Today’s song is by a Denver based alt band called Churchill. The song “Change” is off their EP of the same name, released in 2012. This is their second album. They are another entry into the current alt-folk trend that is so popular these days. The song itself (once you get past saying change every second word) has a nice easy feel to it.
Stompin tom connors in 2002 crop (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Canadian legend and troubadour Stompin’ Tom Connors passed way on March 6, 2013. He was 77. While he has had a long and great career, Canadians will always remember him for his classic “The Hockey Song“. Give it a listen, it can’t help but put a smile on your face.
He got the nickname from his habit of stomping the heel of his boot while he played. He was a staple on Canadian TV, not only having his own shows, but also by supplying theme songs for various shows and his talent for creating anthems, such as The Hockey Song. Here is another fine example of his populist song writing skills, “Bud The Spud“.
In his later years, he pushed away from the limelight. He had a few disputes with such institutions as the Juno Awards (he returned all his Juno’s to protest their qualification guidelines) and the CBC who would not air a music special about him. In response to their refusal, he simply stated:
“As far as I’m concerned, if the CBC, our own public network, will not reconsider their refusal to air a Stompin’ Tom special, they can take their wonderful offer of letting me sing a song as a guest on some other program and shove it.”.
Back in our slightly younger days back in the town of Martensville, Saskatchewan, this song used to get a big rise out of the semi, mostly and hardly inebriates at town functions. Sadly, Raylene Rankin passed away on September 30th after a battle with cancer. Thanks for the memories Raylene.
I first heard this band, the Lone Bellow, from another one of my sources for new music, this being the iTunes free single of the week. Don’t know if this happens in other countries, but in Canada they give away a song every week. I religiously download it without listening. If I like it great, it stays, if not, I will search them out on YouTube and elsewhere to confirm or refute my thinking. Chalk this one up as a refute. I did NOT like the freebie, but found that I liked pretty much everything else they did. The band is a Brooklyn trio, and they show a powerful country rock variant that can easily cross over into pop, rock, roots or folk. As an aside, is it my imagination, or is New York City, England and Canada beginning to dominate the new music scene. It seems everything I have brought up here, has come from these places. No matter, good is good.
Lianne La Havas is an English singer who has asked the question everyone wants to the answer to, “Is Your Love Big Enough”. Since 2011, she has released 3 EP’s and an album. The album also asks the same question and was released in 2012. The song itself is very catchy and Lianne has an excellent voice. She is an excellent addition to the current British Invasion of women singers.
With this post, we have now covered the first 150 songs on this list I discovered. Only 350 to go, blogger gold. This set has some drinking songs and lots of rock and roll, some classic, some newer and some that raises hackles on some people. Enjoy.
This one is for Hotspur. It isn’t pissing rainbows, but it is purple. One of the great drinking songs, done by the Irish Rovers in 1967, it reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. Glen Campbell played guitar on the original. I think most people can sing at least a little of this one.
Rush, one of the greatest bands ever. 2112 is not a song, but one side of an album, broken into 7 pieces. The total length is 20:33. One of the best albums of all time. The video here is a live 6 minute piece of the song, taped in 1976.
A little more recent is Treble Charger’s song, American Psycho. Recorded in 2000 on their album “Wide Awake Bored“, it reached number 4 on Billboard’s Canadian Alt chart.
English: Canadian hard rock band Helix in concert at the Friendship Festival in Fort Erie. From left to right, Rick VanDyk, Brian Vollmer, Brent Niemi, Jim Lawson, Paul Fonseca (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Helix was popular in the late 70’s to the mid 80’s. Their sound was definitely heavy rock, a classic 80’s style.
Ottawa and Montreal artist Lynn Miles recorded this tune on her 2010 album “Fall For Beauty”. The album was nominated in 2011 for a Juno in the Roots and Traditional category. She is singer-songwriter in the booming folk genre that is so popular these days. The video is a live version of the song and it showcases her strong voice in an acoustic version of the song. Well written and well performed. I hear some Shawn Colvin in there, which is a very good thing
Quickly becoming my new favourite song, Hero by Family of the Year. They are an indie band out of Los Angeles. They released their first album in 2009. Their break came when they were picked from over 700 groups to open for Ben Folds at his show with The Boston Pops. Enjoy Hero.
These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year. It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning its move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs. About time I’d say. I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc. The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.
I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1. In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012. I hope you enjoy.
The Echo Friendly – Same Mistakes
Haunting melody, interesting harmonies, good video. This one snuck up on me and really grew on me.
I suggest 2 things, in either order. Close your eyes and listen to the lyrics and let the sound wash through you, then open them and watch the video. Great song and message.
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Mo Kenney – Sucker
This video is a duet with a favourite of mine, Joel Plaskett. He produced her album as well. Beautiful song.
I don’t think Phil Spector was thinking banjos when he went with the wall of sound, but it works. And live, incredible. Singing lead, playing guitar and hitting the drum pedal.
I am an unabashed John Mayer fan. His consistency is amazing. Great player as well.
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Phillip Phillips – Home
When I first heard this song on Idol as the required song in the final, I knew there was no way he would lose. For the first time in American Idol history, the chosen first single for the winner was a perfect match. I also did something I had never done for an Idol artist, I bought the song.
These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year. It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning it’s move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs. About time I’d say. I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc. The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.
I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1. In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012. I hope you enjoy.
I see great things from this Canadian singer-songwriter. Love this version, recorded live at CBC.
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Graffiti6 – Free
This song reached and grabbed me by the ears and shook me to a musical high. Phenomenally written song, reaching one crescendo after another.
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The Lumineers – Ho Hey
Another tune that grabbed me. The more I listened, the more I liked. This song will be around for years, in movies, on TV, in commercials. Instant classic.
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Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks
Iceland’s contribution to music this year, and a great video as well.
