Happy Birthday Lowell Fulson

Raising a glass to Lowell Fulson with "Mean Old Lonesome Song," "Tramp," "Pico" and his album In A Heavy Bag.

Watch The Swanee Quintet tear it up in 1959 and 1969

Watch the Swanee's Rev. Willingham belt out "The New Walk" in 1969 followed by a performance at the Apollo ten years earlier.

M.O.P. and Kool G Rap @ The Phoenix, Saturday

Hip hop legends M.O.P. and Kool G Rap bring the ruckus to The Phoenix tonight with a special NYC guest. Get tickets right here.

Happy Birthday James Lee "Sonnyboy" Williamson

Remembering the original Sonnyboy Williamson with a couple of his classic blues performances. 

Richard Lloyd Group @ The Bovine, Friday

There's always a chance guitar great Richard Lloyd will tear into an old Television fave at some point. 

Get tickets for the Richard Lloyd Group at The Bovine tonight right here. 

Happy Birthday Willie Clayton!

Celebrating Willie Clayton's birthday with two overlooked Willie Mitchell-produced floor fillers.  

Goodbye Black Bull Tavern – Toronto's losing another cultural landmark

A staple of Toronto's Queen St. West strip, The Black Bull Tavern is closing April 3rd after 191 years. Another sad loss for the city.

 

Watch the trailer for Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg

The much-anticipated Anita Pallenberg doc – directed by Alexis Bloom and voiced by Scarlett Johansson – opens May 3. 

One For The Weekend: India Ramey

On the basis of India Ramey's performance of "The Mountain," NPR should definitely invite her for a Tiny Desk Concert.

Here's the scoop...
The granddaughter of a Sand Mountain, AL bluegrass and gospel musician, Alt-Country/Americana artist, India Ramey was born with music in her blood. India has gone from singing Jessi Colter songs into a curling iron at age 4 to putting out two solo albums. India's sound pays homage to her classic country heroes and tells Southern Gothic tales from love to loss to revenge. Check out India Ramey's new song "Ain't My First Rodeo" right here. Watch her perform "The Mountain" below. 

R.I.P. Bill Briggs of The Remains

Sadly, Bill Briggs, keyboardist with Boston garage rock kings The Remains has passed away at 78. He'll be greatly missed. 

Happy Birthday Steve Turner of Mudhoney!

Celebrating the birthday of Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner with a discussion of his book Mud Ride, a Rig Rundown and more. 

Trans-Canada Highwaymen rock the Opera House, Saturday

Trans-Canada Highwaymen return to Toronto for a show at the Opera House. Watch 'em live in Saskatoon, a Zoom chat and more.   

Get tickets for the Trans-Canada Highwaymen show at the Opera House right here.

Pete Townshend explains the origin of The Who and his rock opera Tommy

On a rare Tonight Show appearance, Pete Townshend recalled how rock critic Nik Cohn played a key role in the pinball wizard idea.

Remembering Eddie Shuler on his birthday with his funky Goldband & ANLA gems

The Tramp Records comp The Funky Side of Goldband/ANLA Records collects some of Eddie Shuler's rawest productions.  

Here's the scoop...

Goldband Records played a key role in documenting and shaping of musical traditions, tastes, and trends, both regionally and internationally since 1944. The focus of the Goldband catalog is certainly set on Country & Western, Swamp Pop, and Cajun music. However, from the 1960s until the early 1970s Goldband, and it's sub-label ANLA Records, released many high-quality Soul and Rhythm & Blues recordings. Simply put, Shuler had an ear for talent. He always believed in "...;giving a man a chance; otherwise, how would you discover what somebody could do?" That was the guiding philosophy and the secret to the success of Goldband Records.

Born March 27, 1913 in Wrightsboro, Texas, Eddie Shuler moved to Lake Charles in 1942 to work as a dragline operator. He found additional part-time work in a music store, leading him into a career in the music business. He then joined the country, western swing, and Cajun group The Hackberry Ramblers. Having sharpened his musical skills, he left the group to form his own band, The Reveliers.

By the early 1950s, Shuler acquired the Goldband complex in north Lake Charles. It would be a combination record store (Eddie's Music House), television repair shop (Eddie's Quick Service T.V.), and recording studio for over a half-century thereafter. Being the one and only recording studio in town, it did not take long for other artists in the area to migrate in Shuler's direction.

A grassroots operation, Shuler was head of distribution and promotion. He distributed the recordings from the back of his car to record stores and to jukebox operators. Knowing that getting airplay was the key to increasing sales he created multiple labels which assured him better chances with the radio. One of those auxiliary labels was ANLA which featured Soul and R&B artists from South Louisiana and East Texas, including Clifton White, Charles Greene, and the Original Soul Senders. Around the same time, future Zydeco celebrity "Count" Rockin' Sidney joined Goldband for almost a dozen releases. Tramp Records has put together a well-chosen 23-track selection of Shuler's rawest productions, aptly named The Funky Side of Goldband/ANLA Records). 

