Dave White Takes Over The Pub

Back in high school I remember a couple of my buddies started a band, Maybe Fog. Weird name right? Well it was a great band playing traditional irish mixed with Tragicly Hip and Our Lady Peace songs among others. Unfortunately Maybe Fog disbanded and went their separate ways. David White was the lead singer in Maybe Fog and still plays thoroughly in pubs and clubs around St. John's every week. Playing a mix of cover songs from The Hip to Steve Earle to Great Big Sea and everything in between. Some people may heckle him and want him to play ACDC, asking Dave to play ACDC is equivalent to saying " play Free Bird ". Its refreshing to hear a guy do these songs with great justice and its no wonder why he has such a lengthy career in playing around great pubs in St. John's. Last night Dave honored us with his presence at Walkham's Pub in downtown Bonavsita. Even though unfortunately not a lot of people showed up to support local talent, maybe because of the not so nice night that it was? Who knows? But even so Dave played as if the place was packed and he was singing to a full house, the sign of a true performer. Everyone that witnessed the show was impressed to say the least, a couple people even got up on stage and sang along with dave on a couple songs, it drawled a good laugh to say the least and everyone left satisfied with a smile on their face and a belly full of booze. Next weekend however at Walkhams Pub Dave will be back again but this time bringing along a partner, Carl Peters, who has played before numerous times with Dave in around St. John's and as well as Walkhams Pub. Hopefully next weekend we will have nicer weather and show some support to local musician's, they play their heart out for little so lets give them a lot. I for one will be there with ears wide open, enjoying every minute as I did last night. Great show!      

The Garrick Hosts Pat Braden

There's been numerous great songwriters that came out of Canada's hidden forests. Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitcheal, Neil Young, Stan Rogers just to name a few. Some has passed to the great pub in the sky to show off their talents, others have been selling out stadiums and concert halls all over the world. February 26 at the Garrick Theater in Bonavista Newfoundland you can see one of the top up and coming songwriters in Canada today. Pat Braden has been singing his talents all over Canada since 1984 and has been performing with numerous talents all over the great white north ever since. Hailing from Yellowknife, NT Pat's first instrument was the stand up bass which he studied in collage. Later he would pick up an interesting instrument called the Chapman Stick which he still plays today. Combining heart filled blues with great folk influenced songwriting Pat Braden is not a performer to miss. He will leave you speechless and I for one will be first in line on February 26 to be blown away by songs of Canada and Pat's talent. Tickets are only $18.00, a small price to pay for a great night of live music.

The Devil Knows The Delta Spirit

A session at a radio station can be one of the best places where you can find great music. It tends to be laid back and easy going. Where great musicians can just let loose and play what they want to play, without any stress or pressure. They can play music that they grew up with or that isn't really expected as commercially great music but is soulful and heart filled. Here a group of musicians that calls themselves The Delta Spirit just let loose and give it their all on this dueling guitar tune. The song takes its verse from an old Irish blessing. I really enjoy the song with its catchy guitar chords that easily turns you into a foot tapping fiend.

Dire Banned In Canada

With all that's going on in the world right now such as war, famine, poverty, death why is there so much attention drawn to the smaller stuff. Dire Straits released Money For Nothing over 20 years ago. It was one of the first well known music videos to be appeared on MTV. Breakthrough in both visual and musical it was a sure hit. For the past 20 years its been enjoyed by millions. Not a problem has occurred until recently however. In January of 2011 Money For Nothing was banned by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) after a radio station in St. John's Newfoundland played the unedited version and was streamed with complaints for having faggot in the lyrics. Why after 20 years has this been contended? Actually in much of England a fag means cigarette. I honestly don't see the point in bringing up little things like this when there's so much more to think about in this world. Its a shame that such a great song can not be aired anymore. They can't stop us from playing our vinyls and blasting it from our speakers.

Townes Earle Lives Up To The Name

I hear alot of new music pass by my ear. Most of it I just push to the side and leave it, its forgettable. Some however I just can't seem to let leave, it sticks to you. Eating away at your brain but in a good way. Its a pleasure for me to listen to such a talent as Justin Townes Earle. He has a sense of old time music. Being the son of Steve Earle how can you not grow up listening to great music and being influenced by the best. His tempo on Mama Said is flawless and the guitar strings just purr like a kitten under his fingers. The song is beautiful and sounds as if it was written in the 50's. Thats what I love about Townes Earle, even though its 60 years later you don't have to sound new. More instruments the better is not the case, just your voice and a simple guitar is all you need and that's the way it should be. Today's music is overproduced and overdone. Keep it raw and uncut Justin, its what will make your fans and your daddy proud.

