Rick Keene Music Scene – An ‘Engineered’ Discussion with Alan Parsons.

Alan Parsons got his start working with George Martin and Geoff Emerick. Not too shabby eh?

Learning from the likes of Martin and Emerick – gifted  Parsons with a foundation. One that has made him one of the most sought after engineers and producers in music.

Emerick and Parsons

Please listen below to my chat with Alan Parsons about Geoff Emerick, sound recording and Alan’s new album – his first in fifteen years.

Alan? What’s up?

 

 

Visit Alan Here !

Get Tickets for February 24th Here 

 

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Steve Hackett Is ‘Selling England by the Pound’ Part Two.

It was a ‘rushed’ album.

Genesis’ landmark record was in fruition before it was in fruition. Several of the songs were thoughts in the heads of Peter Gabriel,Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett.

It was guitarist Hackett who came up with the idea for perhaps what was the deciding song in Genesis’ soon-to-be upcoming superstar status. It was also an album where Steve Hackett made his mark as a guitar player.

Please listen below to Part Two of my chat with Steve about Selling England By The Pound.

Steve? What’s up?

 

Steve Will be in Montreal September 21st and 22nd. Get Tickets Here !

Visit Steve Here 

 

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Steven Wilson Puts On A Clinic.

It is true …

Many people don’t know who Steven Wilson is. Generally and within musical ‘popularity’, Wilson lives in an obscure place. For the punters of the world a very bad thing. For Wilson – a very good thing.

The creator of the band Porcupine Tree and his band-mates set up shop at Place des Arts in Montreal on Friday night. Combining Porcupine Tree material and material from Wilson’s various solo and band projects – the tunes were for the faint of soul …

Wilson is an innovator. He is also a man filled with musical conviction both from a songwriting perspective and a technical point of view. His attention to detail and exploration within all musical forms is an attribute to his Father’s teachings. Wilson is also no fool when combining the arts. The marriage of visual and audio conceptions are ‘making love on their honeymoon’ during a Wilson show. Perhaps the only time when unannounced voyeurism should not be condemned.

Think of Wilson as a leader of a cult. From the beginning of the night through to the end – his ‘followers’ are pumped and poised to drink his poison. The pent up energy within the anticipation ready to explode as a premature ejaculation. Only the commanders of their very own pirate ships possess this type of passion for perfection and rebelliousness. Only perfection parlays unique language to the passionate through words and music.

Thinking and retroactive responses fill the spaces left by the pauses in musical creativity. The roller coasters, the emotions of life envelop the band and the crowd. The synergy, allowing connections to arrive at mutual understandings. Bonds -unmistakable gluing of concrete agreements.

Progressive Rock (with hints of early day Genesis and King Crimson) pokes it’s head in between Heavy Metal and Pop / Rock. Ghostly appearances from Gabriel to McCartney float nearby without interrupting the moment of now. The polite ‘intrusions’ – mere knocks on the door of Wilson’s songwriting bedroom.

To sum up a show of Wilson’s (and the bands) genius – a crime against humanity. A war crime to make Cheney and Bush appear angelic.

Years and years of recording. Years and years of ‘schooling’. An insatiable thirst for creativity and a natural habit for mining the salt of the earth allow Steven Wilson a hiding place.

For the sake of humanity and musicianship – the flashlights should remain in their respective drawers.

Visit Steven Here !

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Steve Hackett Is ‘Selling England by the Pound’

It was a ‘rushed’ album.

Genesis’ landmark record was in fruition before it was in fruition. Several of the songs were thoughts in the heads of Peter Gabriel,Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett.

It was guitarist Hackett who came up with the idea for perhaps what was the deciding song in Genesis’ soon-to-be upcoming superstar status. It was also an album where Steve Hackett made his mark as a guitar player.

Please listen below to Part One of my chat with Steve about Selling England By The Pound.

Steve? What’s up?

 

Steve Will be in Montreal September 21st and 22nd. Get Tickets Here !

Visit Steve Here 

 

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – A Song Every Musician Can Relate To …

Music is a journey. Literally.

John Muirhead is on a trip. Literally and figuratively. The London Ontario native is discovering his songwriting skills as he makes his way across Canada.

As most musicians can attest – the road brings many discoveries – good and bad.

Please listen below to my chat with John and listen to a track which is probably dear to most musician’s hearts.

John? What’s Up?

 

Visit John Here !

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – A Short Story Behind A Short Story About War

Shad’s music knows no fear …

Rwanda-born Shad is making a name for himself for writing about truths. Not just from within – from all around him and us.

His latest album – A Short Story About War, delivers poignant messages for everyone living in uncertain times.

Please listen below to my chat with Shad.

Shad? What’s Up?

 

Visit Shad Here !

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – Reuben and the Dark; The Show Must Go On …

Habitually – a music tour does not commence with a crash. Reuben and The Dark did not get the memo.

Paper, Beat Scissors

Just over a week ago, the band Reuben and The Dark’s van skidded off an icy road into the ditch. Nobody was gravely injured yet a few instruments perished. Unfazed, the up and coming Calgary – based band continued East and ended their tour Saturday night in Montreal thanks to an up and coming Montreal band.

John Jacob Magestry

John Jacob Magestry saved the day ( and some bucks) by lending ‘ The Dark’ their equipment and back-line.

Who says musicians are egotistical and selfish?

Magestry

Following an intriguing set by solo artist Paper Beat Scissors   – Magestry took the stage and demonstrated that Montreal can give birth to a modern Rock band.
Anthony Lombardi (drums), Mackenzie Myatt (violin / vocals), Antoine Ferron (bass), Francois Jalbert (guitar) and singer / guitarist Johnny Griffin walked the balance of poetry and song.

Off the heels of a short but successful Eastern tour – Magestry combined power and softness to a packed audience at L’Astral. The band are the perfect Montreal answer to those who think The Damn Truth ( another Montreal band) are too hard on the ears. Au contraire to the (mostly) screaming vocals in TDT – Magestry has something for everyone. Balladry, Pop, Folk, Rock and Indie. John Jacob Magestry is the band which has an opportunity of replacing Arcade Fire on the global stage.

Reuben and The Dark took the stage (and Magestry’s baton) as the darkness grew. Reuben’s ghostly attire amid a blackened backdrop – a sign of things to come.

Dressed in white, Reuben’s presence along with the music’s melancholy feel, set the tone for acute feelings of thought. Both from the audience and Reuben’s lyrics. Spirituality and calmness was the message both on and offstage.

The band is touring on their new album; Arms of a Dream. A cosmic delicacy of contrasts. That buffet was devoured by a younger audience who seemed cast by Reuben’s spell. Part attire and part performance placed the punters into purgatory. Waiting to be accepted into the band’s realm. Into Reuben’s heart. Without peaks and valleys – the evening was a large seance.

If anything was lacking – it was energy. Within a three act night, some hot sauce is required. No fault of Reuben and the band as their tones are right for the fans and the mood.

 Shea Alain, Brock Geiger, Ian Jarvis and Dino Soares are on the same page as members of The Dark. Each adept and below their talents within the structure of The Dark. Musicians with depth could only provide the tools needed for songwriter Reuben.

Any other night and alone as one act – the band would have made a loud crash.

On purpose.