Brent Tyler, LeE HARVeY OsMOND Links, Plus Pics

I’ll be posting reviews here soon of the brand-new CDs from Calgary’s Brent Tyler (Love Myself) and LeE HARVeY OsMOND aka Tom Wilson (Beautiful Scars), but first off, here’s links to their recent show at Bragg Creek Performing Arts, along with a couple of stellar pics courtesy of Chris Bone Photography.

Click here for the preview from my online feature in The Calgary Herald. Sure, it’s already happened, but I think there’s still some good info on both artists!

Brent Tyler, Courtesy Chris Bone Photography

Click here for my review of the show, again from my online space in The Calgary Herald…

Tom Wilson, aka LeE HARVeY OsMOND, courtesy Chris Bone Photography

As well, here are direct links to my full audio interviews with Brent Tyler and Tom Wilson, which can also be downloaded for free from iTunes – ThatDanGuy’s Podcast.

Enjoy! Check back in a few days, and I’ll hope to have those CD reviews posted…

May 11, 2015 0

Blues/Soul Artist making Way To Calgary Area!

I had a blast chatting with Nova Scotia based singer songwriter Charlie A’Court, and we caught it all on a Skype recording!

You can read the whole feature, and view my YouTube interview here!

Charlie A'Court, photo courtesy of Jeff Babineau — Charlie A’Court, photo courtesy of Jeff Babineau

April 5, 2015 0

Ringo At The Palms

OK, in my defence, I had been following the latest All-Star Band tour details from Ringo’s site, and the LAST DAY of his 2015 tour was supposed to be at the Palms in Vegas, which is why we decided to go catch it there. I’ve missed him before, most recently in Calgary a few years ago, and I wasn’t about to miss out again.

Two days after we get back to Alberta, dates are announced for Edmonton, and…freakin’ Calgary – go figure?

Well, who knew?

I had approached his publicist to try and line up a brief interview while I was there, but no response. I’ve got a broader piece for my Calgary Herald blog, reflecting on his first solo release post-Beatles, and his upcoming Postcards From Paradise.

Ringo Starr, the only other surviving Beatle I had yet to see perform live, and man, he did not disappoint, not even one iota. An amazing show – actually a bit like going to a festival of sorts, with his All-Starr Band bringing together a stellar lineup of classic rockers and artists I would have happily seen otherwise. Todd Rundgren, Santana co-founder Gregg Rolie, Toto’s Steve Lukather, Mr Mister’s Richard Page, Gregg Bissonette & Warren Ham – each getting to showcase several of their own biggest hits alongside Starr’s catalogue from the past 40+ years – astounding!

The setlist is available online, but the show itself clocked in around 2.5 hours – Ringo only snuck off during one song, the rest of the time he was singing himself, or drumming along to classic rock hits like Evil Ways, Africa, Love Is The Answer, Hold The Line and so many more.

From his own library (as well as from his time with The Beatles and Rory Storm & The Hurricanes) we were treated to It Don’t Come Easy, Boys, Honey Don’t, and the rousing singalong Yellow Submarine.

For a longtime fan, you couldn’t complain, let alone coming away with the added bonus of some of the biggest hits of the 70’s and 80’s from the original artists. Pretty darn cool by any standard.

Steve Lukather was killer on guitar riffs and his own hits with Toto – Africa, Rosanna and Hold The Line. In our VIP box we had a group of young fans that were really getting into the show themselves, and towards the end one of the guys confided that his one friend there was Lukather’s daughter.

Gregg Rolie was at the top of his game on hits from Santana, where he was the original vocalist – Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman, and Oye Como Va – a big part of my teen years’ listening!

We had also missed Todd Rundgren when he was here in Calgary a couple of years ago, but he did some fine work on I Saw The Light, Bang The Drum All Day and Utopia’s Love Is The Answer…

I’ve read reviews that griped about Mr. Mister’s Richard Page being part of this ensemble, but he was terrific, and it was fun to hear Broken Wings, Kyrie, and a more recent solo track, You’re Mine. Kudos also to Warren Hamm and Gregg Bissonette!

