Listen to "Rainy Day" by Brownie McGhee

Remembering singer/guitarist Brownie McGhee on his birthday with "Rainy Day" accompanied by Sonny Terry. 

Remembering Johnny Dyani on his birthday

Thinking of Johnny Dyani on his birthday with an appearance with Pierre Dørge's New Jungle Orchestra and more.  

Happy Birthday Sally Timms!

Celebrating the birthday of the ever-fabulous Sally Timms with a few tunes accompanied by her sidekick Jon Langford and pals. 

Happy Birthday Randy Newman!

Celebrating Randy's birthday with his Midnight Special appearance from '74 and Robert Hilburn's discussion of his new bio. 

One For The Weekend: Ray Vernon & The Raymen

Link Wray (right) and brother Vernon cut the uptempo rocker "Hold It" in 1962 with the grinder "Big City After Dark" on the flip. 

Tokyo's Zoobombs rock the Monarch, Thursday

Don't miss Don Matsuo and his Zoobombs crew tear it up in T.O. Get tickets here. And grab a copy of The Best, 1994-2024. 

Happy Birthday Lori Barbero!

Cheers to Babes In Toyland drummer and Minneapolis disco dance champion Lori Barbero on her birthday! Check the clips. 

Way back in 1983, Lori brought Minor Threat to Minneapolis for a small show for friends.     Photo: Suzanne Beauchaine

Midweek Mixdown: David Pajo

Papa M's David Pajo plays music from a few of his favourite M's – Mekons, Miller, Mavis and Mary Margaret right here.

Tracklisting: 

C418 - Moog City

ROGER MILLER - My Pillow

JIMMY REED - Little Rain

ALAN WILSON - London Blues

FRED WESLEY & THE JB'S - You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks And I'll Be Straight

THE WAITRESSES - I Know What Boys Like

CREAM - Deserted Cities Of The Heart (Live)

MEKONS - My Body J.F.K., Pt. 1

MEKONS - Snow

MEKONS - You Wear It Well

THE LEFT BANKE - She May Call You Up Tonight

MEKONS - Where Were You?

ROGER MILLER - The Tip Of My Fingers

MAVIS STAPLES - You Are Not Alone

MARY MARGARET O'HARA - Dream I Had (I)

C418 - Moog City 2

ROCKETS - On The Road Again

David's new Papa M album "Ballads Of Harry Houdini is out now via Drag City. Get it via Bandcamp right here.

Josh Brolin chats about his new memoir with Bensinger, Kimmel & Norton

Josh Brolin recently toured the chat show circuit with his new memoir From Under The Truck. Here are the results. 

Get a copy of Josh Brolin's new memoir From Under The Truck via Harper Collins right here.

Small portion of Chicago street renamed in Steve Albini's honour

Visit Steve Albini Way at West Belmont Ave and Rockwell St. in Chicago. Watch the dedication ceremony and musical salute with Fred Armisen & Sally Timms.  

After the ceremony, Jon Langford, Sally Timms and Fred Armisen performed the kind of musical salute Steve would've enjoyed.

Remembering influential Brit folk guitarist Davy Graham on his birthday

Check out Davy performing "She Moved Through The Fair" along with a few gems that will be on Cherry Red's new 8 CD box.

Davy Graham – He Moved Through The Fair 

• 8 CDs housed in a beautiful clamshell box.

• Bringing together all his 1960s studio recordings plus demo and live recordings.

• With extensive sleeve note essay, original liner notes and a rare 2000 interview with Davy Graham.

The godfather of British acoustic guitar, Davy Graham (1940-2008) has had a tremendous influence on guitarists from Martin Carthy, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Paul Simon to Jimmy Page, Graham Coxon and Bernard Butler. He studied music from India, the Middle East and North Africa to devise new tunings and ways of playing blues, jazz and English traditional music. One of his most enduring legacies is the DADGAD tuning. An absolutely original, creative musical giant, Davy thought about things in a different way and wasn't bound by any musical preconceptions.