At the time of Eddie Shuler's passing on July 23, 2005, he was the head of the nation's longest running independent record label, Goldband, which is still based in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Get a copy of the excellent Tramp Records collection The Funky Side of Goldband/ANLA Records (originally released in 2014) via Bandcamp right here. Check the track list below.  

THE FUNKY SIDE OF GOLDBAND / ANLA RECORDS (Tramp Records)

01.Snowboats - Sidewinder 

02.Count Rockin' Sidney - Life Without Love 

03.Claude Shermack - Keep On Keeping On 

04.Count Rockin' Sidney - Dedie Dedie Da

05.Count Rockin' Sidney & Dukes - Do Your Stuff

06.Count Rockin' Sidney & Dukes - Put It On

07.Claude Shermack - Your Gravy Train

08.The Showboats - Too Much

09.Lee Bernard - Turn Around & Go 

10.Count Rockin' Sidney & Dukes - Feel Delicious

11.Lee Bernard - Getting Out Of Town

12.Count Rockin' Sidney - Boogie's Boogie Shack

13.Charles Greene - Double EE Agent

14.Chester Randle - Soul Brother's Testify (Part 1)

15.Count Rockin' Sidney - Back Door Man

16.Clifton White & Royal Knights - The Warm Up

17.Chester Randle - Soul Brother's Testify (Part 2)

18.Count Rockin' Sidney - Bury The Hatchet

19.Freddie Love - Crazy Girl (Parts 1& 2)

20.Chester Randle's Soul Senders - Why Did I Let You Go

21.Soul Shouting Tommy - I'm The Man

22.Chester Randle's Soul Senders - Take A Little Nip

23.Dynamic Adam & Excitements - Forgive Me

Dana Gillespie announces new album First Love co-produced by Marc Almond

Dana Gillespie's new album First Love – recorded with her good friend Marc Almond – is out on May 31 via Fretsore Records. 

Here's the scoop...

Legendary singer/songwriter Dana Gillespie, with over 70 albums to her credit in a career spanning six decades, adds a new chapter with the release of her new album First Love slated for release by Fretsore Records on May 31. While First Love is a deeply personal album, it marks a shift for Dana who teams up with close friends Marc Almond and Tris Penna who together produced the album. 

Born in 1949 and raised in London in an era of unrivalled experimentation and artistic rebellion, Dana began her recording career at 15 with Pye Records. Her journey in entertainment is marked by significant milestones, including collaborations with icons such as David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Elton John.  A project of refined integrity, First Love – including the first single, the Morrissey-penned “Spent The Day In Bed”  – showcases a diversity of influences that only those who have lived the experience could so masterfully convey.

You can pre-order a copy of Dana Gillespie's First Love album via Rough Trade right here or try Fretsore Records right here. Watch an episode of Globetrotting with Dana Gillespie featuring Marc Almond followed by a clip of Dana's performance of "The Last Polar Bear"

Catherine MacLellan lights up Hugh's Room Live, Tuesday

PEI singer/songwriter Catherine MacLellan plays songs from her Coyote album and more with Nick Gauthier at Hugh's Room Live. 

Watch Catherine perform her father's song "Snowbird" with Nick Gauthier at Hugh's Room Live right here.   Photo: Wayne Hodgson

Happy Birthday Charles Stepney!

Remembering Chicago producer/arranger Charles Stepney with the 4-part "Out Of The Shadows" documentary series. 

Whaddya mean you don't know Stu Davis

Check out Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Stu Davis singing "Broken Love" recorded with the Adlibs in 1959.

Here's the scoop...

Although a mostly forgotten figure today, popular Canuck country & western performer Stu Davis – born David Stewart in Boggy Creek, Saskatchewan (near Regina) in 1921 – was ubiquitous on radio during the late 40s and on numerous CBC programs through the 50s and 60s. The man who came to be known as "Canada's Cowboy Troubadour" began his singing career with his brother Fred as the Harmony Boys on Regina's CKCK in 1939 before a stint in the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

After the war, Davis settled in Calgary and found a new broadcasting home at CFCN. A few of his recordings were released  Stateside by the Chicago-based Sonora label in September 1946 but none of the four 78s created much of a buzz for Stu Davis and the Northwesters. However, Davis suddenly became a much hotter commodity when an Eddy Arnold cover of his tune "What A Fool I Was" hit big and went on to become one of the biggest selling country songs of 1948. Unfortunately for Sonora, by then their contract with Davis had lapsed and Davis took up with RCA Victor. He subsequently played the National Barn Dance in Chicago and even made it to the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Other country music hotshots including Ray Price, Hank Snow and Wilf Carter also cut versions of some of the 300 songs Davis wrote but by the late 50s, Davis was already an anachronism. The younger record-buying public were more interested in hearing uptempo rock 'n' roll than lovelorn ballads crooned by lonesome cowpokes. In an attempt to reach the new audience in 1959, he tried changing things up with a song called "Broken Love," backed by a vocal group called the Adlibs. Have a listen below.     

