Tag: Montreal music

Rick Keene Music Scene – Artist Nominations For Gala Trille Or 2019 ( Franco-Canadian)

L’Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique (APCM) announced the nominations for the 10th edition of the Gala Trille Or.

The gala is an opportunity for Franco-Canadian artists to shine. Seventy-six performers and industry professionals from across Canada are nominated in twenty-nine categories.

1. Artiste Solo

Damien Robitaille
Étienne Fletcher
Jacobus
Mélissa Ouimet
YAO

2. Groupe

Amélie et Les Singes Bleus
Georgian Bay
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds
Les Rats d’Swompe
Moonfruits

3. Auteur.e et/ou compositeur.trice

Cindy Doire
Damien Robitaille
Étienne Fletcher
Mclean
Moonfruits

4. Album

Alexis Normand – Alexis Normand
Céleste Lévis – Donne-moi le temps
Cindy Doire – Panorama
Damien Robitaille – Univers Parallèles
Mclean – Une dernière fois

5. EP

Billy Love Band – Billy Love Band
Étienne Fletcher – Face A
Marie-Clo – Faune
Mélissa Ouimet – Amours jetables
Vaero – Le nœud

6. Album de l’Acadie

Julie Aubé – Joie de vivre
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Viens avec moi
Shaun Ferguson – Résilience
Simon Daniel – Nightcrawler
Vishtèn – Horizons

7. Découverte (artiste ou groupe)

Étienne Fletcher
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds
Kimya
Les Rats d’Swompe
Marie-Clo

8. Découverte de l’Acadie (artiste ou groupe)

Chloé Brault
Émilie Landry
Julie Aubé
Marty pis les Roots
Pierre Guitard

9. Chanson primée

Damien Robitaille – Tout feu, tout flamme
Étienne Fletcher – Chérie, Chéri
Mélissa Ouimet – Amours jetables
Rayannah – En attendant demain
YAO – Nomades

10. Spectacle

Damien Robitaille
Les Rats d’Swompe
Mehdi Cayenne
Règlement 17
YAO

11. Artiste solo ou groupe – Jazz

Janie Renée
Lucie D et les immortels
Suzanne Kennelly

12. Artiste solo ou groupe – Rock

Étienne Fletcher
Les Rats d’Swompe
Mélissa Ouimet

13. Artiste solo ou groupe – Roots

Ariko
Georgian Bay
Moonfruits

14. Artiste solo ou groupe – Musique urbaine

Jacobus
Kimya
YAO

15. Artiste solo ou groupe – Pop

Cindy Doire
Damien Robitaille
Loig Morin

16. Coup de cœur des médias

Billy Love Band
Damien Robitaille
Georgian Bay
Les Rats d’Swompe
YAO

17. Export Ontario

Céleste Lévis
Damien Robitaille
Jacobus
Mehdi Cayenne
YAO

18. Export Ouest

Étienne Fletcher
Justin Lacroix
Ponteix
Rayannah
Shawn Jobin

19. Export Acadie

Caroline Savoie
Cy
Danny Boudreau
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire
Vishtèn

20. Export Québec

AUTOMAT
Cherry Chérie
FolkloFolie
Klô Pelgag
Les Tireux d’Roches

21. Initiative artistique
LeFLOFRANCO – #HautesVibrations

William Burton – Le Réveil
Regroupement artistique francophone de l’Alberta (RAFA) – Nouveau Monde
Le R Premier – Planète Urbaine
Buzz Fortin – Session Buzz Fortin

22. Vidéoclip

Étienne Fletcher – Chérie, Chéri (réalisation : little jack films et brandon white)
Jacobus – Ma vie c’est un movie (réalisation : STEREO Films)
Marie-Clo – Taudis (réalisation : Groupe Média TFO)
Rayannah – En attendant demain (réalisation : Rayannah)
Shawn Jobin – Éléphant (réalisation :  Xavier MC / Vandales)

23. Présence web

Céleste Levis
Damien Robitaille
JOLY
Les Rats d’Swompe
YAO

24. Conception visuelle

Aya Gano et Jeff Homère pour LeFLOFRANCO – Retranscrire
Christian Pelletier pour Mclean – Une dernière fois
Christian Pelletier et Marc Étienne Mongrain pour Damien Robitaille – Univers Parallèles
Élodie Evanno et Gabrielle Dubois pour Moonfruits – Ste-Quequepart
Gaëtan Vëno Joachim pour YAO – Lapsus

