Category: Jazz

Rick Keene Music Scene – Carvin Jones; Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself Montreal !

It is easy to live in a cocoon and be oblivious to the outside world.

An almost incestuous mindset takes place as the ‘homies’ live and breathe with blinders on as they traverse the musical path they know.

Guess what? Outside of the pond – there are bigger fish. Barracudas and sharks.

Out of fear, the leaders of the blind – lash out to not only protect their territory, to sustain the ‘legend in our own minds’ mentality.

 

A sad state of mind as barracudas and sharks can be beautiful to observe. Menacing yet colorful and vibrant as they glide effortlessly through the troubled pond with ease and finesse.

Ladies and gentlemen – behold a shark …

 

 

Visit BackTraxx Here !

Booking Information and Audio Video Here !

 

 

Tune in Thursdays from 7 pm to 10pm

Rick Keene Music Scene

New Tunes, Old Tunes and Comedy !

Rock -Fm.ca

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Conductor Aram Demirjian Gets ‘Animated’ About DreamWorks.

Marriages make strange bedfellows.

Cinema and music have a large and interesting history together. Hollywood is filled with smoke and mirrors yet when the fog lifts – it is the images and the music that remain.

In this case – the images are the beloved animation films that we have grown to love. Movies such as Shrek and Kung Fu Panda have embedded their consciences into ours through state of the art CGI imagery and symphonic music.

Please listen below as conductor Aram Demirjian explains his role in bringing a live symphony orchestra to The DreamWorks animation as well as The Montreal international Jazz festival.

Aram?

 

 

Get Tickets Here for DreamWorks !

Visit Aram Here !

 

 

East of Sunday are opening for Carvin Jones June 21st at Club Soda

Buy Tickets Here !

Visit BackTraxx Here !

Booking Information and Audio Video Here !

 

 

Tune in Thursdays from 7 pm to 10pm

Rick Keene Music Scene

New Tunes, Old Tunes and Comedy !

Rock -Fm.ca

Rick Keene Music Scene – Midge Ure and Paul Young Montreal Review

Midge Ure and Paul Young are musical figures you cannot avoid.

Midge wrote Do They Know It’s Christmas and co founded Band – Aid and Live – Aid along with Sir Bob Geldof. He was also part of Thin Lizzy and Ultravox. The former a band which cut new ground in a decade where many artists sounded the same.

Paul Young, although not a hit-maker on the same level of some of his contemporaries such as George Michael, did have one of the most played videos and songs of the 1980’s ; ‘ Every time You Go Away ‘.

The pair seem a good match to hit the road together. On their own – in a landscape filled with short attention spans and ‘ what have you done for me lately’ mentalities; the concerts would be difficult to sell on their solo status’.

Who’d a thunk the double bill would suffer the same fate in Montreal?

Ure was fine. Churning out the tunes he  is known for and backed by a state of the art band. Ultravox’s Passing Strangers, his solo offering Dear God and his debonair hit; Dancing with Tears in My Eyes.

Ure was at ease on stage with the confidence of a musician who doesn’t need the gigs to pay his internet bill. His humor as fresh as the light dancing off his head. Even  a few technical problems couldn’t dim his enthusiasm for being on stage and doing what he loves.

Paul Young was a completely different story.

If you have not seen Young since those nights on a  couch eating Doritos and watching Friday Night Videos – guess what? Young has aged just like you. Greyer and more wrinkled but the body is in shape as the  ‘brand’ must be kept on track. After all – nobody wants another Elvis circa 1976 …

It’s a great thing that Young looks young- ish because his voice ( at least last night) sounds as if someone woke him up and said ‘get on stage’.

Backed by the tight band that held Ure together, Young struggled from the get go through his set-list.

Some People, Love For the Common People and No Parlez – a few of the songs that sounded mismatched and out of sync. Young trying his best to grab the tones and the moods for each one. His vocals throwing all of the tightness behind him into some sort of an abyss. Remember those old Godzilla movies that were overdubbed into English? Paul Young’s performance was almost as comical. His voice set the unity of the band off by a nano second.

