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
Bad to The Bone … Who on this planet does not know that opening riff followed by the words in the song ‘Bad To The Bone’? Chances are – aliens circling overhead in their spacecraft hear it every time George Thorogood and his Destroyers play it live. It has been a long and storied career for Thorogood – starting as a hard working solo act … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – George Thorogood Isn’t ‘Lonesome’ on His First Solo Record
Garry Petersen knows good music. Aside from the fact Garry started drumming before Rock n Roll was a ‘thing’ – Petersen also was part of one of the biggest selling Rock bands of all time. The Guess Who,at one point, were outselling The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Not bad for a guy (and band) from Winnipeg Manitoba. Fast forward to 2018 and Garry ( … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The Guess Who’s Original Drummer Garry Petersen Talks Music and The New Guess Who Album
Every musician is – a little bit Country … Following in the true vain of the roots of popular music, Mary-Lynn Doroschuk ( daughter of Stefan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats fame) is bursting on to the music scene with fresh and creative Country / Rockabilly / Pop songs. Poignant lyrics with crisp riffs and energetic upbeat tempos are balanced nicely with the touching tones … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – ‘ Wave 21’ Adding a Much Needed Country Element to the Montreal Music Scene
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).
Children are the future … Imagine how the world will appear in ten years? Imagine there is no safe zone at all? Homes and schools – the two places where kids should feel safe. A pair of sacred turfs now affected more and more by gun violence in the United States of America. One of the co – founders of April Wine, Jim Henman , … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene -April Wine’s Co-Founder Jim Henman Has Had Enough of School Shootings and Is Doing Something About It !
What you hear on stage is only the tip of a musician’s iceberg. Starting with Mashmakhan , guitarist Brian Greenway has had a very colorful and fruitful musical career. The Wackers , The Dudes , April Wine and now two new entities to keep Brian’s musical chops fresh and alive . Brian Greenway’s Blues Bus and Brian’s Attic Dust Solo Show. Please listen below to … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene -April Wine’s Brian Greenway; Part of Canadian Music History
Rick Keene Music Scene 