Blind Sunday Gospel Blues

This is one of my all time favorite blues gospel songs. Theres something about Blind Willie Mctell's voice in this song that just gives you the chills. As if fighting for his soul with all the bad that hes done, if he just does good and builds its up (timber) he can build himself a spot in heaven (mansion). Gospel music had a lot of influence in old blues music. Hope that their was a better time ahead. The blues was built around sorrow where gospel was built around peace from that very sorrow. When blues musicians play traditional gospel songs they sing with every bit of power and heart. Mctell was one of the greats in blues and should never be forgotten and so shouldn't this song.

Make You Satisfied

Austin Texas has always been a home away from home for musicians. From Stevie Ray Vaughan to Daniel Johnston. Playing gigs like Austin City Limits to South by Southwest. Today a new talent has struck the scene with a force. A blues/folk musician by the name of Scott H. Biram. As soon as you hear his slide you can be taken back to the days of Robert Johnson or Elmore James. He's striped down and as rough as they come but that is what makes him great. Using the traditional neck of a glass bottle to slide his guitar his sound is that matching any classic country blues singer. Biram started his music career in a punk band. He always grew up on blues constantly listening to old Leadbelly, Mance Lipscomb or Lightning Hopkins. His style of blues has that blues fell to it but he adds the punkish attitude. Biram was highlighted in the documentary movie The Folk Singer with Posessed By Paul James. The movie chronicles their travels through the honkey tonks and dive bars around Texas and Louisiana. It put Biram on the music map and showcased his talent. I can't wait to see more from Biram and see what new music he comes up with, stick to the roots. Its what made us and should never fade.

Hey Rosetta! Im Here

One in a while I stumble across a video where im surprised at how great the band is. I must admit the first time I heard about Hey Rosetta I thought they would be just like any other 2009 pop band that are taking little girls hearts by their simple lyrics and good looks. Then a friend of mine posted this video and for some reason I clicked on it. Was I pleasantly surprised when the first strum of the guitar struck my ears. They simply blew me away with their energetic sound that just charges your right up. I was also impressed with the video for the song. Showing sparklers with random people from Newfoundland around downtown St. John's gives it a sense of home, its beautiful. It also shows places in downtown St. John's that I see everytime I visit there, especially the amazing coffee shop Hava Java.  Im proud to say they are from Newfoundland, given that Newfoundland is well known for its sea shantys and traditional music its a breath of fresh air to see that bands like this are taking the world by storm. They are set out on a huge tour right now. Playing shows all over Canada and the US. Even in Australia where almost all their shows are already sold out. Hey Rosetta are an amazing band that give you catchy lyrics with a rocking sound and throws a cello and violin in the mix. How could you pass up listening to this band? If you do your losing out.

The Devils Folk Singer

They used to say that blues was the devils music, it turned young men and women into demons. Contorting their bodies in ways you wouldn't usually see, dancing as if dancing to a flame lit by the devil himself. But in my mind music is a way to get out your anger in a non physical way. It releases your feelings all in one ball of speech. You can go down the wrong path or make a better path just the same. Its not music that chooses the path, its yourself. In this documentary The Folk Singer a young aspiring folk singer named Jon aka Possessed By Paul James was riddled by religion and possesed by anger and doubt. About to have a child he embarks on a journey through Louisiana and Texas. Playing small honkey tonks and bars he meets up with other musicians playing the music that they love. Throwing their heart into the crowd every night they drink with the best of them, shoot guns with the best of them, smoke with the best of them but more importantly play with the best of them. Its an uplifting documentary about a young man struggling through the hardships of life in the music industry. The ups and downs on the way and the characters they meet along the way. Folk, Blues and Country are prominent in this movie. Its Americana at its best.

