Category: Live Music

Canada’s All-Time Top Songs – #100

I’m revisiting a few old posts to kickstart a series I never finished. As a lover of Canadian music, I found a list of the top 100 Canadian hits. The song holding down the 100 spot is by Honeymoon Suite. The original post continues with a few tweaks below.

Back in the hair band days of the 1980s, Honeymoon Suite was a card-carrying member of the genre. Formed in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1981, they had a string of hits on Canadian radio and had some success in the USA market. The band’s name and the place they formed share a connection, which is very witty. Their big highlight was performing the title track for the movie Lethal Weapon.

Love Changes Everything was released in 1988 and is on their album Racing After Midnight. The song reached number 9 in Canada, 13 on the US Rock and 91 on the US chart, all by Billboard. The band is still recording, and its latest release was in 2019, with a new album coming on February 16, 2024. The album title is “Alive”.

Get ready to rock to a live version of the tune; live is always the best.

Remember to support independent artists; you never know what you will find.

To see and learn more about this icon of Canadian rock, hit the link. https://honeymoonsuiteband.com/

Remembering Melanie

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, professionally known as Melanie Sakfa and widely known as singer Melanie, passed away on January 23, 2024. She was born on February 3, 1947, in New York City.

She began her career singing in coffee shops, as many did then. After spending time in college, she began singing in various NYC clubs, eventually signing her first recording contract with Columbia Records. After some releases, she signed with Buddha Records and a string of hits started.

Her first major success was “Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)” in 1970. This was followed by a great version of the Rolling Stones hit “Ruby Tuesday” in 1970. In 1971, she recorded her most successful tune, which went global, “Brand New Key.”

She continued to record over the years, with several charted songs and albums, her last being recorded in 2010. A pioneer of today’s music, she performed at Woodstock and many other major events of the period. Another talent that will be missed but will live on through music.

Have a listen to the song “Brand New Key” and live as always. Please support live music and also patronize independent artists.

Remembering Myles Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn. (2023, December 14). By Tabercil – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4449811In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myles_Goodwyn

Myles Goodwyn, a blast from my past, passed away on December 3, 2023, at 75.  I say a blast from the past as the band he basically led, April Wine, was a big part of my life’s soundtrack. Not well known internationally, April Wine is a Canadian treasure.

He formed Apil Wine in 1969 with David Henman , Ritchie Henman , and Jim Henman. The band underwent many personnel changes over the years with Myles being there through it all until late 2022 when he retired from touring due to health issues. He left the band in March 2023.

His accomplishments were many and included the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The band has recorded 16 albums, 15 compilations and 9 live albums. To my detriment, I never saw them live even though I had many opportunities. A regret for sure.

The memories attached to their volume of work are huge and plentiful. Their heyday was perfectly placed in my music timeline. He will be missed. I leave you with one of my favourites, and as always, a live version.

My Top 10 for 2013 – 1 to 5

Tegan and Sara

As I sit here prepping this post, I noticed something odd, or not odd perhaps.  My top 5 consists of a Brit and 4 Canadians.  Not much bias on this blog.  My Top 5, in no particular order.

5 “Recovery” by Frank Turner

4 “So Blind” by David Myles

3 “I Was a Fool” by Tegan and Sara

2 “Red Hands” by Walk Off the Earth

1 “What I Wouldn’t Do” by Serena Ryder

 

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My Top 10 for 2013 – 6 to 10

Vampire Weekend
Cover of Vampire Weekend

Today we post the first 5 of my Top 10 for 2013.  The Canadian content in this group consists of a great song by Donovan Woods.  The Wire is likely the poppiest tune I have posted (or will post) but it is very catchy and becoming a huge hit.  Having said that, some “purists” will contest John Mayer being on any list.  I am a huge fan of his and greatly appreciate his abilities as both a songwriter and as an excellent guitarist.  Both are highlighted in Wildfire.  Enjoy!

10 “The Wire” by Haim

9 “Rumble and Sway” by Jamie N Common

8 “Wildfire” by John Mayer

7 “Put On, Cologne” by Donovan Woods

6 “Unbelievers” by Vampire Weekend

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Song Of The Day – Meredith Shaw – “Call It A Night”

Meredith Shaw, Toronto born, is both a singer songwriter and a radio personality.  The messenger and the message, cool.  She has a weekend show on 97.3 in Toronto, in which she interviews talent etc.  She has 1 album out, (2011’s Place Called Happy) which was produced by Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson and 1 EP (also 2011, Trouble) which was produced by Joel Plaskett.  This tune, “Call it a Night” showcases her personality and style and is done live as well.  Great song.

 

Song Of The Day – Paul Simon – “The Afterlife”

Paul Simon
Paul Simon (Photo credit: Evert-Jan)

 

Paul Simon still has it.  The song “The Afterlife” from his 2011 album “So Beautiful Or So What”.  Just a quick shot again tonight.

 

 

Song Of The Day – Tegan And Sara – “I Was A Fool”

English: Tegan and Sara performing at the Pola...
English: Tegan and Sara performing at the Polaris Music Prize Gala 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Song Of The Day didn’t have to go far for this one.  Tegan and Sara formed right here in Calgary back in 1995 and have had major success with their indie style music.  This song, “I Was a Fool” is from their latest album “Heartthrob”, which was released earlier this year.  I have chosen a live performance for you to enjoy.  An absolutely terrific tune.

Tegan and Sara Home

Tegan and Sara on iTunes

Tegan and Sara on Amazon

More Tegan and Sara on CBC Music

Song Of The Day – David Myles – “So Blind”

On the road today, so a quick, but very good song to post.

David Myles live on CBC Music performing his new tune “So Blind” with some backing by Classified.

 

Song Of The Day – Luke Doucet – “The Lovecats”

Luke Doucet, Justin Rutledge, Jim Cuddy and Me...
Luke Doucet, Justin Rutledge, Jim Cuddy and Melissa McLelland (Photo credit: kfjmiller)

This could qualify as an Interesting Cover.  Which reminds me, I should post a new one of those.  Time is our enemy at times isn’t it.  Today’s offering, presented for your approval, is a live version of a cover by Luke Doucet of a classic Cure tune, “The Lovecats“.  Great song, and a great version.  Luke Doucet is another of those Canadian talents that we kind of keep as a secret from the rest of the world.  He is everywhere on Canadian radio, teaming up with Danny Michel, or playing with Whitehorse (a duo with Melissa McLelland) or playing on his own.  Enjoy!