This sumptuous 8CD set includes the seminal, and hugely influential, 1965 albums: ‘Folk, Blues & Beyond’ and ‘Folk Roots’, New Routes’, the latter recorded with Shirley Collins. Both albums served as important templates for Pentangle and Fairport Convention to develop English folk-rock.

The original version of ‘Anji’ from 1962 - Graham’s most well-known composition, recorded by Simon & Garfunkel, Bert Jansch and many others - appears alongside a stunning live performance. All in all, ‘He Moved Through The Fair’ (out November 29) provides a marvellous opportunity to focus attention on this remarkable musician. You can pre-order a copy directly from Cherry Red Records right here here. Check the tracklist below followed by a few clips. 

Davy Graham – He Moved Through The Fair

DISC ONE: The First Recordings and The GUITAR PLAYER

1  Angi

2  Davy’s Train Blues

3  ¾ AD

4  Worksong +*

5  Saturday Night Shuffle +*

6  Angi +*

7  God Loves His Children, Brother +*

8  Hey Bud Blues +*

9  She Moved Through The Fair

10  Mustapha

11  Careless Love

12  Hallelujah, I Love Her So

13  Sunset Eyes

14  Southbound Train

15  Take Five

16  Don’t Stop The Carnival

17  Sermonette

18  Take Five

19  How Long, How Long Blues

20  Sunset Eyes

21  Cry Me A River

22  The Ruby & The Pearl

23  Buffalo

24  Exodus

25  Yellow Bird

26  Blues For Betty

27  Hallelujah, I Love Her So

DISC TWO: FOLK, BLUES & BEYOND…

1  Leavin’ Blues

2  Cocaine

3  Sally Free And Easy

4  Black Is The Colour Of My True Love’s Hair

5  Rock Me Baby

6  Seven Gypsies

7  Ballad Of The Sad Young Men

8  Moanin’

9  Skillet

10  Ain’t Nobody’s Business What I Do

11  Maajun (A Taste of Tangier)

12  I Can’t Keep From Cryin’ Sometimes

13  Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright

14  My Babe

15  Goin’ Down Slow

16  Better Git It In Your Soul

DISC THREE: FOLK ROOTS, NEW ROUTES

1  Nottamun Town

2  Proud Maisrie

3  The Cherry Tree Carol

4  Blue Monk

5  Hares On The Mountain

6  Reynardine

7  Pretty Saro

8  Rif Mountain

9  Jane, Jane

10  Love Is Pleasin’

11  Boll Weevil, Holler

12  Hori Horo

13  Bad Girl

14  Lord Gregory

15  Grooveyard

16  Dearest Dear

DISC FOUR: MIDNIGHT MAN plus

1  No Preacher Blues

2  The Fakir

3  I’m Looking Thru’ You

4  Hummingbird

5  Watermelon Man

6  Stormy Monday

7  Money Honey

8  Walkin’ The Dog

9  Fire In My Soul

10  Lost Lover Blues

11  Neighbour, Neighbour

12  Jubilation

13  Rags And Old Iron

14  Jelly Roll Baker

15  Jubilation *

16  Travelling Man *

17  Sally Free & Easy *

18  I’m Ready *

19  Work Song *

20  Rock Me *

21  No Preacher Blues *

22  The Preacher *

23  Sweet Home Chicago *

24  The Cat Came Back *

DISC FIVE: AFTER HOURS, Live at Hull University, 4th February 1967

1  Work Song *

2  Cocaine *

3  Buhaina Chant *

4  Grooveyard *

5  Bourée In E Minor *

6  Gavotte or Bourée from the D Minor Suite *

7  How Long Blues *

8  She Moved Thru’ The Bizarre / Blue Raga *

9  Miserlou *

10  Hey Bud Blues *

11  Buffalo *

12  Jubilation *

13  Louisiana Blues

14  Afro-Blue

DISC SIX: LARGE AS LIFE & TWICE AS NATURAL plus

1  Both Sides Now

2  Bad Boy Blues

3  Tristano

4  Babe, It Ain’t No Lie

5  Bruton Town

6  Sunshine Raga

7  Freight Train Blues

8  Jenra

9  Electric Chair

10  Good Morning Blues

11  Beautiful City

12  Blue Raga

13  Better Git It In Your Soul *

14  Neighbour, Neighbour *

15  Panic Room Blues *

16  Skillet Good & Greasy *

17  Buhaina Chant *

18  Money, Honey *

19  Maajun *

20  Miserlou *

DISC SEVEN: HAT plus

1  Getting Better

2  Lotus Blossom

