Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 25

I have not done one of these for a while, so it’s time to pick up where I left off and continue the series. I think we all might have needed a break. Only 380 songs to go. This set is heavy on the classic rock and features an icon of my generation, one of the founders of The Band, Robbie Robertson. Also included is one of the judges for Canadian Idol, Sass Jordan and one of the worlds greatest bands, Rush.

1. Robbie Robertson

“American Roulette”

English: Robbie Robertson during a March, 2011...
English: Robbie Robertson during a March, 2011 radio interview. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the rock era’s greatest bands, The Band, spawned several major solo careers. Robbie Robertson is one of the major talents of the era. This version is live on Letterman, supported by fellow Canadian Paul Schaffer. This is one hot version.


2. Coney Hatch

” Hey Operator”

Coney Hatch (album)
Coney Hatch (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Coney Hatch was an 80’s rock band who created 3 albums. The band was produced by Kim Mitchell, an accomplished Canadian act in his own right. Carl Dixon, the lead, played with April Wine and the Guess Who in later years.


3. Strange Advance

“We Run”

Another 80’s band, Strange Advance were more of a new wave style group. They won Juno’s (Canada’s Grammy) in 1982 as Most Promising Group and were 1985’s Group of the Year. “We Run”s off their 1985 album “2WO”, which won them their Juno that year.


4. Rush

“Distant Early Warning”

Geddy Lee playing his Roland Fantom X7 during ...
Geddy Lee playing his Roland Fantom X7 during the 2010–2011 Time Machine Tour (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The best thing I can say about any Rush song is, “ENJOY”. One of the world’s finest groups.


5. Sass Jordan

“Tell Somebody”

Cover of "Tell Somebody"
Cover of Tell Somebody

Sass Jordan had a great run from the late 80’s through the 90’s. When Canada pursued their own version of American Idol, she was selected as one of the judges. This was her first hit in Canada, recorded in 1988. Don’t panic, the song starts at about 22 seconds.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 24

A great set if you like classic rock.  Max Webster is featured with 2 songs in the grouping.

1.  Max Webster

“Let Go the Line”

The Best of Max Webster
The Best of Max Webster (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Max Webster was the starting point for 2 of Canada’s most brilliant songwriters, Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois.  The band formed in 1973 and had a string of hits and gold albums until 1981.  The principals all went on to great solo careers.

Let Go The Line


2. Nickelback

“Worthy to Say”

Chad Kroeger on stage with Nickelback in Dubli...
Chad Kroeger on stage with Nickelback in Dublin May 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nothing to say, except they are from small town Alberta.  Major international stars, you either like them or you don’t.

Worthy to Say


3. Bachman Turner Overdrive

“Lookin Out for Number One”

Bachman-Turner Overdrive performing live in Ör...
Bachman-Turner Overdrive performing live in Örebro, Sweden 1991 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Great song.  I always thought their early material was far superior.  Kind of like the jazzy sound they had before they went straight power chords.

Looking Out For Number One


4. Max Webster

“Night Flights”

Kim Mitchell, Bobcaygeon Arena - 2005
Kim Mitchell, Bobcaygeon Arena – 2005 (Photo credit: Steven Burke)

The second entry.  Both these songs were from the same album.  There will be more.

Night Flights


5. The Band

“King Harvest”

Bob Dylan and The Band - February 2, 1974
Bob Dylan and The Band – February 2, 1974 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Band is likely the best band to come out of our country.  Great music.  This video is absolutely spectacular.

King Harvest

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 23

Today’s 5 spot includes a classic female singer of the 60’s, another entry from Blue Rodeo some classic rock and folk, and a current superstar.

1. Buffy Ste. Marie

“Mister Can’t You See”

Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie (Photo credit: aneye4apicture)

Buffy Ste. Marie is a native Canadian artist, born in Saskatchewan.  Her music is a mix of history and mysticism.  She is a true Canadian treasure.

This is one of her anti-war anthems.


