You get to choose 1 song, I get to chose 2.
Toronto’s ViVA TRIO Releases Special Rendition of “O CANADA” with Multi-Award Winning Top Canadian Artists
In honour of Canada Day 2020, internationally acclaimed vocalist trio ViVA Trio have assembled an incredible all-Canadian cast of talent to perform their rendition of “O Canada” virtually on Thursday, June 25th at 8pm EST via YouTube, Facebook & Instagram, and Wednesday, July 1st at 8pm EST via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
The multi-date performance will feature ViVA Trio’s sopranos Anna Bateman & Katya Tchoubar and mezzo-soprano Erin Fisher — a stunning set in their own right.
The trio is joined by multi-JUNO Award-nominee Gavin Hope (The Nylons), JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY Award-nominated MET Opera regular and Officer of the Order of Canada Russell Braun, JUNO Award-nominated tenor Mark Masri, The North of Nashville Star winning singer and actor Graham Scott Fleming, and female vocalist and star of Stargate: Atlantis Rachel Luttrell.
Instrumentalists for the piece include pianist Mark Camilleri — who has shared the stage with Il Divo, Celine Dion, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Anka, Sarah McLachlan, David Foster, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, to name a few — and internationally recognized violinist Vasil Popadiuk.
The collaboration is set to honour the spirit of Canada Day and create a sense of community — most especially whilst the COVID-19 pandemic keeps Canadians at home. “This Canada Day will be one that we all remember forever, for numerous reasons,” ViVA Trio’s Erin Fisher says. “We hope our version of the anthem will lift people’s spirits, and overflow with Canadian pride.”
“We are connected to each of these wonderful performers, and hope that this anthem creates the feeling of community that we have within this group of artists,” Anna Bateman agrees.
“Regardless of the situation, we want to kick off this Canada Day with a bang!” Katya Tchoubar, who edited and produced the video and sound files as well, adds. “Incredible Canadian talents all coming together!”
Canada’s First & Only Professionally Produced LIVE-Streamed Concert Series via BLUE FROG STUDIOS & BLUE FROG TV Announces July Lineup
White Rock, BC’s Blue Frog Studios has announced their exclusive early-Summer live concert lineup — including Jim Byrnes, The Kingpins, and more!
The homegrown ‘first-and-only of its kind’ series of live-streamed concerts from the British Columbia-based broadcast and recording theatre are an experience for the ages, and feature everything audiences traditionally enjoy from a live show: premium production, incredible acoustics, stunning visuals…
Only thing missing is a drink spilled on your shoe!
“This is a way for audiences to support and enjoy live music from their comfy couch,” Blue Frog Studios co-owner Kelly Breaks says. “We connect Canadians with performers and immerse them in the best concert sound they’ll ever experience at home.”
Artists agree: GRAMMY and JUNO Award-winning singer/songwriter Dan Hill says “I want to kidnap Blue Frog Studios and take it around the world with me. I can’t wait to come back!” while Platinum-selling and one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Singers of All Timers Paul Rodgers says “LOVE Blue Frog… What a great room.”
Located in the west coast beach town of White Rock, Blue Frog’s state-of-the-art concert theatre was already a jewel on the Canadian concert scene long before COVID-19 and the resulting concert cancellations factored in. Able to accommodate up to an 80-piece orchestra plus an intimate 100-seat audience, the studio provides world-class sound, lighting, video and audio recording technology — all helmed by an unparalleled production team.
Tickets for concerts at Blue Frog Studios can be purchased in advance for individual shows, or music lovers can subscribe to the Studio’s Blue Frog TV. The $7.99 monthly ‘ticket’ of sorts includes a virtual seat to all upcoming live streams, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and extended access to Blue Frog’s full library of archived shows — including the Philosopher Kings, Jane Bunnett, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Crystal Shawanda, Jefferson Starship, Sue Foley, Daniel Wesley, Powder Blues, and (many) more.