"Broken Love, a ballad written, arranged and vocalized by local talents, may hold new horizons for the group if its recording by a New York firm clicks. CBC stagehand Don Tomiuk penned the song in collaboration with Elmer Sexsmith and pianist George Reznik a year ago. Now put to the beat of rock n’ roll, the new version will be premiered by Stu Davis on next week’s Saddle Songs. Davis and a vocal group made the recording for London Records of Montreal a month ago and from there it went to New York. The boys, who are working on other songs, report this may be the door-opener for them." – Carole Kowalson – Winnipeg Tribune, January 16, 1959

Unfortunately, despite the positive publicity, "Broken Love" didn't click for Davis. On the upside, the CBC decided to commission Davis to compose and perform a song to welcome Queen Elizabeth II for her royal visit to the Calgary Stampede that year which he considered a career highlight. Watch The Queen Stampede's Canada right here. Davis continued on as the singing host of Red River Jamboree (which ran on CBC-TV from 1960 to 1965) followed by a 13-episode CBC-TV documentary series Trail-Riding Troubadour. Sadly, none of the footage of Davis shot by the CBC over the years has been made available for viewing since it originally aired. 

Davis continued recording and releasing albums on London (15 LPs in all), Dominion in 1971 and as his 70s alter-ego "Johnny Canuck" for Birchmount in 1975. In 1993, Davis was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame He passed away on March 25, 2007 at the age of 85, better known to country music fans in the UK and Europe than at home in Canada where his recordings remain out of print. 

Shelly y Nueva Generación's Spanish freakbeat ripper reissued by Munster

Shelly y Nueva Generación's whumpin' "I'm Just A Fool" comes backed with a cover of Nonato Buzar's "Vesti Azul" 

Here's the scoop...

Shelly y Nueva Generación was a cult Spanish soul and garage band that left an indelible mark on the late 1960s music scene. Their songs have been included on various compilations several times since the 90s, making their records highly sought-after by collectors worldwide.

Their stunning take on Nonato Buzar’s ‘Vesti Azul’ and their mind-blowing original ‘I’m Just a Fool’ have become classic DJ spins in the 60s scene, being the latter one of their most popular songs after being featured on Ivan Zulueta’s cult film “Un, Dos, Tres, Al Escondite Inglés” that showcased some of the most interesting Spanish bands from the late 60s. Get a copy of the single right here and the full album over here. 

Check out the 1969 clips of Shelly and crew getting down with "I'm Just A Fool" and the swingin' "Vesti Azul" below. 

Happy 75th Birthday Bob Ezrin!

Celebrating the 75th birthday of Toronto-born producer/entrepreneur Bob Ezrin with three interviews and an Alice Cooper gem. 

Trailblazing Toronto hiphop MC Maestro Fresh Wes honoured at Junos

After accepting the Hall Of Fame honour, Maestro Fresh Wes tore into a fiery performance not typically seen on a Junos broadcast.  

Watch The Feelies live at Philadelphia's World Café

You can always count on The Feelies to top their performance with a couple of well chosen covers deftly played. 

Happy Birthday Meiko Kaji!

Celebrating the birthday of singer/actress Meiko Kaji with songs from her 1973 album Hajiki Uta reissued by Wewantsounds.

Listen to the CKGM – Radio 98 jingle "Montreal, My Home Town" from 1959

The CKGM Singers cut the cheery "Montreal, My Home Town" backed by banjo (?) en Anglais in 1959. Check it out! 

The Knitters, Waco Brothers, Beat Farmers and pals salute Mojo Nixon in Austin

Dave Alvin joined John Doe & Exene for The Knitters' rousing set at Mojo's Final Mayhem at the Continental Club. 

Watch Nick Waterhouse live from Daryl Hall's House

R&B upstart Nick Waterhouse joined Daryl Hall for a session recently. Catch Nick Waterhouse in T.O. at Lee's Palace on April 28.

Tickets are now on sale for Nick Waterhouse's upcoming show at Lee's Palace on Sunday, April 28th – get 'em right here. 

Happy Birthday Jorge Ben Jor!

Celebrating the birthday of iconic Brazilian singer/songwriter Jorge Ben Jor with a few vintage performance clips worth checking. 

