The doctor is still in the house

This past Tuesday evening, at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, over 800 people gathered to, in the words of Jack MacAndrew, jam with Doug Riley one last time.

And it was, all in all, not only one incredible night of music, but an emotionally moving tribute and a very fitting finale to the life of the musician and the man who lit up so many lives.

In a sense, you need to ask, how can you even begin to properly say goodbye to someone who touched so many people, through and through?

He was The Man, the king of the keys, the cats pyjamas, the bees knees, a dear friend to so many loved, loved and loved. He was The Doc. And he is being missed now more than he couldve ever known.

So, to sum up and bid a musical farewell to a man of this kind of calibre was certainly no easy task. But I dont think there could be anyone who left the Confederation Centre that night who thought the celebration of his life was a sub-par effort as a total of 46 musicians played and sang their hearts out on stage in a tribute that lasted over three hours, culminating in a wonderful eulogy and then a musical finale that brought the house down. It was all enough to make one assured, indeed, that Dr. Music himself was right there with us.

It began with a heart-warming, spirit-igniting introduction from MacAndrew, a long-time friend of Rileys. Concert host Matt Rainnie then took the stage to welcome the first musical act of the show singer/guitarist Brett Ryan, who sang an original tune called Dr. Music, with the nights stacked backing band led by musical director and saxophonist Chris Mitchell, getting hearts a-fired and pumped to an even greater degree.

Soon enough Jackie Richardson waltzed out on stage. And from this point onward, the communal soul-gauge of the night was set at hot and holy, and high as heaven, baby.

When the question is asked, Is The Doctor in the house? the answer is yes, smiled one of Canadas foremost singers of gospel, blues and jazz, about to blast into her tune.

Because, in the way that Doug was always so much about feeling and spirit, I think its safe to say that The Doctor will eternally be in the house.

If you can imagine the power of an entire gospel choir all rolled into one person, then you have Richardson and the kind of performance she laid down on that stage for us that night.

Wide-eyed, hands waving, fingers pointing to heaven, struttingand swaying, a mountain of power all in one sound like the voice of God Himself, spirit-soarin, passion-pourin, peace-proclaimin, she sang Highway to Heaven, and not a crowd member was left sitting in a seat as she finished her last soul-cry to the Almighty.

This weather report just in, said Rainnie, after she exited, all of the snow on P.E.I. is now melted.

Other highlights of the first half included Rileys angelically-voiced daughter-in-law, Courtney Farquhar, singing an original tune called How I Got Here

(that Riley loved) and an ensemble called The Neighbours, who brought an end to the first half with a mighty rendition of Swing Down Chariot.

As all the proceeds from the concert went to the Doug Riley Scholarship Fund being set up with the UPEI Department of Music and the Atlantic Veterinary College, AVC dean Dr. Tim Ogilvie began the second half with a speech of gratitude.

Then, a man named Danny B, who played with Riley every Wednesday night for nine years, kicked up the music into high gear once again, tearing up a boogie-woogie blues tune, on vocals and harmonica (with a prop cigarette in his hand) like a wild man whose home is the stage and nowhere else.

Michael Burgess singing Freedom, Doug Mallorys pure and perfect performance of Ill Be Seeing You, Roy Johnstone jazzing it up and The Reids playing Wabash were other main second half highlights.

Jan Riley strongly delivered a monumentally moving eulogy to her husband, near the end amid many tears, particularly when talking of the warmth and friendship that they have been embraced with upon making P.E.I. their home.

Certainly, there was not a dry eye in the house.

And the night was then brought to a glorious, climaxing close, with all the nights performers out on stage, singing Song for the Doctor.

Flying free, playing with the all-star band in the sky. Hes burning in our hearts, and the flame will never die.

Thats the kind of power you need to end with, to say farewell to a man like this. Anything less would not do. And it is the right note, too. For in every way that he lit up our lives, Doug Rileys flame could never die.

Next week: Kendall Docherty Christmas Concert in Montague.



At a glance

n What: Dr. Music: A concert celebrating Doug Rileys life and music.

n Where: Confederation Centre of the Arts.

n When: Tuesday, Dec. 11.

n Who: 46 musicians, local and national greats from far and wide, hosted by Matt Rainnie, with an introduction by Jack MacAndrew and organized by a huge group of people who needed to put their adoration and everyones adoration for Riley into this gift for all to enjoy. And, yes, its safe to say that The Doctor himself was there as well.

n Why: He swooped into our Island lives, played up a storm in our hearts, and now to send him sailing away on the winds of that love is all that we can do.



Each week, Todd MacLean brings his readers into the experience of a new musical event, from Island ceilidhs and festivals, to the citys bar scene and rock concerts. When he is not writing or playing music, he can often be found strolling throughout the streets of Charlottetown philosophizing and eating cookies. He loves to hear feedback and suggestions for future musical endeavors. He can be reached at tmaclean@theguardian.pe.ca or at 626-1242.