3  I’m Ready

4  Buhaina Chant

5  Homeward Bound

6  Love Is Pleasing

7  Hornpipe for Harpsichord Played Upon Guitar

8  Down Along The Cove

9  Hoochie Coochie Man

10  Stan’s Guitar

11  Pretty Polly

12  Bulgarian Dance

13  I Am A Rock

14  Oliver

15 She Moved Through The Fair 

DISC EIGHT: THE HOLLY KALEIDOSCOPE and GODINGTON BOUNDARY

1  Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall

2  Wilt Thou Unkind

3  Blackbird

4  Blues At Gino's

5  Since I Fell For You

6  Sunny Moon For Two

7  Fingerbuster

8  Here, There And Everywhere

9  Ramblin' Sailor

10  Mary, Open The Door

11  I Know My Love

12  Charlie

13  Bridge Over Troubled Water

14  Little Man You've Had A Busy Day

15  I’m A Freeborn Man (Of The Travelling People)

16  The Preacher

17  All Of Me

18  Afta

19  On Green Dolphin Street

20  Dallas Rag

21  ‘Round Midnight

22  Work Song

23  Joe Joe, The Cannibal Kid

24  Everything’s Fine Right Now

25  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

26  Mother Nature’s Son

27  Grooveyard

28  Forty Ton Parachute

* live recording

+* previously unreleased recording

 

Saturday Night Rockers w/ Nana McLean @ BSMT 254, Saturday

Toronto reggae great Nana McLean will be backed by Dub Chronicles at 254 Lansdowne on Saturday. DJ Earl Grey spins vinyl gems.

Here's the scoop...

Canadian Reggae Queen Nana McLean will be making a rare appearance as part of the Saturday Night Rockers party at BSMT 254 (254 Lansdowne) backed by The Dub Chronicles with DJ Earl Grey on the decks! Tickets are $22.63 advance and available via Eventbrite right here. 

NANA MCLEAN’s long, storied singing career began in St. Catherine, Jamaica and eventually brought her to Toronto where she continues to record and perform to this day. Her 1977 debut single ‘’Till I Kiss You” on the legendary STUDIO ONE record label is a banger that still crushes at dances to this day, as do many of her other cuts on essential record labels as Jammy’s and A&M, earning her the title ’The Queen of Reggae in Canada’.

Nana was also recently featured in the superb NFB 'Sounds and Pressure: Reggae in a Foreign Land' documentary series.

Co-Creator of the series, and founder of the Toronto-based SHELLA RECORDS, Mr. Chris Flanagan aka DJ EARL GREY is co-producing this show, will be selling exclusive vinyl from his label & will be your DJ for the evening. 

Says DJ Earl Grey: "Over the weekend I had the pleasure of witnessing some studio magic with Nana McLean and Local Dish  in The Dub Shed working on some new lathe cut 45s for the Saturday night Rockers show at BSMT 254 (Check it out right here). Though Nana is now a friend,  it's a surreal experience to see such a legend at work in the studio. One of these tracks – which echoes Half Moon productions like Joe Higgs "Creation" – will be available for sale oat the show along with other Local Dish and Shella productions. Be there early and see our Queen of Reggae in combination with The Dub Chronicles for a Studio One showcase!!"

It should also be mentioned that backing up Nana will be Toronto’s own ‘brothers in dub’ - THE DUB CHRONICLES, who have just released their 4th fantastic full-length album, THE ARCHIVES which is now available on all streaming platforms. It's an 11-track instrumental gem that explores the depths of dub music. The opening set will feature choice cuts from that album with a couple guest vocal appearances.

And, of course, we mustn’t forget to mention our illustrious Master of Ceremonies … Toronto’s very own ‘Dub-Poet-At-Large’ … the Right Honourable MR. CLIFTON JOSEPH.

