Category: Adult Alternative

My Top Tunes of 2011

Raphael Saadiq, American singer-songwriter.
Raphael Saadiq

This post includes songs that were new to me in 2011, meaning some of them may not be real 2011 releases.  Once again, my blog, my rules.  Now that I have set the ground rules, I will not mince words or platitudes on these bands or songs and will simply post the video with a link to their website.  Please visit them, and remember, support these artists and any others that strike you, be they authors, musicians, sculptors etc.  It is hard to be creative when you are starving.

10. Adele        Rolling In The Deep

Could have picked any of the songs on this album.

9. Matthew Barber    Keep It Alive

A beautiful ballad.

8. Foster The People   Pumped Up Kicks

The lyrics are what sets this song apart from the pack.  Easy to sing along, but what is it that you are singing.

7. Sara Bareilles    King of Anything

A light pop sound, but done, oh so well.

6. Amos Lee    Windows Are Rolled Down

This guy has been blowing me away for years.  Great, great song.

5. Cake    Sick Of You

My solar-powered entry.

4. Frank Turner   If Ever I Stray

British folk songs, sung by ex-punk stars with really cool videos seem to be very popular now.

3. Eliza Doolittle   Pack Up

Another cool retro style British pop song, and I have no idea why I liked it so much.

2.  Raphael Saadiq   Stone Rollin’

Saw him at the House of Blues in New Orleans.  PERFECT!!!  If R&B hadn’t been invented, he would be right now.

1. Trombone Shorty     Do To Me

I was stunned when I first heard this album.  Couldn’t download it fast enough.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 4

Sam Roberts Band playing Lollapalooza in 2007
Sam Roberts

Welcome back to the list of Canada’s best music.  This entry includes some current stars, a classic rocker and a pair of icons, one of whom you may not have realized was Canadian based on music history and cultural impact.  Let’s start with the video.

1. Sam Roberts

“Canadian Dream”

This is the first entry in the list for Sam Roberts.  The band is a current favourite and has an extensive following.

2. The Guess Who

“Running Back to Saskatoon”

Another Canadian icon makes its first entry to the series.  This song has always been one of my favourites for several non-musical reasons.  First I am originally from Winnipeg, where they hail from, and second Saskatoon is my second home, lived there for 15 years.

3.  David Wilcox

“Riverboat Fantasy”

David Wilcox, love this guy.  The prototypical live guitar player.  Writes some very interesting lyrics and simply loves to play live.  We saw him play at Olympic Plaza in downtown Calgary on Canada Day and it was just nuts.  Lots of fun when this guy cuts loose.

4.  Neil Young

“This Note’s for You”

Bet you didn’t know Neil Young was a Canuck did ya.  The first time on the list, this tune rocks.

5.  Our Lady Peace

“Julia”

A second entry in the first twenty songs posted.

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 2

Don't Call Me Baby (Kreesha Turner song)

Today brings 5 more Canadian songs that I would like to share.  The mix this time out includes some bluegrass/country with the Good Brothers, some modern pop with Justin Bieber (sorry, but he is Canadian), some classic rock with the Ian Thomas Band (Dave Thomas of Strange Brew‘s brother), some hip hop/dance with Kreesha Turner and some out and out rock and roll with Billy Talent.  As always, please follow-up on these people using the links, and on YouTube.

1.  The Good Brothers

     “Fox on the Run”

Some mighty fine picking on this live version of the song.  These guys have been around a LOOOONNG time, their first album was out in 1967 and they are still recording and touring.

2.  Billy Talent

  “Try Honesty”

Another hard-working band that made it big world-wide, Billy Talent has recorded since 1999 and together in one form or the other since 1987.  Great song.

3.  Ian Thomas Band

“The Runner”

A couple of things on Ian Thomas.  First, he is the brother of Dave Thomas of SCTV fame, and Mackenzie brother fame, the hoser.  Second, you may recognize the song as a Manfred Mann song.  Not so, Manfred Mann’s version was a cover of the 1980 original.

4. Justin Bieber

“Baby”

Catchy, other than that – No comment.

