Remembering Don Bagley
Jazz bassist, Don Bagley, left us on July 26, 2012. He was 85. Born in Salt Lake City, he played with such greats as Shorty Sherock, Bill Holman and Stan Kenton. He also did session work with Nat King Cole and Maynard Ferguson. The tribute song I have chosen is a performance by Julie London, with Don being the only player accompanying her.
Song Of The Day – Joss Stone – Sideway Shuffle
I have been a big Joss Stone fan since she was a barefoot 16-year-old phenomenon, singing the blues with the crème of the Louisiana blues players. Not bad for an out of place Brit. She has strayed a bit from those first recordings, but is still a force. Quite the voice.
Sideway Shuffle
Remembering Jon Lord
Deep Purple (Photo credit: daniconil)
July 16, saw the passing of rock keyboard innovator, Jon Lord. He was 71. Best known as one of the founding members of 70′s icons, Deep Purple, he also played with Whitesnake. He played on the classic song by The Kinks, “You Really Got Me“. He was on albums by David Gilmour and George Harrison. He virtually created the riffs used to this day by keyboardists in all types of popular music.
In my life, Deep Purple was one of the bands that formed my musical tastes. Machine Head is still an album that makes me perk up and listen. I will never forget Smoke On The Water or Highway Star, which are very much a part of the soundtrack of my life. The band in heaven just got a bit better.
Highway Star
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Smoke On The Water
Remembering Bob Babbitt
Motown 4 album set (Photo credit: vintage_breda)
You like the Motown sound? Bob Babbitt, bass player extraordinaire, was likely responsible for that. He passed away on July 16, leaving behind a huge legacy and body of work. He played bass for Motown’s studio band, The Funk Brothers from 1966 to 1972. This would make a lot of people very familiar with his work, without realizing it. He was the bass player on such hits as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours“, Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears” and Freda Payne‘s “Band of Gold”. He also played with such greats as Phil Collins and Jimi Hendrix. Very diverse portfolio. Here are a few tracks.
Signed Sealed Delivered
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Uptight (with Phil Collins)
My Favourite Songs of 2012 – Part 2
This is Part 2 of my list.
These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year. It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning its move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs. About time I’d say. I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc. The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.
I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1. In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012. I hope you enjoy.
The Echo Friendly – Same Mistakes
Haunting melody, interesting harmonies, good video. This one snuck up on me and really grew on me.
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The Black Keys – Gold On The Ceiling
These guys are on a roll. Hope they keep it up. El Camino is a great album. Hope they don’t become the Gallagher’s redux.
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Dave Matthews Band – Mercy
I suggest 2 things, in either order. Close your eyes and listen to the lyrics and let the sound wash through you, then open them and watch the video. Great song and message.
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Mo Kenney – Sucker
This video is a duet with a favourite of mine, Joel Plaskett. He produced her album as well. Beautiful song.
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Mumford & Sons – I Will Wait
I don’t think Phil Spector was thinking banjos when he went with the wall of sound, but it works. And live, incredible. Singing lead, playing guitar and hitting the drum pedal.
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Shawn Colvin – All Fall Down
One of those songs where I have absolutely no idea why I like it. I hate the video, by the way. Exceptional in its corniness.
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John Mayer – Queen of California
I am an unabashed John Mayer fan. His consistency is amazing. Great player as well.
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Phillip Phillips – Home
When I first heard this song on Idol as the required song in the final, I knew there was no way he would lose. For the first time in American Idol history, the chosen first single for the winner was a perfect match. I also did something I had never done for an Idol artist, I bought the song.
Related articles
- My Favourite Songs of 2012 (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
My Favourite Songs of 2012
These songs are the ones that I will remember most from this year. It certainly appears that the world of music is beginning it’s move away from the pop artists that have been so prevalent and returning to the creation and production of some exceptional songs. About time I’d say. I attribute this to the web and the ability of many new artists to reach the public through such areas as Bandcamp, soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter etc. The advent of these devices has greatly expanded my musical horizons and will continue to do so.
