Michel Pagliaro is a legend in Quebec ... Anglophone artists, Francophone artists - any genre, unconsciously or consciously affected by 'Pag'. Rarely do artists create such a vast 'society affecting' songbook in a quick period of time. The Guess Who, Dylan,The Beatles, The Stones,Elvis and Pag. For this reason, it is fitting after all these … Continue reading Michel Pagliaro; Quebec’s Greatest Songwriter?
Muddy waters
Rick Keene Music Scene – Arcaydium; A Breath of Fresh Musical Montreal Air
To make it in this business - bands must have that 'thing'. Any experienced DJ will tell you, all it takes is a three minute listen to separate the 'men' from 'the boys'. The 'it' in question is many times not explainable. A unique sound, voice or chemistry. It is basically magic. A wondrous thing … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Arcaydium; A Breath of Fresh Musical Montreal Air
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Rick Keene Music Scene – Elizabeth Shepherd Loves Montreal on Her New Record
Once a Montrealer - always a Montrealer ... Elizabeth Shepherd is a traveler. Physically and spiritually. Searching for new within herself and within the world of music. Her latest release brings her back to Montreal to discover things that were always under her nose. In the album Montreal - Shepherd brings the listener on a … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Elizabeth Shepherd Loves Montreal on Her New Record
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Rick Keene Music Scene – The Sheepdogs Take Montreal On a Ride
It is not easy 'riding' global accolades ... For the Western Canadian band The Sheepdogs - that is precisely what they are doing. And - doing it well. When Rolling Stone magazine proclaims you as the band to watch out for, that is a lot of pressure. Judging from their performance at MTelus on a … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The Sheepdogs Take Montreal On a Ride
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Rick Keene Music Scene – A Song for Markov, The ‘Mooch’ and Jack Black Recites Carl Sandburg
Everyone needs a break once in a while. Noise pollution is not good for the musical soul. Please enjoy some real tunes in the meantime. Rick Keene Music Scene will be back before you can say Andrei Markov ! Listen to my interview with Lawrence Gowan of Styx below … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – A Song for Markov, The ‘Mooch’ and Jack Black Recites Carl Sandburg
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Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Preview. Men without Hats
You can dance if you want to ... How many songs in Canadian music are recognizable by a few words? How many Canadian tunes are responsible for creating a non - dance dance craze? Say what? Please listen below to my chat with Ivan Doroschuk - the writer and composer of 'The Safety Dance' and … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Montreal Jazz Festival Preview. Men without Hats
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Rick Keene Music Scene – What’s Going On ?
As usual - a lot going on ... From 80's Pop to R&B and Soul - Montreal and The Montreal Jazz Festival has a lot to offer. Please listen below for some upcoming shows and some great tunes. Thank You ! Listen to my interview with Cliff Stevens Here ! … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – What’s Going On ?
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Cliff Stevens – The Prodigal Guitarist Returns to Montreal to Prove ‘Grass Won’t Grow’.
Cliff Stevens' hands aren't slow. Despite many years portraying Eric Clapton as means to meet the ends, Stevens' is on his way to 'bucking' the label. 'Grass Wont Grow' - Stevens' new album, is an accumulation of years of practice and years of being on the road. Easy going riffs compliment easier going melodies … Continue reading Cliff Stevens – The Prodigal Guitarist Returns to Montreal to Prove ‘Grass Won’t Grow’.
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Rick Keene Music Scene Jazz Festival Preview – An Extensive Chat with Dr. Trevor Payne
Dr. Trevor Payne is a Montreal institution. He may only be realizing it now. Dr. Payne and his Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir have soared to heights not imagined by anyone. Considered to be one of the top choirs in the world, Trevor Payne is ending his tenure as their leader. Something which is causing … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene Jazz Festival Preview – An Extensive Chat with Dr. Trevor Payne
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Bonnie Raitt in Montreal – Like a Fine Wine …
Sometimes - people require a good slap in the face. A shock to make them understand what is purposeful and what is not. Bonnie Raitt, her music and her band are purposeful. And then some ... Raitt was in town last night in support of her new disc; 'Dig in Deep'. The tour ( named … Continue reading Bonnie Raitt in Montreal – Like a Fine Wine …
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Matt Dusk – Bringing Back Christmas in a Big Way !
