I Love Montreal

Subb featuring Jah Cutta, I Love Montreal

Subb is a Quebec based Ska pop punk band. The lead singer Jeff Quesnel is pursuing a solo career. Montreal reggae legend Jah Cutta - a.k.a. Carlton Williams, is known as Canada's King of Reggae.

I love Montreal

Montreal

Stronger Beer

From the album Throw Down, here is Tim Hicks' Stronger Beer. singing about the difference between Canada and the U.S.A.



Tim Hicks is a country singer and songwriter from St. Catherines, Ontario. His album Throw Down was released in 2013. The follow up 5:01 in August 2014.

Difference Between Canada and U.S.A. 

Tim Hicks

Billy Idol - King's & Queen's of the Underground

Billy Idol's newest album, Kings and Queens of the Underground debuted this month at Number 34 on Billboard 200.

This is Idol's first release in nine years to contain original material.

The three-time Grammy nominee's release is his 11th chart hit and his highest debuting album. Understand of course, overall album sales have dropped to a fraction of what they were. Kings and Queens of the Underground is the highest ranked Idol album since 1990's Charmed Life which hit number eleven.

Trevor Horn was responsible for the production of most of this new release.

Kings and Queens of the Underground Track List

Billy Idol, Kings and Queens of the Underground

1. Bitter Pill

2. Can’t Break Me Down

3. Save Me Now

4. One Breath Away

5. Postcards From The Past

6. Kings & Queens Of The Underground

7. Eyes Wide Shut

8. Ghosts In My Guitar

9. Nothing To Fear

10. Love And Glory

11. Whiskey And Pills

The album release follows "Dancing with Myself," Idol’s autobiographical memoir, which was published on October 7th, 2014, on Simon and Schuster’s Touchstone imprint.

The book covers Idol’s life story, from his childhood, split between the U.K. and the U.S., and covers his seminal role in the U.K. punk movement alongside the likes of Sid Vicious and Siouxsie Sioux.

Idol formed the band Generation X before moving to New York to strike up a solo career in the early 1980s.

Idol kicks off his world tour in Europe in November in support of Kings Queens of the Underground. His first North American date is January 2015. For his complete tour schedule click here to go to his official website.

And here is Billy's Idol's video for Can't Break Me Down, from Kings and Queens of the Underground.

Billy Idol, Dancing With Myself

Fiona Apple - Hot Knife

Let's say I'm a little behind with this one. Fiona Apple's fourth studio album and first since 2005's Extraordinary Machine, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do was released in 2012.

Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel...

The Idler Wheel... earned a nomination at the 2013 Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Album and peaked at number 1 on the US alternative and US Rock album charts. It hit number 13 in Canada and number 68 in the UK.

The final track on the album, Hot Knife, features supporting vocals from Apple's sister and fellow singer Maude Maggart.

The video was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson who may be better known for his work on Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood and Magnolia. Hot Knife drums may be reminiscent of 50s orchestral or African drumbeats.
From her 2012 album The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do, here is Fiona Apple's Hot Knife.

Fiona Apple

Atheists Don't Have No Songs

From Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Atheists Don't Have No Songs

Steve Martin. Steep Canyon Rangers

Another One Bites The Dust

Queen - Another One Bites the Dust.

Another One Bites the Dust

Queen's partial discography
Queen (1973)
Queen II (1974)
Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
A Night at the Opera (1975)
A Day at the Races (1976)
News of the World (1977)
Jazz (1978)
The Game (1980)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Hot Space (1982)
The Works (1984)
A Kind of Magic (1986)
The Miracle (1989)
Innuendo (1991)
Made in Heaven (1995)



This was not creative. And I didn't write much but apparently this is part of a Writing Challenge. To see who actually wrote something for today's prompt go to www.WeWorkForCheese.com . Today's theme is One Bite.

Damn the Torpedoes

Tom Petty Damn The Torpedoes

Damn the Torpedoes became Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' first top ten album. Produced by Petty and Jimmy Iovine, the album reached double platinum status. The album brought together rock, folk, country and blues in what has become Petty and the Heartbreakers’ signature style.

Damn the Torpedoes can arguably be called Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' magnus opus. A little bit of the Stones and a little bit the Byrds, yet completely modern for its 1979 release.

Previous classics from Petty included, American Girl and Listen to the Heart. Damn the Torpedoes dropped more classics on the world with Refugee, Here Comes My Girl, Even the Losers and Don't Do Me Like That.

