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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Reimagine Johnny Cash’s Music For New Album

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Columbia/Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday, November 13, 2020.

Produced by Nick Patrick and Don Reedman and recorded at the fabled Abbey Road Studio 2, Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the latest in a series of RPO albums showcasing classic recordings by timeless artists in sublime new musical settings.

Producers Reedman and Patrick consulted with John Carter Cash, who serves as Executive Producer, in making the career-spanning selection of 12 Johnny Cash master recordings centering the album. Performances range from archetypal Cash classics like “Man In Black” and “Ring Of Fire” to essential musical collaborations including “Girl From The North Country” (Bob Dylan with Johnny Cash), “The Loving Gift” (with June Carter Cash) and “Highwayman” (with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash).

Penned–and first recorded in 1977–by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb, “Highwayman” became the title track for a 1979 Glen Campbell album and the inspiration behind The Highwaymen, an outlaw country supergroup (formed in 1984) featuring Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. In 1985, Highwayman, the group’s platinum-selling debut album hit #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart while their definitive version of “Highwayman” spent 20 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart while earning Webb a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1986. “I love that original recording (by the Highwaymen),” says Jimmy Webb, “but as an arranger myself, I often wondered what it might sound like if Johnny Cash and his three bandmates had an orchestra and lush strings behind them. The fearless and precise Don Reedman put an end to my wondering: They sound spectacular with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra behind them. The production is exquisite and provides yet another life for this song that still goes ’round and ’round.”

The track “Farther Along” captures the rapturous sound of guitar legend Duane Eddy living his fantasy of playing in Johnny Cash’s band as he blends his signature twang into a new arrangement of a deep JC catalog gem. “I always dreamed of playing with John, because of Luther Perkins,” says Eddy, acknowledging one of the architects of rockabilly; a key member of JC’s band from 1954 until his death in 1968, Luther Perkins is credited with inventing Cash’s “boom-chicka-boom” rhythmic trademark. “Luther and I lived in the same neighborhood, musically speaking (on the bass strings of the guitar), though somehow we managed to have our own sound and style,” Eddy continues. “When Luther passed, I thought of calling Johnny and asking for a job to fill in for Luther. But then I decided I was being a bit too presumptuous. So I didn’t do it. So thanks to Don and John Carter, I was able to realize my dream after all.”

The recordings of “I Walk The Line” and “Flesh and Blood” used in making Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are both previously unreleased alternate takes from Johnny Cash’s soundtrack sessions for “I Walk The Line,” a 1970 film starring Gregory Peck and Tuesday Weld.

“I believe we have captured the emotion, sensitivity and genuine honesty of Johnny Cash through his story telling and his touching and captivating vocal performances,” says Don Reedman in his notes for Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. “With his unique drama, warmth and tone, the bass baritone voice of this iconic artist Johnny Cash, blends beautifully with the stunning understated symphonic arrangements by the uniquely talented arranger Robin A. Smith and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra….. Making this album with my co-producer Nick Patrick has been a true labour of love, and I believe we have captured the complete spirit and musical message that makes Johnny Cash such a heart-touching and loved artist, whom we are so honoured to serve in our way. Johnny Cash was a man of many emotions and the depth in the songs he sang and the message in those songs strikes a chord in all our hearts.”

Nick Patrick adds, “All these things make up an extraordinary artist. An artist who told the truth, no matter what the consequences. An artist who spoke for the man in the street, who spoke for those with no voice. An artist whose faith spoke through his music. To have the opportunity to work on this album, on some of the most iconic recordings made has been beyond incredible. To feel so close to the voice is to somehow feel closer to the artist. It has been a truly amazing experience. When we were sitting and listening to songs to be considered on this record we realized what a rich body of work we had to draw on….. Making this album has been a life affirming experience, one I will never forget. We thank from the bottom of our hearts the Cash Family for entrusting us with it.”