25. Réalisation et arrangements

Loig Morin pour Loig Morin – La Rivière
Mario Lepage pour Shawn Jobin – Éléphant
Mark Howard pour Cindy Doire – Panorama
Olivier Fairfield pour Marie-Clo – Faune
Olivier Fairfield et Simon Jutras pour Mclean – Une dernière fois

26. Prise de son et mixage

Don Benedictson pour Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire – Je deviens le loup
Don Benedictson pour Suzanne Kennelly – Suzanne Kennelly Jazz
Frédéric Levac et Marc-Antoine Joly pour Céleste Lévis – Donne-moi le temps
Loig Morin pour Loig Morin – La Rivière
Sébastien Perry et Stéphane Rancourt pour Mclean – Une dernière fois

27. Émission musicale télé ou web

Balade – Machine Gum Productions
Balade à Toronto IV – Machine Gum Productions
FrancoMusique – Roch et Catherine Archambault
Session Buzz Fortin – Buzz Fortin
Suivez-moi – Sabine Daniel Productions

28. Entreprise

36 Mille – Mathilde Hountchégnon
Intello-Productions inc. – Yaovi Hoyi
JKB Communications – José Bertrand
LaFab Musique – Michel Bénac– Nathalie Kleinschmit

29. Diffuseur

Centre Culturel Frontenac
Festival du Bois – Centre francophone de Maillardville
Festival Edmonton chante
Le Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver
MIFO

30. Prix bâtisseur

(nominations dévoilée le 26 mars)

31. Prix hommage

(récipiendaire annoncé.e le 26 mars)

Visit  Trille Or Here

 

 

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene -Sass Jordan Releases Her Own Brand of Kick Ass Wine

Is there anything Sass Jordan can’t do?

 

Singer, songwriter, actress, judge, wife and Mother -Sass’ tasks are unique and numerous. Yet why stop there?

Jordan (currently working on an album of new material), has somehow found the time to release her own brand of wine. Kick Ass Sass White 2016 and Kick Ass Sass Red 2017.

For Sass, Rock n Roll and wine go hand in hand. 

Please listen below to my chat with Sass about The Maples Inn, the reason for the wine and how the idea came about.

Sass? What’s up?

Visit Sass Here !

 

 

 

Rick Keene Music Scene – Some of the Best Music Shows in January

Christmas is gone and New Year’s celebrations are fading into either good or bad memories.

The winter blues can be overtaken by getting out and socializing. Music is your dancing partner.

Here are just a few shows you may consider and click on the links to check out full schedules.

 

January 12 Panic! At The Disco 

Place Bell, Laval
7:00 PM

January 25th The Sheepdogs & The Damn Truth

MTELUS, Montreal
8:00 PM

January 26th Bryan Adams In Concert

Bell Centre, Montreal
8:00 PM

Visit Evenko Here!

 

 

January 17, 8 p.m. French Quarter

Enzo Carniel House of Echo / Florian Pellissier Quintet invite Roger Raspail / Bibi Tanga & The Selenites

L’Astral (Maison du Festival)

JAZZ ALL-YEAR ROUND

January 10th Taurey Butler Trio at 7pm.

People often comment on Taurey Butler’s resemblance to the young Oscar Peterson, in appearance as well as his winning combination of hard swing and melodic invention. Gratifying as it may be, he backs away from the compliment. There’s only one Oscar, he says. But there is no question that the one Oscar Peterson had a profound effect on Taurey’s life and his music.

 

House of Jazz

 

Snooksta and The Gangstas

January 30th 7pm 

Snooksta and The Gangstas

Snooky was born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in a small city called Woonsocket in Rhode Island. At the early age of 6, he began humming and singing songs to his mother while keeping the drumming beat going with his mouth. Even then, at that young age, music was in his bones. So, his journey began into the wonderful world of drumming. Upon arrival in Montreal, Quebec, he met an extremely talented and well known performer by the name of Freddy James. He later became his drummer and back-up vocalist in his dance R&B band, known as Fusion 3. For the next 6 to 7 years, they toured Japan, Africa, USA and Canada.

