music Tuesdays - Bryan Adams

This week, I am straying from the usual format to bring you a concert review.

Bryan Adams - Thursday, August 13, 2009 - Massey Hall - Toronto, Ontario

When I found out that Bryan Adams was doing an acoustic show I knew I had to go. Now for those of you who mock me for being a fan, here's a little background on myself. I'm Canadian. My formative years were in the 1980's. I realize that not everyone fitting this description was a fan but given the man's record sales, most people were. I can't say that I own all of his recordings, he did lose me for a few years, but I did purchase his three most recent and they are really good. His music has matured, naturally since he is turning 50 this year. You can't expect the guy to keep writing songs like Kids Wanna Rock forever.

Let's get back on track. The concert. Including encores he played solidly for 2.5 hours. Some of the time it was just him but for about half of the show he was joined on piano by a really great player who's name I did not catch. (Sorry.) The set was a good representation of his career from Cuts Like A Knife onward. It was really interesting to hear the songs in a stripped down format. It really showed that Adams is indeed a triple threat: singer, guitarist, songwriter. He nailed all three all night, even though he did screw up his own lyrics a number of times. One of the highlights was when long time collaborator Jim Vallance joined him on stage to play keys on The Best is Yet To Come. And I have to admit that I did get a little choked up when he performed Summer of '69. Like I said before, his music was a huge part of my formative years. I am really, really, really glad that we went to this concert. Definitely one of the better concerts I have seen in my concert-going lifetime.

Even though the ushers were being really militant about cameras, I did get some decent pics. We didn't have the best seats, but we may have had the most uncomfortable ones. (We were up in the gallery, in the narrow wooden seats. Ugh.) I did manage to sneak in a little bit of video. Here's about half of Somebody.

music Tuesdays - Melissa McClelland

Melissa McClelland - Victoria Day

I'd heard her name, but the first time I heard Melissa McClelland sing was a couple of years ago when she performed with Blue Rodeo at Hamilton Place. I was completely blown away by her voice and downloaded her previous releases when I got home from the concert that night. Victoria Day, her latest recording was released in the spring of this year and I believe that it is her finest album yet. The best way I can describe it is old-timey. While the lyrics are fresh and inventive, the musical styles are classic, lots of blues, country, dixieland and jazz influences here. And since Melissa is a local, I love the fact that she references Burlington, Hamilton and Toronto in a couple of the songs. Definitely one of my favourite Cd's of 2009.

I love this video because it shows just how awesome she is live.



As a side note, after my darling husband read my music Tuesday installment of two weeks ago, he promptly took to the internet to find me a new copy of my long lost Rhinos's CD.


Thanks honey. You rock.

music Tuesdays - Danny Michel

Danny Michel - Welcome Home

I first became acquainted with Danny Michel's music when I was in high school and he was in a band called The Rhinos. They eventually broke up and I lost track of him. In December 2007, Steve and I went to a live Vinyl Cafe show and Danny Michel was one of the musical guests. He played a few tunes acoustically and I remembered why I was such a big fan. He is a story teller, as much through his music as through his lyrics. His voice is unique. He can manipulate it perfectly to suit the subject matter of his songs. Welcome Home is a collection of previously recorded material all performed acoustically. Just Danny and his guitar. It's thoughtful and introspective. The kind of album you throw on when you just want to sit back and concentrate on the music.

I couldn't find a good video to use from this album, so here's the title track from his most recent release. You'll get the idea.

music Tuesdays - Joel Plaskett

The short list for the Polaris Prize was announced today. This is a fantastic award that recognizes Canadian talent and is not based on record sales. The winning artist receives $20,000. Pretty cool. I've only listened to a few albums on the list, but this is one of my favourites.

Joel Plaskett - Three

This album actually consists of three sets of nine songs. Many of the songs have the same words repeated three times, such as the first single, Through & Through & Through. So obviously the number three is some sort of unifying theme. Plaskett is an excellent lyricist and that really stands out on this album. I'm a sucker for good lyrics. Mostly, I just find this album really easy to listen too. There is something very Canadian about his sound, but I couldn't even begin to tell you what that means. Maybe it's the hint of folk and country influences. Maybe it's because the music just feels real and uncomplicated. I don't really know, I just know that I like it.

music Tuesdays - Burton Cummings

It's the day before Canada Day and we are at the cottage. The weather has been okay, but not fantastic. At the moment, a thunderstorm is brewing. You know how there are certain records you pull out when it is raining? Well this is one of them for me. And it's Canadian, perfect to celebrate the birthday of this great nation.

