Lori discovered this singer while getting her hair done. Good singer, some definite potential. She sounds great with a glass of Malbec and a good sound system. Continue reading “Listening to Gabriella Cilmi”
Category: Artists
Cornell Dupree – We Lose Another
Cornell Dupree passed away from complications of emphysema on May 8. He was a superb guitarist who had played with people like Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway, King Curtis and renowned drummer Steve Gadd. This video was recorded in 1976 with a band he was in with Steve Gadd, Eric Gale and Gordon Edwards called Stuff. For these guys it was about the music.
Listening to The Script
An under rated band that has had great success in the UK. Our cousin Lauren from England sent us a single for Christmas in 2007, which included this song. At the time, not available in Canada. Loved it. She came back to Canada in summer 2009 and we told her that she couldn’t come unless she brought the whole album, which was still unavailable here. Break Even, off this album became a hit here a year or so ago,, finally breaking this band in North America.
John Walker – The Walker Bros – We Lose Another
A lot of people may not have heard of the Walker Brothers, but you have definitely heard them. He was the front man for the band, which was unique for the time. They did a reverse British Invasion in that they were an American band that went to the UK in the early 60’s and had a string of hits on the British charts. John Walker, deceased at 67 from liver cancer.
Listening to John Mayer Trio
I know what a lot of people think, John Mayer, pop star, etc etc. I disagree, I think he writes pop so he can do what he really likes and that is perform. John Mayer can flat out play as you will see on this video. This is his trio, which features Pino Palladino on bass and Steve Jordan on drums. He formed this band in 2005 as a one time thing to perform on Tsunami Aid. Soon after they released an exclusive Itunes collection, derided as a vanity piece by most critics, although Rolling Stone magazine called him a passable mini Stevie Ray Vaughn. They then began touring as the opening act for the Rolling Stones on some of their dates (What a rush that would have been) and released a full live album, “Try”. It appears that John Mayer has a soft spot for hard driving Blues/Rock. And he is more than passable.
Listening to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Every now and then you find something when you least expect it. We were at the Saskatoon Jazz Festival a few years back and Lori sucked me in to go see Little Richard. 100 bucks later, we were in the Bessborough Garden listening to an astonishingly brutal concert by an icon. Talk about going through the motions. Anyways, I digress, the subject is Sharon Jones. Prior to the start of the concert, they were piping in music, and we’re saying who the hell is that, then more was played at intermission. The MC says, by the way, also playing tonight at the Odeon (basically a bar) is Sharon Jones, whose music they were piping in. One of those cases where the recorded music was better than the act, and it was only 20 bucks to get in. Finally did get to see her live at the Calgary Folk Festival (front row) a few years later. Well worth the wait. Click below to get to the video.
Continue reading “Listening to Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings”
Listening to Paolo Nutini (Two for One)
Yes, Italian name, Scottish accent, cute angle. Sure, BUT, this kid is really good. This particular song, “Coming Up Easy” is a primer on how to write a song. There will be much much more good music coming from this one over the years. Lori discovered him at a listening post I believe (remember those) at HMV. That was his first album, which is a must for any collection. This is from his second album “Sunny Side Up”.
i love this tune.
Listening to Sweet Thing
Yet another find from CBC2, while driving to work. Canadian band from Toronto I believe. Very catchy tune called “Lazy Susan”. If the CPC decides to ditch the CBC, I hope they keep the radio, especially CBC Radio 2. Where will I find new music, aargh!!!
Listening to Mumford & Sons
I was watching the Grammys and, as happens every year, getting pretty bored of the big show, when Mumford & Sons is introduced. They are all jammed up together on the stage and start playing. I am immediately enthralled by what I am hearing, then enthused. These guys are good. Not normally my cup of tea, mandolins, banjos and straight ahead folk music. Then I find out they are English, wow. I’m thinking they were right out of the hills in the USA somewhere (no offence to my American friends, just saying). Other than Jagger backed up by Rafael Saadiq and his band, the highlight of the show and the only album I bought while watching. Here they are, playing The Cave.
Listening to Cake
Remember “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”. That was Cake, and this is their latest, Sick of You. You could say this is my theme song for today’s election. This album was recorded using nothing but solar energy. Just a bit of a tidbit for any green friends out there. Enjoy.