Canadian Artists Online – Lisette Xavier

Lisette Xavier is an artist I have written of in the past. She has been a fixture on the Calgary music scene for many years now, and I figured it was time to catch up. My last article was in 2014 and is available here, if you are interested.

Her latest work is the featured tune “Rise Up”, with was released in February 2021. Catchy tune, well written and a pretty cool video. I’ve always been impressed with her vocals and she keeps one interested throughout. Nice job!

If you choose to do so, the song, and her past catalogue are available at all the usual places, Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp, Tidal and Google Play.

You can go directly to her sites on her webpage.

Lisettexavier.com

Song Of The Day – “September Fields” by Frazey Ford

Being as how we are in the Kootenays, it seems appropriate to post a tune by Castlegar’s own Frazey Ford.  It doesn’t hurt either that it is a terrific tune.

My Top 10 for 2013 – 1 to 5

As I sit here prepping this post, I noticed something odd, or not odd perhaps.  My top 5 consists of a Brit and 4 Canadians.  Not much bias on this blog.  My Top 5, in no particular order.

5 “Recovery” by Frank Turner

4 “So Blind” by David Myles

3 “I Was a Fool” by Tegan and Sara

2 “Red Hands” by Walk Off the Earth

1 “What I Wouldn’t Do” by Serena Ryder

 

My Top 10 for 2013 – 6 to 10

Cover of Vampire Weekend

Today we post the first 5 of my Top 10 for 2013.  The Canadian content in this group consists of a great song by Donovan Woods.  The Wire is likely the poppiest tune I have posted (or will post) but it is very catchy and becoming a huge hit.  Having said that, some “purists” will contest John Mayer being on any list.  I am a huge fan of his and greatly appreciate his abilities as both a songwriter and as an excellent guitarist.  Both are highlighted in Wildfire.  Enjoy!

10 “The Wire” by Haim

9 “Rumble and Sway” by Jamie N Common

8 “Wildfire” by John Mayer

7 “Put On, Cologne” by Donovan Woods

6 “Unbelievers” by Vampire Weekend

Song Of The Day – Meredith Shaw – “Call It A Night”

Meredith Shaw, Toronto born, is both a singer songwriter and a radio personality.  The messenger and the message, cool.  She has a weekend show on 97.3 in Toronto, in which she interviews talent etc.  She has 1 album out, (2011’s Place Called Happy) which was produced by Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson and 1 EP (also 2011, Trouble) which was produced by Joel Plaskett.  This tune, “Call it a Night” showcases her personality and style and is done live as well.  Great song.

 

Song Of The Day – Paul Simon – “The Afterlife”

Paul Simon (Photo credit: Evert-Jan)

 

Paul Simon still has it.  The song “The Afterlife” from his 2011 album “So Beautiful Or So What”.  Just a quick shot again tonight.

 

 

Song Of The Day – Ben Folds w/ Regina Spektor – “You Don’t Know Me”

Cover of Way to Normal

Just a drive by song for you today.

American singer songwriter Ben Folds recruits the very talented singer, Regina Spektor to join him in this quirky tune, “You Don’t Know Me”.The song is from his 2008 album “Way To Normal”.

Random Songs From My Phone – Duffy – “Serious”

Aimee Anne Duffy (*1984), known professionally as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter of soul music (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I had a serious infatuation with Duffy’s voice back about 4 or 5 years ago.  Her debut album “Rockferry” is one of those stunning debut records that show incredible potential.  She came on the scene with an entire bevy of English female singer songwriters that quickly took over the airwaves.  Think Amy Winehouse and Adele.  In many ways, Duffy was the Animals to the others Beatles and Stones.  Very good, but not at the top of the heap.  Unfortunately, she lost me with the release of her second album in 2010 called “Endlessly”.  Still, Rockferry will be an enduring classic and should be in your collection.  songs such as this “Serious” will likely be timeless and enduring.

Song Of The Day – Joel Plaskett – Deny Deny Deny

Three (Joel Plaskett album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today we have another tune from a regular contributor to the series, Joel Plaskett Emergency.  The song is a great sing along called Deny Deny Deny.  Joel is a great good time music maker in the great Maritime Canadian tradition.  You can hear the Celtic undertones and almost expect a fiddle and an accordion to pop in any second.  The tune is performed live somewhere in Halifax.

 

Song Of The Day – Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up

Nederlands: Ben Howard tijdens een optreden in Paradiso, Amsterdam (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Today’s song of the day is a nice tune from Ben Howard, an English singer-songwriter.  The song, “Keep Your Head Up” was released as a single in 2011, but was on his 2008 début album, “Games In The Dark”, and on his 2011 record “Every Kingdom”.  The song starts out fairly slowly but picks up power as it continues, then moves into a great chorus.  Good tune.

 

Ben Howard Home

 

Ben Howard on iTunes

 

Ben Howard on Amazon