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Glenn Campbell still Jammin’

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Glenn Campbell has just performed his first concert since announcing that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer (the degenerative brain disease that slowly rob people of their memories and abilities). I cannot imagine what thoughts must have been running around his mind when he first took to the stage.

Glen Campbell leaned over his blue electric guitar, plucked a few strings and made a sour face.
“Dadgum it,” he said.
Campbell fiddled a few seconds longer while standing backstage at the IP Casino and finally found a perfect D chord.
“There it is,” he said, before turning on his heel and marching into the spotlight. He launched into “Gentle on my Mind” and — without so much as clearing his throat — nailed it.

“That first one is a doozey, ain’t it?” Campbell asked the crowd. AP

Now that would have been quite the emotional show for all who were in attendance that night in Biloxi, Miss.

I’ve read that he may have missed that odd word here or there but his teleprompter was his saving grace that show. Heck, I’ve been known to have done that from time to time accompanied with that one word I follow it with “Damn it!” Good for Glenn, I hope that he can enjoy his God given talent as long as he can.

For a guitarist/musician/singer-songwriter like Glenn Campbell, this disease must feel like someone coming up to you and hitting you in the heart with a sledgehammer. While I’m not getting any younger, I find myself once in a while walking in a room and forgetting what I went in there for and I’m sure you can find examples in your own life. I can only speculate at what he is going through.

Alzheimer, it seems to me, is a disease that appears to be coming at us as a society from all directions. It has affected a direct family member, a very dear friend’s own loving father and countless patients that I have had direct dealings with over the years.

I have seen it tear away and disregard peoples memories at will with no fear of the consequences! It not only has devastating affects on the patient themselves but their loved ones as well. If you know someone who has a loved one with this unimaginable disease, give them a hug … because they need it too!

If you feel like giving a simple donation to the Alzheimer of Canada society, check out their secure site and give a simple donation to the cause, one day you might need their help too.




Music might be the best way to a man’s heart?

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So there is a new study out by Canadian researchers at McGill University in Montreal that says music helps the brain release the same feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. It’s just like the ones we get when we partake in our favorite foods, sex or, for some amount of us out there, illicit drugs. Got that ladies, maybe it’s time to get out of the kitchen and go take up an instrument that will allow you to make some wild music with the one your with? Oow, I bet I’m in a little trouble for that one! Just kiddin’ … kind of.

Music triggers the same pleasure-reward system in the brain as food, sex and illicit drugs, according to Canadian researchers who have been peering into minds of music lovers.

They’ve discovered the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine is released when people listen to their favourite music, be it rock, jazz or classical.Montreal Gazette

I found this piece in the Montreal Gazette and it caught my eye. It’s called Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll? You may just need the music: Study by Margaret Munro just this morning.

To read more about this topic check out this Health Canada link.

Keep on Jammin’

Here I go, I’m trying to quit smoking

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Ok, it’s time to quit smoking once and for all!!! My wife and I have decided that this is the right time to toss these crazy things in the old can for the final time and never look back! We have been smoking ever since we met 22 years ago. So here we go!!!

I had my first smoke when I was about 14 or so and I’m 45 now (holy shit where did the time go?) so that is way too long to of had this albatross wrapped around my neck. I’m finding that quitting smoking is not all that hard, but I must admit that this time, it has had it’s moments.

Using no drugs or gum, I’m off to a great start. My wife is a heavier smoker than I am (I smoked about 5 cigarettes a day) so she’s trying to quit by using Zyban and so far that’s working very well for her so why mess with a good thing, right?

There has been no increase in the intake of junk food but I have had an increase in more calorie wise snacks to help with the cravings. I’m staying away from chips, chocolate and empty calories like they’re the plague. I don’t want one bad habit to take over another one, that’s not all that wise now is it?!

I had my first smoke up in a tree fort in my neighbour’s backyard that was directly behind my parent’s home. There was me and these 2 other guys, I cannot remember their names for the life of me right now, in this really cool tree fort that we all helped put together. I have some very fond memories of this fortress in the sky that we all built and my first smoke is definitely a part of it.

Throughout high school I smoked a fair bit. A pack lasted me in the area of 2 weeks? I took a year and a half off after high school and during that time I had quit cold turkey. Then there was college! The amount that I smoked went up to about 1 pack a week and then there was the time that I tried rolling them myself and man was that a lot cheaper. The tobacco was called Drum and it had this really neat blue bag. I also found that Drum didn’t really hurt my lungs as much as the store bought ones. I was always doing these breathing exercises that I used for my vocal exercises all the time and man do they work.

Then after college I was smoking here and there, I was basically a social smoker. If I didn’t have any cigarettes then I didn’t smoke. I could take it or leave it, I was one of the lucky ones for sure! In the past year or so I’ve been smoking about 5 (sometimes more) cigarettes a day.