When the Freddy James era was over, he continued to successfully perform in night clubs, gospel choirs, and worked with other great musicians in studios. By the spring of 2010 he stayed in Montreal to work and finish writing another CD. He started playing regularly at the House of Jazz with Geraldine Hunt: His quartet,Snooksta and The Gangstas – became one of the headliners at the House of Jazz.

 

To Order Rickkeene2@gmail.com

 

If you love Live Blues – visit

Smoke Meat Pete.com

In February – check out Wave 21 Live Here !

One of Montreal’s Best young bands. Listen below to Interview !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Year in Review Part Seven

As the year wound down – the music wound up.

Dweezil Zappa, son of Frank – stopped by to chat about his upcoming Montreal show and the legacy of his Father. Given the notoriety of Frank Zappa’s humor in music and lyrics, it was interesting to hear Dweezil’s take on everything not funny. The genius of Frank as a guitar player, a writer, a producer and an engineer taking forefront of the chat. Zappa’s tune Bobby Brown was the summation of all parts for Dweezil noting that song was a Top Ten hit in Europe while North America banned it from radio play. Says Dweezil; ‘It was the most requested song on Valentine’s Day and at College and high school dances.’

Maybe it is time North America relaxed?

Local nurse Chantal Guimond released her dreams.

A Blues and Rock fan her entire life, Chantal put out a CD with covers of her favorite tunes as well as a couple of originals. Combined with a great backing band and a fantastic vocal range – Chantal ( who is retiring soon) has a nice career in front of her. Judging by the reaction of her first live appearance – sick people may have a different location to go and get healed.

Angela Harris took time to chat about her new album; A Woman Like Me. It is one of the purest ‘rootsy’ albums released in the past ten years in Canada. Combining Country, Folk and Rock with a powerful voice – Angela may be the most talented singer and songwriter in Canada. And – she has only really just begun.

Speaking of talented singer and songwriters – Barbra Lica is up to her tricks again. This time – Lica made a wrong turn and ended up putting out a superb Country disc. She went to a songwriter’s convention without knowing the folks who were putting it on were from Nashville. Well, as they say – the rest is history and Barbra released one of the best albums of her career thus far.

Joe Louis Walker ( friends with Hendrix and roommates with the late Mike Bloomfield) sat down to chat about his latest disc. Joe is always informative in his chats and not only educates with words, his new songs are always pushing the limits in terms of Gospel and R&B. A great album if you want to know where people like Beyonce really come from.

Ontario youngster Max Parker took time to chat about his new songs and subsequent upcoming studio album. Max – although acknowledging the Justin Bieber connection via age and location – quick to point out he is his own man. Catchy riffs and a more Bluesy feel than Bieber – Max will not be repeating Bieber’s mistakes if he gets that big. The internet can be a good thing sometimes …

Rock /Pop legend Alan Parsons took time to chat (albeit briefly) about his first album in twenty years. The engineer, producer, writer and performer also discussed his DVD that has been implemented in Universities as a must have learning tool for studio recording. He also spoke of his friend and mentor – the late Geoff Emerich ( Beatles) and what Geoff meant to him. A great chat with a man who worked on Abbey Road, Let It Be and Pink Foyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.

John Muirhead knows how to become friends with musicians. Just release an album about playing gigs in different cities and sleeping wherever you end up. John’s disc is a the beginning of a career that will bring him to the highest places. Songwriting is new to him and now that he has discovered to sing about the truth and what he knows – the musical sky is the limit for John …

Reuben ( Reuben and The Dark) stopped by just before hitting the road and coming to Montreal from BC. The chat revolved around his unique style and observations as a songwriter. Balancing the ebbs and flows of human emotion. The dark and the lights within and without. The band crashed their van outside Calgary on the way here and luckily none were seriously injured but some equipment was destroyed. Opening act ( in Montreal) John Jacob Magistery – saved the day and loaned Reuben and his mates what they needed. The show went on and it was a lesson in the rides of life – literally and figuratively.

It would not be complete on Rick Keene Music Scene without an annual chat with Steve Hackett of Genesis fame. This time – Steve spoke of Genesis’ landmark album Selling England by the Pound. Steve will be performing the album in it’s entirety in September 2019 in Montreal. The history of recording that album is a must hear for Genesis fans as things aren’t always what they seem.