This will be a night to remember … and is truly not to be missed! Check out Nana's segment from the Sounds and Pressure documentary series along with a 2016 performance at the Opera House below. 

Kids In The Hall: A Show for the Great Bellini @ Danforth Music Hall, Monday

Kids In The Hall perform in support of writer/actor Paul Bellini at the Danforth Music Hall tonight at 6 pm. Get tickets right here.  

Japan's Zoobombs return to Canada for 30th Anniversary tour

Don Matsuo and his Zoobombs crew hit the Monarch Tavern on Thursday (Nov 28) as part of their 30th Anniversary victory lap. Don't miss it!  

Here's the scoop from promoter Dan Burke...

Japan's Zoobombs – one of the greatest bands I've ever worked with – return to Toronto for a show at Monarch Tavern on Thursday (November 28)  as part of their 30th anniversary tour and upcoming release of "Best Of Zoobombs" vinyl LP.

Advance TICKETS just $18.50 online via Showclix right here. 

TOUR DATES also include...

HAMILTON 11/21 @casbahgram w/ @blandlordmusic 

OTTAWA 11/22 @houseoftarg w/ The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol, @theshookboys 

QUEBEC CITY 11/23 @ Le Knock Out 

MONTREAL 11/27 @bar_lesco

w/ @shunkland , @lastwaltzon (presented by @popmontreal )

OSHAWA 11/29 @theatria_on w/ @shamfamilyshamfamily , @beefboysband 

LONDON 11/30 - venue TBA

Poster by David Kleiser @nation_of_kleisonia. 

Watch a recent Zoobombs performance of "Doo-Bee" followed by a clip of a Toronto music fest showcase shot by Mitch Fillion for Southern Souls below. 

Remembering Richard Tee on his birthday

Remembering pianist Richard Tee with a few performances with Stuff and a couple of his stellar studio sessions. 

Listen to Retro Obscuro #179 with DJ Kitschy Mama

Check out Retro Obscuro 179 featuring songs from Joan & The Hearts, Jimmy Tyler and the Terrigan Bros. right here.

Remembering Stud Cole on his birthday

Remembering Buffalo-born Patrick Tirone aka Stud Cole with 2 songs cut in 1968 reissued by Norton on the Burn Baby Burn CD. 

90s Nostalgia: The Action Swingers

Here's a few clips of the Action Swingers at various stages fronted by singer/guitarist Ned Hayden with Bob Bert and many others. 

Songs of Nick Drake 50th Anniversary Concert @ Hugh's Room, Nov 23 & 24

Luke Jackson and friends salute to Nick Drake at Hugh's Room on Saturday is sold out. Get tickets for Sunday's show below. 

Here's the scoop...

Hugh’s Room is delighted to announce the return of The Songs of Nick Drake on Saturday (November 23 with a second show added on Sunday November 24). This labour-of-love show is produced by UK-born Toronto musician and impresario Luke Jackson, who worked with Nick’s string arranger, the late great Robert Kirby, on his 2009 album And Then Some. Luke is one of a handful of people entrusted with Kirby’s original arrangements of Nick’s songs. Faithful renditions of those songs with strings form the bedrock of the concert, and creative arrangements of the rest of Nick’s canon make up the balance of the night.

 

The house band features drummer Cam Giroux (Weeping Tile, By Divine Right), bassist Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Ani Difranco), and Toronto renaissance man Kurt Swinghammer on guitar.

 

The string quartet comprises Wendy Solomon on cello, Johann Lotter on viola, and Sahra Featherstone and Alex Cheung on violin.

 

Three featured performers are flying in to participate in the concert: Michelle Willis (David Crosby, Snarky Puppy), Kevin Kane (The Grapes of Wrath), and Suzie Ungerleider (formerly Oh Susanna), along with Toronto singer/songwriters Kathryn Rose, Conor Gains and Trish Robb. Flautist Andrea Kovats and Jackson himself round out the line-up.

