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Bare Naked Ladies-less

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As you may or may not know, Steven Page, one of the founders of the Bare Naked Ladies has now left the band to pursue a solo career. The crazy boy band from Scarborough Ontario is saying good bye to one of the masterminds behind their great success for the past 20 years!

I for one, like his old band. They were lots of fun and full of unbridled enthusiasm on stage. They brought out the kid in you and that really is what makes them a stand out act in today’s copy cat music world.

Steven Page’s first solo attempt (while still with the Bare Naked Ladies) was called The Vanity Project.

I only started to listen to bits and pieces of The Vanity Project while writing this post and it’s not that bad. Hit and Run is played in an open tuning format that has a nice, full feel and sound to it. The one called These Wasted Words reminds me a Toronto band called Needy Fingers. So Young, So Wrong, So Long is the type of song that one takes on a long road trip and Here Today And Yesterday has that incredible Klautu aura about it! I think I might pick it up!

My wife and I always wanted to see BNL live, but never got the chance. I guess they’re another great Canadian act that we never get to experience. Don’t get me wrong, The band The Bare Naked Ladies will still exist without Steven Page and perhaps we’ll see them play someday, but it probably won’t quite be the same. At this time the remaining members of The Barenaked Ladies do not plan on adding a new singer – they’ll continue on as they are and in fact are in the process of getting ready to go on Tour later this year.

Steven and the boys were not there to blow you away playing speed music or had that in your face onstage persona.

Steven Page was the one guy in the band that everyone could relate to. He is the modern day resonance man, and that is what he is about to do again. His next venture will be in the theatrical arena. He is the musical composer for the Thomas Patterson Group, Bartholomew Fair at the Stratford Festival. This appears to be a natural progression for him to follow. I think that he will eventually gravitate towards the stage, not the orchestra pit.

Steven Page’s style of guitar playing is very simple and straight forward and very much to the point. Nothing fancy at all in his approach but, it does the trick. His rhythm guitar playing is his bread and butter while playing in the band, plus he has done the odd little guitar solo here and there.

While reading the Toronto Star at work the other day, I noticed an article about Steven Page. It was about his first public musical exposure to the world since leaving the Bare Naked Ladies (BNL). He will perform as a solo act in the Neil Young tribute show coming up Wednesday, June 10 at Massey Hall here in Toronto. It will be part of this years Luminato festival of arts and creativity. I wonder what he will try and pull off at this gig, it’s anybody’s guess really.

As for Stevens adventure into the world of theatre, I am not sure if it will involve him in front or behind the stage. I can envision him in serious roles, desperately attempting to shake off the type casting of his kid like antics on the musical stage with BNL. I think this will be good for him. It will be an adventure that we will all be watching closely. So best of luck to Steven Page in his future endeavors!

My question to you all is, will he reach the lofty heights in his new career as he did with the Bare Naked Ladies?

Keep on Jammin’




Look who was on The Colbert Report

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To my amazement, an old friend of mine from high school, Carl Wilson, was on the Colbert Report the other day. Colbert had him on his show so he could talk to Carl about his new book. His book is about his hate and then his developing interest in some of Canada’s Celine Dion’s music.

You see he started out a hater and wondered why so many were fascinated with her music … in the end he came to like or at least “be able to listen to” some of her music.

The book is called Let’s Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste.

It is so nice to see someone that you know doing so well in his/her related field and then to be interviewed on a popular talk show and have it turn out to be a fantastic hit was a bonus!

When I woke up the other day, my wife put a postie on the breakfast table for me. At first I thought, like most men do when they see something like this is, what did I do now or what do I have to do later? Upon reading the message, I was quite taken back to have read a shocking memo. Before going to bed, she had noticed a familiar name listed as a guest for that nights Colbert Report. She then recorded it on our PVR (TIVO) machine so I could view it later to see if I knew the interviewee. Thank God she did because it was Carl Wilson from my old high school in Brantford, Ontario!