I have chosen not to do a finite top ten list as I appreciated all of these songs and at certain times would have been my number 1. In addition, I have chosen songs new to me this year, meaning they could be from anytime, although the majority are 2012. I hope you enjoy.
Emm Gryner – Ciao Monday
I see great things from this Canadian singer-songwriter. Love this version, recorded live at CBC.
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Graffiti6 – Free
This song reached and grabbed me by the ears and shook me to a musical high. Phenomenally written song, reaching one crescendo after another.
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The Lumineers – Ho Hey
Another tune that grabbed me. The more I listened, the more I liked. This song will be around for years, in movies, on TV, in commercials. Instant classic.
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Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks
Iceland’s contribution to music this year, and a great video as well.
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Alabama Shakes – Hold On
What a voice.
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Caro Emerald – Back It Up
My favourite find of the year. I am really digging this act. Great voice, and different in a great way.
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That’s a start, still have some more to pass on and will do so tomorrow. Don’t want to destroy your attention span.
Related articles
- Listening To Canadians – Emm Gryner – “North” (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Song Of The Day – Caro Emerald – “Back It Up” (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Music On My Social Media – Ian McAnsh
Canadian artist, Ian McAnsh is a follower of mine on Twitter. Ian is a recording artist and a professional golfer and hails from Trenton and Belleville Ontario. His music is a pop blend. He recently released his first album “Back To Da Brix”. Give him a listen.
This song is off the album.
Don’t Stop
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This song is a live version of “Go With The Flow”.
Song Of The Day – Norah Jones – “Say Goodbye”
It’s Gonna Be (Norah Jones song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I think Norah hit a home run with this one. Definitely a bit different from most of her earlier releases. Say Goodbye is off her recent album “Little Broken Hearts”.
Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 29
A mix of old and new, from Gowan to Plaskett, a good set.
1. Barenaked Ladies
“Jane”
Barenaked Ladies (Photo credit: Houston Marsh)
The Barenaked Ladies are a major Canadian success story. Their cheeky style and interesting lyrics set them apart from most contemporaries. This is their first entry on the best music list, the first of many.
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2. Gowan
“Strange Animal”
Lawrence Gowan (Photo credit: OpalMirror)
A classic tune from a well-travelled artist. He is the current lead singer for Styx.
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3. Gandharvas
“Downtime”
Cover art for the album Sold for a Smile by The Gandharvas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Great song from the early 90′s. Kick back and enjoy.
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4. Chalk Circle
“NIMBY”
The Best of Chalk Circle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some classic 80′s rock, a bit mellow and not my favourite song by the band.
5. Joel Plaskett Emergency
“Natural Disaster”
Joel Plaskett Emergency Playing the Aliant Stage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Love this band. Prolific and good, a deadly combination.
Related articles
- Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 28 (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Remembering Abram Wilson
Nathaniel Facey (sax) and Abram Wilson (trumpet) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The music world lost Abram Wilson June 9, 2012. He passed at the age of 38 of colon cancer. Far to early. I have explored jazz, and the trumpet in particular through an introduction to Donald Byrd, and discovered Abram in my travels. Spectacular player, absolutely amazing. He was born in New Orleans and lived in London, UK. Have a listen to the cuts I have included and then dig a bit deeper, satisfaction is guaranteed,
Africa
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Abram Wilson Quartet
Remembering Bob Welch
Cover of French Kiss
June 7, 2012 saw the passing of former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, Bob Welch. Another great one lost. He committed suicide at the age of 66. In addition to his time with the band, he had a successful solo career. Here are a couple of those solo hits in his honor.
Sentimental Lady
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Ebony Eyes
Listening To Canadians – Kathleen Edwards – “Empty Threat”
Kathleen Edwards (Photo credit: Regina Folk Festival)
Great song from a great singer songwriter. Kathleen Edwards is one of Canada’s finest and is developing a following around the world. This song was recorded live for the CBC during a private show for CBC3. It doesn’t get much better than this does it.
