Like a ‘Dear in the Headlights’ – The Damn Truth!

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 80’s – WTF? Part Two

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

The 80’s … WTF?

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?

Lennon’s Stepsister? A Canadian and Talented …

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; Hope and Other Sins – Album Review

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

Ten Great Blues Artists – 2012

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

Sultans of Swing …er .. String; Make No Mistake

‘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; On the Path to Stardom

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

Thrill Me Up; Dawn Tyler Watson and Paul Deslauriers both Nominated for A Maple Blues Award!

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!

Cd Review – Colin James; Fifteen

Colin James is … Colin James. Older, maybe a bit wiser. He remains – a great blues guitarist. He remains – Canada’s great blues guitarist. His latest album is a pleasure to listen to. There are some discs ( face it – most discs) which contain great tracks along with annoying ones thrown Into the mix. Not James’ latest title; Fifteen. The entire project is … Continue reading Cd Review – Colin James; Fifteen

Tune in to Rick Keene on K103.7 fm

Friday the 28th of September will be my debut on air at k103.7fm at 5 :15 pm. This will be a regular feature every Friday on the station.  Sean Mckeogh, the afternoon host and I –  will discuss the people I have interviewed, the cd’s I have reviewed and the upcoming shows in Montreal. It will also give an opportunity for the station and I … Continue reading Tune in to Rick Keene on K103.7 fm