Hey Rosetta! is a Canadian indie band out of St John’s, Newfoundland. This song is another CBC2 find for me (I love that station). The music this band creates has a very layered sound. They remind me of many current bands that are enjoying success out of Canada, like Arcade Fire . At the same time, they put into the layers some sounds that remind one of a Coldplay. They have been around since the mid 2000’s, releasing 3 albums and 5 EP’s. This song “Red Heart” is off their 2008 album “Into Your Lungs“.
Danny Michel performing at the 2006 Ottawa Bluesfest on the MBNA stage/ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One of my favourite Canadian artists, Danny Michel, released this tune last year off his album, “Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me”. The song, “What Colour Are You” is rife with Latin rhythms, which make sense as it was recorded in Belize. You ever been to Belize?
Danny is one of those unsung types (no pun intended) who has never had major success, yet, has managed to record 12 albums since 1998. Very prolific, and one of those hard-working types that earns every new fan. I was turned on to him through his album “Valhalla” released in 2006 and have been a loyal fan ever since.
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.
Bobby Bazini and friends at Festivoix 2010 (Photo credit: Mario Groleau)
I’ve heard this tune a lot over the past few months. It kind of grows on you. When I first heard it, I immediately thought it was a new tune from Paolo Nutini. Wrong. Bobby Bazini is a French-Canadian sinnger songwriter out of Mont-Laurier, Quebec. The song, I Wonder was released in 2010 and was off his album “Better In Time”. The album garnered him Juno nominations in 2011 for New Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year. He did not win in either category.
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
“Jets Overhead, from left to right, Jocelyn Greenwood, Luke Renshaw, Antonia Freybe-Smith, Piers Henwood, and Adam Kittredge” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kind of an interesting tune, and a good video.
Jets Overhead are a Victoria, BC, Canada band formed in 2003, who play an alt-rock style. Boredom and Joy is their 3rd album to go along with 2 EP’s.
I received an email from one of the blogs followers, Alan Wilson. He is part of a band called Moon Dancer with an interesting story. Since we first talked in October 2012, I have meant to highlight them in a post. The time is now. Please click on this link to learn a bit about the band.
The band released the featured video in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Watch the entire video to discover how you can help. Inspirational, touching, frustrating, anger creating, very emotional. Please help this worthy and critical organization.
I received a follow and an email from a young talent last week, Paige Michael. She wrote:
“I am 13 years old from Port Perry, Ontario and I am a singer/songwriter. I co-write my songs with my friend Carly Macdougall who is also thirteen. I have recorded two tracks so far and I am actually in the studio recording a third. Â I have been only been doing this for six months but the response had been awesome. Â I am getting airplay on the Internet and in Australia and the UK but no support here in Canada. Â I really love what I am doing and hope to make it a career because I want to earn my living doing something that I love.”
“I also wanted to share with you that I received above average scores on my Factor Canada funding submission, and received the following feedback from the judging panel:
“spectacular voice,” “amazing talent at this age,” and “big things to come from her” Â
As you all know, I support Canadian talent at every opportunity, with one proviso, they need to be good. After listening to Paige, she qualifies. Great voice, and 13. I have suits older than that. Listen to the attached video. Then agree with me.