“My father, Johnny Cash, was in some ways an orchestra unto himself. His deep rich timbre lent to the rich resonance of French horns and cello. His depth of tone and perfect pitch inspired as deeply as a masterfully conducted symphony,” writes John Carter Cash in his liner notes for the album. “But if he were here today and chose to seek an orchestra to support him as the backdrop for the canvas, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra would be his choice…. I remember when my father introduced me to the RPO. I was around ten years old and he and I went to see three films from the James Bond saga at a festival in New York. When the theme for Goldfinger began, he leaned over to me. ‘That’s the finest orchestra in the world, son, he said. ‘That’s the Royal Philharmonic.’…. He knew the music of the RPO. He respected them all throughout his life…. I know my father would be enormously excited to see this new album become a reality. I am beyond proud to introduce this masterwork, the essential work of Johnny Cash with the orchestra that he revered and appreciated above all else.”

During his career, Johnny Cash–who’d traced his surname to 11th century King Malcolm IV of Scotland and Fife–held a longstanding fondness for the UK and, especially, Ireland, where he performed 12 shows in 10 days in 1963. Cash’s love for the Irish folk tradition may be heard in his interpretation of “Galway Bay,” included on Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and other songs in his repertoire. Johnny’s 1963 visit to Ireland–his first–was chronicled in the RTÉ “Documentary On One, Johnny Cash’s Lost Tour of Ireland.” A previously unavailable concert, Johnny Cash – Live in Ireland 1993 (featuring June Carter Cash, John Carter Cash, The Carter Family, Kris Kristofferson and Irish singer Sandy Kelly) was released on DVD in 2006.

RPO’s fruitful association with Legacy Recordings has included the phenomenal worldwide success of 2015’s If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (which has sold more than 1.5 million copies), 2016’s The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (which sold more than 800,000 copies worldwide) and Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Albums chart in 2017). Legacy Recordings, in partnership with Roy’s Boy’s LLC, has also released A Love So Beautiful: Roy Orbison with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2017) and Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2018). Christmas with The Stars and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was released for the 2019 yuletide season.

Johnny Cash and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1. Man In Black
2. Galway Bay
3. Girl From The North Country (Bob Dylan with Johnny Cash)
4. I Came To Believe
5. A Thing Called Love
6. The Loving Gift (with June Carter Cash)
7. I Walk The Line
8. Farther Along (featuring Duane Eddy)
9. Flesh and Blood
10. The Gambler
11. Ring Of Fire
12. Highwayman (The Highwaymen: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash)

Things to note before starting your music blog

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As media is turning more and more digital, music consumption is going increasingly online. More and more people are turning to the internet for every kind of music content. Therein rests the opportunity for artists and enthusiasts to set up music blogs and showcase rich content based on generic and specific needs.

Once you’ve decided that you’ve got to start a music blog, you’ll have to ask some pertinent questions before you go about setting it up online. Such as, what is the target audience? What kind of content will you publish? How many website visitors are you expecting?

Now that your mind is set on it, here are the things that need to be kept in mind while finalizing, publishing and earning from your music blog.

(5 Things to Consider before Setting up Your Music Blog. Source: Unsplash) 

1)   Decide the purpose of your blog

First and foremost, ask yourself, why are you doing this? Is it to showcase your produced musical masterpieces? Is it to keep users abreast with the latest happenings in the music industry or to share your opinions about different artists across the globe?

Some of the common reasons are:

  •       Building your resume
  •       Honing your writing skills
  •       Building contacts with your favorite music stars
  •       Promote your work
  •       Tracking the latest music trends and hit lists.
  •       Making money out of it

 

2)   Choose your music genre

It is very important to define your music genre so that you can connect directly to a specific target audience. Deciding upon your niche will help filter out what your blog is going to be all about. It is essential for it to have a genre and for that you have to hone your skills in that type of music as long as you plan to display your work on the blog. Some of the major music genres include: Pop, country, jazz, rock, R&B and soul, hip hop, jazz, electronic dance, blues, classic, opera, folk, heavy metal, Latin, reggae, etc.

Ensure that through your selected genre, you’re able to give real value to the visitors on the blog. Go check out if there are music blogs already online for the type of music you’re in for and see if your music blog can be more unique than others out there.

 

3)   Decide your domain name and hosting partner

Once you’ve figured out what your blog will be all about and what type of content you’ll keep posting on it, you will have to choose a domain name and extension. You’d want to go for a .com extension so that it’s more familiar and easy to remember since that’s what usually people search for as well. Keep the domain name short, simple and avoid using complicated words in it. Say, your blog is about jazz music and you want to name it ‘jazzblog’ but you find that the name is already taken, then you can go for ‘thejazzblog’ or ‘jazzmusicblog’ whichever is available.

