Over 40 million records sold. More than 40 years of unparalleled creativity. Countless sold-out tours. An impassioned global fan base. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Inductions into the Canadian and U.S. Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Officers of the Order of Canada. Countless other awards and recognitions. And now, their own pinball machine.
George Harrison Performs “Pirate Song” On Rutland Weekend Television
Here is George Harrison’s Pirate Song from Monty Python member Eric Idle’s Rutland Weekend Television show on BBC2 in 1975.
My Next Read: “Mark Hollis: A Perfect Silence” by Ben Wardle
Mark Hollis: A Perfect Silence by Ben Wardle is the first complete, in-depth biography of the Talk Talk leader draws on scores of new and original interviews with Mark’s friends, musicians, collaborators and record company personnel to create this important and substantial biography.
Tracing Mark Hollis’s life from earliest beginnings through his formative years, author Ben Wardle offers genuine insight into the creative forces which helped shape the sound and songs recorded by Talk Talk. For the first time a perfect silence explains the realities and explodes the myths surrounding Hollis and Talk Talk’s career, and in doing so reveals the working patterns, sense of humour and desire for privacy of the man himself.
Among the interviewees for this book are Simon Brenner, producer Rhett Davies, Phill Brown, James Marsh, musical collaborators George Page, Phil Ramocon, Martin Ditcham, Dominic Miller, Mark Feltham, Johnny Turnbull, Robbie McIntosh and others. Talk Talk live sound engineer Chris Beale, long-time manager Keith Aspden, original A&R manager Ashley Goodall, old school friends, numerous industry figures, friends and acquaintances who knew him only after he’d retired all add fresh insight and perspective to this extensive and engaging biography.
Author: Ben Wardle lectures on the music business at The University of Gloucestershire. He has written several books, and contributed features to publications including The Guardian, The Word and Long Live Vinyl. He has written and presented regular music columns for BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, and in a previous life was A&R for various record companies including Warners, RCA and V2.
SiriusXM launches ‘David Bowie Channel’ celebrating artist’s life and music
SiriusXM will celebrate the influential music of David Bowie this January with the all new, limited-run David Bowie Channel. Honouring what would have been the singer’s 75th birthday on January 8, listeners can expect to hear music spanning Bowie’s entire catalogue – from timeless and beloved classics to recently unearthed rarities.
The David Bowie Channel will feature live tracks from concert performances, along with rare tracks and remixes of Bowie’s greatest songs. Celebrity guest DJs including Beck, Billy Corgan, Linda Perry, Carlos Alomar, Rosanna Arquette, David Arquette, Patrick Stump and more, will host and spotlight their favourite Bowie tunes and share memories of the iconic artist.
Listeners of the David Bowie Channel can also expect to hear favourite covers featuring popular artists doing their renditions of Bowie’s songs, as well as the Top 75 David Bowie tracks.
Listeners can catch this special pop-up channel for two weeks beginning January 4 through January 18 on SiriusXM’s channel 104, and throughout the month of January, streaming online on the SXM App.
SiriusXM is available to subscribers in their car, on their phone and connected devices at home with the SXM App. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go to www.siriusxm.ca/ways-to-listen/ to learn more.
Music Therapist Jennifer Buchanan Shows ‘Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist’ for Health & Well-Being in New Book
Can music and a mindfully-made playlist soothe and improve health and well-being? Multi-award winning Canadian music therapist Jennifer Buchanan knows it to be so, and shares both how (and why) in her new book, Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist — available now.
“Just like our physical health, our mental health requires attention — perhaps now more than ever,” Buchanan says. “When you are in transition or feeling lost, music can be the lifeline you need to get you through to the next step. Even during the most challenging of times, it can reassure us that everything is going to be okay.”
Diving deep to transform absent-minded playlist-making into an artful form of self-care, Buchanan is a lighthouse in the endless sea of songs across Spotify, SoundCloud, and the like. Cover to cover, the Calgary-based author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker wastes no time harnessing her leading expertise as a Certified Music Therapist (MTA) to guide readers through building their own thoughtfully compiled playlists — and why they should.
“Music can transport us to a different place; it can help us remember, or forget,” she explains. “And in theory, putting together a playlist is incredibly simple, but that does not make it easy.
“Wellness, Wellplayed helps you discover all the ways playlists can impact our memory, mood, and motivation,” she continues. “It shows how to use playlists with purpose as a bridge to something deeper within ourselves, and demonstrates how music and playlists can be a way to address our human need to feel, create, and connect.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates: Starting with a forward from The Awesome Music Project’s Rob Carli and Terry Stuart, a Canadian fundraising initiative designed to further research relating to music’s profound impact on mental health, the book also features ringing endorsements from the Eagles’ Don Felder, Toyota North America’s head of Business Transformation Douglas Moore, Live Nation’s Central Region Vice-President Harvey Cohen, Guitars for Vets’ Steve Gilliss, and more.