Burton Cummings - Up Close and Alone

Burton Cummings has enjoyed an incredible musical career both as a solo artist and as one of the two front men of The Guess Who. In 1996 he released Up Close and Alone, a selection of songs from throughout his career. Recorded at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the album features Burton and a piano. No other musicians. At times, it sounds as though there is a symphony on stage with him. He knows exactly how to manipulate the piano so that it sounds like there is a drummer, bass player, guitarist, or any other instrumentalist there. This album makes me want to practice piano again. Also the liner notes are excellent. Burton talks about each song and gives some great anecdotes. His banter on the recording is also great. One of the best tracks is his imitation of Gordon Lightfoot doing Rod Stewart. Very funny. I can't really pick a favourite track because they are truly all fantastic. But The Guess Who songs are probably the ones that really standout for me, particularly "These Eyes" and "Undun". A must for any fan of Burton Cummings or The Guess Who.

music Tuesdays - Lee Harvey Osmond

Tuesdays are typically the day of the week when new music is released. So starting today, I'm going to attempt weekly album reviews. Well not really reviews. Mostly just me raving or bitching about some record in my collection. It may not be a new release, but just something I would recommend. Or not.

LeE HARVeY OsMond - A Quiet Evil



About a month or so ago, Elizabeth and I went to The Casbah in Hamilton to see LeE HARVeY OsMOND. This group is led my the enigmatic Tom Wilson (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse) and the album includes quite the lineup of Canadian talent including Andy Maize and Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers, Margo and Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies and Colin Cripps to name a few. The album is a mix of sultry, bluesy, folksy, moody tunes and the band puts on one hell of a live show. I picked up the CD at the show that night but it's only appeared in the Canadian iTunes Music Store today. I give this one a "hell ya". Here's a little sample.

tell me, that I'm still asleep...

WTF?

Steven Page has left the Barenaked Ladies?

Could this be the end of one of my favourite bands?

Sadness.

your song

All you Canucks out there may have heard about CBC Radio's play list for U.S. President Barack Obama, 49 Songs from North of the 49th Parallel. Canadians were given the chance to vote on which songs would best define Canada to the new president. Well leave it to The Hour to come up with their own spin on things. They compiled a play list for former President George W. Bush. And it is excellent. You can see the full list here. I think it really captures his tenure as president. Here are a few of my favourites.

American Idiot - Green Day
2 + 2 = 5 - Radiohead
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta - Ghetto Boys
Thank God I'm A Country Boy - John Denver
War Pigs - Black Sabbath
The Man Who Sold The World - David Bowie
When The Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin

it was good

We went out with Elizabeth & John last night. We met for dinner at La Luna and then met up with Kim at The Casbah to see The Sadies. I've been lucky enough to see this band live a few times now and they are awesome. Their music is hard to describe but their are hints of surfer rock, country and bluegrass.

I took a pictures last night but they're pretty crappy so here are a few I took of them at the Grand Stage Music & Arts Festival this past summer in Paris, Ontario.

Travis Good

Dallas Good

Sean Dean & Mike Belitsky

The Brothers Good

They had a fantastic opening act too. A band I had never heard of called Young Rival. I picked up their EP. Turns out they are a local band, hailing from Hamilton. I was really impressed. Check them out.

if the band just never ended...

Great Big Sea was incredible last night at Hamilton Place. Seriously. Each of the guys in this band are fantastic multi instrumentalists and singers on their own. Put them together and the stage is overflowing with talent, passion and energy. Truly an awesome show.

They played a bunch of their hits plus whole lot of tunes from their latest album Fortune's Favour. At one point, everyone left the stage except for Alan Doyle. He explained that the boys in the band were taking turns doing a solo each night and tonight was his turn. The only stipulation is that they pick a tune that they have never played in public. Because Alan first met Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor from Blue Rodeo in Hamilton, he decided to do Falling Down Blue. And it was a fabulous rendition. See for yourself.

brand new love

The latest Serena Ryder album dropped yesterday. And it is mighty fine. It highlights her brilliant songwriting and fabulous voice. I'm really digging all of the songs but especially Hiding Place and her awesome cover of You're No Good.


Also cool is the fact that she is lending her song Sing, Sing to one of my favourite organizations, the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. They put on an event annually called Music Monday, in which they demonstrate the importance of music education by having students all across the country put on outdoor, public concerts. They choose a new song every year for these students to perform. Sing, Sing is an excellent choice for Music Monday 2009.


