Imagine telling your Mom; ‘I’m moving out!’ (when you are fifteen years of age?) Imagine the reaction of your parents even if you have a full time job? Imagine the reaction if you only have a couple of events planned at $25.00 each? Welcome to the start of Sheldon Kagan’s career as a mobile disc […]
The West island Palliative Care Unit contains many angels. The many volunteers who give their time to helping patients and their families ease into other worldly territory. It’s an ongoing process as people continually require care. That’s where Peter Nauth steps in. Nauth is organizing an event on Sept. 23rd at Stewart Hall in Pointe […]
If you do not know the name Rob Lutes, shame on you … There are songwriters and there are songwriters. The latter being students. Pupils of Dylan, Guthrie and all the Country and Blues’ artists who laid the foundation for all music. Lutes is a form of all the above and with his seventh album […]
Smack dab in the middle of the Trois Rivieres Blues Festival – a classic Rock band arrived. Like most bands of the sixties and early seventies, Styx were somewhat schooled in the Blues. They took that sound and evolved into something else. Something borrowed yet something new. Synthesizers, keyboards and harmonies complimented by gritty guitar […]
Sass Jordan is a one of a kind performer. Twenty-five years ago, Sass’ biggest selling album Racine hit the radio and the charts. Songs that catapulted her to higher levels both inside and outside of Canada. Fast forward a decade and a half and the ‘kids’ are all grown up. […]
Sgt. Pepper ? Familiar ? Chances are the guys above know him well. It’s been fifty years since the four headed monster known as The Beatles recorded an album that forever changed popular music. ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ altered the way people sang, recorded and marketed their music. A feather in […]
Once upon a time, in a bar far far away … Strangers in the Night – an idea born in the parking lot of a bar named The Firm, featured one band. The Boogie Wonder Band were the event’s initial entertainment and from that point on; founder Larry Day never looked back. Fast forward twelve […]
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 […]
Ground control to Maj … Oops! Wrong space journey … Styx has returned to Earth momentarily with their first new album in 14 years ! One can say they are on a ‘mission’. A trip to insert a seamless album into the vast and historic Styx catalog. A recording that will not ‘skip’ the pure […]
‘East is east and west is west – and an elephant never forgets. Boulder’s rules …’ Dr. Jarrett Lobley didn’t forget what he saw as he travelled the world. The things we in Canada take for granted were not part of the equation yet people were happier in places. Returning years later to the same […]
Festival International Nuits D’Afrique. Be there ! In the 31st year – the Festival International Nuits D’Afrique is necessary. The ingredients; the pre -cursor to all popular music today. No African rhythms? No Jazz Festival. It is – that easy … Please listen below to some tunes from some of the artists performing as well […]
Canada’s up and coming band are here ! In a few short years the band has gone from playing acoustic folk inspired melodies to playing acoustic folk inspired melodies. The crowds just got bigger ! Please listen below to my chat with Darryl James about the new album, the fans and what to expect in […]
On paper – Joss Stone and Melissa Etheridge look great as a double bill. In reality – they are greater than the sum of two parts … When Joss Stone was in her Mother’s tummy, she attended one of her Mom’s favorite artists in concert. When Joss was seventeen – she sang as part of […]
Out of nothing comes something ! Every band goes through it. Sweating and grooving to empty chairs and a barmaid who just wants to go home … The learning curve and the classroom for many a band as they climb their way to The Montreal Jazz Festival and Tremblant Blues Festival. Not only did The […]
You can decipher the title if you want to but if your friends can’t decipher the title – they are no friends of mine … Men without Hats energized Club Soda on July 2nd as part of Le Festival International de Jazz even though the beginning was short circuited. As the familiar sounds and moves […]
Legendary is an understatement. Buddy Guy is the last Blues guy. Last meaning one of very few who learned from the masters firsthand. Crafting his skills from the likes of B.B. King, T Bone Walker, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Live and in person. Live in studio. Buddy will be […]
What is there to be said about Melissa Etheridge that has not been said before? Melissa is a poster woman for so many causes and inspirational platforms; to list them here would be unfair to the ones we don’t know about. A woman of song and a woman with song. A marriage profound in […]
It ain’t easy being green. It ain’t easy being a Whitehorse in what can sometimes be – a muddy puddle. Melissa and Luke have conquered the beginnings of a music career. Their outfit – Whitehorse, have gained critical success in a few short years. Stagnation can be anyone’s enemy, especially artists. The need to […]
One day you are just a ‘guitar player’ trying to get work and the next day – your entire life changes. Playing with Bryan Ferry will do that sorta thing … ‘Quist’ is living the dream as he is learning something everyday that he is on tour with Ferry – the master of creating spaces. […]
Every once in a while, a band comes along that makes you smile … Montreal – based Fuel Junkie are one of those bands. Combining high octane Blues with R&B in the mold of The Powder Blues Band; Fuel Junkie are on the fast track to stardom. Please – listen below to my chat […]
