Influences: Albums/Artists that really matter

Last week on the show, I took up listener Oly’s challenge to make a list of the 15 albums that matter most to me. I found out quickly how impossible it really is. After much deliberation (and a week or so of forgetting all about it…), I’ve decided to post this list. By no means definitive, but a fun peek into how I ended up this way, I hope. These are the albums/artists that sent me off on the journey that led me to hosting this show, and continuing it every week. Some may surprise you, but that’s the beauty of being a music nerd; you can like all kinds of weird things.

1. Van Halen – pick one. This is how it all began.

2. Derek & The DominoesLayla & Other Assorted Love Songs (why? I was young & into guitar gods – check and double check, loved melodic, rockin tunes, check, wanted something a little deeper & more meaningful than most of the crap on the radio, definite check, felt lonely & miserable, GOLD STAR)

3. Van MorrisonMoondance (one of the greatest albums of all time, no doubt)

4. Bob MarleyExodus/Rastaman Vibration (if Oly can cheat and pick twofers, so can I)

5. Elvis Costello & The AttractionsThis Year’s Model (if this doesn’t rock your world, your world is broken)

6. The Pursuit of HappinessLove Junk

7. The WatchmenMcLaren Furnace Room/ Duck Shot HunterOrange tape/Yum / The Blue/New MeaniesExperience Is Lost / Three Seeds (I grew up hearing about the Guess Who, but they were rock stars before I was born. These bands showed me that real people from my home town could make amazing music. The Watchmen were able to make a great name for themselves across the country, and I got to watch and cheer along. The Blue/New Meanies worked like no band I’ve ever seen, and managed impressive success, before landing back on earth and becoming just a bunch of local guys who still make amazing music, from time to time. They went to my school, and they were boys from the ‘hood, so I had to be proud, and was glad to say that I saw them “way back when…” Duck Shot Hunter is the greatest band that never was. Friends and role models, I was their biggest (only?) fan. I felt like part of a really special, really cool club. All of these bands still bring back great memories of a really important time.)

8. Lowest of the LowShakespeare My Butt (changed me FOREVER. Melodic, rockin’, interesting, powerful – the first time songs really spoke to ME directly. Wow. Everything they did was amazing, but this was where it all began for me. Still a big fan of whatever these dudes do.)

9. Rheostatics Melville/Whale Music (landmarks in my evolution. The first time I realized that much of the greatest music is challenging on first listen. Becoming a Rheostatics nerd gave my life meaning and direction. Seriously. I travelled far and wide to see this band, lived and breathed their music, and said and did a lot of silly things out of passion and reverence. A big part of my growing up, in many ways.)

10. Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine (perfect for those Angry Young Man moments. We all have ’em, even if you’re not a man)

11. Skydiggers Restless (the first time I saw Skydiggers, I said that they were good, but they’d never become my favourite band. Soon after, I was wrong. They were my favourite band. Still one of the tops.)

12. Stephen FearingBlue Line (my first real “wow” moment at Winnipeg Folk Festival was seeing/hearing Stephen Fearing for the very first time. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this album. Love it still.)

13. Martin SextonBlack Sheep (I wasn’t even sure that he was human, doing such things with his voice. And those personal, heartfelt, emotional songs!?)

14. Blackie & The Rodeo KingsHigh or Hurtin’

tied w/ Willie P. BennettCollectibles (thank you Stephen Fearing for introducing the songs of Willie P Bennett to me. WIthout a doubt the most powerful songs ever written by a Canadian.)

15. Townes Van ZandtLegend (I do love Willie, but Townes will always be the king. Picking greatest hits collections by both is kind of cheating, but no matter what album I chose, I’d be missing out on too much, so these will have to do)

16. David Francey Torn Screen Door (If anyone can carry Willie’s torch, it’s David Francey. Such a beautiful, simple songwriter. You don’t need a PHD to understand and feel a David Francey song, and all you need is your ears to love them. He’s also a super great guy, which earns him points as well.)

17. The WeakerthansLeft & Leaving (another album that changed me and has stayed among my most-played for years. Again, when I first heard it, I didn’t get it at all, but something kept bringing me back until I was totally obsessed.)

18. Jim BrysonThe North Side Benches (where the music and the mood are as important as the lyrics. The mood will move you as much as anything. One of the greatest guitar players and lyricists anywhere, and a voice that perfectly suits the song. This is one of those “perfect” albums. He’s made more of them, but this was without a doubt a real masterpiece in his catalogue.)

19. The DamnwellsBastard of the Beat/Air Stereo (it appeals to my youthful pop/rock sensibilities, but it has meaning and power. Best unknown band in the world. Thank you Allison Green for the tip. I can only hope to turn a few people on to this band, as she has.)

