Category: Rock

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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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.

New Canadian Music Releases – November 22, 2011

I have nothing.  Other than a raft of Christmas albums, which I refuse to review, there were no releases of Canadian albums at all in the past week.  In the place of new music, I bring some people I have been listening to lately.

 

First is Edmonton singer/guitarist/songwriter Michael Rault.  His album  Ma-Me-O has been receiving extensive play on my iPod of late.  I have attached a live video of him and his band playing “I Want To Love You ” at The Artery in Edmonton.  Kind of an early Beatles/rockabilly sound.  Very good when he cuts loose, which is in the second video titled “Don’t Need No Help Gettin Down”.  Enjoy

 

I Want To Love You

I Don’t Need No Help Gettin Down

 

Another artist I am enjoying right now is Matthew Barber.  He hails from Port Credit, Ontario, and is becoming a very popular singer/songwriter in the Amos Lee style of folk and indie.  I am beginning to really like him.  The attached song “Keep It Alive”  has been growing one me in recent weeks.  Matthew plays a live version of the song, recorded at CBC 3 studios.

 

Keep It Alive

 

 

Here’s hoping we have some new stuff to share next week.

 

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New Canadian Music Releases – November 8, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists. This post will cover the week of November 2 to November 8, 2011.

First up today is Said The Whale, who released a new EP today titled “New Brighton”. I feel I have to be very nice as I live in a part of Calgary called New Brighton. Having said that, the band is an indie-rock quintet from Vancouver, BC. they released their first album in 2007 and have now recorded 2 albums and 9 EP’s. They have a full album scheduled for release in March of 2012. They were the 2011 Juno award winner for new group of the year. The Juno award is Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy. They are well worth checking out. the track posted is off the record and is called “Lines”

My second release is Couer de Pirate and the new album “Blonde”. Beatrice Martin is Couer de Pirate. She exploded onto the Canadian music scene 2008 as an 18 year old, a classically trained pianist. Yes, it is in French, but Canada is a bilingual nation with many great bands and singers coming out of the province of Quebec. The cut here is called “Adieu”. Beatrice is rapidly becoming Canada’s next international superstar.

Jacob Hoggard, the lead singer of Hedley playi...
Jacob Hoggard of Hedley

My final release for the week is another Canadian staple, Hedley. They released “Storms” deluxe version today. The band is formed around former 2004 Canadian Idol contestant, Jacob Hoggard. Not surprisingly, Jacob is the bands lead singer and front man. They have released 4 albums since forming in 2004. The band is a multiple Juno nominee although only winning once (video of the year in 2011). I have chosen the track “Invincible” off the album. See you next week.

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Western Canadian Music Awards

The Western Canadian Music Awards were held in Whitehorse, Yukon on October 23.

Whitehorse on the Yukon river
Whitehorse, Yukon

These awards have been happening in one form or the other since 1995 and were created to recognize musicians from, you guessed it, Western Canada.  A link to all the winners is here.  I have included some video and links to showcase some of the winners in categories I follow,.

Outstanding Blues Recording ~ Little Miss Higgins ~ Across The Plains

Little Miss Higgins was born in Brooks, Alberta, grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and now has roots in Saskatchewan.  The award is for her 2010 album and the song I have attached is “Bargain Shop Panties”.  Lots of Saskatchewania in this tune.

Outstanding Rock Recording ~ The Sheepdogs ~ Learn & Burn

The SheepdogsOn the Cover of the Rolling Stone.  What a year for these Saskatoon players.  They won the contest to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, they will clean up at the Junos and are taking the music world by storm.  In the meantime, they have won Outstanding Rock Recording for their recent album.  The Sheepdogs are riding the wave.  The video is “I Don’t Know” off the album.  I do believe they are channelling Lynyrd Skynyrd or something, what a great song.

Outstanding Roots Duo/Group Recording ~ The Wailin’ Jennys ~ Bright Morning Star

The Wailin' Jennys #0807
Wailin' Jennys

Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys have been around since 2004 and have been creating excellent roots/folk music since that time.  Attached is “Storm Comin'” off the album, performed live at CBC Radio 3.

New Canadian Releases – November 1, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists.  This post will cover the week of October 25 to November 1, 2011.

Down with Webster performing on TELUS Stage at...
Down With Webster

First up is Down With Webster and their release of “Time To Win, Vol. II”, which is an aptly titled follow-up to their award-winning 2009 release “Time To Win, Vol I”.  The band is from Toronto and is in the rock rap category of music.  The band is a textbook case on how to break through.   They have played everywhere and at any function in their quest for success.  My personal first exposure was during a half time show at a Grey Cup game (Canadian Football League Championship Game), when they played “Whoa Is Me”.  That song was an immediate iPod download.  I have chosen a video of a song called “She’s Dope”, which was released in May as the first song off the album.

 

Jann Arden
Jann Arden

Next up is a Canadian favourite, Jann Arden.  This singer-songwriter is from Calgary ( we ate at her restaurant when it was open) and has had success for many years, having released her first album in 1993.  On the way she has been nominated for Juno Awards on 19 occasions, winning 8 times and has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.  She is known for her quirky sense of humour and her easy way with people, not to mention a stellar singing voice.  This release is titled “Uncover Me 2”, and contains her covers of a range of tunes.  There are no videos off the new album, so I have inserted one of her classics, “Insensitive”

 

Our 3rd release is by a Kitchener, Ontario indie-pop band, Courage My Love.  Don’t know much about them other than they are a 3 piece band with high intensity in their sound.  They have toured extensively and may be appearing at a venue near you.  Their album is “For Now” and the cut I have here is titled “Barricade”.

 

Hey Ocean - Band Portrait Candid
Hey Ocean!

My final band for the post is Hey Ocean! and their new release “Big Blue Wave”.  This is a discovery.  They are definitely an up and coming alternative band.  I started looking for tunes online for a video link and found a live version of the title track on the album, followed by a second tune “Liar”..  Astounded.  This band will be heard from, a lot.  The band hails from Vancouver and is quickly gaining a fan base with their energetic, clean and different sound.  Very impressed.

 

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Listening to Classics – Rory Gallagher

Gallagher on acoustic guitar, March, 1976, Bre...
Rory Gallagher

Reporter:- “Well Jimi, what’s it like to be the worlds best guitarist?”

Jimi Hendrix:- ” I dunno. Go ask Rory Gallagher”

A very telling quote from one of the greats on, well, one of the greats.  The late Rory Gallagher (he passed away in 1995) was an Irish blues/rock guitarist, famous for making his stratocaster purr.  His first major band was “Taste”.  The band toured and opened for acts like Cream and Blind Faith, always adding to his personal reputation.  Once Taste broke up, he began a successful solo career.  He was most well known for his sizzling live performances.  He once said of his playing that it was “in me all the time, and not just something I turn on”.  He died of complications from a liver transplant.  His legacy is one that has been the bane of many, an unrecognized major talent that never received the recognition he so trylu deserved.  The track added here is a scintillating live version of “Bullfrog Blues”, one of his trademark songs.

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