Lots of shakin’ going on in Montreal the next couple of weeks.
Why sit in and watch Netflix? Why watch a concert DVD when the real thing is a jump away? Live music can only bring joy to your existence. Joy to your soul.
Smoke Meat Pete Birthday
March 7th
Check out some shows below you do not want to miss.
One of the best guitar players in Montreal is in a zone.
Paul DesLauriers has seen and grown a lot since he first picked up a guitar and started playing. Multiple Maple Blues awards, winner of the Quebec to Memphis Blues Challenge which led to second place at the IBC Blues competition held in Memphis, multiple critically acclaimed albums, an educator and a seasoned touring musician. What could come next?
Armed with a ‘new look’ and a recent marriage – DesLauriers, along with his band (Sam Harrison drums, Alec McElcheran Bass), have released an album called Bounce. It is a disc recorded with a live feel. A distinct flavoring of three musicians knowing each other and what level they can bring it to. A seasoning of a Blues / Rock stew.
Please listen below to Part Two of my chat with Paul about music, the new album Bounce and the upcoming show November 30th at Le Ministere
One of the best guitar players in Montreal is in a zone.
Paul DesLauriers has seen and grown a lot since he first picked up a guitar and started playing. Multiple Maple Blues awards, winner of the Quebec to Memphis Blues Challenge which led to second place at the IBC Blues competition held in Memphis, multiple critically acclaimed albums, an educator and a seasoned touring musician. What could come next?
Armed with a ‘new look’ and a recent marriage – DesLauriers, along with his band (Sam Harrison drums, Alec McElcheran Bass), have released an album called Bounce. It is a disc recorded with a live feel. A distinct flavoring of three musicians knowing each other and what level they can bring it to. A seasoning of a Blues / Rock stew.
Please listen below to my chat with Paul about music, the new album Bounce and the upcoming show November 30th at Le Ministere
The Montreal International Jazz Festival is celebrating an anniversary with a bang.
Noah Preminger concert at Sa Pobla (2012)
It has been forty years since those days on St Denis street. A simpler time for the city of Montreal, music and the world.
Simple may have been good for humanity but the complexity of The Montreal Jazz Festival is more than welcome. The city of Montreal has become a beacon for all music from all corners of the globe. Jazz may be the brand yet diversity remains at the core of the biggest festival of it’s kind in North America.
Whitehorse
This summer, 150 indoor shows will take place in and around the city of Montreal. Among the crowds, the sounds and sights – music will provide an ambiance unlike any. Forget the LED lighting, the gourmet food from all ethnic groups or the stars in the sky. None of them would be as enticing without the sounds of the multi – talented artists visiting the city. How do you say Bienvenue with a trumpet or a saxophone?
2019 brings a lively bunch of tunes to the city. Some of the acts fulfilling the void left by months of cold winter nights are the who is who of music. The kings, the Queens and their devoted disciples. Talent is an understatement when describing the playlist of live music showcasing their art from June 27th to July 6th.
Norah Jones, Blue Rodeo, Melody Gardot, George Benson, Alan Parsons, Alt -J, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy and Colin James. All bases are covered at Salle Wilfred Pelletier. Soulful Blues, Country Pop and Jazz will exit Place des Arts and engulf the masses on Rue Ste Catherine.
A few of the artists performing at Theatre Maisonneuve. A few of the artists creating magic.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival adds more venues and more artists each year. The city has become one giant Rue St. Denis as it enters it’s fortieth season as both an innovating festival and a badge of honor for all who perform and attend.
The Jazz Festival starts June 27th and runs until July 6th
In this segment of my interview with Jerry Mercer – the drummer discusses opening up for the Rolling Stones, hearing Janis Joplin sing from the heart and thoughts on April Wine’s late great bass player; Jimmy Clench.
He also talks about the downside of being a performer and the loneliness that sometimes comes with it …
Please enjoy this latest installment. Very insightful and poignant for any musician or music fan. Part six will follow …
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, along with the choice of classic songs, an easy -to-please audience was right for the pickin’. Easy to please because those in attendance – got exactly what they came for. Swing, swing and more swing.
April, along with gowns fit for the era of her Father Duke – exchanging voices with brother Edward Jr. Together and apart. A duo and solo. Back and forth they went with classic vaudevillian banter showcasing the time their Father was the king of everything grand in music.
Amid the grandiose and renovated Rialto Theater – Frank Sinatra staples ‘Fly Me to the Moon‘, ‘I’ve Got the World on a String‘ and ‘ Come Fly with Me‘ – seemed to be at home. The vocals carried simply yet powerfully by Edward Jr. The entire time – delivering the right words to demonstrate how he and his sister are carrying the legacy of their Father and people like Sinatra to ensure the music’s survival. Edward Jr. – the stronger vocalist of the pair, as charming as his sister. Working the crowd yet allowing the backing big band to take over (as they should). Brassy and filled with foot – stomping’ numbers. A trip back to a greater time in music when the artists seemed bigger than life. A time when Facebook and Twitter – did not allow a peek into the performer’s lives …
April delivered the portion of the show meant for the lady singers who led the way for women like Lady Ga Ga and Madonna to reap millions.
