Blues, Concert Review, Rock, Uncategorized

All You Need is Police Protection! Fifty Years Since The Beatles Played in Montreal; Part Two

How time flies … The Beatles took the world by storm. Creating a sensation which – to this day; remains unmatched. What was it about these four lads from Liverpool? Their hair? Their suits? Their silly English accents combined with even sillier humor? All of the above for sure yet without an amazing ability to create timeless tunes, sing-a-long melodies and poignant love tales; the … Continue reading All You Need is Police Protection! Fifty Years Since The Beatles Played in Montreal; Part Two

Rick Keene3 Sep 20143 Sep 2014Leave a comment

Concert Review, Rock, Uncategorized

Grace Potter; Sagging a Bit …

Grace Potter and her band of merry Nocturnals appeared at the Virgin Mobile Corona Theater on Thursday night … Or did they? It was the second appearance by the Vermont -based group in seven months at the very same venue. Maybe they should have waited. Or – stayed home. Grace herself – one of the most talented and energetic female singers to come out of … Continue reading Grace Potter; Sagging a Bit …

Rick Keene16 Sep 201316 Sep 2013Leave a comment

Concert Review, Rock

The Beach Boys; Summer Fun!

Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older Then we wouldn’t have to wait so long And wouldn’t it be nice to live together In the kind of world where we belong When Mike Love helped write the words for ‘Wouldn’t It be Nice’, the opening track on The Beach Boys’ 1966 album ‘Pet Sounds‘ – you have to wonder if almost fifty years later, … Continue reading The Beach Boys; Summer Fun!

Rick Keene12 Aug 201312 Aug 2013Leave a comment

Concert Review, Rock, Uncategorized

The Virgins Concert Review; Too Much Attitude!

The Virgins For a while – it all seemed dicey … The Virgins. an American band who just happened to open up for Iggy and The Stooges ( once upon a time ) – seemed destined to not draw any attention late Sunday night. A half hour before the show, a crowd of less than capacity did not fill Club Soda. As the band took … Continue reading The Virgins Concert Review; Too Much Attitude!

Rick Keene3 Jul 2013Leave a comment

Jazz, Rock, Uncategorized

Serena Ryder – Feels Like Home

Serena Ryder, hot off the heels of a MMVA for ‘Rock/ Alternative Video of the Year for her new song; ‘Stompa‘- considers the success of her new album; ‘Harmony’, somewhat home -based. “The entire album was recorded in L.A.”‘ Says Ryder.’”After almost ridding myself of sixty songs which were penned for the sessions, I decided to simplify everything. ‘Stompa’ took just three hours to record … Continue reading Serena Ryder – Feels Like Home

Rick Keene24 Jun 201311 Dec 2019Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals; Stay Awake for This Show!

Grace Potter visited Daryl Hall‘s place and was very nocturnal about it … You see – Mr. Hall, of Hall and Oates fame, conducts an on-line broadcast from his home. Potter, joining the likes of other guests from previous episodes such as Joe Walsh (Life’s Been Good) and Cee -Lo Green ( F*ck You) to sing along with Hall and his band-mates. It is easy … Continue reading Grace Potter and The Nocturnals; Stay Awake for This Show!

Rick Keene29 Jan 201329 Jan 20131 Comment

Concert Review, Rock, Uncategorized

Opening Acts for The Rolling Stones Since 1962

July 12, 1962, Marquee Club (London): Long John Baldry‘s Kansas City Blue Boys. January 1963 London club shows: Cyril Davies‘ All Stars, The Velvets, Long John Baldry. August 11, 1963 Richmond Jazz Festival: Long John Baldry, Cyril Davies’ All Stars, The Velvets, Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band, Terry Lightfoot’s Jazzmen, Freddy Randall Band, Blue Note Jazz Band. August-September 1963 British concerts: Brian Poole & the … Continue reading Opening Acts for The Rolling Stones Since 1962

Rick Keene2 Dec 20124 Dec 20121 Comment

Concert Review, Jazz

Gilberto Gil; A Brazilian Mick Jagger?

When a seventy year old man is able to lift people from their seats – over and over and over again … A flip of the fedora in his direction is not just necessary – it is required. Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira, born in 1942, is the man responsible for a love – in at Theatre Maisonneuve at Place des Arts last night. Who knew … Continue reading Gilberto Gil; A Brazilian Mick Jagger?

Rick Keene24 Nov 201224 Nov 2012Leave a comment

Jazz

Susie Arioli; Changes are Standard

Jazz crooner Susie Arioli did not plan on being a singer… Art – or rather drawing, was her thing. In fact , she even enrolled in a four year Fine Arts program at Dawson College in Montreal. Something she did not finish because it was too confining for her free – spirited ways. ‘It is a lot of work being an artist.” Says Susie. ” … Continue reading Susie Arioli; Changes are Standard

Rick Keene22 Nov 201222 Nov 20121 Comment

Uncategorized

Old ( er ) Musicians Never Die – They Play with their Sons …

The above photo was sent to me by Mr. Wayne Cullen. Wayne – along with Ritchie Henman ( the original drummer in April Wine), were the two drummers in The Dudes, one of the best bands to play in Montreal in the 1970’s. The group included David Henman and Brian Greenway of past and future April Wine fame respectively. Wayne is pictured above in his … Continue reading Old ( er ) Musicians Never Die – They Play with their Sons …

Rick Keene19 Oct 201219 Oct 2012Leave a comment

Rock

Just Between Jerry Mercer and Me

It may have been a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Do the days of the week matter when the phone rings and a Canadian rock legend is waiting on the other end of the call? The bruises linger from the self – inflicted pinching that took place on my right arm as I took the receiver from my ex and spoke to April Wine’s drummer. I arrived at Mr. Mercer’s home the … Continue reading Just Between Jerry Mercer and Me

Rick Keene14 May 201214 May 2012Leave a comment