The Rolling Stones – fittingly, arrived on stage at the Bell Center last evening, practically fifty minutes late. Fifty and Counting …? As with every tour or show since 1989, they arrive in each city under a cloud of various predictions or guesses. Unlike their ‘solo’ contemporaries ( for reasons best left to the overweight, non – active, jaded and ‘I am stuck in a … Continue reading The Stones – As Usual; An Event …
The Rolling Stones are arriving in Montreal for their ’50 and Counting Tour’ amid all sorts of controversy … What else is new? The World’s Oldest and Greatest Rock n Roll band have made a career out of making people uneasy, ‘out of their heads’ or just plain upset. Whether it is urinating on a gas station wall in the sixties, erecting a giant billboard … Continue reading Would You Let Your Daughter Marry a Rolling Stone?
Kristina Maria has just finished headlining Pride Winnipeg. The city’s Gay and Lesbian Festival. It was the first time she was part of both the festival and Manitoba’s hospitality. “It was such a great time being part of the atmosphere. I got to do seven of my songs and the entire thing was great. The audience and I were feeding off one another and it … Continue reading Kristina Maria – Up Close
It is no coincidence Holly Cole‘s new CD is titled ‘ Night’ … ‘I am a night owl, I stay up very, very late every night …” Says Cole. ” I find it very quiet. I mean the only phone calls I get are from drunk friends. It is very mysterious and for a creative person – it is ideal. It is open at night … Continue reading Holly Cole; The ‘Night’ Started Young …
Everyone remembers the T-Shirts … The name; The Stranglers – scribbled across fabric as if a child was instructed to create merchandising. Fitting wasn’t it … ? That is exactly how Punk Rock was personified upon it’s debut in the early to mid – seventies. Punk Rockers such as The Ramones, The Dictators and The Stranglers – a bunch of late teen, early twenties people … Continue reading The Stranglers – A Time Trap but a Good One …
For Emelie – Claire Barlow, the fifth time is a charm. Following four previous Juno nominations, Barlow finally won a 2013 award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. The album is called ‘Seule ce Soir’ . A disc which was recorded in 2012 and was initially intended as a compilation of all her French songs she has done over the years. ‘Most of my … Continue reading Emelie – Claire Barlow; The Juno, the Duck, the Mouse and ‘Bunny’
It is almost that time of year … The grass is getting greener, the trees are overflowing with growth and City Hall smells like … well, never mind … The Montreal International Jazz Festival is around the corner and people in the city of Montreal are bracing themselves for a ten day onslaught of foreigners. Yes – many West Islanders will be venturing to the … Continue reading Top Ten Signs the Jazz Festival is Coming Soon!
Kristina Maria may not come from a Francophone family consisting of three thousand brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and a dog named Charlemagne … That does not mean the Ottawa born singer does not have high connections to Celine Dion. Number one; the girl cutely and absolutely adored Celine from the time she (Maria) was young (er). Two; her manager, with the full blessings of her … Continue reading Celine Dion; Part Deux
‘Brighter than Gold’ – the first single from The Cat Empire‘s new album; Steal the Night, has exceeded expectations – according to trumpeter and vocalist Harry Angus. The song, along with the entire disc, is a throwback to the group’s roots. “The last few albums we made, we were following a very live ascetic.” Explains Harry. “Probably, the last three or four records we made … Continue reading The Cat Empire; Full Circle
Really, winning a Juno award for ‘Inner Ninja’ – a collaboration with Classified, comes as no surprise for New Brunswick native David Myles. After all, good things come when you get along with someone so well … “We have known each other for quite a while and we really see eye to eye. He has this amazing ear. He performs music by feel which is … Continue reading David Myles; Dreams Come True
At L’Astral last evening, Terez Montcalm came home and the predominant Francophone crowd – welcomed her with open ‘bras’. Why would they not …? Montcalm, in her somewhat short, six album career, has recorded mostly in French. Her sole English album? Voodoo, released in 2006. Terez is presently touring with her new album; I Know I’ll Be Allright. It is a mixture of jazzed – … Continue reading Terez Montcalm; Voice of a Ragged Angel
Seriously … When is the last time you heard the Flintstones theme played out with drums alone? For that matter, has anyone ever performed the iconic song with percussion alone? Vinny Appice, drummer for John Lennon, Derringer, Black Sabbath and Dio, along with his older brother Carmine (Vaniila Fudge, Cactus, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne), ventured into the land of Bedrock last night as the … Continue reading Drum Wars; The Beat Goes On …
Rick Keene Music Scene 