Selecting a web hosting solutions provider should be the next in things to keep in mind before starting a music website. A web host is a service that will park your site’s online files and data, making it visible to users on the internet. Depending on your needs, you can choose from a simple, free and ad-heavy web host or go for a comprehensive and flexible web hosting plan, something what Hosting Foundry offers to keep your music blog safe and secure on the internet. It is advisable that when you’re starting out, go for a WordPress-based blog that handles and showcases your basic content.

(5 Things to Consider before Setting up Your Music Blog. Source: Unsplash)  

4)   Choose a theme

Having a theme for your music blog will determine how your music blog looks on the internet. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to the type of template that will be used to display your music website. The free options may come with a few limitations and may not provide you full customization of the look and feel of the site. On the other hand, a paid theme can offer you more flexibility in terms of how you want your music blog to be visible.

While going for a good theme, check for how it will respond on mobile phone, tablets and other devices. Its design, speed, reviews and customer service features are something you’d want to look into before choosing the best theme.

 

5)   Create pages and begin

Essential pages provide a structure to your website and these will be those web pages that won’t need constant updating or editing. Essential pages would include – About, Contact and Privacy Policy.

In the ‘About’ page, you can tell about your blog and what it actually is all about. Here you can also share about your background and your passion towards music so that it gives a sense of connection with your end user.

The ‘Contact’ or ‘Contact Us’ page should have all the necessary information about how the user can get in touch with you.

A ‘Privacy Policy’ page protects and warns users and readers from potential policy breaches. You can go and opt for more legal pages like the ‘Terms and Conditions’ page.

Depending on how interactive you want to be with your users, you can create a ‘submit your music’ page so that you create a platform for your users to cabinet their music on your blog.

With these things in order, begin blogging, churn out good and relevant content for your users and make the most of being a music blogger.

Truck Accidents and the Reasons Why Accidents are caused

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Every day several accidents happen on roads between all types of vehicles, including bicycles, cars, trucks, etc. However, Truck accident resulting from large vehicles cause massive scale damage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, almost one-third of the crashes resulted from driver errors, among other inevitable causes. The most prominent being over-speeding and distracted driving.

There are approximately 268 million vehicles on the road, and only 4% of this number accounts for large trucks. Irrespective of this small number, they are the cause of 1 in every 10 highway deaths. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh around 80,000 pounds or 40 tons. A typical car weighs approximately 3000 to 4000 pounds. Trucks cannot slow down their speed or stop as quickly as cars do and thus tend to hit vehicles with a higher rate and more significant impact, causing fatal injuries.

Although large trucks have the potential of causing catastrophic damages, their importance in our economy cannot be denied. They drive our economy, and we are dependent on them to transport essential goods and necessities to our communities. Therefore, the use of large trucks cannot be avoided, and hence it is crucial to ensure truck safety in itself. Factors that majorly

Reasons for Truck accidents involve:

Long Hours of service

Extended and long hours of service of truck drivers are ordinary. Very long hours result in exhaustion and fatigue. It is the primary cause of truck accidents. The federal government must impose hours of service regulation on commercial drivers to limit their service hours and keep tired drivers off the roads.

Speeding

It is widespread among truck drivers to drive at high speeds. However, slowing down and stopping a truck is not very easy, resulting in truck accidents.

Distraction or inattention

Inattention while driving is a serious issue. Anything that diverts the attention of the driver is a distraction. Truck drivers are prone to distractions, including gossiping with the person on passengers’ seats or sending texts while driving. Studies show that drivers who send text messages while going are 23 times more likely to get involved in critical truck accidents than others.

Work Zone Crises

Work zones are especially dangerous because roads may be blocked, narrowed, or removed, and traffic may delay or end abruptly.

Most maximum work zone collisions are rear-ended accidents. Truckers may not recognize that large vehicles require more space to stop than small cars do. A considerable car that’s travelling 55 mph requires

Impairment

Tiredness is a severe dilemma in the trucking business. Truckers operate lengthy hours and usually don’t get the rest they want. Standard drivers only demand little naps when they need long sleep to revive their bodies and souls to excellent functioning levels.