Few rock albums from the era were as powerful as this. 

Re-released in 2010, one of the greatest rock albums of all time was shored up with nine bonus tracks.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, during their first year of eligibility in 2002 and are one of very few artists to score a top five record on the Billboard charts in five consecutive decades.

Apparently this is part of a Writing Challenge. To see more, go to www.WeWorkForCheese.com . Today's theme is Damn.

New Music 2014

The new year dawns, and 2014 looks to be a big year in new music releases. Let's take a look at some of the musicians who will be gifting us with new music in 2014. Everything from Rock to metal to blues and jazz... I'll add to the list as I discover more (or have more time to complete my list).

Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

High Hopes finds Bruce in a number of different musical settings, and includes the members of the E Street Band as well as guitarist Tom Morello and many additional players. Recorded in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Australia and New York City, High Hopes marks Bruce’s 18th studio album and includes his own liner notes that detail the album’s evolution.

Bruce Springsteen High Hopes

U2 - Following a Live album release in December 2013, U2 is scheduled to release a studio album sometime in 2014. Word is Danger Mouse is producing. But whether it is Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, or Steve Lillywhite they should do all right. Few missteps with this band, perhaps except for 2009's No Line on the Horizon.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins - Better known as Adele. At least to me. In followup to her massive selling 21, probably one of the most anticipated albums of the year would be this new project from Adele. High pressure but I am guessing she will deliver.

Metallica - A followup to 2011's umm... let's say, interesting collaborative effort with Lou Reed as well as the band's 2013 concert film, Through the Never. Metallica is hard at work on a brand new studio album.

Metallica Through the Never

Judas Priest - Set to release their first album since 2008's Nostradamus. Rob Halford and the crew are working on this concept album, which expects to be a return to their big and heavy sound of their earlier years.

Mötley Crüe - a 2014 retirement album? This could be the last hurrah for this Crüe. All four original member have been back in studio getting ready for this 2014 release which will coincide with a worldwide tour.

Mike Oldfield - Man on the Rocks will be Mike Oldfield's 25th album. Best known for his debut as a 20-year old, Tubular Bells, Man on The Rocks features 11 tracks including the song "Irene", inspired by Hurricane Irene which hit the Bahamas in 2011.

Adele's new album 2014

Beck's Morning Phase will be his first album since 2008. Look for the first single Blue Moon to be released on January 209th.

Morrissey - While I don't follow his career closely, I grew up listening to The Smiths, so anything by the band's front-man or other members will interest me. His new album follows the 2013 Blue Ray, MORRISSEY 25Live and his autobiography. In addition to the brand new album, Morrisey is writing his first fiction novel.

St Vincent, or Annie Erin Clark will be releasing a self-titled album in the early part of 2014. The self-titled release will be the fourth studio album by American musician St. Vincent. It is set to be released on February 24 in the United Kingdom and February 25 in the United States, through Loma Vista and Republic Records. A 2012 release was a collaborative effort with David Byrne.

St Vincent

Neneh Cherry - Cool trivia? Neneh's brother is Eagle-Eye Cherry. Fun trivia? Her stepfather's name was Don Cherry.  Best known for her songs Buffalo Stance and her brilliant duet with Youssou N'Dour, 7 Seconds. Officially, this will mark Cherry first solo album in 17 years. Actually, it is supposed to be a collaboration with RocketNumberNine.

Drive By Truckers - Look for a new set of songs from this southern rock band out of the music hotbeds of Athens, Georgia and Alabama.

And legend Stevie Wonder will be putting out not, one but two new albums this year. His first in almost a decade. One will be a set of originals, the other, a gospel collection.

Blondie 2014

Blondie - Yes. You read that right. Blondie will be releasing their tenth studio album. Deborah Harry and the band have been keeping busy, if a little below the radar. The single A Rose by Any Other Name hit the airwaves back in June 2013.

Foo Fighters - With a tour scheduled and a new album, Dave Grohl is back leading the band following his guest work with QOTSA. In an interview with XFM, Dave Grohl announced that their next album has been slated for a 2014 release. Grohl said “...We have been in our studio writing and in the past few weeks we’ve written an album and we are going to make this album in a way that no-one’s ever done before and we’re pretty excited about it…"

Foo Fighters

Following his two highly successful duets albums, Tony Bennett is working on a on some swing and jazz covers with Lady Gaga.

