Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 07/01) - Jay Knutson says performing on stage makes everything else associated with touring worthwhile.

Singer and songwriter Jay Knutson entertained for two weeks at the Finto Motor Inn. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

"The travel and having to do the setups and the sound checks and all of the stuff, and the checking, and everything that goes along with the shows that people don't normally see, that's essentially what you get paid for," Knutson said.

"The actual playing is the payoff. That's always a pleasure, when you're playing. That's what you're living for."

Knutson performed for two weeks at the Finto Motor Inn. Early in the evenings he entertained in the dining area of the Peppermill Restaurant, and later in the evening he performed in the Cabin Lounge.

During his shows Knutson displayed a rather laid-back manner, chatting amiably with audience members, or teasing the waitress, or explaining the meaning behind a song.

He played the guitar some, and other times strung a Celtic bouzouki, and played a few notes on the harmonica for good measure.

The Inuvik stopover marked one of the last legs of a cross-Canada tour for Knutson, who was a founding member of the folk band, Spirit of the West. Knutson was to finish his tour with a few dates in Vancouver, where he's from.

This marked Knutson's first trip to Inuvik. During his stay he went on a canoe trip, and travelled to Tuktoyaktuk.

"It's gorgeous up here," Knutson said. "The Delta's unbelievable."

He said working at the Finto allowed for a nice interaction with the audience, and said one reason he went across Canada this summer was to get reconnected with people.

"A lot of the tradition and the interaction of what music is, especially acoustic music and folk music or roots music, has been kind of lost by the way the industry has set up the necessity to tour," Knutson said.

"A big, big part of it is the storytelling, the background, the history of a lot of these things, because my songs are, for the most part, topical and historical in some nature, so it's nice to be able to talk about that."

Knutson said this tour has reconfirmed his desire to perform for people who are there because they're interested in his type of music, even if this means only performing in front of small groups at a time.

After his Vancouver dates Knutson plans to take a break before touring Australia. He will also start promoting his new album, Thesis, in a big way.

Knutson's Web site can be found at: www.canoesongs.com.

Jay Knutson's albums

With Spirit of the West: Spirit of the West (1985); Tripping up the Stairs (1987); Old Material (1991)

As solo artist and producer:

The Last Family, The Last Family Album, Through These Windows, Thesis