Artist: The Deli Llamas, Album: Gumball, Song: Stenner Road

"The hand of fate, the force of will.  The gentle teacher's learning still."  The Deli Llamas were a five piece band from Toronto.  They were Paul and Paula Ackerley, Bruce Adamson, Jamie Pugh and Howard Rabkin.  They were an indie band from the nineties that I first discovered on a festival sampler.  Years later, I was able to procure a copy of Gumball which was released in 1997.  Stenner Road is a deep album track with some wicked Stevie Wonder like keyboard work.  I wouldn't say this song is indicative of the entire album since the band appeared to be "creatively unbound" with various styles coming through in their music.  Guitarist Bruce Adamson played for a short while with the band, Staggered Crossing (see blog 1/12/11).  Bassist Howard Rabkin appears to have a long musical resume and is playing with a band called the Weathered Kings now (http://www.weatheredkings.ca/).  Paul Ackerley was the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer of this album.  I believe he is working in film and television.  The album, Gumball, is a difficult find today.  At the time of this blog, there were copies trading on Ebay between $10 and $20.  You can hear the song, Stenner Road, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFy6wTgP-PI&feature=channel_video_title).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!