Chrome Chain Locker

This weekend i decided to go into St. John's Newfoundland with a good friend of mine Harv. So we drove in on a beautiful Friday night hoping to catch one of my favorite bands to ever take St John's by storm. The Bonavista Chain Locker sounds like a weird name for a group. Originally it was a club in Bonavista where I was born and raised. Memories of teenage dances and fun nights was an inspiration for this band and thought the stories were great. Believing that the name was great as well that its what they would call their new band. Oh what a band it is, a mix between gypsy roma music and headed with a voice that sounds familiar with that of Tom Waits, how can you not love this band. I showed up there just as the band are starting, Harv apparently was there before me. The place sold out, with a packed room at The Ship, The Bonavista Chain Locker had the people jumping and singing along to their catchy tunes. Dancing along was not a problem in front of the stage, even though elbows were bumped everyone was in a great mood and lighthearted. Good vibes were passed all around from the crowd. What a great Friday night, the show was wicket and I strongly advise anyone who sees an imaginative Bonavista Chain Locker poster on a street pole, take some time to check out the date and clear your calendar accordingly. You wont be disappointed.
Saturday night I was pleasantly surprised that a group that never let me down every time I see them play were playing that night at The Levee. Chrome Cabot are a band that brings 80s rock back to the new age of music. In an age where music has no feeling or heart. Where you can turn on the radio and pass from station to station hearing the same pop song being played by a hundred different bands. Out of the depths come a band that brings back the flamboyant, raw, in your face heavy rock. Not only do they take cover songs from Acdc, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Van Halen that would make any rock fan proud to hear but they also shred their own songs. Its a flashback when you listen to Chrome preform. Nothing is held back, from Ches' metal scream to Jas' wicket killer guitar. Robbie's thunderous dums are perfect alongside Dave's hard baseline. The boys really knocked it out of the park Saturday night. Even though they themselves might not have liked the sound I personally was happy to hear the songs that I grew up with done perfectly, sometimes even better. If your ever in St. John's or anywhere else in the world and hear that Chrome Cabot was playing at your local bar check them out. Be taken away to another time when heavy rock and killer guitar ruled the airwaves, not like today where pussies take the lead unfortunately. We have to put a stop to bad music, one way to help do this is check out Chrome Cabot and bang your head to the pride of Bonavista Newfoundland.

The Darkest Blues You'll Ever Hear

There are no words needed to be said on this song. The moans and strings says it all. Bluesman Blind Willie Johnson nailed it on Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground. Its sound can silence a barking dog or a howling wolf. As soon as you hear Johnsons first moan you know why this song was the favorite of alot of blues singers. Ry Cooder said that it was the greatest blues song ever written. It defined what blues was and how it should feel, cold, dark, lonesome, sadness, pain.

Get Blown Away By Neil Young

There are numerous Neil Young songs where I can say are my favorite. Its a tough choice, its like choosing your favorite son or daughter. Some days you choose one and others another pops into your head and then that's your favorite. Neil's songs are so diverse, starting off as a 60s kinda pop rock band with the Buffelo Springfeild. After they disbanded he went on to solo projects starting off with a folk sound then it morphed into a country sound when Harvest hit the charts. Tonights The Night saw Neil at his darkest moment with songs that can make a madman feel pain. Rock, Folk, Blues, Country, Electronic, Rockabilly, Grunge, there's not much Neil hasn't done or attempted to do. Later in his career Neil was approached by MTV to perform on their MTV Unplugged program. At first Neil didn't want anything to do with the program, stating that pride almost kept him from performing. But he became convinced that it was a good idea. Its a good thing he did because now its considered one of the greatest MTV Unplugged performances of all time. Like A Hurricane was one of the highlights on the show. Neil tapping away at the organ sounds so haunting on such a beautiful song of love and peace.

Music From The Heart

I'm a huge fan of music. There's not a day that goes by that I don't take time to sit back and listen to a tune. It sticks with you like the perfect glue that holds your day together. It stays in your head throughout the day, you keep running through the lyrics, right or wrong, helping you get through that certain job or research paper or even cleaning the house. Musicians can really get wrapped up in the glamor and riches that coincides with the fame. It kinda ruins the music after a while when you think about it, lyrics lose their meaning when a multi-millionaire is singing about hard times and lonely nights. But when you hear street singers singing of faith and hope it kinda puts it all in perspective. They play for nickles instead of hundreds of thousands of dollars. They play for pride instead of fame. They play for respect instead of envy. They play for themselves instead of everyone else. I can't really describe the feeling these guys leave on me after watching them perform, it just leaves me speechless. I'm sure it will do the same to any man or woman with a heart. Its simply beautifully warming. They say a painting can tell you a story, that of a novel. Well I say music can paint the most beautiful picture with just a few words.

The Band Made A Difference

The Band came out of nowhere. Starting off as The Hawks with Ronnie Hawkins they kept the name when they started playing as a backup band for Bob Dylan. With Dylan they became The Band after numerous people were asking Dylan who they were and his reply was "oh, thats just the band". It stuck with them and decided to keep the name. The Band consisted of 4 Canadians Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel and 1 American Levon Helm. They carried on through a phenomenal career from their debut album Music From Big Pink to Northern Lights - Southern Cross. In 1976 they decided to call it quits, after Robertson was weary of touring and Manuel was suffering a neck injury from a boating accident. But they didn't leave without a bang. Robertson came up with the idea of a last concert, later called The Last Waltz. This concert was performed on Thanksgiving day in 1976. On the card was everyone from Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Van Morrison, Dr John, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, and Paul Butterfeild. Directed by the great Martin Scorsese it defined what The Band was all about. They had fun and you can really see it. This song It Makes No Difference also defined The Band, beautiful and soulful.

