A funny thing happened on the way to success for Montreal born Dwane Rechil. He hit the blues … again! “It’s funny …” Says the forty – seven-year old singer, songwriter and guitar master. ” For years playing in my heavy rock band Top Johnny, I was always waiting for success to come. I was always on edge, never quite content with what I was … Continue reading Texarillo; The Blues Come Full Circle
Ontario – born singer, song-writer and poet Chloe Charles is related to Julian Lennon. Her Father, John Charles, married Cynthia Lennon ( Julian’s Mom) when Chloe was fifteen years of age. Julian – who was good friends with Chloe’s Dad, introduced his Mom to the elder Charles. Chloe was pleasantly surprised when the couple announced their marriage plans. A ceremony which took place in Toronto. … Continue reading A Conversation with Chloe Charles …
What would happen if you took The Sheepdogs and The Black Keys and combined them with Jack White? Pretty amazing music n’est pas? Well – a band by the name of The Damn Truth would also arise from the musical ashes in the form of a high – flying bird. The fowl’s name …? A CD called ‘ Dear in the Headlights’. A CD which … Continue reading Like a ‘Dear in the Headlights’ – The Damn Truth!
The decade of non-decadence. The ten year span which melted all genres of music into one simple genre, Seemingly. An era which crafted one hit wonders by the dozen. People singing soft, people dancing and people carrying about to the much maligned sound of the synthesizer. The attempted killer of the guitar … for the most part! The Pychedelic Furs – Pretty in Pink 1983 … Continue reading The 80’s – WTF? Part Two
As we stride through the recesses of our music memory banks, it is relatively easy to place songs and artists into distinctive categories. The 1950’s – a decade ushered in with Jazz, Big Bands and the birth of Rock n Roll. The 60’s? A spawning pool for the Brits to grab American Blues and introduce it back to the Americans. A movement which invented modern-day … Continue reading The 80’s … WTF?
Kicking off the new year with a bang seems like the only appropriate thing to do after closing 2012 with such wild success. Having just returned from her European tour with a dizzying number of interviews and features (incl. Rolling Stone, Die Zeit), Chloe Charles is perfectly poised for her home turf celebration of “Break The Balance” at Toronto hub, The Revival, Feb 13th. A mere two … Continue reading Lennon’s Stepsister? A Canadian and Talented …
Andrea England has just released her second album. Seven years after her first and fourteen years following a car accident which almost killed her … The story is a Hollywood one. England was delivering her first ep to a record store in Ottawa. The accident brought her career to a full stop and she carried on with a fresh outlook. Andrea determined to turn her … Continue reading Andrea England; Hope and Other Sins – Album Review
The Blues … the Blues .. the Blues … The foundation, along with Jazz, of music as we know it today. Popular music that is. There are many who carry the Blues tradition throughout North America and the world. Elmore James , Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters would be proud of the following artists on this list. Here are ten great Blues … Continue reading Ten Great Blues Artists – 2012
‘And Harry doesn’t mind if he doesn’t make the scene He’s got a daytime job he’s doing alright He can play honky tonk just like anything Saving it up for Friday night With the Sultans with the Sultans of Swing‘ Harry is actually Chris. Chris has a few daytime gigs – not just one. Chris does not play honky tonk with his violin and on … Continue reading Sultans of Swing …er .. String; Make No Mistake
One road usually goes two ways … East – West or North – South. For the duo, One Road … North is the direction they’re headed following their debut album. For Tracy and Mike, two men fulfilling a vacant prophecy from the days of their youth, the opening song just doesn’t complete the void – the tune overflows into music heaven … ‘Ride On’ does … Continue reading One Road; On the Path to Stardom
Last year, there was a duel at L’Astral Theater on Ste. Catherine St. East. A venue on the cusp of downtown Montreal. In the right corner, wearing a brown top and jeans – Dawn Tyler Watson. A woman who posesses the voice of an angel. Vocal chords blessed from deep within … On the left, bearded and loaded with guitar fingers talented beyond comprehension – … Continue reading Thrill Me Up; Dawn Tyler Watson and Paul Deslauriers both Nominated for A Maple Blues Award!
Rick Keene Music Scene 