It is true … Many people don’t know who Steven Wilson is. Generally and within musical ‘popularity’, Wilson lives in an obscure place. For the punters of the world a very bad thing. For Wilson – a very good thing. The creator of the band Porcupine Tree and his band-mates set up shop at Place des Arts in Montreal on Friday night. Combining Porcupine Tree … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Steven Wilson Puts On A Clinic.
It was a ‘rushed’ album. Genesis’ landmark record was in fruition before it was in fruition. Several of the songs were thoughts in the heads of Peter Gabriel,Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett. It was guitarist Hackett who came up with the idea for perhaps what was the deciding song in Genesis’ soon-to-be upcoming superstar status. It was also an album where … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Steve Hackett Is ‘Selling England by the Pound’
The word legendary. Tossed around like a flea – bit peanut monkey sometimes. In the case of Dr. Lonnie Smith – it is he who is tossing the primate around … Commencing his career in the late fifties alongside George Benson – Smith used his knowledge as a multi-instrumentalist and student of Jazz, Blues, Gospel and R&B to rise to the top of the Jazz world … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Dr. Lonnie Smith; Doin’ Only What He Can Do
There are so many female vocalists on the planet. Great ones, good ones, average ones and yes – bad ones. Beth Hart is in a class all by herself. Think of the soul of Joss Stone. The power and rawness of Janis Joplin. The sweetness and velour of Adele. The danger of Amy Winehouse. Add the above together and Beth Hart is the sum of … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Beth Hart’s Dynamite Show Steals the Jazz Festival
Ranee Lee has endured some tough gigs in her time yet nothing like the one last night at L’Astral. Earlier in the day – Lee’s husband Richard Ring ( Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed Thigpen, Ray Brown, Michel LeGrand, Oliver Jones ) passed away following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ring was not only her husband but her longtime guitar player and mentor. … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Ranee Lee Delivers A Performance For The Ages Despite Sadness
Admit it. Lido Shuffle is all you know … Boz Scaggs is that type of artist. The masses think that if an artist is outta sight – outta mind, they must be dead or their career is. True fans know – artists such as Scaggs do not care about hits. William Royce “Boz” Scaggs – is known for vocals with The Steve Miller Band. he … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – Boz Scaggs Redefines His ‘Public’ Image
Jordan Officer is a groundbreaking artist. Kinda … Groundbreaking in a way that combines his talent with old school tools and old school sounds. You see – Jordan is a scholar. A student of where music comes from. Blending Dick Dale with Joe Bonamassa. Bob Wills with Stevie Ray Vaughn. Guitar with the fiddle. All elements of music that make music what it is today … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Interview – Jordan Officer Blows the Roof Off Place des Arts !
What is there to say about George Thorogood that hasn’t been said before ? Electrifying ! Exciting ! Raw energy ! Just some of the adjectives used to describe Lonesome George and his music ensemble The Destroyers. Okay – so those words were utilized by George himself. So what ? One of the reasons George (et al) were here as part of The Montreal International … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene; Jazz Festival Review – George Thorogood ‘Destroys’ The Jazz Festival ( for a few hours).
The biggest in the world. The Montreal International Jazz Festival is looming around the corner. From June 28th until July 7th, musical tastes for all will invade our city for ten days of rhythms from all corners of the globe. The Indoor portion of ‘ the show ‘ was announced this past week and as usual , patrons are pumped to preen and prance in … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival Picks. Part Two
The biggest in the world. The Montreal International Jazz Festival is looming around the corner. From June 28th until July 7th, musical tastes for all will invade our city for ten days of rhythms from all corners of the globe. The Indoor portion of ‘ the show ‘ was announced this past week and as usual , patrons are pumped to preen and prance in … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival Picks. Part One
The Box are one of few Canadian bands who strung together numerous hits in the 1980’s. So many hits in three years – writer and front-man Jean Marc started to get a big ego. He could do no wrong in his mind … Fast forward to 2018 and the elder Jean Marc speaks to his younger self on The Box’ new EP; Take Me Home … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Talking Inside ‘The Box’ with Jean Marc. Part Three.
The Box are one of few Canadian bands who strung together numerous hits in the 1980’s. So many hits in three years – writer and front-man Jean Marc started to get a big ego. He could do no wrong in his mind … Fast forward to 2018 and the elder Jean Marc speaks to his younger self on The Box’ new EP; Take Me Home … Continue reading Rick Keene Music Scene – Talking Inside ‘The Box’ with Jean Marc. Part Two
Rick Keene Music Scene 