Category: Country

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 9

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

A who’s who of Canadian alt-country/blues scene, each member of this band is superbly talented in their own right.  If you like this, follow-up with Stephen Fearing, LEe HARVeY OsMOND and Colin Linden.  You will not be disappointed.

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2. Jean-Pierre Ferland

” Je reviens chez nous”

Jean-Pierre Ferland (album)

An early French-Canadian artist, this song was released in the mid 60’s.  Canada’s answer to Maurice Chevalier.

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3. The Razorbacks

“Times Like These”

A rockabilly style from the late 80’s and early 90’s.

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4. The Guess Who

“Hand me Down World”

Cover of "Share the Land"

Another entry by Canada’s number 1 classic rock export.  This is another tune written after the departure of Randy Bachman, and was penned by Kurt Winter.

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5. Our Lady Peace

“Is Anybody Home?”

Is Anybody Home?

Another entry from Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace.  This is one of their signature tunes and released in the late 90’s.

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The Jobe Wilson Band – Twitter Thursday

The Jobe Wilson Band followed me on Twitter a few months ago, and I have been meaning to put up a post for some time now.  They seem like a definite good time, in your face party type of band, and I love this kind of energy.  They fired up in 2005 and took south Texas by storm.  They paused after a while and reorganized in 2008.  I could see myself having a great time in some bar with these guys rocking it out in the background.

Bad Bad Voodoo Whiskey

1003

 

The group is now recording their second album.  If you want to follow-up on them, you can hit the link above or visit them on MySpace, Twitter or Facebook.

Bang Bang Shoot em Up

 

Artists From Twitter – Tori Hathaway

I like to post music from artists that I follow (and who follow me) on Twitter.  There is an awful lot of talented people out there and I love to promote them in my little niche here on the web.  In this instalment of Artists From Twitter, I present 12-year-old Tori Hathaway from Barrie, Ontario, Canada.  Yes, I said 12.  I could do the standard things, like call her cute and all that jazz, but I am sure she would hate that.  Tori is embarking on her own journey in the music world, tirelessly self-promoting and playing at every opportunity.  In other words, doing exactly what she needs to do.  She followed me one recent day on Twitter and I went online to check out her material.  I am not a huge country music fan, but, as I always say talent is as talent does.  She is already writing her own material and is very comfortable singing and playing on stage.  I am impressed with the poise and professionalism she brings to the stage.  Tori Hathaway (aka Victoria Marie) is a name to remember down the road.

I Can’t Say – Tori Hathaway

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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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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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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My Philosophy Of Music

Frank Sinatra at Girl's Town Ball in Florida, ...
Frank Sinatrra

 

For those of you that follow my ramblings, you may have noticed that I post a lot of entries about music.  You may find it odd that a travel blog does this on such a regular basis.  The truth is, I find it hard to accumulate my thoughts and generate regular travel posts and I choose to fill these creative lapses with other people’s creativity.

I have had a life long obsession with music and have become slightly philosophical about it.  For example, the following videos.  What do they have in common.  Figure that out, and I believe you will understand my tastes in music.

 

Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”

 

 

Clue 1 – I normally cannot even listen to country music, however, I do make the odd exception, and this is one of them.

 

John Mayer Trio – “Vultures”

 

 

Clue 2 – Supposed pop artists have other sides.

 

Hudson Ford – Crying Blues

 

 

Clue 3 – Just because you never heard of it, doesn’t mean the music is uninteresting or bad.

 

And finally

 

Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon

 

 

Now it is time to connect the dots.  Lady Antebellum, John Mayer Trio, Hudson-Ford and Frank Sinatra.  I do not like country, but I really like Lady Antebellum’s song, John Mayer, notorious pop artist, Hudson-Ford, obscure 70’s group, and Frank Sinatra, classic crooner, as far from rock as one can get these days.  The common thread is simply that each and every one of these is GOOD. Good is, well, good.   Nothing, even genre, can transcend great songs.  All of these are, in my mind, well written and well performed.  Great players make great music.  Even if you don’t like the type of music, certain songs can pull you in, solely by just how well done they are.  I have learned over the years not to dismiss or be prejudicial towards any form of music and to listen closely for what may be, or not be, something that could be the next big tune on my iPod.   I would hate to miss that song.

Listening to Canadians – The Deep Dark Woods

Cover of "Winter Hours"
Cover of Winter Hours

The Deep Dark Woods are from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and could be considered as an alt-country band.  Regardless, they have been carving out a fan base with their smooth sound and strong song writing.  To date, they have released four albums and have contributed a song to CBC Radio 2‘s Great Canadian Song Quest.  When we lived in Saskatoon we had occasion to see them a couple of times and enjoyed their music.  Their most recent release “The Place I Left Behind” has just been released worldwide, a big step for the band.  The video attached is from their previous album “Winter Hours” and is titled “All The Money I Had Is Gone”.

Enjoy.

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