Cohen's Blue Raincoat

I listen to music for the peek into the singers soul. To feel what they felt while writing that certain song. Now a lot of songs you can't really feel the feelings of the writer. Others its easy, Leonard Cohen's Famous Blue Raincoat. Falls directly into that category, its potent and direct. You can feel the pain in his heart as he transits from line to line. The song is describing a love triangle between the writer, a lady named Jane and another man. The song is written in the form of a letter wherein the writer (Cohen) is writing the other man in the love triangle with Jane. In the song Jane is described to be the writers wife or later became his former wife. The song starts of extremely heartfelt and depressing but later as the song carries on the writer thanks the other man stating that it was a blessing he took Jane away from him, she was nothing but trouble and the affair opened up his eyes. The actual Famous Blue Raincoat that he refers to was his. He confirms that it was a great Burberry raincoat that Cohen bought in London that he adored. Weather the story has some truth to it was left unsaid, but it doesn't matter when a song is this heartfelt that it gives you goosebumps it becomes more real than any fact.

See Pink Floyd Play

Today commemorates the birth of one of the strangest people in rock and roll history. Syd Barrett was the founder and mind behind one of the most influential bands in rock history The Pink Floyd. Now considering Syd only worked on one album really, that being Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Other albums came out later such as A Saucer Full Of Secrets where Floyd already had tracks that Barrett was already on so they added it to the album. Barrett was replaced by David Gilmore after Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, being drawn into the drug world. Acid, mushrooms, marijuana, pills, etc it was all thrown into Barretts everyday diet and it affected Pink Floyd's shows and recording sessions. Roger Waters had to give him the bad news that he was fired. After released two solo albums named Barrett and The Madcap Laughs both getting high critical acclaim. But just like his life oddly enough he dissipated into obscurity. But there is no argument weather Barrett was a talented genius. Waters even wrote many songs about Syd, most notably Shine On You Crazy Diamond off their album Wish You Were Here. They all had a deep respect for Barrett and his brilliant mind but like so many artists drug abuse caught up with him and put him over the edge. Oddly enough today we celebrate Syd's birthday but also on this date in 50 years after the birth of Syd in 1946 Pink Floyd was inducted in the rock and roll hall of fame. Congratulations Syd for starting one of the greatest bands in rock history, you may have not been there to share the success but no one will ever forget the genius that you hatched.

Barrence Boxes With Russell

I've been a huge fan of songs about real people, real lives, true stories. Songs like Bob Dylan's Hurricane, Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck Of the Edmund Fitzgerld, Johnny Cash's The Ballad of John Henry, etc. There's hundreds of them. Today I've stumbled across a great tribute song by a good friend of mine Barrence Whitfeild. Barrence works at the record exchange record store in Salem, MA that i frequently hung out in and thumbed through the vinyl. My collection grew larger and larger after learning more and more great music from Barrence, Jimmy, Skip and Paul. I probably wouldn't have the knowledge of music if it wasn't for those guys and I owe them alot and thank them greatly. Barrence can be heard around New England with his funk group He also tours around Europe and Australia. In this song however Barrence takes a more traditional route, collaborating with folk artist Tom Russell he sings great with his gruff voice on a song that is beautifully written. The song is a tribute to legendary boxer John Arthur (Jack) Johnson, the first ever African American to ever win the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship and the second ever African American to win a championship. Story's like this can never be lost in history and thanks to Barrence Whitfield and Tom Russell at least Jack Johnson's story never will.

Rafferty Classic Sax

Yesterday January 4, 2011 we morn the loss of singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty. He died of liver disease in Dorset, England. He was most commonly known for this song Baker Street which is most commonly identified by the blazing sax solo performed by Raphael Ravenscroft. Baker Street instantly became a mainstay for radio and is a soft rock classic, becoming Rafferty's top hit charting number 2 in the US and number 3 in the UK. He later formed the group Stealers Wheel with Joe Egan. Besides coming out with the hit Stuck In The Middle With You, Stealers Wheel the group didn't go very far and disbanded in 1975. But Rafferty's biggest accomplishment has to be Baker Street with his smooth vocals pairing with the smooth jazz sax solos it was enormous at the time. RIP Gerry, you will be missed.