Peggy Lee‘s ‘Fever’ – a highlight if only for the reason that most young people know Madonna’s version and Elvis Presley’s ‘ gyrating – sexy’ version from his ‘Aloha from Hawaii‘ television special. April sung Lee’s version as if Peggy herself appeared via a ghostly figure. It was a special moment and commenced the trip down memory lane for most in attendance. “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)” – ( a song that Dad Duke wrote the music for and was recorded by more than fifty artists including Peggy Lee and Billie Holiday), sung almost to perfection by April. After all – once Holiday sang it, everyone else cannot meet perfection or come close.
The surprise of the night was Lady Alicia …
The Ellington’s Mother, arrived on stage and sung her heart out. God bless her. Surprisingly – she did a bang on job considering her age. If Ella could carry it out – so can Miss Alicia. With a roar to the twenties and an ear to the forties, the lady was definitely not a tramp.
The third -to-home trot, complete with a wink towards Duke Ellington.
‘It Don’t Mean a Thing ( if it ain’t got that swing)’, ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ and ‘Take the A Train’ – just a few of the numbers from Duke’s vast catalog, displayed with conviction by the Big Band, April and Edward Jr. Let’s not forget – back in the day, these songs were the ‘Satisfactions’, ‘Hey Judes’ and ‘ Like a Rolling Stone’ of the time. Thousands attending and listening to – the sounds of orchestras led by Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and …
Duke Ellington.
A man whose heart was in the proper place and after all these years – remains as prominent as ever. His kids – doing their best to keep the legacy alive.
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, Fla. since 1980, arrived at the worse possible time. His long awaited appearance marred by the opening of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Hundreds of people who may have jumped on the ‘guitar rock’ bandwagon and attended Pat’s show – instead acting like sheep and flocking to La Place de Festival to witness Feist destroy a grand opening …
The Pat Travers Band was here in support of their new album which will be released near the end of July. The disc is titled ; ‘ Can Do’. A fitting title for the man who for so many years was known as the ‘ Boom! Boom! – Out go the Lights!’ guy. Fitting because Travers ‘can do’ it better than most and he proved it with a couple of his new songs …
‘Can Do’ – the title track, is a genuine rocker. A wake up the kids and shake the neighbors kinda tune. It is entrenched with a more mature Travers soloing with his trademark lightning fast fingers. Digits that may just be a little quicker than five years ago. An fact Travers himself attributes to a fitness regime he started in 2004. The song is a powerhouse and puts The Pat Travers Band in perfect harmony. As tight as a girdle on an obese person.
Another new song performed before 200 people last night – is a ballad. It is Travers’ soon-to-be-hit. If Pat owned a supermarket, the song ‘Diamond Girl’ would be his lost leader. A ‘Pop’ tune which is tailor made for radio airplay although it is not Travers’ style. An ode to a woman who makes her man feel lucky to have her. Soft guitar licks reminiscent of an angel’s wings flapping in the wind. A shadow – light as a feather, hovering over a sweet message to a woman who is loved …
‘Crash and Burn’ – the evening’s biggest moment; talent-wise.
The original ‘hit for Travers and a tune indicative of the early eighties sound. With hints of Frank Marino‘s ‘Dragonfly’ – this song dominated the airwaves and is a perfect example of what happens when guitar meets bass. A bleeding so natural – so uniquely splendid, it is the song which kept Travers afloat on the sea of music for so many years. Last night, for the length of the song – a haunting feeling engulfed the venue. Travers – ‘the ghost from music past’, narrating his experience and wisdom onto fans of old and new.
The surprise of the evening was the Blues portion of the show. A two song homage to Robert Johnson and Blind Willie McTell. Travers is a Blues guy so the choices not too bizarre. The surprise was – just how well the band pulled the songs off. They were profound with guitar, deeper with bass and depth -defying with a backseat drum kit. Drummer Sandy Genero; a human metronome. Snapping the snare allowing bassist Rodney O’ Quinn the passage to rhythm built on old – school Blues. An opening of the vault into music history. Kirk McKim – Pat’s best friend and fellow axeman, fueling a fire lit with a passion for the music that inspired Rock n Roll.
Richard Newell’s (aka King Biscuit Boy) spirit was front and center just like any Pat Travers show. ‘Boom Boom – Out Go the Lights’ – a song which Travers heard through the ‘biscuit man’ at the age of thirteen, played live like it always is. Raw, energetic and a genuine crowd pleaser. Travers’ voice – complete with a raspiness owned by few – performed by fewer. ‘Snortin’ Whiskey and Drinkin’ Cocaine’ – another standard Travers fare in concert. A bookend to ‘Boom Boom’. An ignition switch to an engine primed with seventies oil.
Travers’ uniqueness shone through Friday night. Like a beacon cutting through a fog that hovered over the opening of the Jazz festival.
