Tag: Music of Canada

Artists From Twitter – Tori Hathaway

I like to post music from artists that I follow (and who follow me) on Twitter.  There is an awful lot of talented people out there and I love to promote them in my little niche here on the web.  In this instalment of Artists From Twitter, I present 12-year-old Tori Hathaway from Barrie, Ontario, Canada.  Yes, I said 12.  I could do the standard things, like call her cute and all that jazz, but I am sure she would hate that.  Tori is embarking on her own journey in the music world, tirelessly self-promoting and playing at every opportunity.  In other words, doing exactly what she needs to do.  She followed me one recent day on Twitter and I went online to check out her material.  I am not a huge country music fan, but, as I always say talent is as talent does.  She is already writing her own material and is very comfortable singing and playing on stage.  I am impressed with the poise and professionalism she brings to the stage.  Tori Hathaway (aka Victoria Marie) is a name to remember down the road.

I Can’t Say – Tori Hathaway

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.

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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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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