July Concert Lineup at Blue Frog Studios: Tickets for Blue Frog Live Streams
Jim Byrnes
Saturday, July 4th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 2nd)
The Kingpins
Saturday, July 11th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 9th)
Ladies Sing the Blues
Saturday, July 18th @ 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Earlybird tickets @ $14.50 ($19.50 after July 16th)
John Mayer Gives A 45-Minute Lesson In Guitar Playing
As one YouTuber commented, “Intermediate to most = plugging in the guitar. Intermediate to John = playing the whole Jimmy Hendrix set.”
DOWNCHILD 50th Anniversary CD “Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” Released August 14, 2020
One year ago today to the day, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band shut down Bloor Street West in Toronto to kick off their 50th Anniversary Tour in Canada, with a blues party for the ages at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, to over 10,000 fans, who packed the street to catch a glimpse of the world renowned band.
To mark the occasion, the band invited along some very special guests to help celebrate including, long-time friend and Hollywood Star Dan Aykroyd, former Letterman bandleader, Paul Shaffer, blues/rock icon David Wilcox, Grammy nominee, Kenny Neal, Gene Taylor (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Peter Jeffrey and Finland`s Queen of slide guitar Erja Lyytinen.
Downchild had a full slate of tour dates throughout the country this spring for the second half of their 50th Anniversary Tour, that was supposed to culminate with a grand finale show on June 22, 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and the band had to postpone all their shows until this fall for the safety of fans and to follow the direction of Heath Canada.
While they cannot perform LIVE right now, the band felt the next best thing they could do was release a LIVE CD to lift fans spirits in this challenging time and give them a live music concert experience. Fortunately, producer, L. Stu Young recorded their historic show in Toronto last summer and was impressed with results when he listened back to the performance.
“Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” is set for release on August 14, 2020 and will be exclusively available to purchase NOW through a special PRE-SALE on the band’s website here. The first 100 fans to buy the CD between June 22 – July 3 will receive a personally autographed copy and will get it in advance of the official release date. With the COVID-19 pandemic cause havoc for all touring Canadian musicians, Downchild will donate $5.00 for every CD sold to the Unison Benevolent Fund in support of their fellow musicians in these challenging times.
“We are honoured to be able to support a great cause like Unison, that truly takes care of our own, in supporting Canadian artists and Canadian music industry professionals in this difficult time. Like so many people across the country and around the world, the music community has been hit hard by the pandemic.” – Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh
The Unison Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. They are there to help professional music-makers in times of hardship, illness, or economic difficulties.
“Live At The Toronto Jazz Festival” Track Listing:
1) Can You Hear The Music
2) Understanding & Affection
3) It’s A Matter of Time (Featuring David Wilcox)
4) Madison Blues (Featuring David Wilcox)
5) One In A Million
6) I’m Gonna Tell Your Mother (Featuring Gene Taylor)
7) Mississippi Woman, Mississauga Man (Featuring Erja Lyytinen)
8) Shotgun Blues
9) Soul Man (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer & Kenny Neal)
10) I Got Everything I Need (Almost) (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer & Kenny Neal
11) Flip Flop and Fly (Featuring Dan Aykroyd, Paul Shaffer, David Wilcox, Kenny Neal & Erja Lyytinen)
12) TV Mama
2018 Juno Award winners, Downchild, include some of the most well-respected musicians in the country, who have performed together for over 25 years. Guitarist, harmonica player, leader and co-founder of the band, DONIE WALSH, lead singer and harmonica player CHUCK JACKSON, PAT CAREY on tenor sax, MIKE FITZPATRICK on drums, GARY KENDALL on bass, and former American super-group rocker MICHAEL FONFARA (of Rhinoceros/Lou Reed fame) on keyboards.
The Official Trailer for “Creem: America’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll Magazine” Doc
Capturing the messy upheaval of the ’70s just as rock was re-inventing itself, the film explores CREEM Magazine’s humble beginnings in post-riot Detroit, follows its upward trajectory from underground paper to national powerhouse, then bears witness to its imminent demise following the tragic and untimely deaths of its visionary publisher, Barry Kramer, and its most famous alum and genius clown prince, Lester Bangs, a year later. Fifty years after publishing its first issue, “America’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll Magazine” remains a seditious spirit in music and culture.