One For The Weekend: Richard Jay

Here's an overlooked gem from Minnesota keyboardist Richard Jay – check out "Tried To Rock" on Goodrich Records from 1977.

Happy Birthday Son House!

Remembering blues great Son House on his birthday with some interview footage and a couple of stellar performances. 

That time James Brown cut a jazz-funk album with "some longhairs" in 1971

Watch James Brown chat with Mike Douglas about his session with David Matthews, Mike Moore, Jim Madison & Kenny Poole.

Dr. Dre announces new albums with Snoop Dogg and Eminem

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg spoke about their new album and more on Jimmy Kimmel Live after a special episode of Dre's Anatomy. 

24th Annual Banjo Special w/ Chris Quinn & pals @ Tranzac Club, Sunday

Chris Quinn & Chris Coole join Arnie Naiman & Brian Taheny at the Tranzac (292 Brunswick) on Sunday night. Get tickets here.

Happy Birthday Patrick McGoohan!

Remembering Patrick McGoohan with the Danger Man theme, a drum solo from "All Night Long" and a Prisoner documentary.

Surfin' The Great Lakes comp of 60s Kay Bank Studio gems out on CD

Sundazed's CD version of their Surfin' The Great Lakes comp adds six rare bonus tracks from the Kay Bank Studio tape vault. 

 

Here's the scoop...

Surfin' The Great Lakes is a compilation of unreleased & rare tracks from the Twin Cities’ Kay Bank Studios featuring 22 rip snortin’ cuts – only 16 tracks on the out-of-print vinyl version – of the best surf and garage rock Kay Bank had to offer. Features The Trashmen, The Vaqueros, and more! Includes liner notes by John Blair who put together the Illustrated Discography Of Surf Music. 

Kay Bank Recordings in Minneapolis was certainly one of these historic studios. It was named after the wife of owner Vernon Bank. Although he had been involved in the recording business since the late 1940s, Bank’s recording studio operation got underway in 1957 when he moved into a building that was large enough to also establish a pressing plant. The studio provided a 3-track Ampex recorder, a 12-input recording console, and a live echo chamber.

According to a 1958 article in the Minneapolis Star newspaper, Kay Bank was pressing 60,000 records each week, and Vernon Bank claimed that his studio provided the most complete facility of any other studio “between Pennsylvania and California.” The sign above the building’s entrance stated, “A Complete Recording Service From Master Tape to Pressed Record.”

Sundazed Music recently acquired a large archive of the existing Kay Bank master tapes. Some of the surf, and related, recordings in that archive are included in this compilation, all recorded between June 1964 and August 1966- at a time when the British Invasion was ravaging the sales charts.

Get a CD copy of Surfin' The Great Lakes directly from Sundazed Records right here. 

Various Artists – Surfin' The Great Lakes

Jonah - The Vaqueros • Heaven’s Devil - The Boss Tweads • Caliente - The Marauders • Island In The Sun - The Vaqueros • Shot In The Dark - The Mustangs • Disintegration - The Readymen • Comin’ Home Baby - The Vaqueros • Girl Don’t Tell Me - The Satisfactions • 80 Foot Wave - The Vaqueros • Za Boo - The Valients • Bird Gasp ‘65 - The Trashmen • Surfin’ Blues - The Readymen • The Furys - Little Queenie (instrumental version) • Space Journey Ranger 7 - The Vaqueros • Surf Beat - The Chancellors • Greensleeves - The Trashmen • Wine Wine Wine (instrumental version) - The Bleach Boys* • Baba Yaga (instrumental version) - The Pagans* • Beach Girl - The Valients* • Hey Little One (instrumental version) - The Shandells* • Shortnin’ Bread (instrumental version) - The Readymen* • Lizzy Lost Her Beach Ball - T Lawrence Sherwood Greens*

*CD ONLY

Happy Birthday Chuck E. Weiss!

Remembering Chuck E. Weiss on his birthday with a discussion of 78s, a few performances and a tribute from Tom Waits.

LINKS

Radio 8Ball Eleni Mandell & Chuck E. Weiss chat with Andras Jones

Radio 8Ball All Day Sucker with Chuck E. Weiss, 2017

Charles Lloyd shares "Booker's Garden" from his new album

Charles Lloyd's new album The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow is out now via Blue Note. Check out "Booker's Garden"

That time Horace Andy played Toronto's Woodbine Park in 2022

Believe it or not, reggae great Horace Andy rocked Toronto's Luminato Fest in 2022. He's playing Mississauga on May 19th! 

Horace Andy joins Leroy Sibbles, Errol Dunkley and Jimmy Reid at Eve in Mississauga on May 19 – get tickets here.