Category: Rock

Rick Keene Music Scene – Senri Oe Makes the Successful Transition from Pop to Jazz

Jazz is everywhere – even in J-Pop music …

 

Senri Oe was one of the biggest Pop stars in Japan. When one of his band mates died unexpected, Senri decided life was short.

He turned his attention to Jazz and moved to New York to become a student. A move that was not as simple as he thought it would be.

Please listen below as Senri explains it all and hear some great tunes from his new album.

Senri? What’s up?

 

Visit Senri Here !

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Colin James Has ‘Miles to Go’ In His Music Career

It ain’t easy being grey …

Colin James has a new album due out on September 21st. No more hair dye as the fifty-three year old Canadian music legend embraces the present, the future and the past.

On the new record – Colin pays homage to the men ( and women) who inspired him and  helped him to hone his skills as a young guitar player busking on the streets of Montreal and Toronto.

Two new songs on the disc also allow James the opportunity to gently give a nod to the licks of B.B. King.

Please listen below to my chat with Colin about the new disc and hear Colin’s thoughts about the late great Jeff Healey.

Colin? What’s up?

 

 

Visit Colin Here !

 

Rick Keene Music Scene – Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion; Making Music the Muscle Shoals Way

It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing …

Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion are poised to take North America by storm. Much like the English re-introducing The Blues back to the States, BMWR are re-introducing the Muscle Shoals sound back to musicians.

With only one single officially released, the band has already made Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘best bands to lookout for’ in 2018. The song Holy Smoke is a tongue in cheek look at the hypocrisy of religion without taking literary licence.

Please listen below to my chat with Mitch and hear the Montreal debut of Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion’s first single; Holy Smoke.

Mitch? What’s up?

 

Visit the Band Here !

 

Rick Keene Music Scene – Harry Manx Teaming Up with Steve Marriner On New Album and A Quebec Tour

Harry Manx doesn’t sit still for very long.

A world traveler, a student of spiritualism and a man of good nature. All these sums make Harry into a well rounded person and musician.

Manx will be in Quebec for a mini -tour and then it’s back to the studio to place finishing touches on his upcoming album ( due out January?) with Steve Marriner of Monkey Junk fame.

Please listen below to my chat with Harry about all the above. Hear some great tunes off Harry’s last album; Faith Lift.

Harry ? What’s up?

 

Visit Harry Here !

 

Rick Keene Music Scene – George Thorogood Throws A ‘Rock Party’ in Trois Rivieres !

George Thorogood may drink alone but he certainly doesn’t put on a show alone.

On Thursday night, George was in the Province of Quebec for the second time this summer. In July, he received the B.B. King Award as part of the lineup of The Montreal International Jazz Festival. This time– Trois Rivieres en Blues were the hosts and the difference between the two performances was apparent.

George Thorogood and his band; The Destroyers – are fit more for an outdoor venue then the safe confines of Place des Arts. No disrespect to George or the band yet face it, Rock n Roll is dangerous and a stadium / amphitheater breeds danger.

There is something in the air when that air is at the mercy of Mother Nature. At any given moment the wind could change and the rain could enter a roofed venue sideways. Music is the same thing when it is played live properly.

In Montreal – the show was safe. George et al played that way. Comfy, cozy and familiar. Way too familiar for a ‘Rock Party’. Having sex evolved into making love. Condoms replaced drunken tomfoolery. Condoms replaced the very essence of Rock n Roll.

In Trois Rivieres – every song ran with scissors. Every note in ‘Move It On Over’ and ‘Bad to the Bone’ teetered on the same sloppiness which The Rolling Stones own. Swaggering attitude and swaggering chords complimented Thorogood’s organized chaos.

The immense catalog of Bluesy riffs-turned-Rock were charged with Thorogood energy. A lightning bolt which can only be charged by a live audience. Unlike Place des Arts where the suits outnumbered the fans – the Trois Rivieres audience had a Jack Sparrow in every fifth seat. Thorogood ( the ultimate pirate) grabbed that vibe and slowly became younger as the night progressed. Raping and pillaging his guitar; Thorogood left no prisoners or witnesses as his black flag flew above the corporate mutineers.

One Bourbon (as usual) the defining moment. John Lee Hooker’s original masterpiece was performed at a bar. George – the drunken, dejected and unwanted character looking for rent. Searching for booze. Desperate for love.

A little tea and sympathy … ?

Throughout the night the chords were crisp. The three chords acute. The drummer dynamite. It was about the singer not the song as only George could conduct such an orchestra. Command attention and attend the commands from the Blues-gone-by.

The Destroyers and Thorogood. Links to the past along with the Stones, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and very few others. Survivors of the crossroads deal and makers of their own style within a Diddley beat.

Drinking alone with nobody else …

Rick Keene Music Scene – ‘Survivorman’ Les Stroud Places Enviromental Consciousness Into His Music

Living with nature opens the mind.

Best known as Survivorman in the extremely popular TV docu-series, Les Stroud has always had an affinity for music.

His latest release Bittern Lake is an example of how earthy sounds can touch the soul and inspire people to change. Combining poignant lyrics with even more poignant musicianship, Stroud and his mates kidnap listeners into their world.

Please listen below to my chat with Les and discover tunes to expand your education and decrease ignorance.

Les? What’s up?

Visit Les Here !

Rick Keene Music Scene – Will Evankovich; Keeping The Guess Who Fresh in The Past

Writing, playing and producing – not easy to do while keeping an album fluid.

 

Guitarist / songwriter and producer Will Evankovich juggles all duties while keeping an eye to the future and with the past.

Say what?

The Guess Who have a catalog of hits dating back to the sixties and Will’s ( and the band’s) job was too keep the new songs current while fitting them into the highly recognizable hits of days gone by.

 

 

Please listen below to my chat with Will about many things and hear the first two singles from the upcoming disc; ‘THE FUTURE IS WHAT IT USED TO BE

Will? What’s up?

 

Visit The Guess Who Here !