It may have been a long wait, but the show was unreal and surreal. Big part of my musical history came alive. Thanks Ringo – I’ll have a broader piece soon to link to…

March 22, 2015 1

“Me & The Mrs” CD Release Party, a review, photos – and a surprise podcast

Made my way out to Rosebud, Alberta last night for the CD release party of Me & The Mrs “The Frogs Sang Symphonies”. Although I wasn’t able to stay to the end, what I did see was really a delight, having enjoyed their new CD very much since getting an advance copy before interviewing them for a feature in my Calgary Herald blog.

On that, I also discovered over the weekend that my recording of that phone interview worked out to have some pretty good sound quality, so I have added that to my podcast series – I hope they don’t mind 🙂

The Frogs Sang Symphonies is the result of the couple (Paul & Heather Zacharias) getting a RAWLCO radio grant to support the cost of recording, which took them to my hometown of Winnipeg to make the CD with John Paul Peters of Private Ear Recording.

The outcome from that session is a heartfelt effort with lush and varied instrumental additions that don’t overpower their sound. Lonesome pedal steel sounds that would be right at home on a Hank Williams track back their patriotic reflection of touring in Oh Canada. A Prophet Has No Honour bursts into a rising crescendo of horns above the traditional folk sounds.

Their harmonies are perfect on the beautiful Yours Anyway – the melodies as captivating as the lyrics, songs like that particular one keenly reflecting their deeply rooted folk influences. Throughout the entire disc really, the two reflect back their life in the sights and sounds of a smaller community, with eyes that have seen the rest of the country and its people with insight and commonality. Lyrically, Zacharias has a gift of the storyteller and the composer – a nice combination to bring to your craft in this sort of career endeavour.

Having attended the launch for the new CD, I forgot completely having previewed their first release The Ghosts Of What Became from their website (you can order both albums there directly, and the latest is a digital download in iTunes). My misfortune, I failed to snag a copy.

From that disc at the show last night, they told the story behind Listening To That Sound, a poignant enough track as it is, but even more touching when you know where it came from.

The release party also featured a couple of additional musicians (banjo & violin) backing Me & The Mrs to help recreate the sounds on the CDs, and three warmup performers, Cassia Schramm, Travis Friesen and Natalie Inga – there must be something in the water out there in Rosebud – too bad I didn’t have a chance to try a glass myself before I headed back to Calgary…

Check out my pre-launch feature from the Calgary Herald blog by clicking that hyperlink above, and listen to the audio podcast as well. You can also download that for free in iTunes (ThatDanGuy’s Podcast).

Visit Me & The Mrs online to find out even more – you will not regret picking up either of these albums of rising Canadian folk talent.

March 9, 2015 0

In & Around Cowtown: March 6, 7, 8

Looking to catch some live entertainment this weekend?

How about:

Woody – the story of an adult Pinocchio and what happened to the puppet who wanted to be a boy after the blue fairy granted his wish. For more info visit Birnton Theatricals website. Runs tonight and tomorrow (afternoon and evening) at Arts Commons, formerly The Epcor Centre For The Performing Arts.

MG3 (Montreal Guitar Trio) – internationally acclaimed guitar ensemble appearing at Bragg Creek Performing Arts. Click here for my preview and interview with member Marc Morin. Times and ticket info on the BCFA website.

Me & The Mrs. – CD launch party in Rosebud Sunday night. On their website, click to “Shows” for more information. Click here for my preview interview.

Steven: The Steven Truscott Story – continues at The Pumphouse, presented by Workshop Theatre. A compelling story of the Canadian justice system’s shameful treatment of a wrongfully accused teenager, and his 48 year battle to clear his name. Links to interviews, preview and review. NOTE: most nights sold out.

And Then The Lights Went Out – continues at Stage West Calgary. A popular fiction writer battles a heat wave and writer’s block in this Alberta-based comedy thriller. Click here for review and interview links.

Awesome Allie First Kid Astronaut – Storybook Theatre presents an adventure that’s out of this world – a normal kid heads into outer space! Visit Storybook’s website for times and tickets, opens tonight!

That’s a handful of what’s going on in and around Calgary – get out and support live theatre and live music!!

March 6, 2015 0

Steven Truscott Story @ Workshop Theatre

L-R: Ryan Truscott, Louis B. Hobson, Steven Truscott

The Steven Truscott story is familiar to many Canadians, going back over 40+ years when a young teenager (Truscott) was wrongfully accused of killing his female classmate, and sentenced to hang – this goes back to 1959.