2. Blue Rodeo

“Till I am Myself Again”

Blue-Rodeo
Blue-Rodeo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Love these guys.  Another entry from a great band.  This song is off Casino, recorded in 1990.


3. Crash Vegas

” It’s Not Funny Anymore”

Greg Keelor at the Spencerville fair
Greg Keelor at the Spencerville fair (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Crash Vegas was a Canadian folk-rock band from the late 1980’s.  It has a connection to Blue Rodeo in that Greg Keelor, the other singer and songwriter for Blue Rodeo was one of the founding members.   He left the band before they had recorded anything. This song is from their 1989 record, “Red Earth”.  The quality of the clip is lacking and I apologize.  Could not find  anything better.


4. 54-40

“One Day in Your Life”

Another entry from a Canadian classic band.

5. Nelly Furtado

“I’m Like a Bird”

Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado (Photo credit: Karen Blue)

The first entry on the list by Canadian international superstar, Nelly Furtado.  Great song.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 22

This week’s grouping is heavy on the classic 80’s rock material, but does include some classic Quebec music.

1. Frozen Ghost

“Should I See”

Frōzen Ghōst
Frōzen Ghōst (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Frozen Ghost was formed in the mid 80’s, recording until their break up in 1993.  They had a string of hits in the late 80’s, winning the 1987 Juno award as most promising new group.  Should I See is their first entry on the list.

Should I See

2. Robert Charlebois

“Lindberg”

Français : Robert Charlebois au festival de Ca...
Français : Robert Charlebois au festival de Cannes 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Robert Charlebois is a composer, singer, author from Montreal.  He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1999.  This song was originally recorded way back in 1967.

Lindberg

3. Glass Tiger

“My Town”

Air Time: The Best of Glass Tiger
Air Time: The Best of Glass Tiger (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A great classic rock song from Glass Tiger, and their 3rd entry on the list.  This is the version with Rod Stewart singing in parts of the song.

4. Chalk Circle

“This Mourning”

Another 80’s band out of Ontario.  A little harder edge than a lot of their contemporaries, except in this song.  Kind of sound like Simple Minds.

This Mourning

5. Blue Rodeo

“After the Rain”

Blue Rodeo 1
Blue Rodeo 1 (Photo credit: Neal Gillis)

Another entry from one of Canada’s finest bands.  This is an outstanding vocal performance by Jim Cuddy.

After The Rain

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 21

It is Sunday and time for the next 5 in my list of Canada’s best music.  In this edition, 2 by a current Canadian favourite, a classic rock song, a second entry by the great Joni Mitchell and some garage rock by Ugly Duckling.

1. Blue Rodeo

Diamond Mine

Cover of "Diamond Mine"
Cover of Diamond Mine

Blue Rodeo are Canada’s number one alt-country, rock band.  They have been churning out the hits for many years and are still at the top of Canada’s popular music game.  This song was released in 1989.

2. The Ugly Ducklings

“Nothin'”

The ugly duckling....
The ugly duckling….

Waaaay back in the 60’s, The Ugly Ducklings were the best there was on the Toronto music scene.  Garage rockers extraordinaire.  The version here is from a 2000 concert.  Love it live.

3. Blue Rodeo

“Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”

Blue Rodeo 1
Blue Rodeo 1 (Photo credit: Neal Gillis)

A second song by Blue Rodeo in this set.  This is from 1993.

4. Joni Mitchell

Free Man in Paris

Joni Mitchell performing in concert photo by P...
Joni Mitchell performing in concert photo by Paul C Babin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A  second tune on the list by the incomparable Joni Mitchell.  Easily one of the greatest ever.  This video features a live version and features an incredible band.  Really, really good!!

5. Chilliwack

“My Girl (Gone Gone Gone)”

Bill Henderson (lead singer and guitarist for ...
Bill Henderson (lead singer and guitarist for Chilliwack) taken in Merritt, BC, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chilliwack is one of those bands that really should have made it big worldwide.  Very talented with strong songs.

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 20

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 20

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 19

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 18

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 17

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 15

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 15