After seeing it for myself that evening when I returned from work, I had to check out Facebook to see if anyone else saw it. As it turned out, a few people did! Then I checked out one of his web sites called Zoilus and found a real neat video of a actor named James Franco being interviewed while on the Red carpet at the Oscars about what some of his guilty pleasures are. He then brought up Carl’s latest book. It seems like the little guy from Brantford does good, way to go Carl!!!

L-R Me, Yuergen Beck, Carl Wilson and Mike McGraw

Keep on Jammin’ Carl

Toronto is 175 years old today

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Today marks the 175th year of the creation of Toronto, Ontario! To some, it is a beacon of hope, multicultural existence and tolerance. To others, Toronto is just a hole in the ground!

So to here’s to my new home town! cheers and many more to come T.O.!

What to do when your bored in your hospital room

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While in my hospital room, being bored out of my head, I was desperately trying to find ways to keep myself amused, this was long after my wife and family had left for home.

The first thing I did kind of got me into some minor trouble with the staff, and rightfully so!

Considering that I work there and know practically everyone in the place, a fair amount of staff dropped in from time to time just to see how I was doing. Later on some of the R.T.’s (Resuscitation Team) visited me in my room, which was around 12:00 (00:00). They were just doing their rounds so when they were about to leave and with nothing else better to do, I just followed them.

I was attached to heart monitor that allows patients to roam free throughout the hospital, so I took advantage of it. Besides, if anything were to happen to me, these ladies would be the ones to be with!

We went around here and there chatting away, visiting other floors and talking to other staff on the night shift. This diversion allowed me to change my focus on other things like, what I was in there for.  This REALLY HELPED A LOT and I thank them for it! After 45 minutes we went back to my ward. Upon arriving the nurses there just had this look on their faces. Kinda pissed but, they knew it was me and only gave it to me with one barrel, if you know what I mean.

Now it was around 01:30 and I was back in my little room. My mind was racing, scanning the room desperately looking for anything interesting to get into. I soon found a newspaper called 24 hours right beside my bed and started leafing through it. Since there was nothing really interesting going on musically in the Arts and Entertainment section, I eventually directed my attention to this one installment called Almost Toronto, a 5 part series. It was the Monday Feb. 2nd 2009 edition on page 3.

The article caught my interest because it was all about what Toronto would have looked like if the city had chosen other projects to help define it’s distinct architectural footprint. In this piece, it talked about a book that was called Toronto Pending. The author talked about some of Toronto’s Mega Projects, neat original renderings of these projects as well as public spaces that never made it past the city council.Now this is something that I wanted to learn more about.

So I then slide out to the nurse’s desk, took over a computer and started searching for this book. After locating the book’s site, I started investigating the whole site, leaving no link unclicked! To be honest with ya, it was very simple in it’s layout with fabulous pic’s and incite full facts. Just glaring at some of these revolutionary ideas for the future of our city, I feel that it would have made it an even more exciting place to live!

So that is what I did to keep my sanity during my first night there … not very exciting was it!

Keep on Jammin’

Another hidden Toronto musical venue

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The Queen Elizabeth Theatre, on the grounds of Toronto’s C.N.E., is the most recent musical venue that is underused and just screaming to be found! In a large urban city with 2.5 music lovers, there are not a lot of medium sized halls to attract the middle of the road type of band. So this beauty from the past is just desperately trying to re-invent herself to us!

I tend to be a lover of architecture and it’s history. When ever I run across a real gem of an older building, I often wonder what it looked like in it’s glory years and what important historical events played out in it. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic, drawn into it’s orbit and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET) is no exception! Just check out the QET History Photo Gallery’s History Gallery slide show section of the above link to see what I am referring to!

While as a young guitar player from the country, going to the CNE when I could, I marveled at buildings and the performers that played there! I recall going there with my brother many times to see bands in either the Music Building/Carlsburg Pavilion (which originally was the Provincial Government Building in1926) or the unforgettable CNE Grandstand/stadium to experience the giants of rock and roll of the time period. Yet, we always passed the QET without taking notice of her, too bad.

So has anyone here ever been inside the QET or seen a show there? I would love to know what you thought of it and what the sound was like. I hope you took a few pic’s to share with us!