Over the ensuing years, well…if I tell you everything here, that may discourage you from going to see the show – so I won’t 🙂

However, I did sit down and chat with Louis B. Hobson, a noted reviewer, playwright and in this case – co-director for Steven: The Steven Truscott Story, a play that makes a return to Calgary at Workshop Theatre over the next few days.

Listen to my podcast interview, and read the feature that appeared in my Calgary Herald blog. He also sheds considerable light in his own column.

In addition, I recently sat down with two actors that portray Mr. Truscott over the length of those 40+ years, Ciaran Volke and Fred Krysko.

Watch that video interview on my YouTube channel. Apologies, I was using new gear and the low light conditions made the resulting video grainy, even having been shot in HD…

I’ll have a review once I’ve been to see the show!!

March 1, 2015 2

Recession-Era string band making timely visit for Alberta’s tough times

You just can’t make this stuff up, – or realistically plan to have this sort of thing happen even coincidentally. Consider how far out a club typically likes to plan their season, and similarly imagine how much a touring act has to consider their own schedule.

There likely could not have been any possible way that the Calgary Folk Club’s Artistic Director Suze Casey would have booked a Recession-era string band for a show in Calgary, just as the province is slipping into an economic downturn.

Sometimes these things just sort of work out for themselves.

Guy Forsyth enthusiastically fronts a creative and diverse collective of acoustic performers known as The Hot Nut Riveters, billed as Texas’ original Recession-era string band. A quick perusal of their website videos confirms that the musicians are truly top-notch, but the magic with this group I would bet is the show, live and unpredictable. In the moment.

This is show business. We’re entertainers, we want to take them somewhere, Forsyth explained during a phone interview.

Indeed, you’re unlikely to see the dizzying assortment of creative instruments alone during their performance of songs dating back decades, if not over a hundred years. Forsyth even declined to let me in on what one of those possible instruments might be – but based on his mention of it, I’d bet on there being an appearance. He did confide that touring with a saw isn’t as easy as it used to be…

You are sure to see a wide assortment of folk acoustic guitars, banjos and more. Their repertoire (based on listening to recent CD Moustache Girl) plays like an amalgam of Spike Jones, early Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Old Crow & The Medicine Show, along with even some Marty Robbins and influences of bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe. All that, along with a healthy dose of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, if that was moved from Minnesota to The Ozarks for a chautauqua show.

Also on the bill Friday night, local singer/songwriter Scott MacKay will be fulfilling a bucket wish list item he’s had since discovering the club, and attending some shows there. He is humbled by the opportunity to have been asked to play there, and is truly jazzed for his slot on the schedule this season.

Originally from PEI, this transplanted Alberta poet with six strings conjures up memories of musical greats, elements of Sun Records-era Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Ricky Nelson. His songs are lush, heartfelt and rich of voice – that is to say, both as a vocalist, and as a songwriter.

Interestingly, the common denominator for both these artists is the changing face of the music business. Forsyth admitted it isn’t as easy as it used to be to eke out a living as a musician, and appreciates anyone that leaves the comfort of their sofa to come see the band’s shows.

MacKay is over 40% on the way to his own target to funding his next CD on PledgeMusic – so (brief sermon here) maybe support these artists when they tour – come see the shows, and buy their music. It’s a small investment to keep extremely talented musicians in the game, with huge returns for you and the artists.

Or, keep saying you hate Nickelback and ensure that you’ve remembered to pirate their latest album online…your call.

The Hot Nut Riveters, along with leader Guy Forsyth will be here in Calgary Friday night for an appearance at the Calgary Folk Club, along with Scott Mackay.

Listen to my entire interview with Guy Forsyth, and my interview with Scott MacKay on my podcast site, or download them for free from iTunes (ThatDanGuy’s Podcast). Both are very eloquent, and share much more about what they are doing.

February 27, 2015 0

One More Off Of My Bucket List – Smokey Robinson!

The man can still sing the songs like he’s just recorded them. Smooth, silky, and with just the right pomp and circumstance to drive a crowd crazy.

Enjoy a few more pictures from the cheap seats, and read my Calgary Herald blog review!