Empty Threat
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Related articles
Listening To Canadians – Yukon Blonde – “Fire”
Yukon Blonde plays Vancouver’s Legendary Biltmore Cabaret (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Yukon Blonde is an Indie Rock group out of Kelowna, BC that is beginning to make a name for themselves. This video is a live version, taken at the great venue in Vancouver, the Commodore Ballroom. This is an encore performance which includes members of the Library Voices and the Great Bloomers, good up and comers themselves. Great energy and a great tune!
Fire
Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 28
Heavy on the classic stuff again. Canada did have a thriving cottage industry in music during the 70′s and 80′s. There is also another trivia answer in here somewhere.
1. Five Man Electrical Band
“I’m a Stranger Here”
Five Man Electrical Band (Photo credit: tab2space)
Another song from the group that brought us “Signs”.
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2. Idle Eyes
“Tokyo Rose”
Another 80′s group that enjoyed moderate success in Canada, especially with this tune. They won a Juno for most promising new group in 1985.
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3. Indio
“Big Hard Sun”
![[there’s a big] a big hard sun](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2809990274_177c9415a8_m.jpg "[there’s a big] a big hard sun")
[there’s a big] a big hard sun (Photo credit: [noone])
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4. Crash Vegas
Pocahontas
Red Earth (Crash Vegas album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Kind of a depressing song from a very good band. This song was released in 1994.
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5. Ron Hynes
“Sonny’s Dream“
Ron Hynes at the Rose (Photo credit: Kent Barrett)
Canadian folk singer Ron Hynes hit gold in 1976 with the Sonny’s Dream. The song has become a standard and has been recorded by a multitude of artists around the world, The version here is a live duet with Alan Doyle of the group Great Big Sea.
Remembering Andy Hamilton
Andy Hamilton, a sensational jazz sax player, passed away on June 3 at the age of 94. Originally from Jamaica, he stowed away on a banana boat and travelled to the UK. He paid his dues ( a 14 day jail term for this transgression) and left jail to pursue his music. This guy was the real deal as you will hear in the 2 clips I have inserted here. Wow, wow, wow!!!!
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Here he is playing his song, “Orocabessa” in 2007 at the age of 89.
Song Of The Day – The Regulator – Clutch
Neil Fallon, lead-singer of the American Hard Rock band, Clutch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Was perusing some tags on my phone and came across his one by Clutch. This tune, “The Regulator” was used to close Season 2, Episode 8 of The Walking Dead. If you haven’t caught this series, I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend Clutch. About the only negative I can come up with is that their song “Electric Worry” was used as a celebration goal song by the Vancouver Canucks, and I have an intense dislike for that hockey team.
The Regulator
Remembering Faruq Z. Bey
Alto saxophone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
June 1 saw the passing of American jazz saxophonist, Faruq Z. Bey . He was best known for his time with Griot Galaxy, a free jazz band from the 1970′s and 80′s. In the mid 80′s, he was forced to leave the band after a bike accident that left him in a coma for some time. He returned to playing in the mid 90′s. I have posted a couple of videos here in tribute to this outstanding musician. The first is with his band “The Northwood Improvisers”. The second is with the Griot Galaxy. Love Jazz.
Mystery of Love
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Androgyny
Remembering Pete Cosey
Miles Davis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pete Cosey, guitarist extraordinaire, passed away on May 30, 2012. He was 68. He was a session guitar player at Chess Records until 1973, playing on recordings by Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, among many others. In 1973, he joined the Miles Davis Band and played with them until 1975. When the band broke up in 1975, he pretty much disappeared, surfacing from time to time to play on someone’s record. He resurfaced somewhat in 2001, forming a band, The Children of Agharta. Check out the clips I have included. The guy was amazing.
Pete Cosey Jamming
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Calypso Frelimo
Song Of The Day – Father John Misty – I’m Writing A Novel
Father John Misty at Capitol Hill Block Party – Day 1 at Capitol Hill – Seattle, WA on 2012-07-20 – _DSC6544.NEF (Photo credit: laviddichterman)
Been heavy on the older tunes lately. Time to hit up some new music, and another shout out to CBC2 without which I would likely never hear a lot of very good music.