Johnny Cash - Out Among the Stars is an album that features some of his recording from the early 1980s.

Alice Cooper is putting his 27th studio album under wraps. An album of covers that includes ‘Break on Through’ by the Doors, ‘Revolution’ by the Beatles, ‘Foxey Lady’ by the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Who‘s ‘My Generation’.

One Woman Army

Kate Earl, Stronger

Alaskan native Kate Earl's third album Stronger was released towards the end of 2012. Now based in L.A. this 32-year old singer's indie / country-folk sound comes through in One Woman Army, a song she wrote, inspired by her young son.

On One Woman Army, she promises, "Here I am, baby, I'm your one-woman army I'd fight for you, I'll die, I'll be your protector". She says she is especially proud of the tune for the way it achieves one of her biggest goals as a songwriter: "It's one of those songs that you can take to mean whatever it means to you. It can be a love song; it can be about friendship; it can be a song from a parent to a child. I want people to identify with my music like that."

Gimme Shelter

Rolling Stones

I have been a fan of the Rolling Stones for as long as I could remember. There are a some songs that stand out more than others, Street Fighting Man, Gimme Shelter, 2000 Light Years from Home, and Angie, to name a few. With 29 studio albums, 18 live albums, 30 compilation albums, and 107 singles there are a lot to choose from.

One reason that Gimme Shelter stands out is the backing vocals of Mary Clayton. Listen to this piece - Clayton's isolated vocals from Gimme Shelter.

Stephen Davis writes in his book Old Gods Almost Dead: The 40-Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones, “No rock record, before or since, has ever so completely captured the sense of palpable dread that hung over its era.”

Rape, murder!
It’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away

Released in 1969 with its Latin groove and rock theme, music by Keith Richards and lyrics by Mick Jagger, the world was set in war and this moody piece reflected the tension of the world closing in.

The song credits:
Mick Jagger - vocals, harmonica
Keith Richards - guitars, backing vocals
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
Nicky Hopkins - piano
Jimmy Miller - percussion
Merry Clayton - vocals

And if you are interested in Mary Clayton, or any of the backup singers who graced the recordings of so many favourite artists, watch the film 20 Feet From Stardom. As the tagline says, "meet the unsung heroes behind the greatest music of our time.

Mavis Staples

One True Vine is the thirteenth studio album by legendary gospel and soul singer Mavis Staples. A tremendous followup to a tremendous career and album. Staples won the first Grammy of her 60 year career on the 2010 release You are Not Alone. With One True Vine  Staples reprises her collaboration with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

Can You Get to That was originally recorded by Funkadelic. Staples version is a stripped down folksy rendition, focusing on the vocals and lyrics.

And also worth listening to is the title track of You are Not Alone.

Mavis Staples

Bobby Blue Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland the great blues and RnB singer died June 23rd, 2103 in Germantown, Tenn., a suburb of Memphis. He was 83. Originally from Rosemark, Tennessee, Bland moved to Memphis and was one of the original Beale Streeters.

A mixture of southern traditional music and big-band arrangements mixed with the emotional power of the blues gave him his pioneer status.

Bland was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and received a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 1997.

Buddy, BB and Blue. Guy, King and Bland. Photographer unknown.

First recorded in 1957 Bland's song Farther Up the Road was covered by Eric Clapton as well as the likes of Lonnie Mack, Roy Buchanan, Mike Bloomfield, Lucky Peterson among others. Here is Bobby "Blue" Bland's Farther Up the Road.

Home At Last

I love my job. I enjoy going to work. I often look forward to going to the office. I have twenty or so staff that report to me, all a different mix of characters. Even with this good team, once I am there, they often make it that I am looking forward to going home.

Some make the job more difficult than others. The real bad apples were let go a long time ago. 

I could make this into a love story about my wife and rushing home to see her but, this is more about work.

I came back to work after a few days off - after celebrating my nuptials. I returned to find 300 email in my inbox. I had to scour through them, first to catch up, second to deal with any disasters, and third to find out if there was an email - somewhere in there - that told me I was fired.

Well, my job is pretty safe but when a company has layoffs, anyone is at risk. You believe your job is safe but then there is still doubt. You get a compliment or a good review from the boss and still, there may be doubt. Sometimes doing a good job is like peeing in your dark suit. You get a warm feeling but nobody notices.

