Music: Porteous Reinvents Himself By Going Back In Time

Please, please play it again

Beatles cover generates buzz for Victoria-born singer-songwriter

TOM HAWTHORN

Special to The Globe and Mail

May 30, 2007

SURREY -- Wyckham Porteous took to the stage with an acoustic guitar borrowed from the night's headliner.

On this night, he was an impresario pressed into service as an impromptu opening act for Paul Hyde, billed on the marquee as the "voice of the Payolas."

The Crescent Beach Legion hall was packed, most of the crowd on hand for the closing concert of the second season of the "Up Close and Intimate" showcase, sponsored by the White Rock Arts Council.

Closest to the bar, elderly gentlemen in dress uniforms sat in tidy rows, drinking beer as a toast to lost comrades forever to remain young in memory. The concert earlier this month took place on the anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, luring to the Legion aged men who had actually fought in war.

Mr. Porteous paid tribute to the veterans, urged patrons to buy 50-50 tickets, and spoke about the responsibilities of being a troubadour with an instrument.

"You know when you play an acoustic guitar, you stand by yourself," Mr. Porteous told the audience. "Wherever there's a campfire, you either throw the guitar in, or you play it."

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