The author of two award-winning books — Tune In (2nd Ed, 2020), and Wellness Incorporated (2019) — as well as a children’s sing-a-long story celebrating diversity and abilities, My Body’s Special, Jennifer Buchanan has been instrumental in the implementation of hundreds of music therapy programs and advocating for music therapy services throughout Canada since 1991. A multi-nominee for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact Award, she holds an MBA specializing in social entrepreneurship in addition to her MTA, and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Guardian, Huffington Post, and The Globe and Mail.
Now, through Wellness, Wellplayed: The Power of a Playlist, Buchanan offers readers an accessible and approachable path to crafting a healing and helpful soundscape all their own.
“There is so much scientific, clinical, and personal evidence that proves music improves health and well-being,” she says. “Music can be a sure friend, and I believe there is no better way to give our mental health the care it needs than through the right music, at the right time, and in the right way.”
Canadian Non-Profit Euterpe: Music Is The Key Announces Newly Expanded Offering to School-Age Children Nationwide
Abundant is the garden planted with musical seeds, says the charitable non-profit Euterpe: Music Is The Key — and that’s just the bountiful flower bed they’re sowing with their growing series of Canadian school-age programming, initiatives, awareness, and releases.
Named for the mythical Greek muse of music, Euterpe (pronounced you-ter-pee) is expanding its 15+ years of bringing one-of-a-kind, enriching Classical, Jazz, and other musical experiences into local schools towards a series of larger, farther-reaching outreach across the country.
“The reduction — and in some places, outright elimination — of music in our schools over the last 20 years is a crisis in itself,” Euterpe’s founder and artistic director Dr. Catherine Wilson says. “With the ongoing impact of Covid-19 further exacerbating many situations, the problems our children face now could have been greatly reduced if music had been available to them in this way.”
Among the solutions, according to Dr. Wilson in both her tenured experience in the field, as well personally crediting music as having saved her life, is to expand the introduction of the craft to students of all ages, levels of musical familiarity and experience, and a range of variously-served communities.
“Our unique programs provide compelling and fun experiences with benefits that last a lifetime,” she explains. “These experiences are known to be inspirational, educational, and to have tremendous impact on children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Underserved children and communities are a focus, but all children, and all ages, are on our radar.”
Through the creation of multiple categories of world-class video programs that relay the same inspiring musical experiences held through their live performances, the Toronto-based collective is set to expand its reach to national and international audiences.
First is the dynamically designed hybrid series born from Euterpe’s 15+ years of live music education performance programs in schools that is funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The hybrid series will feature interactive live talks that will actively involve children’s participation.
Second is the first six of 30+ music education performance videos, with initial funding from the Canada Council For The Arts, that Euterpe is creating to be provided free-of-charge to Canadian schools. “This video series will be available nationwide, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms, allowing the benefits of our inspiring and invaluable work to be accessed by school boards in all provinces and territories, and around the world.”
“When musical seeds are planted, it can lead to enhancing focus and discipline in all areas of academia — including geometry, math, artistry, and more,” she continues. “We also believe, as our motto says, that ‘music is the key’ for embedding skills to overcome problems and puzzles, unfolding social development and a deeper understanding of leadership, emotional expression, empathy, creativity, group cooperation, and social skills.
“When cultivated, these seeds can spark a career in music, all the way to sometimes, and most profoundly, fostering an inner healing of trauma, or the rebalancing of the spirit and body for overall well-being.”
On board are esteemed musicians Corey Gemmell, Tom Mueller, George Koller, and Norman Hathaway, Euterpe’s president, (who all play alongside Wilson as part of Euterpe’s parallel flagship core-music outfit, Ensemble Vivant) delivering Euterpe’s programs, along with many other notable artists from the Classical and Jazz communities.
One such example is drummer and composer Adrian Bent (Drake, Jay Z, Daniel Caesar, Stevie Wonder), who has embraced the program’s offerings, and is also collaborating with Ensemble Vivant on their forthcoming new album, iFUGUE (A World of Fugues), set to be released March 31, 2022 — the anniversary of J.S. Bach’s birth.
“This music is so important, and children are not getting opportunities like these in schools anymore,” Bent says. “Studies say learning music like this makes you smarter, and I know this is true. Euterpe: Music Is The Key inspires children, and opens their minds to the world of music, and its enriching benefits.”
Euterpe’s mission-forward, front-and-centre focus on providing children an immersive experience unlike anything they have ever heard continues to leave lasting impressions on a resounding number of participants.