I tried a start-up internet based chewing gum company. Eventually the bubble burst.

I had a friend who worked for the IRS but quit because he found it taxing. 

I worked in a mill for a while but couldn't stand the daily grind.

I had an uncle who worked in ladies lingerie. It didn't go over to well at the construction site.

A job is what you make of it. Loving it is a bonus. Making a living is a requirement. Going home is essential. 

And remember, your job could be worse

Steely Dan from their 19778 release Aja, Home At Last


Today is day 18 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and see all the other participants.

Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy, is a Chicago Bluesman born in Louisiana, and one of the living elder statesmen of the Blues. He may not be as well known as BB King or some of his predecessors, nonetheless, he built a niche of music creation and influence all his own. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix were heavily influenced  by Guy's play. Guy was thought to be one of the biggest influences on the play of Hendrix. While Clapton referred to Guy more recently as the greatest guitarist alive.

Buddy Guy remains one of the last Blues links to the traditions of play started by Robert Johnson. Guy recorded with the greats Muddy Waters and Junior Wells

Buddy Guy in Montreal, Metropolis

I went to see Guy play at the Montreal International Jazz Fest Year Round series, on April 14th of 2012. 76 years old and still playing his guitar with blistering speed. Guy plays any style, imitating his imitators, playing the likes of Clapton, Hendrix, and Albert King. Guy played music from his own albums spanning all his decades of recording, as well as some Blues standards.

At one point during the show Guy exited the stage only to reappear moments later among the standing room crowd on the floor. He kept strumming his guitar, singing and walking as he moved through the crowd and chatted with the patrons. Over the next 1/2 hour, Guy walked across the floor, up the stairs to the balcony crowd and around to the other side of the stage. Spitting distance I was from a legend.

Guy has some 70 albums to his credit. My personal favourite, from his recent years remains 2001's Grammy nominated Sweet Tea. For beginners to the world of Buddy Guy, I would recommend his 1993 release, Feels Like Rain. The album earned Guy the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Some of today's younger guitarist have picked up the legacy but few under 60 years old have a connections to the traditions.

In 2012 Buddy Guy also released his autobiography, When I Left Home: My Story. The book tells his life story in his own picaresque manner, telling of his youthful days in the music scene to his touring days of the 2000s. Click this link for Guy's upcoming tour dates. Guy is in the midst of his North American tour, including three stops north of the border.

When I Left Home: My Story

Today is day 16 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Today's theme is Music. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Or Else

Love or Peace or Else is the fourth track from U2's 2004 release How To Disarm and Atomic Bomb. The album, produced by Steve Lillywhite, with additional production credits going to Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and others.

Four singles were released from the album, each meeting with success worldwide and charting at least number one and number two in several countries.

Vertigo was the first single release and went 2X platinum for digital downloads. The remainder of the singles were follow ups in 2005. All Because of You, Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own followed by City of Blinding Lights.

In the more innovative sounding Love or Peace or Else the band strides into world affairs, begging for an end of atomic weapons and commenting on the affairs of Middle East, with pleads for peace

Lay down
Lay down your guns
All your daughters of Zion
All your Abraham Sons

U2 formed in Dublin 1978 when Larry Mullen Jr. posted a "musician's wanted" ad on a school wall. In 1980 the band signed a deal with Island Records. U2's first single, 11 O'clock Tick-Tock, was released in May 1980. Boy, their debut album, was released five months later - promoted by another single, I Will Follow.

Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 in its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Twelve studio albums and nine live albums, over 150 million sold, and 22 Grammies later the band is among the all-time best-selling music artists.

Today is day 15 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Go check out their site to see what they wrote and to see who else participated.

When You Were Young

The Killers Battle Born

I don't know why this 2006 song by The Killers is suddenly getting so much airplay on local radio. Two stations in the area seem to have put it in heavy rotation this week.

When You Were Young off their '06 release Sam's Town is a great story telling song backed by the band's full sound and swirling keyboards making it reminiscent of The E Street Band with a touch of Meatloaf. The song is about growing up and moving around in the world. Your future as it was imagined when we were young does not necessarily live up to our dreams.

The Killers, fronted by lead singer Brandon Flowers, have been around since 2001 and have released four studio albums including 2012's Battle Born. This is The Killers - When You Were Young.