 

This concert marks the 50th anniversary of Nick Drake’s death on November 25, 1974, and will be the first Songs of Nick Drake concert in five years. Although Saturday's show is sold out, there are a few tickets remaining for the Sunday show right here. The last concert was held at the original Hugh’s Room in November 2019 and was lovingly recorded and filmed for posterity. You can watch it following the preview clip for the 50th Anniversary Concert below. 

Remembering Hoagy Carmichael on his birthday

Raising a glass to pianist/composer and actor Hoagy Carmichael on his birthday with a couple of classic performances. 

R.I.P. Mark Ridlen of Lithium X-Mas, Quad Pi, Rapid Fire

Sadly, Mark Ridlen of Dallas bands Lithium X-Mas and Quad Pi (aka Rapid Fire in Ron Howard's "Cotton Candy") has passed away.

LINKS
Advocate Behind the scenes of Ron Howard's 1978 film "Cotton Candy"

Mark Arm & Mick Harvey join Ed Kuepper in The Saints '73-'78

Here are a few clips of Mark Arm & Mick Harvey performing with Ed Kuepper's The Saints '73-'78 in Australia. 

One For The Weekend: Kelly Willis

Here's Kelly Willis performing "Not Forgotten You." Check out a Magnet Magazine conversation with Kelly right here.

Remembering composer/pianist Charlie Palmieri on his birthday

Thinking of pianist/composer  Charlie Palmieri on his birthday with a few stellar recordings and two performance clips. 

T Bone Burnett reunites with Elvis Costello as The Coward Brothers

Elvis Costello & T Bone Burnett played "Like Licorice" & "Always" as The Coward Brothers on The Late Show last night. 

The Farmer Boys vs. Snuffy Jenkins & The Hired Hands

Snuffy Jenkins and crew put a Carolina bluegrass spin on "Charming Betsy" cut by the Farmer Boys with future Buckaroos Roy Nichols & Jelly Sanders. 

Midweek Mixdown: Sheena's Jungle Room w/ Kitschy Mama

Kitschy Mama has dusted off some ancient organ jams from the 40s, 50s and 60s for her Organ Harvest show for WFMU-FM.

Here's the scoop from DJ Kitschy Mama....

The 3rd Tuesday is rollin' around again! That means I'm spinnin' ye olde organ tunes on Sheena's Jungle Room on WFMU. Music your granny doesn't even like!  Listen in right here: https://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/146199

Toronto soul great Jay Douglas @ Old Mill Jazz Lounge, Friday

Jay Douglas – featured in the new Play It Loud! documentary – performs two sets at the Old Mill on Friday at 8 pm sharp. 

The new documentary Play It Loud! screens at the Hot Docs Cinema on Dec 4th and 7th. Get tickets here.

Happy Birthday Nanette Workman!

Celebrating Nanette's birthday with a few stellar performances including a "Lady Marmalade" duet with Celine Dion. 

Channel One Sound System @ Black Creek Assembly, Thursday

Direct from the UK, the Channel One Sound System makes their Toronto debut at 131 McCormack St. on Thursday night.

Get tickets for Channel One Sound System's Toronto show right here. 

Happy Bing-a-Bing-Bong Birthday Eek-A-Mouse!

Raising a g-g-g-glass to singjay pioneer Eek-A-Mouse on his birthday with a couple of vintage clips and his new single. 

Happy Birthday Sheila Jordan!

Raising a glass to jazz singer extraordinaire Sheila Jordan on her birthday, still going strong at 96! Here's an interview and more.

Baltimore's Magick Potion join Rough Spells, AAWKS @ Handlebar, Sunday

Don't miss Baltimore's heavy whumpin' Magick Potion headline a Toronto triple bill at Handlebar tonight. Doors at 7:30 pm. $15. 

Watch Pat Todd & The RankOutsiders rock Bergamo!

Here's L.A.'s Pat Todd & his RankOutsiders tearin' it up at Punk Rock Raduno 5 in Italy. Catch 'em at The Redwood on Nov 30. 

Remembering Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin on his birthday

Raising a glass to Louisiana accordion ace Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin on his birthday with a couple of vintage performance clips worth checking.