In the setting-the-record-straight category: the beautiful wood carving on the front door of Oscar Peterson's home in west Erindale depicts the great pianist, composer and singer Fats Waller.
The references to the door usually describe the figure inscribed as Oscar's favourite pianist, Art Tatum. That includes an entry in Ross Porter's book last year on the 100 greatest jazz records.
Yesterday's Globe and Mail incorrectly said the carving was Oscar himself. If you look carefully at the photo in the paper, however, you can clearly see the distinctive bowler hat and the big smile that is Fats personified.
When I spoke with the pianist at his home just after his autobiography was published in 2002, he explained that the door was a surprise gift. The Petersons ordered the new door and the craftsman, a big jazz fan, added the drawing as a special feature on his own and presented it to the delighted couple. It has been a fixture ever since.
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In my top 10 Canadian albums entry, I intended to include a few honourable mentions, but got too long-winded, as per usual.
So here we go again, this time not in any particular order:
For The Roses (1990) - Joni Mitchell
Hard Rock Town- Murray McLauchlan (hardest name to spell in show biz.)
Tryin' To Start Out Clean- Willie P. Bennett
Kate and Anna McGarrigle
High Wind, White Sky - Bruce Cockburn
Nothin' Can Stop Me Now - Doug Mallory
Third Down and 110 Yards To Go (1972) - Jesse Winchester (how come an American ex-pat comes up with the best name ever for a Canadian album?)
Calling For Rain (2006)- Lori Cullen (Mississauga's own Juno nominee.)
Tonight's The Night- Neil Young
Canadian Sunset (1973) - Stringband
Music From Big Pink - The Band
Trinity Sessions- Cowboy Junkies
Sunday Concert - Gordon Lightfoot
Bedtime Story (1974) - Dr. Music
Jack Himself (1972) - Jack Shechtman
Cowboyography (1987) Ian Tyson
Nashville - Ian and Sylvia
Full Circle- Ian and Sylvia
Is somebody stuck in the 70s or what?