Father John Misty (real name Joshua Tillman) has a new album out, “Fear Fun”. This tune is a smoking live take of “I’m Writing A Novel”. I think the word smoking might just be an understatement. The Father is better known as a member of Fleet Foxes and Saxon Shore. Just a wee bit of a pedigree.
I’m Writing A Novel
Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 27
An interesting set, heavy on the Guess Who and alumni, all classic rock with a trivia question in waiting, so pay attention.
1. Guess Who
“Shakin’ All Over”
Cover via Amazon
This is the trivia question. The Guess Who’s singer at the outset was not Burton Cummings, it was Chad Allan. This cover, released in the USA and Canada in 1965, by a band called The Guess Who? (yes a question mark). This was an attempt to disguise the real band and maybe to make it look like a British Invasion band. The band’s name at the time was Chad Allan and the Expressions. After the success of this song and the album it was on, the band was renamed permanently as the Guess Who. Chad had some throat issues and was replaced by Burton Cummings (a Peter Best moment) and the rest is history. Chad actually had 2 Peter Best moments as he was also part of a band with Randy Bachman called Brave Belt. After he left the band, it became Bachman Turner Overdrive, and the rest is, once again, history.
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2. Chilliwack
“Crazy Talk”
English: Bill Henderson (lead singer and guitarist for Chilliwack) taken in Merritt, BC, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A bit of gibberish from one of Canada’s best classic rock bands.
3. Harlequin
“Thinking of You”
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Continuing on a very Winnipeg based set, we have a band I used to see regularly in bars all over Winnipeg. Come to think of it, Winnipeg in the 70′s and 80′s was a crazy great place for live music.
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4. BTO
“Roll On Down the Highway”
Bachman–Turner Overdrive Gold (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
And some more Winnipeg. The kings of classic rock with a live version of another anthem.
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5. Burton Cummings
“My Own Way to Rock”
Burton Cummings of The Guess Who (Photo credit: Protest Photos1)
And a final Winnipeg connection. The smooth voice of Burton Cummings with another anthem from the 80′s.
Related articles
- Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 26 (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
- Canada’s Best Music – 5 Songs At A Time – Part 25 (therealcanadianmusicblog.wordpress.com)
Song Of The Day – Sarah Vaughan – “Lover Man”
English: Sarah Vaughan, possibly Cafe Society, NYC, ca. August 1946. Photography by William P. Gottlieb. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is a great day to be swept away by a singer with exceptional talent. The late great Sarah Vaughan was such a singer. This track was taped in 1958 and is Sarah’s version of “Lover Man”. A standard jazz song that has also been recorded by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James. Norah Jones, Billie Holiday and, strangely enough, Michael Jackson. The song was written for Billie Holiday in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez and James Sherman. The original by Billie was inducted to Grammy Hall of Fame in 1989.
Lover Man
Remembering Janet Carroll
Cover of Risky Business
Actress, singer Janet Carroll passed away on May 22. She was 71. Better known as an actress (think Tom Cruise’s mother in Risky Business and Gary, the owner of the shoe store Al Bundy worked at on Married…With Children) she was also an accomplished singer with many credits on Broadway and with a wide variety of jazz bands. Her career spanned over 40 years. Here is a sample of her work with The Hot Frogs Jumping Jazz Band, recorded in 1988.
That Terrific Rainbow
Song of The Day – Marvin Gaye – “Heavy Love Affair”
Marvin Gaye in 1973 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Heavy Love Affair
Song of The Day – The Meters – “Come Together”
- The Meters (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My trivia question on George Harrison’s cover version of “Got My Mind Set On You” set me to thinking. Hmmm, George, Beatles, great songs, covers. Made me want to hear a Beatles song, but not by the Beatles, and not a cover that was well-known. I settled on one of my favourite songs by them, “Come Together” and remembered this version done by The Meters. These guys were a New Orleans funk band that were together in the 60′s and 70′s. They did not have much mainstream success but were held in high regard by many in the know. They backed up a lot of people, names like Dr. John and Robert Palmer. This cover has a great edge to it, as edgy as the original I would venture. As a special add-on, Ii have also included an all time funk classic. Enjoy.
Come Together
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Cissy Strut