20. Christina MartinTwo Hearts (songs that reach right into her soul and melodies that keep you singing them. This album introduced me to an artist that I have no doubt people will be talking about for years to come.)

Ack! What about:

Kathleen EdwardsFailer

Lucinda WilliamsCar Wheels on a Gravel Road

Rodney CrowellFate’s Right Hand

Radney FosterSee What You Want to See

The definitive list of artists needs to have Neil Young, BB King, The Smithereens, Steve Earle, Fred Eaglesmith, Lynn Miles, Bob Snider, and on and on and on.

The “in all honesty” list of albums that really mattered to me would need to contain Loverboy, Glass Tiger, Huey Lewis & The News, INXS, John Cougar Mellencamp, Barenaked Ladies, Nirvana, The New Meanies, Odds, etc. etc.

These lists are hard, but fun.


Episode #356 Sunday, September 5, 2010

We’ve got some big concert news, including a tribute to our friend Darren Day, and the next big Sunset Saloon performer, John Wort Hannam! We veer off in to Twang Trust territory with a bunch of “All Bruce, all the Time.” And, after years of ignoring those requests to post the “15 albums that really matter” on Facebook, we finally have a crack at it, on-air, and discover how hard it really is to boil your life down to 15 CDs!

Artist – Song title – Album Title – CDN=Canadian – WPG=Winnipeg artist

2:00pm – 2:30pm

Scott Nolan Band – Rosie – No Bourbon & Bad Radio – CDN – WPG
Scott Nolan Band – Golden – No Bourbon & Bad Radio – CDN – WPG
Darren Day – Power World – recorded live on UMFM – CDN – WPG
John Wort Hannam – Scotsman’s Bluff – recorded live on UMFM – CDN
John Wort Hannam – Infantryman – recorded live on UMFM – CDN
Danny Schmidt w/ Carrie Elkin – Rex’s Blues – Riding the Range: The Songs of Townes Van Zandt

2:30 – 3:00 pm

Mark Erelli & Jeffrey Foucault – Johnny 99 – Seven Curses
Matt Andersen – I’m on Fire – Live at Liberty House – CDN
Serena Ryder – Racing in the Streets – single – CDN
Melissa McClelland – Factory – Stranded in Suburbia – CDN
Son Volt – Open All Night – Retrospective
Josh Ritter – The River – live recording
Elvis Costello – Brilliant Disguise – Light of Day: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

3:00 – 3:30 pm

Van Morrison – Come Running – Moondance
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Positive Vibration – Rastaman Vibration
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Lip Service – This Year’s Model
The Lowest of the Low – Salesmen, Cheats, and Liars – Shakespeare My Butt – CDN
Skydiggers – Restless (It’s Alright) – Restless – CDN
The Lemonheads – Alison’s Starting to Happen – It’s a Shame About Ray

3:30 – 4:00 pm

Rheostatics – Self Serve Gas Station – Whale Music – CDN
The Weakerthans – Everything Must Go! – Left & Leaving – CDN – WPG
Jim Bryson – Fleetwood – The North Side Benches – CDN
Kathleen Edwards – Westby – Failer – CDN
Willie P. Bennett – Willie’s Diamond Joe – Tryin’ to Start out Clean – CDN
Townes Van Zandt – Waitin’ Around to Die – Legend
The Dustin Bentall Outfit – Take the Money and Run – Six Shooter – CDN
Danny Michel – When I Get Out – Welcome Home (1997-2007) – CDN

September 5, 2010

We’ve got some big concert news, including a tribute to our friend Darren Day, and the next big Sunset Saloon performer, John Wort Hannam! We veer off in to Twang Trust territory with a bunch of “All Bruce, all the Time.” And, after years of ignoring those requests to post the “15 albums that really matter” on Facebook, we finally have a crack at it, on-air, and discover how hard it really is to boil your life down to 15 CDs!

playlist
part 1
part 2

Steel Belted Radio – September 2, 2010

Tonight, T-Bar & Mudge get a visit from The Sumner Brothers, who stop by to chat and play.

playlist
part 1
part 2

Magazines that matter

I still love to flip through a good music magazine, and although there seem to be fewer all the time, there are a few worth picking up still out there. Please, do me a favour and buy a copy of the ones still publishing so that I’m not the only one, and feel free to visit some that have moved online.