Keep on Jammin’

Canada’s second national anthem

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There was a song, not so long ago, that was considered Canada’s unofficial national anthem. Today sadly though, it has now been almost erased from memory. The song was called The Maple Leaf forever!

But who was behind this great forgotten anthem, where did he make it, what was the history behind the song and most important to me, where did he live?

This is a story of how I just happened to bump into the tree that dropped one of it’s leafs on this man’s shoulder, which in turn, helped him pen the song The Maple Leaf Forever!

When I was young, I recall hearing this song that was often hummed at my grandparents house. I can’t remember much of what it was all about, but I do have fond memories of it. Ones that made me feel comfortable, relaxed and that gave me a sense of being at home.

Later on in life, I heard this song being played in an instrumental version mostly on history/documentary shows. It was even played at a Toronto Maple Leafs game in the glorious Maple Leaf Gardens! If memory serves me correctly, there were no words that ever accompanied it.

Then a couple of years ago while going to a local gardening shop with my wife in the Greenwood and Queen St. E. part of town, we found no street parking nearby our local gardening center, damn! So I had to look for a place to park on one of the side streets. When I finally found a spot, I got out and across the street there was a small house, with people walking in and out of this tiny, but quaint little it home. After closer inspection, I noticed a City Historical Plaque out in front of it, attached to this majestic Maple Leaf tree on front lawn. Upon going over to see it, I thought to myself, hey why not, let’s check it out!

The Plaque that was on the Tree

Alexander Muir
1830 -1906
Principal of nearby Leslieville Public School who was inspired to write Canada’s national song “The Maple Leaf Forever” by the falling leaves of this sturdy maple tree.
Erected by
The Orange Lodge of British America

So now I found myself inside doing a small tour of this home and reading some of the literature that was there. It basically was about Alexander Muir and this song called The Maple Lead Forever.

At first I didn’t connect this song that was playing through a small stereo in the parlor, with the memory of that song that I had listened to as a kid. It all of a sudden hit me that, this was the home, that had THE TREE that dropped one of it’s leafs, onto the man, who had created Canada’s unofficial second national Anthem called The Maple Leaf Forever, huh! Imagine that, someone else who lived in my neighbourhood that was part of Canadian Musical History! The eastern part of the city of Toronto, especially East York, really ROCKS!

After realizing that I had left my wife at the garden store now for quite some time now, I quickly picked up as many brochures as I could and off I went.

Keep on Jammin’ in the east End!

What did you do for New Years 2009?

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Well hello there everybody, Happy New Years!

My wife, our little black lab Midnight and I just hung out at home on this past New Year’s Eve and just watched some of the many celebrations from the warmth of our couch! I wonder what BIG Jon was doing that night?

We just sat back and watched one of the local New Year’s bashes that was on City TV. They were broadcasting from the fabulous Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, but as usual, it sucked! The line up, according to their website, was pathetic to us and not all that entertaining, just as in recent years of their covering this event. Why can’t they make their show Canada’s Premier New Years Eve event? How come great bands never play this show?

So later on we changed the channel to the Niagara Falls New Years Party, held at Queen Victoria Park and as usual, it was fabulous! It’s the kind of show that would be great for anyone of all ages to see. I guess 30,000 attendees can’t be too wrong? This is the type of quality event that City TV should be holding in Toronto.

The Niagara Falls opening act was none other then Roger Hodgson, former co-founder and singer for SuperTramp. His show that night was worth going to see, even if it was only him on the bill. He did his show in a unplugged format, along with this multi-talented musician who was the perfect fit for Roger. His set list was like going back to Supertramp’s hey day!

Then came this indie band called Justin Hines. The guys style had this real familiar and comforting feel to it, we really liked it. Even Midnight stopped what she was doing at times to listen to this guy!

After the big count down came Canada’s Kim Mitchell! He was the founder of Max Webster and his playing style is a pleasure to behold!

I realize this post is a little bit late, but I’m still recovering from such a great show and the holidays!

Happy New Year everyone!

The band called Klaatu

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The Canadian Progressive Rock band Klaatu certainly needs no introduction. The myth/rumor of “Klaatu are the Beatles” didn’t hurt the bands career either.