Neil Peart's Rush

Its hard to say who's the greatest drummer that ever sat in front of drum set. Its tough to say who's the best of anything really. But if I had to pick the greatest drummer Neil Peart has got to be at the top of the list. The drummer for some may say the greatest Canadian band to ever walk the great white north Rush has an array of songs where you can see why hes considered the greatest drummer. YYZ is one of those songs. But I can't just place all of credit for Rush's success mainly on Neil Peart. Their lead singer Geddy Lee is an amazing bass player as well. Also Alex Leifson is a great guitarist and also shows it in this video. But Peart is where its at in this video. Prepare to have your mind boggled by Neils sick drum solo, dont try this at home.

Belly Of Songs

A friend of mine who like me loves finding new music was talking about folk/country artists last night. We were going back and forth with artists that we listen to for years. He told me about an amazing songwriter who would play at his pub every now and then from St. John's named Joe Belly. He praised Belly to no end and i couldn't wait to get back home and check out this guy. When I did he blew me away with his songwriting. Hes what embodies what a songwriter should be. Catchy lyrics under a great tune. The video has an old time feeling, everyone gathering around the kitchen just playing and having fun until the morning comes. I extremely happy that I've been introduced to Joe Belly. This is why I started this blog to introduce people and friends of artists otherwise they wouldn't find out about.

Justin's Tribute To Mama

There are alot of musicians out there that are children of famous musicians. They usually don't make it, living up to a big name isn't the easiest thing to do. There was actually a show on tv a while back that was like a American Idol for musicians kids. They had Dee Sniders son, Joe Walsh's daughter, Eddie Moneys daughter, etc, but none of them really wowed the music industry with their talent. But I just recently discovered a huge talent in the industry's pool. Justin Townes Earle the son of Steve Earle and grandson of Allison Moorer is a talent that just cant be overlooked. At the age of 28 he has already won an AMA award and already has been playing at the Grand Ole Opry. Not being around his dad as a child Justin had a hard childhood, being addicted to hard drugs by the age of 12 and carrying that drug addiction throughout his teens and early 20s. He even toured with his fathers band The Dukes playing keyboards but was fired after his drug addiction affected his performance. Lately though Justin has come off drugs and has a new outlook on life, focusing on songwriting it really has paid off and you can hear it on his new album Harlem River Blues, which got great reviews from critics worldwide. I love the new country/bluegrass/folk outbreak in the past couple years. Bands like Justin, Old Crow Medicine Show, Felice Brothers, etc are releasing great albums one after the other and its a breath of fresh air from today's music that has no soul or meaning, just words thrown into a beat. Songs like Mama's Eyes which Townes wrote about his mother being a huge part of his life and probably the only part of his life since his dad was never around, always touring trying to make a buck. There's heart and soul pouring directly into this song. Its what music needs and I am glad I found it.

Townes Didn't Wait Around To Die

On this date back in 1997 the music world has lost one of its greatest songwriters. John Townes Van Zandt better know as Townes Van Zandt died of a cardiac arrhythmia after falling weeks before down concrete steps at his home and not taking immediate medical attention. Townes later went into the hospital with his ex-wife and friends and had surgery after finding a injury to his leg. After the surgery his ex-wife Jeanene signed him out of the hospital against doctors orders. Townes was extremely irritated after being in extreme pain and being a lifelong alcoholic ordered his wife to get him drink. After drinking a flask of vodka and smoking a joint Townes son Will found him not breathing and looking dead. Townes died 44 years to the day of his idol Hank Williams death who also had a bout with alcohol. I've picked Waiting Around To Die to honor Townes is one of the most powerful songs and videos I've seen. From his beautiful voice eerily foreshadowing his life story to the black man shedding a tear behind him listening to the songs lyrics unfold, touching him in a way no other song has ever done before. Not too many songwriters can sing their own lyrics and bring a man to tears but here Townes did just that. RIP Townes may you never be forgotten.

Just BS Was Just That Damn Good

New Years Eve I had a great time working behind the bar at Walkhams Pub in downtown Bonavista. It was my first time working as a bartender but I absolutely loved it, running back and forth and grabbing drinks here and there for people was something that just came natural to me. Working there was a blast but what made it even more fun was having the joy of listening to Just BS. Steve Abbot and Bob Little covered tunes from Tom Petty to Stan Rogers. They really had the pub jumping and jigging with their traditional Newfoundland songs. Just the two of them played instruments ranging from acoustic guitars to fiddles to banjos and harmonicas. They are the perfect pub band that pairs well with a glass of beer. They are the perfect pub band who I can see playing in the best pubs in St John's any day. I enjoyed my time at Walkhams Pub that night and Just BS was traditional music to the ears