Reckless Driving

Approximately 5% of deadly truck events are caused by transportation issues, including tire or brake damage. Accidents occur, but when a collision involves a considerable truck, the loss. Truck driver mistakes, such as racing and inattentive driving, were circumstances in all of the accidents. Massive trucks are an integral part of our economy. The company oversees security systems for truckers, and other business motor vehicles include these conditions.

  1. Racing
  2. Distraction or inattention
  3. Collapse to allow the right of way
  4. Impairment (fatigue, alcohol, illness, etc.)
  5. Reckless driving

Safety Advice for Driving

Some truckers fail to understand that using the road with a truck differs from sharing it with the car. While you’re using the highway with cars, you should consider several anticipations.

Pass with Care

Don’t try to overtake a truck until you notice that it is away from you in your rearview mirror and continuously provide them with the other place. Never cross trucks on slopes, where they manage to accumulate speed.

Never Cross Off a Truck

If you pass in front of a colossal vehicle immediately, you might be in a blocked place and could become hit. Identify that a car requires a much larger area than a car to get to a complete stop in a crisis.

Assume Extended Turns

Notice that large transports require more vacancy to move. Don’t obstruct the area at crossings and never attempt to move by a turning truck.

Be Composed

Large trucks don’t work the identical method cars do and may need to be extended to stimulate. Don’t be offensive, or you could generate a disturbance that leads to a mishap.

Becoming a Local: 5 Easy Ways to Make Friends in a New City

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Moving to a new city can be a stressful and exciting experience.

The long to-do list, and the exhaustion of packing, moving, unpacking, and settling in, can be very stressful. On the other hand, settling into a new place, seeing new sights, and having a new area to explore can be more than just a little exciting.

However, many people find it difficult to make friends in a new city. This is especially true for adults who can go for years without making a new friend.

Fortunately, there are a few tips you can use to make new friends in your new city. If you are considering moving or are just settling in, here are a few tips to help you meet people and forge new friendships.

  1. Start With Your Co-Workers

A great tip for how to make friends in a new city is to start with your co-workers. The people you are spending a lot of time with during the day can easily become friends outside of work. Attend any off-site events and make an effort to connect with people on a deeper level.

  1. Join Meetups

One of the best ways to meet friends in a new city is to join meetups. These are groups that connect like-minded people and bring them together in off and online events. Choose a meetup that sparks your interest and start making friends.

  1. Get a Recommendation

A helpful way to meet new friends in your area is to get a recommendation. Post to your social media pages and groups that you are moving and ask for friend recommendations in your new city. This is a surprising way to meet new people that come with a first-hand recommendation from a trusted friend.

  1. Use a Friend-Finding App

Did you know there are apps to make friends in a new city? They are similar to dating apps but you connect with people based on friendship. Download a few of these apps, put yourself out there, and make some new friends.

  1. Try Something New

One of the best ways to meet new people is to get outside of your comfort zone and try something new. If you are not creative, try a paint and sip event.

If you a not into concerts, try attending a concert. This is a great way to meet new people while also expanding your interests.

If you are wondering what concerts are in your area, you can learn more here.

Use These Tips to Make Friends in a New City

By using these tips to make friends in a new city, you can avoid the loneliness that can come with moving to a new place.

Start by being friendly with your co-workers. You can also join local meetups, get a recommendation from your friends, and use a friend-finding app. You can also try something new to meet new people.

Use these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a full social calendar in no time at all.

Don’t forget to browse our site for advice on personal finance, entertainment, interesting stories, and more.

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5 Benefits of Smoking With Glass Hand Pipes

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Did you know people used to get high at funerals?

In Central Asia, about 2,500 years ago, it was a mortuary ritual to smoke cannabis at funerals. Sitting around the corpse, funeral members would inhale cannabis smoke that came from incense burners. The best part is that the bud they’d smoke was super dank, with very high THC levels.

Whether you’re looking to unwind or boost your creativity, cannabis offers so many different benefits. However, to get the best experience, you’ll want to make sure you use the right smoking hardware, such as glass hand pipes.

Why are glass pipes better than other smoking devices? Read on to find out!

  1. Extra Tasty Smoking Experience

Did you know that smoking with a glass is one of the best ways to enjoy the flavor of your bud? Cannabis is full of terpenes, and it’s the terpenes that give your bud it’s unique flavor and aroma. However, if you’re using metal or wood pipes, those materials can taint the bud’s flavor making it have a chemical or metallic taste.