Some of Klaatu’s great compositions are Calling Occupants, Anus of Uranus, Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby III and Doctor Marvello just to name a few. Bands just don’t make music like this any more. Where is the passion, ingenuity and originality?

They were so massively talented in so many ways, that I can not possibly begin to tackle all of their skills in just one post! I will try though to sum them up in a couple of simple areas. For the un-anointed, sit back and enjoy a terrestrial ride.

  • The Sentimental Factor
  • Myth/Mystic
  • Sound of the band

First of all there is the sentimental factor. Klaatu was CANADIAN! Their music resonates in Canadian minds of the good times that we, as a country, were experiencing! When I was around 9-10 years of age, I distinctly recall listening over and over to the song Sub Rosa Subway. I would be in my parents backyard, with that old silver Radio Shack AM radio, goofing around with the family doing whatever, just having good old family fun!

As for America’s first subway
The public scoffed, “It’s far too rude”
One station filled with Victoria’s age
From frescoed walls and goldfish fountains….
To Brahmsian tunes …

Next came the mystic of the band. Nearing the end of the Beatles era, a band was rumored to be the actual Beatles working in a clandestine project. Who were these members, where did they come from? It was a mystery and myth to most of us at the time. Everyone who thought that this group was in fact the Beatles, frantically searched through any and all of their past master pieces and for subtle clues. You can see how this would make the rabid fan lose many a nights sleep, looking for their lost heroes, just listen to Klaatu’s sound.

Let’s face it, even the electronic voice analyzer in Australia thought it was Paul McCartney singing Sub Rosa Subway. Dee Long Klaatu

Then came their distinctive sound! In some of their anthems, you could easily hear similarities in the voices.

Klaatu had many fans listening to the bands songs backwards looking for any hidden meanings. To decide for yourself, go to the Klaatu website and click on The MUSIC, in the top left of the site, look down towards the section and click BACKWARDS MESSAGES! You then have to go through a disclaimer that rightfully so, blasted some idiot who illegally took the bands hard work from their site, and created his/her own YouTube video, uploaded it to the site and then had the balls to take credit for it! Fucking idiots!!! It has since been removed by Youtube! They do have the backwards messages section nicely set up and it’s easy to use. It allows you to listen to some of the songs in question, forward and then backwards. The words show up when playing them backwards and it is quite astonishing!

So I hope that you enjoyed the trip! I just loved posting on this topic. I hope to keep the art of fine Canadian Progressive Rock music alive!

Keep on Jammin’

Songs Of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour Live at Massey Hall

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David Byrne appeared in concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall on October 30, 2008 in his “Songs Of David Byrne and Brian Eno Tour”. The concert was in honour of the duo’s first album in 27 years, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (in stores Nov. 25), and brought seven musicians (some who danced) and three dancers (some who played instruments) along with him.

My old high school friend Carl Wilson, a writer for the Globe and Mail did a review of the show!

He is a music critic for the Globe and Mail, Slate and other media outlets in Toronto. If you ever get the opportunity to meet Carl, maybe while taking in a show that he is writing about somewhere, ask him what he thought about a song we did together live called “Peanut Butter”!

His article was the only reference that led me to this show. I think his piece in the Globe and Mail described it rather nicely!

David Byrne (Talking Heads), is just fantastic to listen to, especially live! Life During War Time as well as Psycho Killer on Stop Making Sense, is David at his musical best. I LOVE playing Life During War Time on acoustic guitar for my brother, I mainly play what the keyboardist is doing, maybe that’s why so many guitar players are looking at me strangely when I play this with them.

Brian Eno (Roxy Music) simply needs no introduction. Everything he touches turns to musical gold! What else can you say about the guy! Same Old Scene, from Flesh and Blood is the one masterpiece that needs to played at 11 on your volume control! Thanks Ken, Allan and Tony and lets not forget Tim M., for bringing him to my attention, oh about 30 years ago!

I’ve never seen either one of these guys live, that’s my loss. So who out there has seen these troubadour’s live? Are they worth the price of admission?

Keep on Jammin’

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