Now age 20, recording artist and musical theatre mainstay Ismael Paris was in Grade 6 when first introduced to Classical and Jazz music through Euterpe: Music Is The Key. “I remember sitting on the gym floor, and all of the experience was so fascinating to me,” the Dear Evan Hansen and Hamilton performer shares. “Everything seemed just perfect, and I remember feeling euphoric. I felt I needed to be part of this, and that I needed to go to the pianist, Catherine Wilson, and ask her to help me — which she did, so much.
“Music has honestly changed my life so much,” Paris continues. “Not only has it helped me through so much personally, but I also find music brings people together. Euterpe has been very supportive with my music, inspiring and helping me build my craft, and shape my musical path.”
Music Is The Key to great doors opening, and with Euterpe’s expanded programming more children across Canada are set to walk through.
Buffy Sainte-Marie signs with Cameron Strang’s Howe Sound Music Publishing
Academy Award-winning songwriter, musician and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie has signed with Cameron Strang’s Howe Sound Music Publishing to represent her illustrious catalog.
Buffy Sainte-Marie is the most recognized, celebrated, and successful Indigenous artist of all time. Over the course of her five-decade career, Buffy has inspired multiple generations of musicians, artists, and activists. This powerful, raw singer/songwriter with unmatched scope has steadfastly refused to be trapped in the patterns of the past or be entangled in the limitations of the contemporary music industry, especially its stipulation that artists must be mainstream to succeed.
In addition to winning five JUNO Awards and being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1995, Buffy was the first Indigenous person to win an Academy Award Oscar as co-writer of “Up Where We Belong” in 1983 for Best Original Song. From the film An Officer and a Gentleman, the song recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes also won Golden Globe and BAFTA statues.
Her catalog includes: “Until It’s Time For You To Go,” “Up Where We Belong,” “Universal Soldier,” Cod’ine,” “Soldier Blue,” “Now That The Buffalo’s Gone,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thy People You’re Dying,” “Starwalker,” “Carry It On,” “He’s An Indian Cowboy in the Rodeo,” “It’s My Way,” “I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again,” “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee,” “No No Keshagesh,” “Piney Wood Hills,” “Darling Don’t Cry,” “You Got To Run (Spirit of the Wind),” Little Wheel Spin and Spin,” and hundreds more.
Her songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Gram Parsons, Janis Joplin, Neko Case, Françoise Hardy, Cher, Indigo Girls, Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond, Chet Atkins, Kanye West, Shirley Bassey, Donovan, Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes, Glen Campbell, Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Roberta Flack, Young Thugs, Willie Nelson, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Man, the Barracudas, Courtney Love, and many, many others.
“Our goal is to support Buffy, take care of her songs and find new ways to bring her music to people,” says Strang, the former Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Records and Warner Chappell Music Publishing. “I have so much admiration for Buffy. She’s an amazing person, an incredible artist and activist who is dedicated to creativity. She really lives it, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
Adds Buffy’s long-time manager, Gilles Paquin, CEO and President of Paquin Entertainment Group in “Buffy had been resistant to making a publishing deal until Cameron. She wanted someone who would help protect her music and legacy who also understands and connects with her music and lyrics. Cameron understands that Buffy’s messaging has continued to develop over the years. He also understands the importance of her work in the indigenous movement and the relevance of her music to the contemporary world.
Additionally, production has begun on a feature documentary film, Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On, directed by Madison Thomas. The film will blend the multifaceted eras of Buffy’s life experiences and will immerse the audience in the depths of her equanimity, devotion to innovation, passion for philosophy, and love for the world. The film is produced by White Pine Pictures, Eagle Vision and Paquin Entertainment and is slated to be released theatrically in the Fall of 2022, followed by broadcasts via Bell Media and APTN in Canada and PBS/American Masters in the US.
Sonic Reducers: The Ronnie James Dio Documentary Will Be Out In 2022
Sonic Reducers: 5 minutes. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
The Ronnie James Dio Documentary Will Be Out In 2022, and we discuss his importance in heavy metal, and if Eric will again hear shouts of “Dio” because they’re the same height.
Keith Moon Does An Interview About His Water Bed, And Then Destroys Hotel Room
Appearing on The Rolling Stone 10th Anniversary Special in 1977, Keith Moon tells one of his great hotel room destruction stories, and then gives a practical demonstration. Also seen here are Billy Preston, Melissa Manchester, Phoebe Snow and Steve Martin.
Sonic Reducers: The 2022 Album Preview: The Weeknd, Elvis Costello, Jack White and More!
Sonic Reducers. 1 topic. 2 music nerds. 5 minutes.
We run down some of the albums we’re looking forward to in 2022, hear Eric confess his love for Sinead O’Connor and watch Darryl totally blank on the title of an Elvis Costello album. It happens.