One of the covers Young performed; Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love, at least relaxed the musical ear as the band and Paul slipped – but did not trip, into a funky Bluesy jam. It’s very hard to screw up the Blues so there appeared to be greatness lurking in the shadows. Unfortunately not …

Ure joined Young for a musically great rendition of The Boys are Back in Town – a tune by Ure’s ‘other’ band. With the help of another singer on stage – Young was adequate.

Those few who were in attendance at Club Soda last night left with one song in their heads which Young performed sounding nothing like his former self.

Unfortunately – most altered the lyrics …

‘Every time you go away – please do not come back again …’

 

East of Sunday are opening for Carvin Jones June 21st at Club Soda

Buy Tickets Here !

Visit BackTraxx Here !

Booking Information and Audio Video Here !

 

 

Tune in Thursdays from 7 pm to 10pm

Rick Keene Music Scene

New Tunes, Old Tunes and Comedy !

Rock -Fm.ca

Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival Preview; Dr. Lonnie Smith – A Legend Among Us.

Legends are few and far between …

Dr. Lonnie Smith is one of them.

The word is tossed around too loosely based upon false fame. The good doctor has earned his status for performing  and creating music for over five decades.

 

He has played with everyone in the Jazz world that is notable and in 2017 – Smith received the highest honor in the Jazz world. The NEA Jazz Masters Award.

His sense of musicianship is second to none and he continues touring and creating with an antenna to the sky …

 

Please listen below to part one of my chat with Dr. Lonnie Smith in advance of his upcoming appearance as part of The Montreal International Jazz Festival.

What’s up Doc?

 

Get Tickets Here For Dr. Lonnie Smith!

 

 

East of Sunday are opening for Carvin Jones June 21st at Club Soda

Buy Tickets Here !

Visit BackTraxx Here !

Booking Information and Audio Video Here !

 

 

Tune in Thursdays from 7 pm to 10pm

Rick Keene Music Scene

New Tunes, Old Tunes and Comedy !

Rock -Fm.ca

Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival Picks. Part Two

The biggest in the world.

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is looming around the corner. From June 28th until July 7th, musical tastes for all will invade our city for ten days of rhythms from all corners of the globe.

The Indoor portion of ‘ the show ‘ was announced this past week and as usual , patrons are pumped to preen and prance in and around La Place des Festivals.

All acts are worthy of your attention yet here are my choices to feed your delight.

 

July 7

Ian Anderson presents: Jethro Tull

50th Anniversary Tour

Every once in a while, something comes along that requires celebrating. The Tull tunes – one of them.

 

July 2

Chris Botti

A Jazz trumpeter whose is slowly becoming a legend. Louis Armstrong would be proud. It is a  ‘wonderful world’ after all.

 

 

June 28

Snarky Puppy

Opening act:Tunnel

If you have never witnessed Snarky Puppy live, understanding creative and improvised brilliant musicianship is out of your grasp. Their recent Grammy award for Best Contemporary Instrumental album is proof.

 

July 6

Jack Broadbent

Opening act:

Tavis E. Triance

There are so many pretenders thinking they know the art of the Blues. Riff following the same old riff. Broadbent’s originals and covers are filled with the pain of suffering. Just like the forefathers of The Blues.

 

 

July 1

Emma Frank

American born – Montreal musically raised Emma is a rare combination of originality and grounded Jazz schooling. R&B, Jazz and Folk leave the audience pleased and intrigued.

 

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Stay tuned for more of my picks!

Visit the Jazz Festival Here !

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival Picks. Part One

The biggest in the world.

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is looming around the corner. From June 28th until July 7th, musical tastes for all will invade our city for ten days of rhythms from all corners of the globe.

The Indoor portion of ‘ the show ‘ was announced this past week and as usual , patrons are pumped to preen and prance in and around La Place des Festivals.

All acts are worthy of your attention yet here are my choices to feed your delight.