5. Kreesha Turner

“Don’t Call Me Baby”

As if in response to Justin.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 1

Shania Twain, live in Wembley, UK
Shania Twain

As people may have noticed, I am an unabashed supporter of Canada and Canada’s music scene.  I have begun this series to highlight Canadian music history and will do this 5 songs at a time.  I hope you enjoy the music and find some new favourites and rediscover some old ones.  I encourage you to click on the links and learn about the bands, and listen to more of their material.

Interesting collection this week, from country to alternative to a scintillating live rock performance.

1.  Our Lady Peace

“Somewhere Out There”

2.  Shania Twain

“Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under”

3.  Three Days Grace

“Never Too Late”

4.   Simple Plan

“Welcome to My Life”

5.  Death From Above 1979

“Romantic Rights”

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New Canadian Music Releases – December 6, 2011

English: Kathleen Edwards performing at the Po...
Kathleen Edwards

 

It has surely been a dry spell for new releases by Canadian artists.  I skipped last weeks post due to nothing to post on and almost decided to do the same this week.   Fortunately, songstress Kathleen Edwards released a single anticipating her Mid-January release of her album “Voyageur”,  As I normally don’t post on singles, I thought this would be an opportunity to, first, have some continuity in my posting, and second do a 2fer.  Consider this to both be an entry on new music and a Canadian Classic post as well.  Ottawa born Edwards has been recording since 1999, and has released 4 albums and 3 EPs since then.  Her work has recently been featured in the movie “Elizabethtown” and she has played with such notables as Bryan Adams, Jim Cuddy and the Arkells.  She is a two-time nominee for Canada’s Juno Awards.  The video off her new album is titled “Change the Sheets” and the classic video is “I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory”.  The second song is a popular Canadian hockey related tune, and features NHL greats Marty McSorley and Paul Coffey, among others.

 

Change The Sheets

 

I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory

 

 

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New Canadian Music Releases – November 15, 2011

Tegan and Sara playing a show in Hamburg, Germ...
Tegan and Sara

A slow week  for new releases as groups prepare for their Christmas releases or are releasing Christmas albums.  Having said that, our first new release is technically not new.  Tegan and Sara (from Calgary, Canada) have released a live album (Get Along) to go with their new DVD concert release.  They are twin sisters, Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin, and they have had some success on the indie/alternative scene around the world.  They have been recording since 1999.  This is their 7th disc.  They have been nominated for Juno awards in Canada on 4 occasions, having yet to win.  They have won 2 Western Canada Music Awards, the most recent in 2010.  This award was significant as it was an International Achievement Award.

The video below is “Call It Off”, not a live version, but is indicative of their body of work.

 

 

Don't Call Me Baby (Kreesha Turner song)
Kreesha Turner

Next up is Edmonton native, Kreesha Turner.  She is an R&B/Pop artist with a hip hop lean.  She began her road in music directly out of high school in 2003, winning an Edmonton radio station’s talent contest in 2005.  This is her second album release, a follow up to 2008’s “Passion”.  In her career she has twice been nominated for Juno Awards, losing both times.  She has already had some USA success having reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart  with “Don’t Call Me Baby”. The video is from the new album and is titled “Rock, Paper, Scissors”.

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Listening to Adele – Update 3

The cover for Adele's single Make You Feel My Love

 

The good news, Adele’s throat surgery appears to have been successful.  This is fantastic to lovers of this amazing talent.  We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her resuming her tour, and a new album.  Get well soon.

As long as I am talking Adele, might as well insert a video.  The attached is a live version of “Rumour Has It”, performed at the iTunes Festival 2011.  Astounding in that there is no appreciable difference in her live version when compared to a produced album version.  Truly a spectacular artist.

 

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New Canadian Music Releases – November 8, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists. This post will cover the week of November 2 to November 8, 2011.

First up today is Said The Whale, who released a new EP today titled “New Brighton”. I feel I have to be very nice as I live in a part of Calgary called New Brighton. Having said that, the band is an indie-rock quintet from Vancouver, BC. they released their first album in 2007 and have now recorded 2 albums and 9 EP’s. They have a full album scheduled for release in March of 2012. They were the 2011 Juno award winner for new group of the year. The Juno award is Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy. They are well worth checking out. the track posted is off the record and is called “Lines”

My second release is Couer de Pirate and the new album “Blonde”. Beatrice Martin is Couer de Pirate. She exploded onto the Canadian music scene 2008 as an 18 year old, a classically trained pianist. Yes, it is in French, but Canada is a bilingual nation with many great bands and singers coming out of the province of Quebec. The cut here is called “Adieu”. Beatrice is rapidly becoming Canada’s next international superstar.