The Record Man

Continuing on the music theme here...

Looks like there's one more guy who won't get fooled again... Sam "The Record Man" Sniderman.

For those of you old enough to remember the Sam The Record Man music stores (and if you have to ask "what's a record?" then you're not old enough) the guy who opened and ran the chain died on Sept. 22 at age 92.

Sam the Record Man

For awhile he operated the country's predominant music store chain and set the precedent for others like HMV. His flagship Toronto store, with its blazing twin record sign and his Montreal location, always packed with musicophiles, always brimming with selection were like second homes to music lovers of all stripes and tastes.  

So long Sam, it was a blast waiting in line in the wee hours of the morning each Boxing Day on Ste. Catherine Street, hoping to get into your place to buy CDs (or vinyl) at your low, low prices. But more than that, your store was symbolic of an era of music consumption that has, like you, now gone the way of the dinosaur.

With the switch to MP3s and iTunes downloads, the paradigm of the way we seek and purchase music has changed. I remember walking through the quaintly cramped aisles on the multiple levels of your downtown shop, finding wonders amid the stacks of albums, discovering new music and artists by flipping through the selection. That simply doesn't exist any more. And kids today will not know the pleasure of that "hands-on" music0buying experience.

Thanks for all the music and memories. You helped me and countless others build and deepen our musical libraries.

Peace be upon you.

Who Are You?

Who Are You is a 16 track all-star tribute to The Who, the band and their music. Contributors include Rick Wakeman, Joe Elliot, Ian Paice, Randy Bachman, Ginger Baker, Iggy Pop and Todd Rundgren. The Who  was due. With over 100 million records sold, and 27 Top 40 hits, everyone knows their music. Most recently the band was thrown into the spotlight as all three versions of the television drama CSI (Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, and CSI: NY) feature songs by The Who as their themes, "Who Are You", "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Baba O'Riley". With 11 studio albums and 10 live albums and an additional five album soundtracks, including Tommy, there is plenty of classic material to cover. The album is scheduled for release on October 2nd.

The Who: Who Are You Tribute

Here is Eminence Front featuring John Wetton (Asia), K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater).

And Who Are You? Featuring Gretchen WIlson and Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive).

Who Are You : An All-Star Tribute To The Who Tracklist:

• Eminence Front
  – John Wetton (Asia); KK Downing (Judas Priest), Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion)
• Baba O’Riley
  – Nektar; Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
• I Can See for Miles
  – Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders); Wayne Kramer (MC5)
• Love Reign O’er Me
  – Joe Elliott (Def Leppard); Rick Wakeman; Huw Lloyd-Langton (Hawkwind); Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge)
• My Generation
  – Knox (Vibrators); Dave Davies (Kinks); Rat Scabies (Damned)
• The Kids are Alright
  – The Raveonettes
• Won’t Get Fooled Again
  – Sweet
• Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
  – Todd Rundgren; Carmine Appice
• I Can’t Explain
  – Iggy Pop
• Behind Blue Eyes
  – Pat Travers
• Magic Bus
  – Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits); Peter Banks (Yes); Ginger Baker (Cream)
• Who Are You
  – Gretchen Wilson; Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
• Pinball Wizard
  – Terry Reid; Mike Pinera (Blues Image); Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
• Squeeze Box
  – John Wesley (Porcupine Tree); David Cross (King Crimson)
• Bargain
  – .38 Special; Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash); Ian Paice (Deep Purple)
• The Seeker
  – Joe Lynn Turner; Leslie West (Mountain)

David Byrne and St. Vincent

It's been too long that the superbly talented David Byrne has been out of the mainstream spotlight. Best known as the lead singer of the Talking Heads, Byrne's latest venture is an album titled Love This Giant with collaborator St. Vincent (Annie Erin Clark). Their project is a full on collaboration as both Byrne and St. Vincent sing, play guitar, write on this release as well as co-producing.

The duo with backing band made their network TV debut on The Jimmy Fallon Show earlier in September.  From their brand new release Love this Giant, check out David Byrne and St. Vincent's big brass and funky sound on Who.

Rufus Does Gum

My friends Cheesy Mike and Joe Bunga used to pull out their guitars and perform. They would also have fun doing covers of TV commercials. Rufus Wainwright follows the same idea in Rufus Wainwright Does Gum.

Rufus Wainwright Does Gum from Rufus Wainwright  

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