Tips for Preserving the Taste of Weed

To preserve the flavor and aroma of your weed, you have to protect the terpenes. Here are a few of the best ways to keep your weed tasty and strong:

  • Don’t overhandle buds
  • Keep out of sunlight
  • Store in airtight container

By storing your cannabis in a cool, dark location, you’ll be able to have the best smoking experience!

  1. Ability to Be Discrete

Unfortunately, not everyone is okay with recreational or medical marijuana use. Whether you have uptight roommates or nosey neighbors, small glass pipes offer a discrete smoking option. Also, if you’re going to be traveling, you can bring your glass pipe without having to worry about it breaking.

While an intricate bong could easily break, stored correctly, glass pipes can withstand being jostled around. Your glass pipe will also be able to withstand higher temperatures than wood, metal, or plastic. That means you can burn your bud, without burning your hands.

Use a Smell Proof Container

While glass pipes are small and discrete, you’ll still need to make sure you’re storing them in a smell proof container. You can’t expect a simple Ziploc bag to contain the intense aroma both your bud, and pipe will give off.

We suggest you buy a smell proof container that’s large enough to store all of your smoking hardware. That way, when you’re ready to light up you’ll have everything you need in 1 convenient location.

  1. A Variety of Fun Glass Hand Pipes

One of the best parts about buying glass hand pipes is that they come in all sorts of fun shapes, sizes, and designs! Do you want to feel like Sherlock Holmes? Then look for old school Sherlock glass pipes that come with a long neck. Of course, if you’re looking for the most discrete option, you’ll want to get a small handheld pipe, with a medium-sized bowl.

You can also find all sorts of fun designs, such as Rick and Morty themed pipes, animal-themed pipes, and more! If you’re into art, we suggest you look for glass smoking pipes made by local artists. In addition to the different designs, you can also find pipes made out of beautiful glass colors.

Tips for Buying Glass Pipes

Do you need your pipe for solo or group smoking sessions? If the pipe is just for you, consider getting a small chillum, or a hand pipe with a small bowl. The smaller the bowl, the more green hits you’ll be able to enjoy!

  1. Super Easy to Clean

One of the fastest ways to ruin your smoking experience is to smoke your bud out of a dirty, resin-filled bowl. Not only is the smoke harsher when your pipe’s dirty, but it’ll also taste stale and just plain bad.

Luckily, when you own glass pipes, you’ll find it’s easy to keep them clean. Here are the supplies you’ll need to clean any type of glass pipe:

  • Ziploc bag
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Salt

First, you’ll need to put your pipe in the plastic bag, and then fill the bag with isopropyl alcohol. Next, add 2 teaspoons of salt and seal the bag. After letting the pipe soak for 1 hour, it’s time to shake things up!

Carefully, shake the bag, helping the salt solution get in every crevice of your pipe. Next, take the pipe out of the bag and rinse it with room temperature water. Finally, allow your pipe to air dry, and it’ll be ready for action.

  1. Get the Best Hit

Last but not least, glass smoking pipes will help you get the best-sized hit. While large bongs can be fun for parties, they can also overwhelm your lungs. Instead, we find that handheld glass pipes offer the perfect sized hit, without overdoing it.

To get the best results, you’ll want to grind up your weed and avoid overpacking your bowl. Also, if your bowl has a large hole, you should consider getting a small screen to prevent losing any weed.

Tips for Getting Higher

True or false: The longer you hold your hit of weed, the higher you’ll get. If you guessed false, you’re right!

A lot of marijuana smokers hold their hits for 10-15 seconds. However, the truth is you only need to hold your hit for 3 seconds to enjoy the maximum effects.

Puff Puff Relax

It’s clear to see that glass hand pipes are the perfect way to enhance your smoking experience. From clean hits to fun designs, there’s so much these pipes have to offer. We suggest you visit a smoke shop today so you can see for yourself what type of sizes, and shapes, you can buy.

Remember to keep in mind what you’ll be using the pipe for, so you don’t wind up getting one that’s too big or too small. For more daily tips, check out the rest of this site!

 

Cobourg, ON’s Folkster HARRY HANNAH Makes a Stop in “Alberta” with Vivid New Single

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Canadian folk/roots rocker Harry Hannah makes a stop in “Alberta” for his striking new single — available now.