February 12, 2015 0

North Star Falling – Maybe, But Album Filled With Heights

Jeffery Straker either has an old soul, or all my musical references are an indication of my age.

Either way, Straker’s brand- new cd North Star Falling has traces of some of the best piano-based singer/songwriters of the past 40 years, couched in his inimitable and effervescent style of folk/alt-pop influences.

Disclaimer: I go into this review already a big fan of Straker’s music. Be it the bang-on uplifting melody behind the New Orleans sounds on Slings & Arrows, or the warm, personal lyrics behind story songs like The Wonderful Mrs. Bell. Don’t even get me started on Oh God, I’m Cinderella – this man can write music and lyrics that stand up there with the best examples in his genre. He’s already been compared by reviewers to Elton John, Billy Joel, and Carole King.

Above all, Jeffery Straker conjures up the great Leon Russell in that combination he seems to excel at, marrying insightful lyrics to compelling melodies, which make you want to listen to his recordings over and over. North Star Falling is no exception, and indicates his continued growth as an accomplished artist.

Breaking down a few personal highlights from the disc (admittedly, personal taste may dictate your own), Calling It Quits laments the difficult decision to finally say no, with “this time, it’s for good”. Step Into The Fire is Straker’s sprawling Rufus Wainwright moment, filled with softness and cresting waves of grandeur.

I Wanna Go Back There evokes Eartha Kitt, or Peggy Lee at their sultriest. Nowhere Heart feels like early Beatles, while You Make Me Want To could be a John Lennon track. Above all though, for my money, Gravity is my new favourite Jeffery Straker song, which is an achievement in and of itself, given his catalogue.

As I mentioned earlier, either Straker has an old soul, or my references are in need of updating. That said, if you’ve ever seen Lady Gaga step out of her character and play some of her most amazing music, or heard album tracks from Christina Perri (whom Straker has opened for), his music is as current as it is classic. It’s that classic sound that makes these tracks broader in their appeal.

The lead-off single released on iTunes January 27th is Like It’s The Last One, an uplifting ode to ekeing everything you can out of life. Whatever you are able to eke out, at the very least it should include a copy of North Star Falling…

Check out the video for Like It’s The Last One here…

Visit Jeffery Straker online, and check out his albums on iTunes.

February 1, 2015 0

Sold Out House For CD Release Party

It was an impressive turnout at the Ironwood Stage & Grill last night for Calgary singer/songwriter Jenn Beaupré’s CD release party – a sold-out house filled front to back, side to side…

Backed up for her first set with a full band, Beaupré was able to recreate the studio sound of her latest CD “Reach Out” for the audience, complete with a 3-piece horn section, backup singers, and a solid rhythm section that allowed her to focus on singing those songs.

The Ironwood is a great venue on its own, but when a powerhouse vocalist takes to the microphone, there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Well, I may be a bit biased, I was right up front. However her flawless vocal range was proof that listeners to the CD weren’t being fooled by studio coverups – Beaupré hits her notes with confidence and experience.

From Motown-flavoured original songs like “Sunburn“, “Reach Out” and “Eyes All Over“, to her heartbreaking ballad “Angel Who’s Lost“, where she had a violinist accompany her pianist, this third album is likely to get serious attention, if the audience reactions and standing ovations last night are any indication.

She writes relatable songs that often have some great, fun lyrics, like the aforementioned “Eyes All Over“.

Her second set (after performing every song on her new album in the first one) was solo acoustic, aside from some accompaniment from a guitarist on a few songs.

In this set, Beaupré had fun covering songs (and a few originals), but gave no short change to quality control in performing hits from Ed Sheeran (Thinking Out Loud), Amos Lee (Colors), Joni Mitchell ( A Case Of You), and even a bit of inspired Whitney Houston, along with the crowd-pleaser them from Frozen, “Let It Go“, although to be fair, she did warn anyone that had kids in advance, in case of a possible overdose of the uber-popular Disney song.

Reach Out is available now in iTunes, or if you are able to catch her performing live, I would highly recommend you do so. If you can catch her in a smaller, more intimate venue, you should take certainly advantage of that opportunity.

I caught up with Jenn earlier, before this show. You can read the feature interview in my Calgary Herald blog by scrolling down a post or two in this site,or by clicking here. You can also view the companion video podcast here.

January 18, 2015 0