There is nothing like the good ol' days. Especially when Christmas comes to mind. Most people have fond memories of the Holiday Season and Matt Dusk is one of them. In fact - Matt's memories are so great, he decided to put together a Christmas album with a couple of guests. Traditional combined with … Continue reading Matt Dusk – Bringing Back Christmas in a Big Way !
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Simon Daigle – Quebec’s Premiere Bass Player Talks Groove
Bass players unite ! Rarely are Bass players featured prominently on albums for promo. Once in a while - their pictures are front and center, on the back cover of CDs. Simon Daigle - a Granby, Qc. resident, is shaking the normal world to it's preconceived core. Daigle is one of Quebec's and Canada's premiere … Continue reading Simon Daigle – Quebec’s Premiere Bass Player Talks Groove
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The League of Rock Montreal – Cold Shot in The Final Showcase
No longer, deer in the headlights ... This was the transformation which took place within the League of Rock Montreal in the past two and a half months. An alteration of Rock n Roll clothes into Rock n Roll tuxedos. Figuratively and literally ... Cold Shot - the band. A mixture of Blues, Funk and Pop. … Continue reading The League of Rock Montreal – Cold Shot in The Final Showcase
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Don Henley – That’s Why You Pay the Big Bucks ! Montreal Concert Review
Welcome to the Hotel Bell Center... It took the entire show and practically Henley's entire back catalog to arrive at Hotel California. Don's and his former band - The Eagles, piece de la resistance ( music by Don Felder). Luckily for the punters, it was not the final nail in the coffin at Le Centre … Continue reading Don Henley – That’s Why You Pay the Big Bucks ! Montreal Concert Review
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Nanette Workman – ‘You Can Always Get What You Want ‘ – Part Two
Nanette Workman is real ... A singer who has been there - done that. A seasoned professional who has not lost her ability to know the true reasons behind music. Passion and integrity, beauty and soul. ASIDE FROM HER EXPERIENCE AS A BACK - UP SINGER, A BROADWAY PERFORMER, AN ACTRESS AND A HEADLINING SINGER, … Continue reading Nanette Workman – ‘You Can Always Get What You Want ‘ – Part Two
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Nanette Workman – ‘You Can Always Get What You Want ‘ …
Nanette Workman is not a born Quebecer. A fact which some people know ... Nanette was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She was inducted into The Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2000. Not bad for a Quebecer ... eh ? The now 70 year old singer / musician / … Continue reading Nanette Workman – ‘You Can Always Get What You Want ‘ …
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Rick Keene Music Scene – The UnderGround Divas ! Somewhere Gram Parsons is Smilin’ …
Take Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. Add Tom Waits. Add Gram Parsons. Mix 'em all together and you get ... The Underground Divas. Singer / songwriter / multi - instrumentalist Rick Murrin is the mastermind behind The Underground Divas. A man with a vision and a man with soul. Please listen below to … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The UnderGround Divas ! Somewhere Gram Parsons is Smilin’ …
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Rick Keene Music Scene – The Underground Divas, Raisin’ Cain, Lisa Simone and Gov’t Mule … or… Mule (If You Prefer)
The Underground Divas. A perfect name for a band. Underground as in rebel and Divas - as in Rock Star mentality. Just one of the bands from Montreal with a new album coming. Please listen below to a preview of the songs AND INTERVIEWS coming this week on Rick Keene Music Scene. Stay tuned for Paul … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – The Underground Divas, Raisin’ Cain, Lisa Simone and Gov’t Mule … or… Mule (If You Prefer)
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Rick Keene Music Scene – Messin’ with Paul Arthur and Raisin’ Cain !
Paul Arthur and Raisin' Cain make their long awaited debut at The House of Jazz Paul Arthur has long been a staple in the montreal Blues scene going back to the days of the Rising Sun. Originally from Boston but raised in Montreal - Paul and his band recently won a contest as best Blues … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Messin’ with Paul Arthur and Raisin’ Cain !
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The Wainright Sisters; Laughing All the Way to The Jazz Festival !
Martha and Lucy Wainright Roche are a lot of fun ... Martha and her half-sister Lucy have written and performed with most of their family. Kate and Anna McGarrigle, the Roches, Victor - the list is long and musical. For reasons which are comically dark, Lucy and Martha collaborated on their first project ' Songs in the … Continue reading The Wainright Sisters; Laughing All the Way to The Jazz Festival !