Landing ahead of his forthcoming EP, The Wild Side, “Alberta” serves as a prime example of the Cobourg, Ontario artist’s adventurous and multi-faceted songwriting style. “I like to be very visual with my writing,” Hannah considers. “It helps me submerse into the artistic universe. I don’t know if it always comes across, but there’s usually a specific scene or setting that goes along with the timeline of the story in my songs.

“I also try to connect those scenes when I’m writing a full project,” he continues, “but it’s up to the listener to interpret the song or message their own way. I want them to take what they want from it.

“That being said, I really enjoy when a song is so vivid, you can see it, like a painting in your head; it makes it tough to ignore what the artist has to say.”

Harry Hannah first broke onto the scene with a series of original demo tracks just last year, and has played and written with the likes of Steve O’Connor (Blue Rodeo), John Switzer, Gary Craig, Barry Haggarty, Steve Briggs, Murray Foster (Great Big Sea), and more.

Vancouver’s MARIA MANNA Fearless “I Like It In The Water” Tells Tale Of Love’s Bliss And Female Empowerment

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Multi-award winning singer/songwriter Maria Manna shares a message of love’s bliss and female empowerment alike in her sassy new single, “I Like It In The Water.”

An indefatigable dynamo across her 45-year career and pure gem in Canada’s creative crown, “I Like It In The Water” lands as a moment for pause to revel in the fruits of a life well lived. “My inspiration while filming the video was my husband, who sat in the audience,” Manna shares. “He knows I like to dance in the water…

“The song was created as a celebration of life, and the desire to share intimacy with the person of your choice. It captures the essence of the joy of living and giving to your special someone. It’s my hope that showcasing love and happiness gives a sense of freedom of choice as an evolved, responsible being.

“My message to all women is to feel free to dance in the water with your loved one any which way you desire,” she continues. “Dance the dance of love! Exist in this life just as you are!

“You are beautiful just being you.”

An inimitably talented vocalist most specialized in the genres of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Italian, Manna is also an esteemed music director and producer with the Vancouver Island Gospel Festival, Vancouver Island’s Got Talent, Victoria Idol, Tony and Tina’s Wedding, and many more to her credit.

Inducted into the Alberta Music Archives, Manna is an ordained minister, recipient of the 2013 YoUnlimited Woman of Style Award, and has worked and performed with Dal Richards, Anne Mortifee, Jane Mortifee, Mike Reno, Jeff Neill, Paul Horn, Tommy Banks, Alfie Zappacosta, David Foster, and more. She’s released three previous albums, including 2007’s Between the Sheets and 2017’s With Love, and is the first female Italian Canadian to record in Italian in Alberta.

She’s a TV writer and producer for Maria Manna City Chat, an actor on the movie set of “The Engagement Ring”, the author of Earth Angels “Bella Figura,” playwright for “It’s Amore”: A tribute to Italian American Music and Comedy, and powerhouse franchise owner in the financial services sector.

Also under Manna’s extensive set of skills and service to others are her extensive and laudable philanthropic endeavours that have spanned her career. An honourable recipient of both the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2013) and Sovereign Medal (2016), Manna has founded three charities — U-JAMS, BC Vocalist Society, and the Jazz Foundation of Canada — and the creation of the Victoria Conservatory of Music: Maria Manna Bursary Fund.

“I Like It In The Water” was written and composed by Maria Manna, Mark Robson, and Dean Hajas, with production credits to Christopher Grew and Dean Hajas.

Montreal’s Fredy V. & The Foundation Throwback to Funk in Inspirational New Single, “One Step”

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Canadian artist and producer Fredy V. and his powerhouse band The Foundation are back, unleashing their ‘modern funk’ meets ‘classic throwback’ NEW single, “One Step.”

The song holds a strong message, and lands ahead of Fredy V. & The Foundation’s forthcoming EP, One Step — set for release on October 30, 2020.

“It’s got a nostalgic mood while still remaining relevant through its lyrics,” Fredy V. says about “One Step.” “There’s an empowering message in there, too — the importance of taking a leap of faith towards your purpose.

“It’s an anthem for aspiring performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs.”

The notion directly aligns with the group’s initiative to produce the EP in the first place, he adds; in the spirit of the single, Fredy V. & The Foundation have partnered with the Montreal-area Dynastie Sports Institute — aka not your average basketball academy.

