Category: Canadian Music

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 7

Been feeling really tired here lately.  Winter is setting in with a vengeance (minus 25 predicted next week), the snow is here and no chinook in sight.  Had to work 5 days this week for the first time in what seems like months. All in all, very depressing and hard to motivate to do any posts other than the really easy stuff, therefore I apologize.  In an effort to cheer myself up, and I am posting another 5 Canadian tunes.  Hope you enjoy.

1. Gino Vanelli

“People Gotta Move”

Gino Vannelli, Festival de Jazz Riviera Maya 2009

A second entry from Montreal singer Gino Vanelli.  Kind of sings about what I need to do this weekend.  Gotta move.  This is a live version (I love live music, it separates talent from pretenders) and has a great vibe.

2. Blue Peter

“Radio Silence”

Some 80’s stylish rock from a pretty good band.  This song channels Bryan Ferry and David Byrne.

3. Bryan Adams

“Somebody”

Somebody (Bryan Adams song)

Another Bryan Adams classic.  A true anthem.

4. Paul Anka

“You’re Having my Baby”

Paul Anka at the 2007 North Sea Jazz Festival

Canadian 70’s crooning.

5. Jayne Sibbery

“Mimi on the Beach”

Jane is an interesting artist.  Quite the songwriter, yet she seems to shun the spotlight.

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 6

Lets take a look at 5 more Canadian songs.  In this selection we have a crooner, a smooth as silk jazz artist, some classic rock, an alternative band and, for the first time in this series, a Quebec artist.

1. Jean Leloup“1990”Jean Leloup Commons: Jean Leloup par Victor Di...

Quebec has a thriving music scene, although it is in French, which makes the lyrics a bit hard to follow, the music itself is universal. 

 2. Michael Buble“Save the Last Dance”English: Michael Buble walks the Red Carpet at...

Michael Buble has been one of the biggest music stars in the world for the past 10 years or so.  Great voice. 

 3.  Jerry Doucette“Mama Let Him Play” Superb classic rock with an excellent guitar solo. 
 4. Diana Krall“Better Than Anything”Portrait of Diana Krall at Toronto Indigo Chap...

Great singer, married to Elvis Costello, who is now an honorary Canadian.  The video is a duet with Natalie Cole. 

 5. Three Days Grace“Animal I Have Become”Pain (Three Days Grace song)

Something for the metal fans.  Great song!  This band has been around for a while now and continue to deliver solid songs and great performances.  This is their second entry to the list. 

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

Time to bring in the New Year with some more of Canada’s best music.  In this grouping we find 4 classic Canadian acts, including Bryan Adams second entry, a song by a Canadian institution and a newer rock group who have set some low expectations with their name and exceed them.

;Bryan Adams live in the Color Line Arena, Ham...

1.  Bryan Adams

“Heart’s on Fire”

A live version of another Bryan Adams classic. always electric.

2. Burton Cummings

“I’m Scared”

Burton Cummings of The Guess Who
Burton Cummings

The voice of one of the greatest bands ever, the Guess Who, Burton Cummings.  He had a fairly successful solo career after the band broke up.  This is a nice ballad that focuses on his piano work and, of course, the voice.

3. Gino Vannelli

“Wild Horses”

Canadian singer Gino Vanelli performing in Ams...
Gino Vannelli

A great singer out of Montreal, he had a terrific run in the 80’s and 90’s with a string of hits.  He still tours and is well worth the price of admission.

4. Lowest of the Low

“The Eternal Fatalist”

Lowest of the Low

Great song, nuff said.

5. Toronto

“Daddy Don’t Know”

Some hard-driving classic rock from my youth.

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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 3

;Bryan Adams live in the Color Line Arena, Ham...

This time out we have a bit more country/bluegrass, my first entry from a Canadian icon, some classic rock and a Christmas collaboration used for a fundraiser.

1. Eagle and Hawk

” NDN Cars”

A North American native anthem, the only version I can find on YouTube that wasn’t crap was the attached by Keith Secola.  Although not a Canadian, I will allow this as a pseudo-Canadian version.  My post, my call.

2. 5440

“She-La”

A Canadian classic, this is also a first entry, there will be more by this band.  One of our best bands, they never got the recognition they deserved.

3. Various Artists (Northern Lights)

“Tears Are Not Enough”

Part of the “We Are The World” famine relief efforts in the 1980’s, this song was Canada’s contribution.  The song, written by Bryan Adams, and features such artists as Neil Young, Geddy Lee, Burton Cummings and Anne Murray, a who’s who of Canadian artists at that time.

4. Bryan Adams

“It’s Only Love”

The first entry by a Canadian icon, this song was a major hit with Tina Turner.  The version I have inserted is a live one, recorded in Lisbon, Portugal and highlights the energy he can create on stage.  Oh, and Keith Scott is great on guitar.

5. Headstones

“Settle”

A 90’s band, they settle nicely into the classic rock genre.  A very successful group in their time.

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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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Five Man Electrical Band = A Canadian Classic

Cover of "Absolutely Right"
Cover of Absolutely Right

The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as the Staccatos) are a Canadian band out of Ottawa.  The group enjoyed substantial success in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  They released 7 albums between 1967 and 1975, achieving star status in Canada,  The song that they are best known for was a major hit here in Canada, and it achieved top 10 status in the USA.  This was a rare feat at that time for a Canadian band.  The song is “Signs” and it reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.  Their follow-up to Signs was a tune called “Absolutely Right” which also achieved some success on both sides of the border.  At the height of their career, they toured extensively across North America with such bands as the Allman Brothers, Edgar Winter and Sly and the Family Stone.  The band is still together and touring, with an album set for release in 2012.

I have attached 2 videos, the first a 2010 live version of Signs and the second, a live version of Absolutely Right from 1972.

Signs

Absolutely Right

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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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