Road Trip to See the Ghosts, Vol 7: Robsart

Text and photos (c) Robert Barry Francos, 2010

This April, fellow photographer John Penner and I went on a two-day road trip through southwestern Saskatchewan in search of ghost towns.

Many of the houses were left wide open and ranged from either ransacked at some point, or actually relatively intact. The town of Robsart, as of 2001, had 15 people living in the town, in 11 residences, but the town was larger in its existing form, with most buildings abandoned.

Here is the seventh part a photo journal of the trip, with descriptions. There was so much to see in this town, Robsart will be broken up into two blogs. The images can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Robsart, Saskatchewan
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robsart,_Saskatchewan

The Robsart Community Club. It is an interesting looking building, despite its box shape.



Two houses across the street from the Club, and the start of the residential part of the deserted end of town.


The fence falling down in front of the white house (next image).


The white house, in need of a good painting.


Inside the white house. The kitchen still had groceries in the pantry, including a bag of Robin Hood flour, and lots of bug sprays.






The red-and-white striped house.


The fence and bushes to the r-a-w house.


Dead car behind the deceased r-a-w house.


The brown house, stripped of paint.


Car behind the brown house.


Main street of Robsart from the edge of town.


This is the biggest house in town, right at the far edge. It was stripped down to nearly it's roots, with the inner walls exposed. It was kind of scary going in, but the view from the top floor alone was worth it. All that was left in it was a stove and some electrical wiring leftovers.
















The view of the town down the main street from the upper floor of the big house.

Tom Dickie and the Desires (1980)

Text by Nancy Foster
Opening comments by Robert Barry Francos, 2010
Interview © 1980 by FFanzeen
Images from the Internet

The following article about Boston rockers Tom Dickie and the Desires was originally published in FFanzeen magazine, issue #6, in 1980. It was written by Nancy Foster (aka Nancy Neon).

Tom Dickie and the Desires released two albums in their short history: Competition (1981) and Eleventh Hour (1982), both on Mercury (though Jon Macey has hinted that there is enough recorded material to release another). After their separation, Tom Dickie moved to California and is not in music with any major presence, except for the occasional recording. Jon Macey has had much better luck with the seminal Fox Pass (still existing) and Macey’s Parade.

I saw Macey perform a couple of years ago in Boston with Fox Pass bandmate Steve Gilligan, and have recently reviewed Fox Pass’ latest release, Intemporel (2009). – RBF, 2010

I was lucky enough to receive Dickie’s demo tape a few months ago. Tom and his combo have recently “pacted” with Phonogram-Mercury and are managed by Tommy Mottola. But never mind that, rock’n’roll is the main issue here.

When I first heard the balladic “Maybe Next Time,” I was impressed with Dickie’s ability to sing at once smoothly and melodically, and still be aggressive and intense – like a romantic Elvis Costello. In fact, the group’s ability to rock-out without sacrificing melody sets them apart from much of the competition.

All songs are co-written by Tom Dickie and Jon Macey (bass). The emotionalism of the lyrics is enhanced by Dickie’s knowledge of phrasing. The music is full of subtleties and creates a wistful tone in “Maybe Next Time.” That one, along with “Twisted Years,” “Change Your Mind,” “Count on You,” “So Sad,” and “I’m the One,” are my personal favorites on the demo tape.

“5x5,” though, instrumentally paints an ominous tableau. Tom Dickie and the Desires often open shows with this ballsy wave to the Stones. However, with a songwriting team as articulate as Dickie / Macey, and a singer as superb as Dickie, to have no lyrics / vocals seem like a waste of microfilm!

“Twisted Years” has that raw, basic Stones bar band feel with psychoanalytic lyrics. The musical dynamics as the verse builds to the chorus are exhilarating. Michael Roy’s guitar work is colorful and tastefully executed. The harmonies are fine and embellish the song as well.

Though “Add Up the Ad Girls” is sarcastic – a piss-take on vacuous fashion models – Dickie’s voice still sounds too polished and sophisticated to convincingly play the male whose mind is boggled by the media whirlpool of pretty, precise images. Hearing the tape alone, one would think it inappropriate for a man of street nobility like Dickie. Yet, live it is a rave-up. Similarly, though, “On the Other Side” seems heavy-handed and a bit plodding on the tape. Live, it kicks with that signature Tom and the Desires’ emphatic punch. Vocally, “On the Other Side” is a virtuoso performance.

“Change Your Mind” is a hit for sure, highlighting sensuous singing, sensitive lyrics, and an obsessive melody. “Burning Up” features the most artistic and probing lyrics. It is reminiscent of a young McCartney in one of those rare moments when he was aggressive and rocked.

“Count On You” and “So Sad” sound especially fabulous back-to-back, like a double A-side! Both are romantic songs with unhappy endings. Still, the melodies and riffs are catchy. These two, along with “Change Your Mind,” would be my picks for singles.

On “Count On You,” Dickie’s vocal pacing and phrasing are perfect. Phrasing is even used with expertise in the graceful musical breaks. Dickie’s voice is wracked with emotion at the end of the song.

“So Sad” is more intense and analytical than “Count On You.” The bridge is beautiful. Once again, Roy’s lead guitar work is elegant and poetic. “Don’t Wait Forever” has cabaret overtones and is philosophic.

During a visit to NYC, Dickie invited me to one of the group’s rehearsals. The Dickie / Macey team was making impressive progress. The new songs are even better than the ones I enjoyed on the demo.

The newer tunes include the authoritative, commanding, even majestic “You’ve Lost,” the smooth, sensuous “She’s a Desire,” and a frocking, bouncy “Downtown Talk.”

“Waiting Waiting” is a disconcerting, explosive rocker on which Macey sings lead currently:

All the women I ever loved
Are waiting in the road
See their faces out there
They will haunt you like a ghost

Macey’s demeanor convinces you that he is truly tormented by specters from this past. The piece de resistance live was “This Song’s About You,” which Dickie belted out with immense passion. It may have been just a rehearsal, but he was giving 500%. Of the new songs, my picks for a (thematic) single would be “You’re Lying to Yourself” and “All Those Lies.” Both have the “melodic and punch” trademark.

Tom Dickie and the Desires should be playing out again soon. They are currently breaking in a new drummer and a keyboard player, both of who are enthusiastic and do justice to the supreme songwriting of Dickie and Macey. See them and have your faith in music restored!

Road Trip to See the Ghosts, Spring 2010: West of Eastend

Text and photos (c) Robert Barry Francos, 2010

This April, fellow photographer John Penner and I went on a two-day road trip through southwestern Saskatchewan in search of ghost towns.

After staying overnight at the infamous town of Eastend (pop. under 600), in the heart of the grasslands, and a trip to the T.rex Discovery Centre, we continued on.

Here is the Sixth part a photo journal of the trip, with descriptions. The images can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Outside Eastend, Saskatchewan

Heading westward, we were not on the road very long - and in fact still technically in Eastend - when we cross a small bridge over the Frenchman's River, surrounded by the hills that were filled with Hereford cattle. Quite breathtaking, we decided to snap some shots, and came across the following plaque. It seems that after Little Big Horn, infamous chief Sitting Bull and his camp came to Canada to escape revenge by the Calvary. The following are taken from that bridge (the plaque is beside it).











Highway 13, west of Eastend

As we passed over the snaking Frenchman's River again, we pulled off the side of the road once more, because of the beautiful scenery, and the Angus cattle (which we saw often).








Next in this series, we get back to ghost towns, proper.