John Cassidy and the Assembly

John Cassidy rose through the ranks of an Ottawa rock group called The Esquires to discover, through exposure to jazz guitarists, that there was far more to the instrument than volume comparable at times to the decibel level of a jet engine. His present quartet— including Yvon Farmer (electric piano), Bob Langley (bass), and Don Lane (drums) — has held together for three years now, playing everything from country rock to jazz sambas in prestige night spots in Ottawa.

On its first broadcast recording, the quartet plays Little Train, adapted from a theme by Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos. Another Brazilian inspiration, No Name Samba, has a West Indian sound about it as well. In contrast, the durable blues tune, C.C. Rider, has gentle guitar and piano parts with drums providing solid effects. Cassidy’s ‘recipe’ for Devilled Eggs comes on with a rock-blues feeling.

John Cassidy: guitar
Yvon Farmer: electric piano
Bob Langley: bass
Don Lane: drums