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Rick Keene Music Scene – You Want a Jazz Festival Preview?
There is a lot of talent coming to the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2016 ... The Festival gets underway on June 29th with Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings doing a free blow-out show to open the Festival. Jones, one of the best performers on the scene today -promises to deliver a opening showstopper for … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – You Want a Jazz Festival Preview?
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Dawn Tyler Watson – A ‘Jawbreaking’ Interview !
Montrealers know Dawn Tyler Watson. Or - do they ... ? Dawn Tyler - Watson has been entertaining Montrealers and Canadians for what seems like an eternity. In a good way ... Hard to believe her latest release 'JawBreaker' is only Dawn's fourth solo album. Her small-ish output is not for lack of talent … Continue reading Dawn Tyler Watson – A ‘Jawbreaking’ Interview !
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Dawn Tyler Watson – Experience is a ‘Jawbreaker’ ! Album Review
Montrealers know Dawn Tyler Watson very well ... One of this city's brightest diamonds has shone bright for a few decades. In her latest offering; 'Jawbreaker', Dawn exudes passion with experience. They say practice makes perfect yet musicians are all aware, perfection is as unattainable as The Holy Grail. Perfection is the hunger which, more … Continue reading Dawn Tyler Watson – Experience is a ‘Jawbreaker’ ! Album Review
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Watch Elvis Leave the Building !
Presented for the first time in Montreal! RETURN TO GRACE Premiere on June 15 8 p.m. Place des Arts evenko presents for the first time in Montreal, RETURN TO GRACE from June 15 to June 19, at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. A glorious, heartfelt tribute to Elvis Presley' s music featuring Steve Michaels, and over 30 singers, … Continue reading Watch Elvis Leave the Building !
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Chaim Tannenbaum; His First Album and It’s a Beauty !
Chaim Tannenbaum has done many things in life. Releasing an album is not one of them. Until now ... Informally, he is known as the Godfather of Canadian Folk music. Having co-produced Loudon Wainwright and worked on practically every album the McGarrigle Sisters and Loudon delivered. Keeping it among the family, Tannenbaum has also worked with … Continue reading Chaim Tannenbaum; His First Album and It’s a Beauty !
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The Anderson – Ponty Band; Music’s Best Kept Secret Astounded Montreal !
Jon Anderson of Yes fame is one matter. Jean -Luc Ponty is an entire different matter. Place the two together and what you receive in return - matters the most ! The pair were in Montreal last evening on the heels of their album; 'Better Late Than Never'. An album which took thirty -odd years … Continue reading The Anderson – Ponty Band; Music’s Best Kept Secret Astounded Montreal !
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Rick Keene Music Scene – ‘Music DVD Pick of The Week ‘
It's nice to discover stuff you thought you knew ... That is the case with the DVD; Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin' Down a Dream (2007) Everyone knows the hits. 'Breakdown', 'Here Comes my Girl', 'Refugee', 'Freefallin'. etc etc ... Tom Petty ( in case addition is not your strongpoint) has more hits and has been … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – ‘Music DVD Pick of The Week ‘
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The 2016 Edition of The Montreal International Jazz Festival
37th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal Tickets on sale this Friday, April 29, at noon Exclusive pre-sale for Spectra Newsletter subscribers: Wednesday, April 27 and Thursday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.! (free subscription at infolettrespectra.ca) Montreal, Tuesday April 26, 2016 — It’s an indoor program that combines quality, … Continue reading The 2016 Edition of The Montreal International Jazz Festival
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Juno Award Winner Steve Hill Talks Volumes!
Steve Hill has come a long way ... Starting with his Solo Recordings Volume One out of necessity, Steve's one-man band mentality has become the talk of the country. Please listen below as Steve talks about his latest offering Solo Recordings Volume Three, his new-found success and his guitars of choice. Thanks for … Continue reading Juno Award Winner Steve Hill Talks Volumes!
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Lisa Fischer – A Montreal Experience …
Anyone at the Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre on Saturday night in Montreal was - twenty feet from a star. No - the star in question was not Keith Richards. The star in question was Lisa Fischer and although she may owe a certain amount of her fame to Richards and the rest of The Rolling … Continue reading Lisa Fischer – A Montreal Experience …
