I’ve heard this tune a lot over the past few months. It kind of grows on you. When I first heard it, I immediately thought it was a new tune from Paolo Nutini. Wrong. Bobby Bazini is a French-Canadian sinnger songwriter out of Mont-Laurier, Quebec. The song, I Wonder was released in 2010 and was off his album “Better In Time”. The album garnered him Juno nominations in 2011 for New Artist of the Year and Pop Album of the Year. He did not win in either category.
Over on the The Real Canadian Music Blog since December 1:
We listened to new Canadian music from:
We listened to some great Canadian music:
We listened to great music from:
A great set if you like classic rock. Max Webster is featured with 2 songs in the grouping.
Max Webster was the starting point for 2 of Canada’s most brilliant songwriters, Kim Mitchell and Pye Dubois. The band formed in 1973 and had a string of hits and gold albums until 1981. The principals all went on to great solo careers.
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Nothing to say, except they are from small town Alberta. Major international stars, you either like them or you don’t.
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Great song. I always thought their early material was far superior. Kind of like the jazzy sound they had before they went straight power chords.
The second entry. Both these songs were from the same album. There will be more.
The Band is likely the best band to come out of our country. Great music. This video is absolutely spectacular.
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Today’s 5 spot includes a classic female singer of the 60’s, another entry from Blue Rodeo some classic rock and folk, and a current superstar.
Buffy Ste. Marie is a native Canadian artist, born in Saskatchewan. Her music is a mix of history and mysticism. She is a true Canadian treasure.
This is one of her anti-war anthems.
Love these guys. Another entry from a great band. This song is off Casino, recorded in 1990.
Crash Vegas was a Canadian folk-rock band from the late 1980’s. It has a connection to Blue Rodeo in that Greg Keelor, the other singer and songwriter for Blue Rodeo was one of the founding members. He left the band before they had recorded anything. This song is from their 1989 record, “Red Earth”. The quality of the clip is lacking and I apologize. Could not find anything better.
Another entry from a Canadian classic band.
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The first entry on the list by Canadian international superstar, Nelly Furtado. Great song.
This week’s grouping is heavy on the classic 80’s rock material, but does include some classic Quebec music.
Frozen Ghost was formed in the mid 80’s, recording until their break up in 1993. They had a string of hits in the late 80’s, winning the 1987 Juno award as most promising new group. Should I See is their first entry on the list.
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Robert Charlebois is a composer, singer, author from Montreal. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1999. This song was originally recorded way back in 1967.
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A great classic rock song from Glass Tiger, and their 3rd entry on the list. This is the version with Rod Stewart singing in parts of the song.
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Another 80’s band out of Ontario. A little harder edge than a lot of their contemporaries, except in this song. Kind of sound like Simple Minds.
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Another entry from one of Canada’s finest bands. This is an outstanding vocal performance by Jim Cuddy.
It is Sunday and time for the next 5 in my list of Canada’s best music. In this edition, 2 by a current Canadian favourite, a classic rock song, a second entry by the great Joni Mitchell and some garage rock by Ugly Duckling.
1. Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo are Canada’s number one alt-country, rock band. They have been churning out the hits for many years and are still at the top of Canada’s popular music game. This song was released in 1989.
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“Nothin'”
Waaaay back in the 60’s, The Ugly Ducklings were the best there was on the Toronto music scene. Garage rockers extraordinaire. The version here is from a 2000 concert. Love it live.
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3. Blue Rodeo
“Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”
A second song by Blue Rodeo in this set. This is from 1993.
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4. Joni Mitchell
A second tune on the list by the incomparable Joni Mitchell. Easily one of the greatest ever. This video features a live version and features an incredible band. Really, really good!!
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5. Chilliwack
“My Girl (Gone Gone Gone)”
Chilliwack is one of those bands that really should have made it big worldwide. Very talented with strong songs.
A bit different from last week, lots to choose from this week.
