In an odd way, it’s a shame The Proclaimers had a huge hit with I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). The 1988 tune from the album Sunshine on Leith distracts audiences from the truth. Veritably – the Scotland raised duo / band are far better than the song which put them on the global map. Much like Britain’s The Zombies, The Proclaimers are full tilt musicians … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The Proclaimers Stun Montreal
Lindsay Beaver is the real thing … Thus far , it has been a lifetime of discoveries for the native of Nova Scotia. Singing, drumming and a love of all genres of music starting with Jazz. Yet it was Billie Holiday that sealed the deal and inspired Lindsay to pack up and head to Texas and make music her full time ‘job’. Please listen below … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Lindsay Beaver; The Real Deal !
It’s been a while since Jack DeKeyzer first heard the Blues … The Stones and Led Zeppelin – just two of the bands who parlayed American Blues into the heart and then hands of Jack. Spanning a career that has seen Jack open up for the likes of B.B. King, Jack pays homage to the men who inspired him. Otis Rush, Elmore James and Muddy … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Jack DeKeyzer; Remaining True to Himself on The Album Checkmate
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 … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Senri Oe Makes the Successful Transition from Pop to Jazz
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 … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Colin James Has ‘Miles to Go’ In His Music Career
Hard to have the Blues when you are nineteen years of age. Sometimes – the classroom is all around and unless you are paying attention; the teacher remains invisible. That is not the case with Spencer MacKenzie as he makes his way up the musical ladder. Already winning the best new artist at The Maple Blues Awards at the age of seventeen – Spencer is … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Spencer MacKenzie ; Canada’s Next Guitar Great?
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
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 !
Rick Keene Music Scene 