By the way, if you too feel strongly that music is an integral part of the education of Canadian children, consider becoming a signatory. It doesn't cost anything to add your name to the list of supporters of music education.


I got the chance to see Serena live this past summer at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival. The pictures in this post are a few that I took at the concert. It was a fantastic show! Her band was excellent and I was pleased to see that her bass player, Anthony Lavdanski, was a recent graduate of the school that I work at. It always makes me smile to see "my kids" on stage.

i feel it all...

Elizabeth and I are going to see Feist tonight! I'm so excited. I hear she puts on a great show. Plus, I just love going to hear live music. Nothing is more impressive to me than musicians who can cut it live. I can listen to just about any style of music if it's performed well. I have no time for lip-syncing and I get angry when I hear a singer live who obviously can't sing, meaning that their album was entirely doctored and therefore completely bogus. Seriously, that totally pisses me off.

I've been going to a lot of concerts since becoming pregnant. I realize that my concert going will not be as active once Em arrives on the scene, so I'm trying to get in as many shows as I can before then. And since I've been such a bad blogger over the last number of months, I will take advantage of NaBloPoMo by posting about my busy concert going summer. Stay tuned.

lazy sunday afternoon

Elizabeth and I got together at my place this afternoon to watch the new Blue Rodeo DVD, Blue Road. It felt bizarrely decadent to sit in front of the tv with some yummy snacks on a sunny Sunday afternoon. ahhhhhh........

So the DVD is fantastic. A must for Blue Rodeo fans. It includes a beautifully shot documentary, with some very funny moments, a few songs recorded while making the documentary including the great new song Losing You, and a bootleg style recording of the first half of their Massey Hall concerts from February 2008.

So now it's back to reality. Making dinner, doing laundry, planning for a very busy week ahead. My posts will be brief this week, but I'm determined to stick to the NaBloPoMo mandate and blog every day.

Until tomorrow...

are you ready?

Happiness arrived by mail today.



This is the brand new CD/DVD set from Blue Rodeo. It includes audio and video from their Massey Hall concerts in February 2008 and a documentary about the band. I wanted to pop in the DVD player right away but Elizabeth and I are planning a viewing party so the CD will have to do for now. I get the feeling that I will not be disappointed.

i won't grow up...

If there has ever been a rock band that was meant to write a children's book and cd, it's the Barenaked Ladies. Case in point, check out this animated video for one of the songs from their forthcoming Snacktime release.



It's obvious that these guys grew up on Sesame Street, School House Rocks and other classic children's programming of the 1970's. I can't wait to get the book and cd when they come out in May. And no, I don't have kids. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy it, right?

i got lost in the song...

Jim Cuddy

Last night, Elizabeth, Erica, Deb and I went to the Blue Rodeo concert at Hamilton Place. Even though this was my 6th time seeing them live, they continue to surprise and amaze me with their live performances. On this tour, the entire first half of the show has a stripped down, semi-acoustic feel. They played on the front half of the stage in front of a black curtain, Glenn Milchem armed only with his snare drum. It gave the show a small club kind of vibe. For a moment, I almost forgot that we were in a theatre that seats over 2000! It was so great to hear some of their classics in the different arrangements. Bad Timing was fantastic with just two guitars, harmonica, and just a bit of harmony from Greg Keelor. It was also awesome to hear them do No Where You Go/Tell Me Your Dream with the fantastic Melissa McClelland. Her voice is incredible!

Melissa McClelland

The highlight of the set was Greg singing Dark Angel, with only Bob Packwood on keys backing him up. He slowly walked across the very front of the stage as he sang. A showstopper!

Greg Keelor

The second half rocked as one would expect from Blue Rodeo. When Jim Cuddy announced that it was almost the end of the show and encouraged people to come up to the front and dance, we and about 50 others bolted up to the stage. This gave me the opportunity to get some great close up shots.

Jim and Greg performing the opening of Heart Like Mine

We danced and sang our hearts out when Greg led us through Hasn't Hit Me Yet. I love watching the smile on his face as he listens to us belting out his brilliant lyrics.

One of the many things that I adore about Blue Rodeo is that they always invite up and coming musicians to join them on stage. In addition to Melissa McClelland, Luke Doucet, who also provided backing vocals earlier in the night, and opening act Cuff the Duke joined them for part of their encore. When I got home and was suffering from my usual post-concert insomnia, I downloaded albums from all 3 of these excellent artists.

