West of Jane @ The Bell & Beacon, Friday

Mike Boguski, Nichol Robertson & Cleave Anderson stretch out organ-trio style at the Bell & Beacon tonight starting at 9:30 pm. 

R.I.P. Jamaican music legend Stranger Cole, 1942-2026

Sadly Stranger Cole – who had deep ties to the Toronto reggae scene – has passed away at 83. He'll be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Stranger Cole, 1942-2026

Jamaican Ska and Reggae legend Stranger Cole moved to Toronto in the early 1970s leaving stardom behind. Despite his talent he was forced to work at the Tonka Toy factory and as a security guard at Eaton's to make a living. His entrepreneurial spirit took over and he opened his own record store and label in Kensington Market at 58 Kensington Ave. Some 40 years later,  Stranger Cole returned to Toronto to  visit his old neighbourhood for Chris Flanagan and Graeme Mahieson's excellent short documentary Ruff and Tuff which you can view below following a few of Stranger Cole's classic recordings. Stranger Cole has passed away but his music and legacy will live on. 

One For The Weekend: Blood Ceremony

Watch Blood Ceremony debut an acoustic version of "The Weird of Finistere" at Lee's Palace in Toronto. 

From Blood Ceremony HQ...

Here's a clip of The Weird of Finistere. It's taken from our recent acoustic set at Prepare the Ground festival in Toronto and is our first time playing this song live. "I feel its stare and meet its glare; its shadow my own...."

 

Remembering singer/pianist Hazel Scott on her birthday

Remembering Trinidad-born singer/pianist and film star Hazel Scott on her birthday with some stellar performance footage. 

Before They Were Famous: Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Back in 1969, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and his fellow Gilbert Shelton fans in Hub City Movers recorded "Set Your Chickens Free"

Gilbert Shelton's poem "When I Set My Chickens Free!" appeared in a rare non-Freak Bros piece for Bijou Funnies #1 in 1968.

Remembering Howlin' Wolf on his birthday

Remembering Mississippi blues great Howlin' Wolf on his birthday with a couple of classic sides & performances. 

Tinariwen is playing the Concert Hall w/ Orbital Ensemble on September 17

Saharan blues crew Tinariwen and Orbital Ensemble hit the Concert Hall on September 17. Tickets are $60.75 – get 'em here.