already,” said musician Rob Foreman. “And if anyone else wants to come out and play, there’s a signup sheet. You can play a couple of songs, throughout the day.”
On learning of her death, Ryan Webber wrote a poem in tribute to his friend.
“I could say a lot about the tragedy of it all, all you had left to do, all the places you’d go, all the minds you’d blow and all the heats you’d lift up, all the joy you’d have shared and made for people, because without a doubt, you’d have done just that,” Webber wrote.
Comments