Still publishing (God bless ’em)
Penguin Eggs – Canada’s folk, roots, and world magazine
American Songwriter
Sing Out! (a little bit on the “folky” side for me, but they do cover some important ground, and they’ve been doing it for 50 years!)
Exclaim Magazine – FREE!
Canadian Musician (Is this one still around? I used to buy it occasionally, but it’s got tons of gear and playing tips and nerdy stuff that even I don’t care about, and I suspect musicians are too busy actually playing to read about this crap)

Online “magazines”
No Depression (formerly the greatest magazine ever, now annoying website that still has good content)
Paste Magazine (the latest to bite the dust, and one of the most disheartening. I thought they were “saved” by those of us dumb enough to give ’em money. They cover mostly hipster music, but some of it was great. Loved the sampler with each issue.)
Chart Magazine (Canadian. Lots of annoying content, but lots of good stuff, as well)
Driftwood (formerly Dirty Linen)

What else are we missing out on? PLEASE! if there are any others, post a comment!

Steel Belted Radio – August 26, 2010

Mudge goes solo for this show. Looks like summer’s coming to a close, so what we need is some great music to end off another good one, and keep us going into the fall, and that’s exactly what you’ll get on this episode!

playlist
part 1
part 2

Steel Belted Radio – July 29, 2010

Tonight we get our annual visit from Devin Latimer, Artistic Director of the best little festival in Canada, The Trout Forest Music Festival. He drops in with some new tunes and some details on what to expect this year in Ear Falls.

playlist
part 1 (of 1)

July 4, 2010

Ooops, in all of our summer haste/revelry, this podcast didn’t get posted when it should have…

Today we wish all of our American friends & listeners a happy Fourth of July, with a set of patriotic tunes by, for, and about the U.S.A. Closer to home (and our hearts), we’re only a week away from the Winnipeg Folk Festival, so it’s time for Part 2 of the OFFICIAL Winnipeg Folk Festival preview.

playlist
part 1
part 2

John Wort Hannam Band Live @ Sunset Saloon, Oct. 2!

We’ve confirmed our next guest at Sunset Saloon, and boy is it an exciting show!

John Wort Hannam (and trio!)
http://johnworthannam.com/
Saturday, October 2
Sunset Saloon

John Wort Hannam

If you’ve never heard John Wort Hannam before, prepare to be surprised. I know I sure was, when our old pal Dave Lang first brought him into the studio years ago. All it took was one song from John (“Scotsman’s Bluff”) and I was hooked for life. He’s got a powerhouse voice that is unmistakable and unforgettable, strong playing, and what powerful songs. Listen to “Infantryman” from his Two Bit Suit CD (or the Live on UMFM 2007) or “Pier 21” from his newest disc, Queen’s Hotel, and try not to weep. Go ahead, try. Can’t do it. The guy should at least be on the same level as James Keelaghan and David Francey, but instead, he’s playing my living room. It won’t be long before that changes, friends, so take advantage of this amazing opportunity, while you can.

Guy Clark & John Wort Hannam

And, as if that weren’t enough of a draw, Jaine has already started thinking about the next amazing, exclusive, limited-edition flavour of Ben & Jeremy’s Ice Cream. Everyone who had a taste of “Christina Maraschino” at our last house show was blown away. We could have sold gallons of it, but instead, it’s available for consumption the night of the show ONLY. We’ll take what we learned from the last batch and make it even better this time around. DON’T MISS OUT!!!

TTBTGH proudly presents: A Night For Day, Sept. 25

Darren Day

Darren Day

Please join is for an event called “Night for Day,” featuring a stellar lineup of local folks paying tribute to our good pal Darren Day, before he leaves town in November! Darren is a fabulous musician (see his album “This Evening Tonight,” or his great live shows) who excels at a variety of styles and plays with some very talented folks. He’s also the host of Same Train, Different Time, Tuesday nights, 6-8 pm central, on CKUW 95.9 fm. If you like my shows, you should like Darren’s just fine, indeed. Darren also is (like us) a tireless promoter of great music, especially local music. He was behind The Other Brothers, Del Barber, and more, before I’d even heard of them. Darren knows his stuff. He also happens to be a pretty swell guy. So, with all of that in mind, loyal listener Dean planted the seeds of an idea to do something for Darren before he goes. Dean is on to something. We would like to invite you to join us for:

A Night for Day
http://www.myspace.com/darrendayfadinghopes
Saturday, September 25
The Yellow Dog Tavern (386 Donald St.)
featuring a variety of musical guests

We haven’t confirmed the lineup entirely, yet, but it looks like we should have Chris Neufeld and/or The Other Brothers, Keri Latimer (and/or Nathan?), Mike Petkau (and/or Les Jupes?), and hopefully a few tunes from Darren (I don’t think it’ll take much to convince him to jump onto a stage in front of a room full of people who love him, do you?) We’ll tell you more about the particulars, but really, it shouldn’t matter. Get down there and wish the best to a guy who really deserves it.