Andy Kim took time out to chat about his induction onto Canada’s Walk of Fame. Combined with a resurgence of late with a critically acclaimed album; Andy’s fame is on the rise for the second time in his life. One of Canada’s greatest songwriters bares his soul and honesty for being ‘lucky’ in his life. A very humble and decent man .

Montreal’s own Justin Saladino won the Quebec to Memphis Blues Challenge this year. Following in the footsteps of Steve Hill, Dawn Tyler Watson / Ben Racine Band and The Paul Deslauriers Band – Justin should take Memphis by storm. Hot on the heels of his most complete album to date (A Fool’s Heart), Saladino should be Quebec’s next global Blues / Rock star along with Jordan Officer.

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Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Year in Review Part Six

And the beat went on. And on … And on …

 

The weather cooled but the music did not.

Malcolm Bruce took time to speak of his band and what a band it is. Bruce is the son of legendary bass player Jack Bruce (Cream) and together with Eric Clapton’s nephew (Will Johns) and Ginger Baker’s son Kobi  – the trio are paying homage to Cream. But wait. it is not what you think. No cash grab here. In the words of Malcolm; ‘Most people know my Dad for Cream and that only lasted a couple of years. My job is to spread the generous legacy and body of work of my late dad.’

 

The Proclaimers stopped by Montreal and amazed everyone with their songwriting skills. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) is the song everyone loves but it is the Zombie-esque harmonies that set them apart and allow the twins to continue their musical path. One of  a few bands that get stronger as the show goes on.

Colin James took time out to chat about his new disc. Miles To Go is a throwback of the old Blues tunes that enamored the young James in the first place. James is continuing the trend among older Rockers ( Myles Goodwyn, The Stones, Randy Bachman)  to pay homage to the Blues greats and release a Blues cover CD.

Lindsay Beaver is a Nova Scotia native current;y absorbing her Blues / Country / Rockabilly chops in Nashville. Lindsay spoke of her first CD and subsequent American tour. A Canadian making waves as a songwriter, singer and drummer. Alligator record top man has personally embraced Lindsay which saying quite a bit.

Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion released a song (Holy Smoke) which is an indication of what very cool stuff is coming. Rather than release an EP or album – the band will be showcasing their stuff one song at a time. Not to be greedy but to market themselves. Their sound is a purposeful Muscle Shoals one and that live on the floor feeling knocks your socks off. Once you listen – all the ‘star’ bands in Montreal crumple with weakness.

Blues veteran Jack DeKeyzer took time to chat about his homage album to the Blues’ greats. Checkmate is the name of the disc and Jack is in fine form as he covers some of the greatest tunes in not only Blues history – Rock as well. 

How many people do you know that sell out stadiums and are the King ( musically) of their Country and then throw it all away for integrity?

Senri Oe of Japan is that guy. He was the darling of K Pop in Japan and was the Country’s equivalent of Michael Jackson. Senri loves Jazz so he  moved to America and went back to school to learn his Jazz chops. How cool is that ?

 

 

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Year in Review Part Five

And the beat went on …

2018 continued in August where it left off in July.

George Thorogood was back in Quebec for the second time in three months. Trois Rivieres en Blues was the setting this time around and the swagger returned. Thorogood was ‘safe’ at Place des Arts in Montreal and in Trois Rivieres; he discarded the condoms. Rock n Roll is dangerous and Lonesome George delivered.

Global Bluestrotter Harry Manx released an album with Canada’s best harp player Steve Marriner on board and Harry took time to chat about it. Marriner – fresh off touring with Colin James, adding an ingredient to Manx’ genius which complimented Harry’s style without taking anything away. Manx never sounded better.

TV’s Survivorman Les Stroud chatted about his new disc. A surprisingly sound album complete with menacing riffs and acute songwriting. Stroud’s insight into the environment taking control of the lyrics and musically, a blend of Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn  took place. A brilliant disc.

The lead singer of The Guess Who, Derek Sharp took time to discuss the first new Guess Who album in twenty years. Sharp (also the husband of Sass Jordan) co-wrote half of the tracks and co produced the album. A throwback Rock n Roll disc with swing. A relief in this day and age and proving once and for all – the ‘ old guys’ know how to do it …

Continuing The Guess Who trend – guitarist and producer Will Evankovich spoke of the new album and his role as principle songwriter. Will, a relative newcomer to the band, provided old school mentalities and astute precision to an album that was recorded on analog equipment. Will is hot considering he also co-wrote and produced Styx’ latest album The Mission.

