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Released November 20th., 2004.
You know it's getting close when they start announcing the Countdown to Christmas... But that's still 35 days away! So enough talk of Christmas... let's get on with the news;
November kicked off with a blast. "For the Love of Song" was held November 7th., at the venerable old LSPU Hall, in downtown St. Johns. Hosted by Dennis Parker, the show featured (L to R) Trevor Davis, Matthew Carpenter, Colin Harris, Rick Lambe and an enthusiastic audience that hung on every chord.
I guess that the cozy atmosphere of the LSPU may have helped a bit (it has a great accoustic set up) but it was the talent of these excellent young artists that shone that night! It was an incredible show, featuring some of Newfoundland's best young singer songwriters.
While there, Colin Harris of Silverseed gave me an update on the band's latest project. "SilverSeed just began pre-production on their second album," he said, "so far the direction is fairly heavy in the vien of Deal With The Devil, and The Dog. Any release is still a good way off, but we're looking forward to getting it out there." (BTW their first CD "Bronzed" is still available)
Rick Lambe is also working on a new album, but we didn't get to connect on the subject. I do know that a new album is in the works, and Rick promises it will take a totally different direction from the MIA award winning CD "Lost Time". I also know that the working title is "High Expectations".
Singer / songwriter (and former Boxer) Paul Thorn has a new CD out! Produced by Sweet T & Black Eyed Pea, "Are You With Me?" is Paul's 6th album, and the subject of an upcoming episode of "The Songwriters" early in the new year. I featured the album on the Sunday Morning Hangover Cure, and The Blind Lemon Blues last week, and both time's got very positive feedback! It is a great album from an amazing tallent!
Newfoundland band Dr. Zoo have a new member! Jeff Guy Power is affectionately known as "Onion", and takes over on Bass. "A great bassist and great guy." Randal told me, "Shaundar has decided to work more behind the scenes, as it will be hard to juggle future touring with work and family commitments."
Randal went on to say, "The past few months we have been busy redefining our style and sound, and writing great new songs for the upcoming album. Our new style combines elements of rhythm and blues, African, jazz and reggae, with strong melodies and hard hitting rock songs. We call it melodic groove rock."
Another Newfoundland act that has new music on the market is The Palmer Girls. They will launch their Debut CD "Sisters" on November 28th., and were guests on The Songwriters to promote the CD. They are a group of 5 lovely and talented young ladies from Foxtrap, in Conception Bay South, and range in age from 9 to 16 years of age. The album is a mix of traditional tunes and original compositions, performed by a quintet of the most beautiful voices you have ever heard. It is a fantastic CD! Check the reviews section of this site for my review of The Palmer Girls "Sisters".
Speaking of new albums, two great Canadian Artists have New CD's out. Paul Reddick's "Villanelle" is produced by Colin Linden, and features a collection of sounds about or inspired by the road and The J.W. Jones Blues Band have a new CD out next week... which I am looking forward to hearing.
I was talking with Steve Hussey down at Fred's Records last week. He is a great guitarist, who has appeared on several albums as a player. Steve has paid his dues playing live shows and doing session work with a host of artists. As the old saying goes, 'He's forgotten more about the blues than most of us will ever know!' While we were talking, he let slip that he may have an album of his own in the works. Something to look farward to in the new year!
Last but certainly Not Least... The Music Industry Association Awards were handed out last week in St. Johns! I spoke with MIA President John Hutton, who told me that it was a great convention that featured incredible showcases, and forwards his greatest congratulations to this years award winners. Speaking of which, they were;
Male Artist of the Year � Barry Canning
Female Artist of the Year � Mary Barry
Galaxie Rising Star of the CBC � Janet Cull Band
Entertainer of the Year � Shanneyganock
Group of the Year � Janet Cull Band
Molson Canadian Pop-Rock Artist/Group of the Year � Crush
Steele Communications Album of the Year � Barry Canning Last Man Standing
SOCAN Song of the Year � Last Man Standing � Barry Canning & Alan Doyle
Country Artist of the Year � Terry Penney
Jazz/Blues Artist/Group of the Year � Janet Cull Band
Folk/Roots Artist/Group of the Year � Shanneyganock
Gospel Artist/Group of the Year � The Quintons
Instrumental Artist/Group of the Year � Duane Andrews
Volunteer of the Year � Fergus O� Byrne
Media Person of the Year � Krysta Rudofsky
Music Educator of the Year � Fergus O� Byrne
Industry Professional of the Year � Lyle Drake
Classical Artist/Group of the Year � Lloyd Bartlett and Heather Tulk
Outstanding Company of the Year � O� Brien�s Music Store
Lifetime Achievement Award � Joan Morrissey
CHMR's own Kevin Kelly was nominated for the MIA for Media Person of the Year, but lost out to Krysta Rudofsky. Kevin does a great show called Upon This Rock, every Saturday, and features all Newfoundland Artists. His support of the local music community is second to none, and deserving of recognition.
Many of the above mentioned artists have CD's available. If you would like to pick up a copy of any of these CD's, (In person or online), just visit Fred's Records. They have the best selection of local music you're likely to find, along with all your favorites!
In on Air News;
As of the release of this update, I still have nothing firm planned for this Christmas Season. I haven't heard whether of not the Downhomer Christmas will be a go, although I have be contemplating doing a revival of "A Cosmic Christmas", the Christmas / Comedy show Gabe and I hosted a few years back. I was even thinking of tracking Sir Gabriel down and getting him to co-host... although, as of now, it's just a thought.
A popular new feature on The Sunday Morning Hangover Cure will be kept for another season. The "Feature Album" has been getting some great feedback, and will continue into the next season, at the very least.
The Epic Filler Shows have hit the double digit's. I recorded the tenth edition of the show last week, and featured In-A-Gadda-Da-Vidda by Iron Butterfly to open the show. That song was one of the first I used as a Monday Night Epic.
Speaking of filler shows, the Archived episodes of The Songwriters are starting to get a bit stale, or at least out of date, so I will be recording a series of new shows, including planned interviews with Paul Thorn, Chris deBurgh and Paul Reddick. They will be premiering in the new season, starting January 9th., 2005.
Speaking of January... This January I will celebrate 28 years as a member of CHMR. I did my first live show on 860 CHMR-AM (Boy that brings back memories) on Friday, January 21st, 1977. Lets see... When I did my first show on CHMR, Frank Moores was Premier of Newfoundland, Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister of Canada, Gerald Ford was President of the United States and Elvis Presley was still the King. (Of Rock n Roll anyway!)
What's really wild is... I am twice as old as more than 90% of CHMR's other DJ's!!!
That's depressing! See you next month!
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