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 …
The Blues Babes Guest House has a few more shows coming up this summer – all of them are at THE BEAN THERE CAFE – at the traffic lights in South River. We are always excited to bring great folks to town, but numbers are down for our shows and this is a concern when it comes to launching a new festival. Summer time is … Continue reading A Musical Trip to Ottawa …
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
Friday night at Cabaret Mille End – Pat Travers brought his high caliber guitar chops to Montreal. It was the first time in almost twenty years the songwriter of ‘Crash and Burn’ flicked his pick to a Montreal audience. One can only wonder why it took so long …? Travers – a transplanted Canadian. An Ottawa – raised son who has been living in Orlando, … Continue reading Concert Review; Pat Travers
When Wanda Jackson was a young lady, she did not realize her name would forever be associated with the beginning of Rock n Roll. Now – as an older lady, she did not realize that men and women, young enough to be her Grandchildren, would hold her in such high esteem. Men like Jack White … ” I guess I am like the Betty White … Continue reading Wanda Jackson; A Legend Pure and Simple. Part Two
Elvis … Gladys and Vernon Presley‘s son had many monikers. Movie star, Elvis ‘the Pelvis’ and ‘The King of Rock n Roll’ – to name but three very important ones. ‘Wanda Jackson‘s boyfriend’ was also a name Elvis toted for a while. Few know it – everyone is impressed when it is discovered… For Wanda Lavonne Jackson of Maud, Oklahoma – it was a special … Continue reading Wanda Jackson – A Legend; Pure and Simple. Part One
Would you sell your soul for fame? Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll! A talentless loser’s drive to be famous leads him to naively making a deal with the devil for his soul. Follow Alex’s journey during his rise to fame until he learns the truth from a conspiracy theorist who exposes the hidden satanic agenda behind the music industry. Medulla Oblongata Productions is happy … Continue reading Alex Cross and his Rise to Fame
Everyone remembers the T-Shirts … The name; The Stranglers – scribbled across fabric as if a child was instructed to create merchandising. Fitting wasn’t it … ? That is exactly how Punk Rock was personified upon it’s debut in the early to mid – seventies. Punk Rockers such as The Ramones, The Dictators and The Stranglers – a bunch of late teen, early twenties people … Continue reading The Stranglers – A Time Trap but a Good One …
For Emelie – Claire Barlow, the fifth time is a charm. Following four previous Juno nominations, Barlow finally won a 2013 award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. The album is called ‘Seule ce Soir’ . A disc which was recorded in 2012 and was initially intended as a compilation of all her French songs she has done over the years. ‘Most of my … Continue reading Emelie – Claire Barlow; The Juno, the Duck, the Mouse and ‘Bunny’
It is almost that time of year … The grass is getting greener, the trees are overflowing with growth and City Hall smells like … well, never mind … The Montreal International Jazz Festival is around the corner and people in the city of Montreal are bracing themselves for a ten day onslaught of foreigners. Yes – many West Islanders will be venturing to the … Continue reading Top Ten Signs the Jazz Festival is Coming Soon!
Kristina Maria may not come from a Francophone family consisting of three thousand brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and a dog named Charlemagne … That does not mean the Ottawa born singer does not have high connections to Celine Dion. Number one; the girl cutely and absolutely adored Celine from the time she (Maria) was young (er). Two; her manager, with the full blessings of her … Continue reading Celine Dion; Part Deux
‘Brighter than Gold’ – the first single from The Cat Empire‘s new album; Steal the Night, has exceeded expectations – according to trumpeter and vocalist Harry Angus. The song, along with the entire disc, is a throwback to the group’s roots. “The last few albums we made, we were following a very live ascetic.” Explains Harry. “Probably, the last three or four records we made … Continue reading The Cat Empire; Full Circle
Rick Keene Music Scene 