“Dynastie are dedicated to recruiting and developing high-level French-speaking talent from countries like Congo, Guinea, France, and Ivory Coast with the goal of ushering the next wave of NBA players out of Quebec,” Fredy explains. “The journey of an aspiring professional basketball player and the come up of independent artists are very similar in numerous ways; there’s lots of crossover in the goals, including ownership, entrepreneurship, positive media relations, and a mission to improve their respective communities.”

In honour of the partnership, Fredy V. & The Foundation and Dynastie Sports Institute have developed the #OneStepMission, a promise between the two ‘teams’ to take at least ‘one step’ towards their goals, their dreams, and their ‘why.’ The song’s video was shot at the Institute and features the ’20-’21 roster, and a documentary detailing the unique journey of Dynastie and its players is in the works.

As for looking ahead to the album, “we got some for everybody!” Fredy enthuses.

From his breakthrough solo release, 2017’s #ItTakesAVillage, to weekly appearances as CBC / Radio-Canada Les Poilus’ house band, to performing at the Montreal Jazz Fest and Cape Verde’s Atlantic Music Expo, and more, Fredy V. continues to bridge the gap between his North American and West African cultures through a now-signature funk, Afro-pop and R&B sound.

For their intrinsic part, The Foundation are a group of highly skilled, ‘first call’ musicians known for playing with the world’s top r&b, hip hop, funk, gospel and jazz acts. After gaining collective experience from producing and performing for a national TV show aired weekly, the group used their momentum and for the first time began creating new music together.

Ottawa’s Pop-R&B Artist, Dancer & Actor AZYM Sings of a Love Best Lost in New Single “One and Only”

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As a young phenom, Canadian pop-R&B singer, dancer and actor Azym sings of a love best lost in his new single, “One and Only.”

“This is about a bad relationship that was toxic, indecisive, and hurtful,” Azym shares of the track’s meaning. “The couple push and pull each other in different directions and, in the end, only destroy it.

“Obviously after a relationship ends, you feel kinda bad about it,” he continues of the song, which features Kalista Wilson as the muse. “In situations like this one in the song, though, it really is about realizing it’s better to have nothing at all than to stay in a relationship that’s not working.

“With a relationship that is as bad as the one in the song, it’s better to let go, move on, and grow.”

As as a multi-talented triple threat with previous singles “Open Up” and “Feel The Groove” under his belt, the Ottawa-based artist was recently hand-picked to audition for America’s Got Talent, won Silver at the 2020 World Championships of Performing Arts, was a semi-finalist in the International SongWriting Competition (2019), was an Official Nominee of the American Songwriting Awards (2018), and more.
Azym performs regularly, with 30+ live shows pre-quarantine; he’s been a Semi-Finalist in a 2018 ‘Family Channel’ Competition, performed on Rogers Live Daytime Ottawa TV for a Children’s Hospital (CHEO) fundraiser, participated in an exclusive interview with Pacific Northwest Radio’s talk show host for ‘Make a Scene Canada,’ and selected as a Semi-Finalist in the singing and acting categories at the New York City International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA).

Canadian Matriarch of the Blues DALANNAH Takes a “Look Ahead” with Powerful Single and Video

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Canadian matriarch of the blues and veritable force of musical nature Dalannah takes an optimistic, introspective, and encouraging “Look Ahead” with the release of her new single and video — each available now.

“This song is an invitation and a reminder for us all as ‘stewards of the land’ to ensure we walk consciously and conscientiously in regard to Mother Earth and all living things,” Dalannah says. “The current climate in regards to Mother Earth is a sign that we must be aware of the damage we are causing; waters are receding and flooding, ancient icebergs are melting.

“We have entered a crucial time in our relationship to Mother Earth, and it is our responsibility to be active in ‘changing the tide.’ We cannot be idle in our daily practices. I encourage everyone to act with consideration and be an example of the positive and good way to respect the environment and all living things. We must carry the torch of respect for Mother Earth.

“As Chief Dan George says, ‘We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.’

The song is the latest to come from her fifth and most recent studio album Looking Back, out via Quest Records and with support from Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia.