Continuing the Canadian Blues legacy is one Spencer Mackenzie. The young lad from Ontario has already won New Artist of The Year at The Maple Blues Awards and his album’s musicianship is far above his age in quality. A must see prodigy live if there ever was one. Buy Spencer’s new disc Cold November and support Canadian artists.

 

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Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Year in Review – Part Two

What a year it was …

Twelve months have come and gone quicker than a man / woman looking for a one night stand. That’s what happens when music is in the air and in your soul.

Let’s take a look back shall we? Let us revisit the musical past of 2018.

April

Steve Hill finally released a live album after nine studio albums. He wanted to make sure it was done right and being the perfectionist Steve is – the delay came as no surprise. Check out the album; The One-Man Blues Rock Band, it’s a must have for Steve Hill fans.

The Box, one of the most successful bands to come from Quebec, returned with a brand new EP titled Take Me Home. Jean Marc Pisapia, the singer and songwriter for The Box, gave a three part interview about his career and the new EP. Very insightful if you are a fan of the eighties and Canadian music history.

Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame was in town with his side project The Jim Cuddy Band. Their performance at the Corona which included Jim’s two sons and Barney Bentall – blew some Canadian wind into the joint. Cuddy’s down to earth charm combined with an elite backing band was just what the music scene needed. Blue Rodeo ain’t got nothing on these guys and girls.

May

One of the co – founders of April Wine, Jim Henman , has been affected by the senseless shootings south of the border. He was so profoundly moved by the acts of violence – he wrote a song.

The song ‘Some of These Children’ is a poignant and stirring take on events that have affected everyone. Parents, teachers, relatives and the entire world.

Jim Henman is donating fifty percent of all sales from the song to The Boys And Girls Club of Greater Halifax. This is a start to not only help the kids in Nova Scotia – to also send a message globally that us humans have had enough.

Buy Jim Henman’s song here !

The Brooks resume includes opening up for The Doobie Brothers and Kool and The Gang. Two huge blowouts at the Montreal International Jazz Festival are also easy on the ears on a rhythmic C.V.

In May – the band (and what seemed like the entire city of Montreal), raised the roof at L’Astral and cemented their position as this city’s soon-to-be next Arcade Fire on the global scene.

April Wine’s Brian Greenway sat down and spoke of his career with April Wine and what came before. Bands such as The Wackers and The Dudes along with tales of playing at the historic Maples Inn before Myles Goodwyn grabbed him for super-stardom. Brian also spoke of his side project The Blues Bus with former Wine guitarist Gary Moffett.

Up and coming guitar player Paolo Stante released his third album; At It Again. The most complete recording of his career and cementing his position as one of the top ten guitar players in Quebec and Montreal.

In a music galaxy far, far away – a Canadian band altered the airwaves and sent Canada into an entirely different universe.

Crack of Dawn were the first black band to be signed to a major label (CBS) in Canada. Otis Redding’s producer discovered them and the band sold more albums than Earth, Wind and Fire in Canada. They were headed for stardom yet they disappeared.

In 2018 – they released a new album and started touring again. Proving once and for all – you can teach an old dog new tricks as long as the tricks are old.

April Wine co founder Jim Henman was in the news yet again. He recorded an album with his family. Something he wanted to do for a long while and finally finished it before it ‘is too late’. The Henman Family Album is a delightful listen with all ten kids doing their musical thing.

Lawrence Gowan of Styx took time out to chat once again. Speaking with Larry, Lawrence or Gowan is always a history lesson and a lot of fun. The interview was a precursor to Styx’ appearance with Joan Jett and Tesla at Place Bell in Laval.

The League of Rock enlisted some local rock stars including Brian Greenway ( April Wine) and Corey Diabo ( Jonas and The Massive Attraction) to coach musicians who normally just play in their basements. It is an event which showcases talent and at the same time, gives an opportunity for the players to hit a stage in front of a live audience for maybe the first and last time in their lives.

Local songwriter and guitar player Justin Saladino released his album A Fool’s Heart. It was a coming of age for the young West Islander and music teacher. His vocals – a weak point before, came into fruition and the album cemented Justin’s place among the best in Montreal.

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