Jacob Hoggard, the lead singer of Hedley playi...
Jacob Hoggard of Hedley

My final release for the week is another Canadian staple, Hedley. They released “Storms” deluxe version today. The band is formed around former 2004 Canadian Idol contestant, Jacob Hoggard. Not surprisingly, Jacob is the bands lead singer and front man. They have released 4 albums since forming in 2004. The band is a multiple Juno nominee although only winning once (video of the year in 2011). I have chosen the track “Invincible” off the album. See you next week.

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Western Canadian Music Awards

The Western Canadian Music Awards were held in Whitehorse, Yukon on October 23.

Whitehorse on the Yukon river
Whitehorse, Yukon

These awards have been happening in one form or the other since 1995 and were created to recognize musicians from, you guessed it, Western Canada.  A link to all the winners is here.  I have included some video and links to showcase some of the winners in categories I follow,.

Outstanding Blues Recording ~ Little Miss Higgins ~ Across The Plains

Little Miss Higgins was born in Brooks, Alberta, grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and now has roots in Saskatchewan.  The award is for her 2010 album and the song I have attached is “Bargain Shop Panties”.  Lots of Saskatchewania in this tune.

Outstanding Rock Recording ~ The Sheepdogs ~ Learn & Burn

The SheepdogsOn the Cover of the Rolling Stone.  What a year for these Saskatoon players.  They won the contest to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, they will clean up at the Junos and are taking the music world by storm.  In the meantime, they have won Outstanding Rock Recording for their recent album.  The Sheepdogs are riding the wave.  The video is “I Don’t Know” off the album.  I do believe they are channelling Lynyrd Skynyrd or something, what a great song.

Outstanding Roots Duo/Group Recording ~ The Wailin’ Jennys ~ Bright Morning Star

The Wailin' Jennys #0807
Wailin' Jennys

Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys have been around since 2004 and have been creating excellent roots/folk music since that time.  Attached is “Storm Comin'” off the album, performed live at CBC Radio 3.

New Canadian Releases – November 1, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists.  This post will cover the week of October 25 to November 1, 2011.

Down with Webster performing on TELUS Stage at...
Down With Webster

First up is Down With Webster and their release of “Time To Win, Vol. II”, which is an aptly titled follow-up to their award-winning 2009 release “Time To Win, Vol I”.  The band is from Toronto and is in the rock rap category of music.  The band is a textbook case on how to break through.   They have played everywhere and at any function in their quest for success.  My personal first exposure was during a half time show at a Grey Cup game (Canadian Football League Championship Game), when they played “Whoa Is Me”.  That song was an immediate iPod download.  I have chosen a video of a song called “She’s Dope”, which was released in May as the first song off the album.

 

Jann Arden
Jann Arden

Next up is a Canadian favourite, Jann Arden.  This singer-songwriter is from Calgary ( we ate at her restaurant when it was open) and has had success for many years, having released her first album in 1993.  On the way she has been nominated for Juno Awards on 19 occasions, winning 8 times and has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.  She is known for her quirky sense of humour and her easy way with people, not to mention a stellar singing voice.  This release is titled “Uncover Me 2”, and contains her covers of a range of tunes.  There are no videos off the new album, so I have inserted one of her classics, “Insensitive”

 

Our 3rd release is by a Kitchener, Ontario indie-pop band, Courage My Love.  Don’t know much about them other than they are a 3 piece band with high intensity in their sound.  They have toured extensively and may be appearing at a venue near you.  Their album is “For Now” and the cut I have here is titled “Barricade”.

 

Hey Ocean - Band Portrait Candid
Hey Ocean!

My final band for the post is Hey Ocean! and their new release “Big Blue Wave”.  This is a discovery.  They are definitely an up and coming alternative band.  I started looking for tunes online for a video link and found a live version of the title track on the album, followed by a second tune “Liar”..  Astounded.  This band will be heard from, a lot.  The band hails from Vancouver and is quickly gaining a fan base with their energetic, clean and different sound.  Very impressed.

 

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