“I am very fortunate at this time in life as I usually get a message from spirit that it is time to do a CD,” Dalannah shares of her creative process and how Looking Back came to be. “All my albums have come from a waking moment where something comes through me…

“There has always been an underlying theme for my recordings,” she adds. “For Looking Back, I woke up one morning and knew I still had something to say musically at this crucial time. The more I thought about it, I knew that it was — and is — the undeniable fact that we need to take a good look at how we walk on Mother Earth…

“A good look at how we ‘be.’

“One of the basic hereditary teachings and beliefs of our tribal Indigenous communities is that we are not just casual visitors on this planet, we are the current generation of ancestral caretakers who must see that the needs of our children and their children’s children are not squandered, but harvested and shared and replenished for their use.

“As I was Looking Back on my life and its successes and failures to write songs for this album, I realized my worst times came from self-indulgence and a lack of concern or awareness of my personal footprints and behaviours in life, and how they effected others,” she recalls. “But also my best and most rewarding experiences were those that required giving, sharing, loving, and caring.

“For example,” she continues, “the era of my ‘hippie’ years with protests against war, nuclear power, pollution, and injustices, there was camaraderie in fighting for a just cause; that has become a sustaining purpose in my life, and will remain so as I ‘Look Ahead.’”

“It is an obligation to commit and participate in ensuring the earth’s resources are shared wisely so as to be available in perpetuity for all humankind.”

Born of African-Canadian and Cherokee heritage, Dalannah Gail Bowen’s indisputable prowess as a prolific singer, songwriter, actress, playwright, storyteller, event producer, social activist, International Memphis Blues Awards semi-finalist and Blues Hall of Fame Master Blues Artist has secured her standing as a fixture of the blues, rock and soul music-making scene for over 40 years.

Canadian Musician Magazine says she “has a truly spectacular set of pipes, and a most commanding stage presence,” before adding that Dalannah “has one of those voices that lays claim to part of your soul the first time you hear it, and never lets go.

“Smoky. Earthy. Soulful. Powerful. But it’s not just the voice, it’s what she does with it. So much emotion. So much control.”

Critics and colleagues across the board have long been ones to agree; an in-demand vocalist, she has performed alongside or opened for the likes of Led Zeppelin, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, as well as The Monkees and The Guess Who during her time with all-female group, The Feminine Touch.

Downbeat Magazine named her 2015 release Been Around A While one of the top blues albums of the year, and that year she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Artist. Releases Mamma’s Got The Blues and Them Menz were also released to international critical acclaim, and she can also be heard in a wide range of musical collaborations, including traditional drum group The Snowy Owl Drummers, tribute collective to the world-renowned gospel singer in Songs of Mahalia Jackson, and Billie’s Blues: A Tribute to Billie Holiday.

It’s efforts like these that awarded her “The Key to The City” and have December 11th officially declared “Dalannah Gail Bowen Day” by Vancouver’s Mayor and Council.

All this to say there have long been many facets of Dalannah to shine, and they all share a common spark, joy, determination and fire towards her womanhood and craft.

The new release, Looking Back, takes the dynamic artist’s work in a new direction, with the music drawing more heavily from Dalannah’s own and more personal story.

“My journey has led me from an unsettled childhood, to finding music, to getting lost in the trauma, to finding traditional ceremony, and all that that means as far as healing is concerned,” she shares. “My journey as an activist started way back in the 60s, marching for the anti-apartheid movement and human rights… Women’s rights.

“Now, at this place and time, I have the opportunity to be a messenger through my music, and through Looking Back.

“The album also takes a hard look back at our world, and our cultures,” she adds of its genesis. “It takes a look towards our future, too.”

Produced by Michael Creber, Looking Back was recorded at Vancouver’s Monarch Studios and Warehouse Studio on classic mics seemingly designed to capture Dalannah’s rich, arresting vox.

The album features a veritable who’s who of the area’s local music scene, including Jim Byrnes, The Sorjourners, Tom Keenleyside, Andreas Schuld, Chris Nordquist, Miles Hill, Olaf de Shield, Brian Newcombe, and Rob Becker.

“We could have probably called it ‘How We Spent Our Summer’,” she laughs, recalling the release’s recording process. “We more or less missed hitting the beach, but our studio tans looked great!

“And wait ‘till you hear what we put down.”

You don’t have to wait much beyond this line… Looking Back and “Look Ahead” are available now.