INXS ‘Live Baby Live’ – Restored, Remixed, Remastered To Be Released June 26, 2020
Live Baby Live, the seminal live show by INXS from 1991 is available for preorder now on 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD. The release follows the restored film’s hugely successful debut theatrical run in late 2019, playing on over a thousand screens from Sydney to Stockholm and London to Los Angeles.
The home entertainment release features the film presented in widescreen for the first time, and in over 20 times greater resolution (on 4K UHD blu-ray) than the original DVD release. This masterclass in showmanship and musicianship has been meticulously restored over a twelve-month period from the original 35mm negative to 4K Ultra HD, and during the process a previously thought lost performance of the ‘X’ album track “Lately” was discovered and reinstated into the film, much to the fans delight.
To accompany the astonishing visual upgrade, the audio is now presented in Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio (Blu-ray only), DTS 5.1 Surround and Dolby 5.1 Surround – all created by Giles Martin, the band’s Executive Music Director, and Sam Okell at Abbey Road Studios.
https://youtu.be/Q2qtE14H-PI
Canadian R&B Artist Emanuel Releases Debut EP, Session 1: Disillusion, Today
In a moment of global disillusionment as social unrest, race equality protests, and the crisis of a pandemic are weighing on the human spirit, Canadian R&B artist Emanuel’s debut EP makes its poignant arrival, fulfilling the true purpose of the artist: to reflect the emotions and times they are living through. On releasing Session 1: Disillusion today, Emanuel shares, “Debuting to the world on Juneteenth, a symbolic day in the celebration of freedom and emancipation for all enslaved Blacks in America, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of love, hope and healing as the world shifts right before our very eyes.”
With each self-penned song on Session 1: Disillusion, Emanuel’s vocals, rich with emotion, unveil his process of coping with a disillusioned portrait of life through alternative therapeutic outlets such as self-reflection, sex, drugs, and relationships.
He says, “Alt Therapy. It represents so many things.It is healing. Healing for those things in the past that would have us in bondage, in depression, in sadness. Those voices that told us we weren’t important.It’s gratification for the yearning in our hearts to do something great for the people of this world. These songs are stories-stories from me, about us. I believe God has been the leading benefactor. He gave me virtues and a voice. He gave me melodies that catch the ear and the soul.A ll of this, so that I could give a message of truth and love-filled with peace, to the world. This album is happening during this renaissance of beautiful black art in the world.I want to make my mark in this renaissance…with beautiful music…forged in countless hours of dedication and defiance to the bullshit going on.I would rather sip my favourite wine daily, then try all the world’s wines. My music is like wine that renews herself daily and is true to herf lavour always”
Following his international debut earlier this Spring with the release of his first single “Need You” and its globally collaborative video curated by Idris Elba OBE, – who also holds the role of Executive Producer – Emanuel introduces the first installment of ALT THERAPY with today’s release of Session 1: Disillusion, out now via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. Mixed by Gary Noble (Amy Winehouse, Nas, Fugees) and featuring original artwork by renowned contemporary visual artist FunnyTummy, Session 1: Disillusion explores the vulnerability that comes with self-work and uninhibited artistic expression.
The emotional reaction to Emanuel’s undeniable talent has been immediate from both the music industry and his rapidly growing fanbase. With the release of his debut single, Emanuel was named Apple Music’s New Artist of the Week, one of Amazon Music’s Artists to Watch, a Soundcloud Featured Artist, a Spotify “On The Radar” Artist, and landed Spotify’s premiere billboard in Toronto’s Yonge & Dundas Square. In two months, “Need You” has already accumulated millions of streams.
Session 1: Disillusion is the first collection of music Emanuel will share this year, culminating with the release of his debut album ALT THERAPY.
Emanuel – Session 1: Disillusion Tracklist:
“Need You”
“Thought It’d Be Easy”
“Addiction”
“Need You (Remix)”
Notes of a native son: The world according to James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an American novelist and social critic whose essays in “Notes of a Native Son” explored race, sex and class distinctions.
In the 1960s, the FBI amassed almost 2,000 documents in an investigation into one of America’s most celebrated minds. The subject of this inquiry was a writer named James Baldwin, one of the best-selling black authors in the world at the time. What made him loom so large in the imaginations of both the public and the authorities? Christina Greer explores the life and works of James Baldwin.