A gorgeous afternoon; sunny, perfectly cool spring weather. Francois arrived first, wearing black shades and carrying his guitar. We’d booked the 1951 “PCC” streetcar and as we waited for the rest of the band to arrive at the McCaul Turnaround pickup location, we admired the old machine. If you look at the underside of the car, you’ll see there are a few slats of old wood bundled up like a hammock, just in front of the first set of wheels. Frank, the driver, explained that this was the safety mechanism – called ‘the cradle’ – designed to scoop up anything (or anyone) that happened to fall under the streetcar. Francois was not interested in testing out this technology.

Reg, Dana and Kelly arrived about ten minutes later and we boarded the car to get them situated and mic’d up. Frank started the car rolling at 4:20 and headed us westbound on Queen Street West. As the band got set up, we rumbled along sedately with the Sunday traffic turning the heads of the pedestrians who snapped photos and pointed at us as we passed by; evidence of the charm and nostalgia that these old streetcars evoke.

The band warmed up with “To Some It Comes Easy” so Adam and Jason (our sound guys) could get the levels set. Kelly was playing a beautiful accordion, a first for TRANSIT. Dana tapped out the rhythm with a pair of drum sticks; Reg and Francois on guitars. As we made our way through Parkdale towards the Junction, Josh called ‘action’ and Reg started in earnest, wowing us with a couple of takes of both “To Some it Comes Easy” and “Rewind”.

We took a quick break at the Humber Loop to stretch our legs, change battery packs, and snap some photos of the exterior. Then at 5:20pm, back in the car, rumbling eastbound back along the Queensway to QSW. Probably the highlight of the trip was the final song. With the band warmed up -- and everyone used to the car’s wobble and sway and the clanging racket of the old engine -- Gentleman Reg knocked out a fantastic version of “You Can’t Get it Back”. I have not been able to get it out of my head since.

At 5:45pm, we pulled back into the McCaul turnaround to disembark. The next two TRANSIT artists, Ayah and Slakah the Beatchild, were there waiting. We shook hands, thanked everyone, and wished the band well on their upcoming tour. And then our next shoot began.  - cb