Gino Vannelli had a lot of ambition as a young man growing up in Montreal. According to him – you have to have that fire to succeed. “I was filled with fire as a kid. I moved to New York when I was young and signed a record deal by the time I was twenty-one, which was fairly young for even today’s standards. None of … Continue reading Gino Vannelli; All Those Nights in Montreal. Part Two
What’s a bass player – without a bass? A bass player of course. But not just any bass player. The musician in question who landed in Montreal just hours before his show at the Rialto Theater, sans bass, was former ( and current?) Stray Cat Lee Rocker … “I am a little nervous …” Said Rocker moments before he took the stage following a great … Continue reading Lee Rocker – Strays From the Cats …
The kids’ hearts are in the proper place … That was the feeling jumping around The Rialto Theater on Friday in Montreal. The children of Duke Ellington – April and Edward Jr., suspended in time. Starting with their clothes, the duo transcended time and place right back to the era of the Big Band prominence of the 1940’s. With the big band boppin’ behind them, … Continue reading Savvy with The Savoy Ellingtons
In a Quebec market which is bogged down in radio politics, One Road, after almost an entire year of charting and obtaining radio airplay everywhere in Canada – still cannot get their ‘Southern Rock‘ sound on the radio in Quebec ( k103.7fm excluded). “To say that our sound is ‘too country’ for a rock station and then play Lynyrd Skynyrd and even Mumford and Sons – … Continue reading One Road or Une Rue …?
Here we are … The final five. The top four leading to the number one Blues guitarist. Agree? Disagree …? That is the problem. No one will ever agree on the contents of a top ten list. Here are the TOP TEN Blues Guitarists … 10. Buddy Guy 9. Eric Clapton 8. Otis Rush 7. Elmore James 6. Muddy Waters 5. B.B King King is … Continue reading Top Ten Blues Guitarists – Part Two
Lists are difficult … Especially when it comes to something as unique and divers as music. One person’s junk is another man’s treasure. Human nature. Human choice. Human ears … The Blues are an integral part of so many forms of music. Arguably – the single most used genre in every genre known. Rock n Roll … the Blues. Country … the Blues. Jazz … … Continue reading Top Ten Blues Guitarists – Part One
How can you not like a guy who wants to burn down a Walmart …? This is the legacy and mindset which Steve Earle – composer of ‘Copperhead Road‘ and ‘ Guitar Town‘, carried into Montreal last night at The Virgin Corona Theater. An arsenal of soul-defining songs? Not the only baggage which arrived on stage in the form of a fifty-eight year old Texan. … Continue reading Steve Earle; The Voice of Reason …
The Beach Boys are in Montreal Aug.10th at Maddie’s Place in Kanawake, Qc. as part of their never-ending 50th Anniversary tour. This stop is one of two in Quebec as the band continues on to Rouyn Noranda on Sunday the 11th of August. This incarnation of the band – will be performing a two hour plus set containing a lot of their best loved songs. … Continue reading The Beach Boys; What to Expect …
Underground Piano Legend Connie Crothers continues her creative tear with Live At the Freight; a Thrilling Duo Encounter With Tenor Saxophonist Jessica Jones The history of jazz is replete with visionary improvisers possessing wholly original sounds who have gone largely unsung by the music’s mainstream chroniclers. Pianist Connie Crothers, a brilliant player championed by jazz giants such as Lennie Tristano, Max Roach and Jemeel Moondoc, … Continue reading Connie Crothers; A Hidden Legend
If a person passes away, a famous person such as an actor or musician – their death is considered a tragedy. A loss which sends ripples across the global seas at breath – taking speeds through the countless media outlets positioned to do – just that. Everyday, thousands perish by way of disease, accidents,criminal behavior, war or plain old age. Everyday people whose lives may have been … Continue reading Death in Music; Two Very Different Levels …
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion does not have an average audience. Funny thing. Jon Spencer likes it that way … ” A lot of arsonists and people with assault charges …” Explains Jon. “Nothing serious though, no murderers or anything like that. Well – maybe not … ” Jon’s band have been around for twenty years. Long enough for the band to be comfortable with … Continue reading Jon Spencer; A Blues Explosion …
In a way – the 2013 Festival, with it’s humbled beginnings on rue St. Denis back in 1979 , belonged to the ladies. For different reasons and sounds … Holly Cole, Emelie-Claire Barlowe, Tia Fuller, Sharon Jones, Youn Sun Nah, Madelaine Peyroux, Martha Wainright, Christine Tassan and her Imposters, Alexandra Streliski, Sarah Slean, Julie Lamontagne, Christine Jensen, Sienna Dahlen, Elizabeth Shepherd, Serena Ryder and Marian … Continue reading The 34th Annual Montreal International Jazz Festival – Part Two
Rick Keene Music Scene 