In an odd way, it’s a shame The Proclaimers had a huge hit with I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). The 1988 tune from the album Sunshine on Leith distracts audiences from the truth. Veritably – the Scotland raised duo / band are far better than the song which put them on the global map. Much like Britain’s The Zombies, The Proclaimers are full tilt musicians … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The Proclaimers Stun Montreal
Montreal’s music festi – ganza has come to an end. Summer and all it’s rhythmic get togethers have ended quicker than a Bill Cosby guilty verdict. Fall has arrived and with it – an ‘orange is the new black’ list of musical events. Montreal is filled with live music right up to Hallowe’en. A music lover is no short of CDs to buy either. Something … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Concerts To See in October and Some of the Best CDs …
Hard to have the Blues when you are nineteen years of age. Sometimes – the classroom is all around and unless you are paying attention; the teacher remains invisible. That is not the case with Spencer MacKenzie as he makes his way up the musical ladder. Already winning the best new artist at The Maple Blues Awards at the age of seventeen – Spencer is … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Spencer MacKenzie ; Canada’s Next Guitar Great?
No Blues – no popular music. That is the fact. Men like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Elmore James – the framework for what we now know as ‘auto-tune’. These men would be rolling in their graves if they knew how their hard work has been destroyed by computers. That is the great thing about Blues music and the players that play it. Real. … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Trois Rivieres en Blues 2018
Music can be a curse. Unfortunately – the very same songs which may cause happiness, can also hold a soul prisoner. Here are The Top Ten Signs You Are Musically Stuck in the Eighties. 10. Every time you sit down for dinner you say; ” I’m hungry like a wolf …” 9. Even at your African American friend’s nuptials you say; ” What a nice … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Top Ten Signs You Are Musically Stuck in the Eighties …
The word legendary. Tossed around like a flea – bit peanut monkey sometimes. In the case of Dr. Lonnie Smith – it is he who is tossing the primate around … Commencing his career in the late fifties alongside George Benson – Smith used his knowledge as a multi-instrumentalist and student of Jazz, Blues, Gospel and R&B to rise to the top of the Jazz world … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Dr. Lonnie Smith; Doin’ Only What He Can Do
There are so many female vocalists on the planet. Great ones, good ones, average ones and yes – bad ones. Beth Hart is in a class all by herself. Think of the soul of Joss Stone. The power and rawness of Janis Joplin. The sweetness and velour of Adele. The danger of Amy Winehouse. Add the above together and Beth Hart is the sum of … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Beth Hart’s Dynamite Show Steals the Jazz Festival
Ranee Lee has endured some tough gigs in her time yet nothing like the one last night at L’Astral. Earlier in the day – Lee’s husband Richard Ring ( Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed Thigpen, Ray Brown, Michel LeGrand, Oliver Jones ) passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ring was not only her husband but her longtime guitar player and mentor. … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Ranee Lee Delivers A Performance For The Ages Despite Sadness
Admit it. Lido Shuffle is all you know … Boz Scaggs is that type of artist. The masses think that if an artist is outta sight – outta mind, they must be dead or their career is. True fans know – artists such as Scaggs do not care about hits. William Royce “Boz” Scaggs – is known for vocals with The Steve Miller Band. he … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Boz Scaggs Redefines His ‘Public’ Image
Jordan Officer is a groundbreaking artist. Kinda … Groundbreaking in a way that combines his talent with old school tools and old school sounds. You see – Jordan is a scholar. A student of where music comes from. Blending Dick Dale with Joe Bonamassa. Bob Wills with Stevie Ray Vaughn. Guitar with the fiddle. All elements of music that make music what it is today … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Interview – Jordan Officer Blows the Roof Off Place des Arts !
What is there to say about George Thorogood that hasn’t been said before ? Electrifying ! Exciting ! Raw energy ! Just some of the adjectives used to describe Lonesome George and his music ensemble The Destroyers. Okay – so those words were utilized by George himself. So what ? One of the reasons George (et al) were here as part of The Montreal International … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – George Thorogood ‘Destroys’ The Jazz Festival ( for a few hours).
Variety shows once ruled television … Music, comedy and drama – all inclusive in an hour long Sunday night program. A Jann Arden concert is a one woman variation on the above formula as all the aforementioned elements shine within. From the get – go, Arden is a joker in a self depreciating kinda way. Whether it is her ‘poor choice of pants’, her … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Review; Jann Arden Keeps Them Laughing
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