There was only one place to be in the 1970s. Studio54. The place to meet,to dance and to engage in a bohemian lifestyle.
Thanks to The Rolling Stones and more particularly Jerry Hall – the video below captures the images of a nightclub filled with the most relevant artists of the day.
From the beginning – The Rolling Stones’ sound has been entrenched in Country music. Is it their Blues’ influence which is also embedded in Country / Folk or was it Keith Richards’ fascination with Roy Rogers? Whatever the case – The Rolling Stones can lay claim to being one of the best Country bands of all time.
Gram Parsons was a huge influence on Richards and The Stones and added many an idea and education to The Greatest Rock n Roll Band of all time.
Tunes arrive daily. Some fantastic, some great, some average and some bad. In the scheme of things, as long as an effort is made; everything is beautiful.
Please listen below to some of the best new tracks floating around and find out where you can see some shows live in Montreal.
In the words of Herb Alpert, co-founder of A&M Records, ‘everywhere around the world; people play The Blues’.
Please listen below to some Montreal Blues players and some of the best Blues / Rock circling the stratosphere.
The above quote was by Mick Jagger during their second tour of the U.S. in 1965. A tour which cemented their place at the time as second to The Beatles in the world.
Over the years, The Stones – despite the backlash of ‘society’ over their rebellious ways and disregard for so called public decency, The Stones have not just endured, they have outlasted most of their contemporaries
Combining excellent showmanship with business savvy. Artistic and intellectual curiosity with an unmatched ability to mimic vocal ebbs and flows. Jagger has mastered the art of a front-man and set the bar for all to follow. No Mick Jagger – no Freddie Mercury, No Mick – no Stephen Tyler, no Michael Jackson, no Prince. Add the fact that none come close to matching the amount of quality songs penned by Mr. Jagger; at the age of 76 – Sir Mick sits alone on the throne.
Please have a listen below to my Birthday Tribute.
The original tunes from a band sometimes are foreplay. A tease to bigger and better things or a precursor to erectile dysfunction. Either way, a different lover adds spice to a love affair.
Some folks like to know what they are getting into before they dress up and hit the road. Many folks do not like surprises in their lives.
For those who prefer security over blind faith – please listen below to some tunes from the artists I will be interviewing this week on Rick Keene Music Scene.com
Visit the Montreal International Jazz Festival Here
No – the star in question was not Keith Richards.
The star in question was Lisa Fischer and although she may owe a certain amount of her fame to Richards and the rest of The Rolling Stones, her fame has been earned by sheer talent. A once-in-a-lifetime voice has earned Fischer a place beside musicians like Richards, Sting, Luther Vandross and Nine Inch Nails. To name a few.
The Grammy Award winning singer and one of the featured artists in the documentary ‘ Twenty Feet to Stardom’, displayed her talents in front of a packed audience. Conveying an angelic presence to a crowd whose attention lay focused. These days – it is rare when an audience is not disrespectful to a performer. Lisa Fischer is special.
Backed by her backing band Grand Baton, Miss Fischer carried everyone on a trip. Vessels of rhythms, beats, arrangements and melodic masterpieces within a potpourri of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop and World Music transported souls far away from Hades. No leaks. No Mishaps. No prisoners. No problem for Fischer.
Commencing with the Amy Grant song ‘Breath of Heaven’, everyone who had only heard Lisa singing Gimme Shelter with Mick Jagger realized the depth. Like a billowy cloud floating carelessly through a spring air, Fischer’s vocals – hard and soft. Contrasting styles. An entire vocal lesson within one Gospel inspired tune (hymn?).
Eric Bibb’s ‘Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down’ came next and never left. Instead, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Lisa Fischer arrived within the song as it morphed into Peggy Lee’s Fever. Elvis and Madonna have covered Fever. Thousands of artists have covered Fever. No one has covered Fever as unique as Fischer. Especially when the calmness of her version evolved into the classic Zeppelin tune; ‘Rock and Roll.’ Fischer and Grand Baton know how to rock. Now – Montreal is aware that Fischer knows how to rock outside of The Stones. A heart-pounding rendition with a hint of Rock and a touch of Soul.
‘How Can I Ease the Pain’ – her Grammy Winning song, brought everyone back down to earth. Goose bump kinda -stuff. Hair-on-the-back-of-the-neck kinda stuff. Fischer demonstrated why – in 1991, the Grammy was awarded, for once, to the right person. A stunning beautifully written song sung with a healing power. A pin could have been dropped into an empty well equipped with microphones in China and it would have been heard in Montreal at The Corona. Fischer commands that attention. Fischer has earned that respect.
‘Miss You’, from The Stones’ Some Girls album came next.
Fischer, once more placing her own spin on things with a fusion of Jazz and R&B. After all – who knows Miss You better than Fischer? Since 1989, Fischer has ‘walked in central park’ and ‘sang after dark’ as The Stones’ back-up singer. At The Corona, Lisa made the Stones miss her more than she missed them. Piercing vocals shadowed by darkness. It was a gas, gas, gas!
Jumpin’ Jack Flash filled a Stones’ fan’s pallette. Briefly. Once more – Grand Baton and Fischer making it their own. Compared to Jagger’s menace, Fischer’s vocals hidden from the drivin’ rain. Sheltered under rainbow – colored mushrooms with an occasional bounce into a higher stratosphere. The Jagger / Richards’ composition fresher in Fischer’s hands. Richer.
The thing about Miss Fischer, given her star-studded pals and place within the music business, is her lack of pretentiousness. As humble as a bookworm on a date with a cheerleader, Fischer’s personae as a lead vocalist somewhat sophomore-ish. Almost shy. A relief within the usual diva mentality of the majority of female Pop singers.
The late Robert Palmer was present and accounted for on Saturday evening.
Lisa and the band offering a stirring rendition of ‘Addicted to Love’. Not quite like the video version of Palmer’s hit. Once again – Fischer placing the tune into another worldly dimension complete with a haunting bass line, acoustic bliss and a slower more haunting beat. A perfect set-up for what appears to be Lisa’s signature tune.
What would a Fischer concert be without Gimme Shelter?
The song which placed her on the musical map on a grand scale. Her moment in the sun with The Rolling Stones in every show. Although somewhat expected by Stones’ fans, Fischer once more altered the tune like a ball of Playdoh. Sculpting, shaping and forming the encore tune into something different.Something breath-taking. Something memorable. A souvenir to be placed into a photo album. Pressed between pages of a musical era.
One that is commencing for Lisa Fischer …
**Due to camera malfunction, no pics from Saturday’s concert are available. Apologies.
Photo courtesy of JamesStLaurent.com
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With the release of Like It Is, the next chapter has been written for the John Fedchock New York Big Band. As with his previous recordings, this project showcases Fedchock as an artist who will continue to have a hand in guiding and shaping the direction of big band music for years to come.
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