Tag: Classic Rock

Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 9

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

A who’s who of Canadian alt-country/blues scene, each member of this band is superbly talented in their own right.  If you like this, follow-up with Stephen Fearing, LEe HARVeY OsMOND and Colin Linden.  You will not be disappointed.

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2. Jean-Pierre Ferland

” Je reviens chez nous”

Jean-Pierre Ferland (album)

An early French-Canadian artist, this song was released in the mid 60’s.  Canada’s answer to Maurice Chevalier.

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3. The Razorbacks

“Times Like These”

A rockabilly style from the late 80’s and early 90’s.

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4. The Guess Who

“Hand me Down World”

Cover of "Share the Land"

Another entry by Canada’s number 1 classic rock export.  This is another tune written after the departure of Randy Bachman, and was penned by Kurt Winter.

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5. Our Lady Peace

“Is Anybody Home?”

Is Anybody Home?

Another entry from Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace.  This is one of their signature tunes and released in the late 90’s.

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 8

It is Sunday and time for the next 5 of Canada’s best music.  In this edition, we have an alternative/folk player, some classic rock and some unidentifiable pop.

1. Matthew Good

“I’m a Window”

Taken in Maple Ridge, outside of Matthew Good'...

A classic tune from one of Canada’s current day rock heroes.  This is a live acoustic version of I’m A Window, in 2007. 

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2. Junkhouse

“Shine”

An Alt-Rock group from the 1990’s, Ontario’s Junkhouse enters my list with an excellent tune called “Shine”. 

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3. Coney Hatch

“Stand Up”

Friction (Coney Hatch album)

Coney Hatch, from Toronto, is an 80’s classic rock band.  Moderately succesful, they released 3 albums during their run in the sun.Star on Canada's Walk of Fame for the rock ban...

A further entry to the list by Canada’s biggest selling band.  This is a live version of Bus Rider, performed by the original band on a reunion tour in 2001.  This song was actually a collaboration between Cummings and Kurt Winter.  Kurt and Greg Leskiw were tapped to replace Randy Bachman when he left the group.  Not that it took 2 players to replace him, just a change in philosophy as the band evolved, utilizing some additional flexibility.

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5. The Headstones

“Unsound”

Teeth and Tissue

A second entry by 90’s rockers, The Headstones.

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Remembering Robbie France

 

Python Lee Jackson
Python Lee Jackson

Drummer Robbie France passed away on January 14, 2012 at the age of 53.  Born in England, he moved to Australia in 1970, where he was a fixture in the music scene.  He returned to England in 1982.  A superb drummer, one only needs to read his list of groups and accomplishments to get a flavor on just how good he was.

1. Python Lee Jackson, with whom he recorded “In A Broken Dream” with Rod Stewart as a guest vocalist

2. Diamond Head

3. Ivan Chandler’s All-Star Quarter – with Andy Hamilton od Duran Duran and Wham fame

4. UFO from 1985

5. One Nation

6. Wishbone Ash

7. EBH (Ellis, Beggs and Howard)

8. Jean Touissant

There are some amazing cuts below.  Robbie France was a driving force behind many groups (as the rhythm section usually is) and influenced a great many of today’s drummers.

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With Diamond Head

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Ellis Beggs and Howard – Big Bubbles No Troubles

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In A Broken Dream – Python Lee Jackson

 

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Remembering Larry (Rhino) Reinhardt

captain beyond US Promo Release of 1st Album

January 2nd saw the passing of guitarist Larry Reinhardt.  He was the player who replaced Erik Brann in Iron Butterfly and was the guitarist on their Metamorphosis album.  He went from there to Captain Beyond in 1971, forming the band with Iron Butterfly bassist Lee Dorman.  The band had some success, eventually breaking up in 1973.  He then played with Bobby Womack in the mid 70’s and reformed Captain Beyond 1976, breaking up again the following year.  The balance of his career consisted of many tours as part of an Iron Butterfly reunion group and a final reformation of Captain Beyond in 2000.

Captain Beyond Live in 1972

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 7

Been feeling really tired here lately.  Winter is setting in with a vengeance (minus 25 predicted next week), the snow is here and no chinook in sight.  Had to work 5 days this week for the first time in what seems like months. All in all, very depressing and hard to motivate to do any posts other than the really easy stuff, therefore I apologize.  In an effort to cheer myself up, and I am posting another 5 Canadian tunes.  Hope you enjoy.

1. Gino Vanelli

“People Gotta Move”

Gino Vannelli, Festival de Jazz Riviera Maya 2009

A second entry from Montreal singer Gino Vanelli.  Kind of sings about what I need to do this weekend.  Gotta move.  This is a live version (I love live music, it separates talent from pretenders) and has a great vibe.

2. Blue Peter

“Radio Silence”

Some 80’s stylish rock from a pretty good band.  This song channels Bryan Ferry and David Byrne.

3. Bryan Adams

“Somebody”

Somebody (Bryan Adams song)

Another Bryan Adams classic.  A true anthem.

4. Paul Anka

“You’re Having my Baby”

Paul Anka at the 2007 North Sea Jazz Festival

Canadian 70’s crooning.

5. Jayne Sibbery

“Mimi on the Beach”

Jane is an interesting artist.  Quite the songwriter, yet she seems to shun the spotlight.

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 6

Lets take a look at 5 more Canadian songs.  In this selection we have a crooner, a smooth as silk jazz artist, some classic rock, an alternative band and, for the first time in this series, a Quebec artist.

1. Jean Leloup“1990”Jean Leloup Commons: Jean Leloup par Victor Di...

Quebec has a thriving music scene, although it is in French, which makes the lyrics a bit hard to follow, the music itself is universal. 

 2. Michael Buble“Save the Last Dance”English: Michael Buble walks the Red Carpet at...

Michael Buble has been one of the biggest music stars in the world for the past 10 years or so.  Great voice. 

 3.  Jerry Doucette“Mama Let Him Play” Superb classic rock with an excellent guitar solo. 
 4. Diana Krall“Better Than Anything”Portrait of Diana Krall at Toronto Indigo Chap...

Great singer, married to Elvis Costello, who is now an honorary Canadian.  The video is a duet with Natalie Cole. 

 5. Three Days Grace“Animal I Have Become”Pain (Three Days Grace song)

Something for the metal fans.  Great song!  This band has been around for a while now and continue to deliver solid songs and great performances.  This is their second entry to the list. 

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Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 5

Time to bring in the New Year with some more of Canada’s best music.  In this grouping we find 4 classic Canadian acts, including Bryan Adams second entry, a song by a Canadian institution and a newer rock group who have set some low expectations with their name and exceed them.

;Bryan Adams live in the Color Line Arena, Ham...

1.  Bryan Adams

“Heart’s on Fire”

A live version of another Bryan Adams classic. always electric.

2. Burton Cummings

“I’m Scared”

Burton Cummings of The Guess Who
Burton Cummings

The voice of one of the greatest bands ever, the Guess Who, Burton Cummings.  He had a fairly successful solo career after the band broke up.  This is a nice ballad that focuses on his piano work and, of course, the voice.

3. Gino Vannelli

“Wild Horses”

Canadian singer Gino Vanelli performing in Ams...
Gino Vannelli

A great singer out of Montreal, he had a terrific run in the 80’s and 90’s with a string of hits.  He still tours and is well worth the price of admission.

4. Lowest of the Low

“The Eternal Fatalist”

Lowest of the Low

Great song, nuff said.

5. Toronto

“Daddy Don’t Know”

Some hard-driving classic rock from my youth.

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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.