Luke Doucet and Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti

It was a great night of music that I will repeating again on February 29 at Massey Hall. I can't wait to see the boys in my favourite Toronto concert venue.

If you're interested, there are more pics on my flickr stream.

let the music play...

After listening to the Oscar Peterson tribute (see previous post) I explored the CBC Radio 2 Concerts on Demand page a little further. There are some amazing concerts on this site! How did I not know until now that this existed? I often wondered what happened with the tons of live shows that the CBC records on a regular basis, after they have been broadcast on various radio programs. It's so great that they offer some of them up on the website for us to enjoy. So while I've been cleaning up my home office, I have enjoyed some great live shows including Jim Cuddy at Kingfest, Serena Ryder at Hugh's Room and William Carn Quintet at the Rex. And there are a ton of others that I plan to listen to. All thanks to the magic of the interwebs!

oh night divine...

Steve and I had a very Canadian experience a few weeks ago. We attended a live Vinyl Cafe Christmas show at the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall. For those of you who are a) not Canadian or b) don't listen to CBC radio, the Vinyl Cafe is a one-hour, weekly variety program on CBC Radio One. It features stories, music & essays. Mostly, it is centered around the fictional family of Dave, the owner of the Vinyl Cafe Record Store, his wife Morley, their children Stephanie and Sam, Arthur the dog and Galway the cat. It is the brilliant creation of Stuart McLean, a magnificent writer and master storyteller.

Stuart McLean, hard at work.

Up until recently, I had only heard a few episodes of the Vinyl Cafe but each one made me laugh or left me completely emotional. Luckily, the CBC has added the Vinyl Cafe to its podcast lineup, so I now get a weekly dose. But seeing it live adds another level to the experience. I had seen pictures of Stuart McLean so I thought I knew what to expect visually from the performance. I was completely unprepared for what we saw. McLean was unbelievably energetic, on his toes as he told his stories, practically airborne. I hadn't expected so much movement from him but it only heightened the experience. His timing and delivery are impeccable. He was simply brilliant.


In addition to the fantastic storytelling, there was music. Two fabulous Canadian talents, Allison Russell and Danny Michel performed with the "house band" featuring Chris Whitely on guitar & trumpet, John Sheard on piano and Dennis Pendrith on bass. The music of these talented individuals added another dimension to the night. Danny Michel's performance of Snowglobe was a particular highlight as was Allison Russell's Till It's Gone.

Allison Russell & Chris Whitely

Danny Michel

If you are a fan of the Vinyl Cafe and have the chance to take in the live show, you must! And if you haven't yet listened to the Vinyl Cafe, do it! You will not be disappointed.

Oscar Peterson

As a Canadian and a fan of jazz music, I feel compelled to post about the passing of Oscar Peterson. O.P. died on December 23 at the age of 82. He was one of the pioneers of jazz music in Canada. A brilliant musician and a remarkable human being. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.



Rest in Peace.

it's all right here in my boxset...

I recently picked up the new Barenaked Ladies concert DVD, Talk to the Hand Live in Michigan. I honestly don't know why I buy concert DVDs. I never watch them more than once. But since BNL is one of my favourite bands, I just had to. Plus, I'm a sucker for the bonus features. So here's my review.

The concert portion of the DVD features 15 songs offering a good cross section of tunes from the early hit If I Had $1000000 to tracks from the latest album. Highlights include the acoustic versions of Be My Yoko Ono and For You and Ed & Steve ribbing the women in the front row for talking on her cell phone. I especially love the fact that they included Powder Blue, a fantastic song that unfortunately, has not made it on to any of their studio albums. Basically, these guys just rock live. They are excellent musicians and performers and this concert is just as good as every time I have seen them live. Very entertaining.

There are 3 bonus features. The first is an interview with the whole band that runs about 12 minutes. Since I've been a die hard fan since the Yellow Tape it's nothing I haven't heard before with the exception of a few tour stories (especially the very amusing "ass-head" story). But it's still great to see them interact in this setting. The next feature is the band in sound check, rehearsing Angry People, including the hilarious dance sequence. Last is a great photo montage of rehearsal and concert pictures.

The band is committed to lessening their impact on the environment and this DVD is no exception. Not only is the packaging 100% recyclable and made from 80% post consumer content, but the DVD tray, usually made from plastic, is 100% biodegradable because it's made from potatoes. How cool is that!

So if you're Christmas shopping list includes a Barenaked Ladies fan, pick up the DVD. It's a great addition to the BNL library.