Teenage Kicks, a rock band out of Toronto released an album today titled “Be On My Side”. They play an energetic rock style, utilizing all 5 members. I definitely enjoyed the attached track. This is their second album. Stop by their home page.
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Next up is a new album from Plants and Animals titled “The End Of That”. They are and indie/ alternative band out of Montreal, with some Halifax added to the mix. They have recorded since 2005, this being their 5th release. The following is off the album. Good tune, consider it downloaded.
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Singer songwriter Rose Cousins released “We Have Made A Spark” today.
Born in Prince Edward Island, Rose has carved a nice place in Canadian folk music. This album is her 5th release. I have attached a live version of “All The Time It Takes To Wait”. The music starts at the 1:24 mark. Very nice song. She is with Royal Wood at the piano.
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My last Canadian release this week comes from Toronto band Memoryhouse.
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My last song for this weeks new releases is not a new release. I heard this song the other day and I hit instant like. The band is Graffiti6 and the song is titled, simply, “Free”. Great tune. The song is off the recent release called “Colours”. They are out of London in the UK and are breaking out in a big. It seems their music is everywhere on TV now. Songs have been featured on CSI: NY, Grey’s Anatomy, Football Wives, One Tree Hill and Covert Affairs. An early candidate for the top 10 of 2012.
Tonight we will be hearing from two classic rock bands, a maritime treasure with a violin, a Roch and Roller and a 21st century Canadian group who split much to early.
This is a live version of this song that Roch performed at a Canada Day celebration. The band is very tight with a great sax solo. Roch is a very consistent performer, always hitting his mark.
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If you like your fiddling to be Celtic, then you will love this. Natalie MacMaster is a virtuoso in this discipline.
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Good story about this band. At one point in my life, I lived in a town with about 3,000 people. The bar in town brought this band in to play a one night stand. Bar could only hold about 250 patrons, but they managed to pack in about 400 of us. Great night, huge party. Then the encore. A huge fight breaks out and Doug is surrounded by bouncers and escorted through the mayhem. All in all, a terrific evening in Saskatchewan. I even made about 50 bucks at the pool table. Ahhh, memories. Unfortunately, Doug Bennett passed away a few years back, glad I did get to see them.
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You want some rock and roll. I can’t hear you, Do you want some ROCK AND ROLL. I can still remember my mullet.
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A great band that broke up before it’s time. Dallas Green has an insane heavy metal singing voice.
The week was slow, so slow that I cannot post a new album. Instead. I will update Joel Plaskett‘s project for the CBC. The challenge given him was to write and record an album from scratch, in 10 weeks. He would write and record 1 song a week until he was done. This is song 6, song 7 was released today. The album is called “Scrappy Happiness”.
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Joel is one of those players whose work is under rated by many people. You could do worse than check out more of his work.
Today’s edition includes a couple of classic rock songs, some country, an 80’s pop queen and a more current dive. A so-so set in my view, but all are essential Canadian artists with their own place in our musical history.
Released in 1988, this is one of my favourite songs by Glass Tiger. This is the second entry by the band in the top 500.
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Not my favourite song by Lisa Dalbello, but this was a major hit for her back in the day. Born in Toronto, she had a string of hits from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s.
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Another classic rock band from Toronto, they started life as a Police tribute band. Their main period was Mid 80’s to early 90’s. Interesting band.
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Prairie Oyster have been around since the mid 70’s and are still touring and recording. They are members of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2008) and have won 6 Juno Awards as best country group or duo. For those of you wondering what a prairie oyster is, thing demi-glasse, freshly castrated bull testicles. apparently a delicacy, but not one I’ll be sampling any time soon.
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Celine Dion, what else can be said. She may be Canada’s biggest export. We had the opportunity to see her in 1990, before she was anywhere close to big. It would have been in a 300 seat hall in St. Albert, AB. Missed it, messed up. C’est la vie.
Is It Possible To See It All 