June 28

Cécile McLorin Salvant with the Aaron Diehl Trio
Opening act: Christian Sands

Cecile McLorin Salvant is a rare gift. Powerful vocals with a heart of music. The best gift to Jazz in many years.

June 29th

Ry Cooder
Opening act: Joachim Cooder

Ry Cooder is one of the ten best guitarists on the planet and is legendary. Lays claim that Keith Richards of the Stones ‘ borrowed’ his Open G tuning from him. Richards denies it and the two haven’t spoken for years.

July 9th

Beth Hart

If you want to know how to sing R&B, Soul and Blues to make hairs stand on end – Hart is your gal.

June 30th

Dee Dee Bridgewater & The Memphis
Soulphony, Memphis Yes I’m Ready…

Opening act: Davina and The Vagabonds

Time to go to school if your are thirty years old or younger. The almost complete catalogue of essential R&B for the serious musical student

July 1st

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Opening act: Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Before Jazz, Blues and Country music there was Bluegrass or Folk music. The roots of music is on display by the finest Banjo player in the past twenty years.

July 1st

George Thorogood and the Destroyers,
Rock Party Tour 2018

If you have never experienced Lonesome George live – you must now go to the corner and face the wall until I tell you to come out. Rock n Roll the way it was meant to be played.

July 2nd

Herbie Hancock | Thundercat

Aside from Stevie Wonder, a musical genius is among us. Act accordingly.

Stay tuned for more of my picks!

Visit the Jazz Festival Here !

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Strangers in the Night 14; A Culture Club?

If you live or have lived in the West Island for the past twelve years, you are no stranger to the noise that takes place in the night.

The charity event, which traditionally raises funds to help local organizations – is also an opportunity for local restaurants to showcase their wares. Depending on how much you wish to spend, food and drink from practically all corners of the globe provide a backdrop to the live entertainment. Eighty restaurants delight the diners as local celebrities pass with twinkles in their eyes.

Founder Larry Day started the event in the parking lot of his club The Firm. The Boogie Wonder Band was the first band to dance the night into what is now history. As the event grew and the crowds and bands became larger, a move to Fairview Pointe Claire took place. The shopping center parking lot became the temporary home away from home for the likes of The Pointer Sisters, Randy Bachman, Blue Rodeo and April Wine among many more. Great bands and performances yet nothing compared to Day’s bucket list band in what may turn out as a farewell to Fairview.

In 2017 Styx was ‘in the house’ and as Styx keyboardist Lawrence Gowan pointed out from the stage; ‘it was the most fun most have ever had in a parking lot since high school and the back seat of a car’. Styx drew the largest and noisiest crowd to date.

Starting this year, a new page has been turned with Gowan’s words the closing script as Strangers in the Night will be in a new home this coming August.

Due to land expropriation at Fairview Pointe Claire for the Light Rail Project, Strangers in the Night will be held at the Borough Hall, 13665 Pierrefond Blvd. The date is August 25th and ‘the show’ will start at 8pm. 

 

The Miriam Foundation, Lymphoma Canada and the West Island Women’s Shelter will be the charities who benefit from the arrival of a bouncing ‘not really a baby’ boy.

Boy George that is and unless you lived solely under a Rock n Roll rock since 1980 – George and his Culture Club are in your ears every once in a while.

Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Karma Chameleon and The Crying Game were staples of the video age eighties and chances are – Boy George’s effeminate image is etched in your memory if the songs are not. Culture Club set the bar high for drag queens to ‘come out’ by the millions? To dance the night away.

As usual , Strangers in the Night offers more than just one chance to dance.

Freddy James and Chrystal Waters are just two of the supporting acts providing beats to bump away everything eaten from the gourmet feast that took place earlier. More acts and delights will be added as the date approaches and details can be found shortly on the Strangers in the Night official website. Tickets will also be available shortly via Evenko.ca

Meanwhile – contact Ellen at 514-233-7535 for info and tickets.

Keep coming back to Rick Keene Music Scene.com for ongoing news, reviews and interviews pertaining to Aug. 25th

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