So now we both have come to the conclusion that it is time to quit for life! I’ve slowed down a ton the past 2 – 3 months, I know that I have gone on crazy cigarette binges from time to time due to stupidity, but I wouldn’t discount alcohol as a prime factor.

I had a heart scare many years ago and they still don’t know exactly what was the trigger for it. Right then and there in the ER resuscitation room I quit smoking, drinking, coffee, tea, chocolate and peanuts all at once! It lasted for about 1 year and then I had them slowly trickle back into my life. I shouldn’t have started again!

As I said earlier my wife is a heavier smoker than I am and when we both decided to quit she wanted me to be sure I wouldn’t start again since I don’t smoke as heavily and have an easier time stopping smoking than she does. Believe me, now that she’s quitting, if I do start again she’s going to be extremely upset with me because it could cause her to start up again.

So here we both are right now at another cross road our life and I hope that we can run with the ball of being smoke free right into the end zone of life!!! Wish us both luck … just in case you know?!

Keep on Jammin’

Nuance Holiday Soundscapes for the Kids music festival’s Toy Drive

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This segment of Nuance, Toronto’s premier Progressive/Art Rock music festival, is called NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids It will be focusing on a Toy Drive for the needy children of this city.

The toys will be delivered to the United Way of Toronto and it’s agencies. The United way for many years have proven themselves the best bang for your charity buck! Kudos to Wilton Said in his choice of charity groups to support! The event information is below.

NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids
A Showcase of Indie Art Rock/Pop
Date – Sun Dec 6th.
Venue – THE BLACK SWAN TAVERN (2nd floor), 154 Danforth Ave just east of Broadview, Toronto Ontario
Door Cover – $10, or $5.00 with Toy Drive. (new, unwrapped,non-violent)
NUANCE Website – http://www.myspace.com/nuancegta
All Ages (under 18yrs accompanied by an adult)
Doors open at 7:00pm

Featuring….
Amnesia Vivace
Wilton Said…
Lorne Hind 360

This years show will be truly a worthy case. Not only will the children benefit from proceeds from the show but the Prog/Art Rock community will help support local merchants during these tough economic times that we are all facing.

As I’ve said before about past Nuance shows, the annual Toronto Indie Music Festival, the talent here is unmatched and it will not disappoint! I’ve been there, done that and now I’m hooked!!!

So come out with the gift of a toy and support the many aspects of NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids this coming Sunday December 6th and have a very Merry Prog/Art Rock Christmas Everyone!

Keep on Jammin’

What music can do for you

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This is just a little something that I read about the other day in a magazine called CHILL. It makes a good observation about music and what it does for you. Enjoy!

Music: It does more than just get your feet tapping. Music has also been proven to stimulate the brain and improve focus and concentration. Plus, hearing uplifting music when we wake up in the morning can keep us in good spirits throughout the day. At night, soothing tunes can aid in getting a deeper, more restful sleep!
CHILL Magazine

Keep on Jammin’


Pope John Paul II made a music CD?

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Last night I was watching the old idiot box(TV) with my wife and we came across an neat bit of holy trivia. We found out that the late Pope John Paul II had recorded a CD at Abbey Roads studio. Well, he never went there it seems, it was just the technical crew who did some work there. It’s called Appa Pater (Polish) “All yours” the Pope used to say.

I realize that this must be old news to some, but it was released March 23, 1999. In some on-line reviews, most people had this idea that it was going to be some form the New Age rip off that was going on during that time period. Some called it World beat, as a way to describe some of the style on this CD.

Now fast forward a few years after the Pope had pasted, some heard it again in a different head space. Most came to the conclusion that this is a great piece of music.

A independent review from Amazon
I am not Roman Catholic. I have never studied the Catholic faith. I never attended Catholic schools. I have strong and irreconcilable disagreements with the Roman Catholic church’s policies in many areas.

That said….

I have this CD of John Paul II’s voice, with accompanying music, saying prayers. I am writing this Amazon review to say that I truly find it uplifting and comforting.

After taking in some turns during that TV show last light, I just had to check out what else was on the CD. A few tunes stood out. I was a little disappointed that there was no Gregorian Chant interpretations on it, I’m a huge lover of this genre!
Vieni Santo Spirito, Padre Della Luce and Madre Di Tutte Le Genti stood out.

The lyrics are in multiple languages, so to add to it’s appeal I guess? They were based on John Paul II’s prayers, statements from homilies, etc. and integrated with an eclectic orchestration along with some nice drum beat and at times had an techno feel to it. At some points I thought they might brake into some electric House music, really! The way they weaved in and out of some Latin chants, Polish prayers, and African rhythms was outstanding!

It was even #1 on the European charts upon it’s release. Is it just me, or was I on some other planet when this happened?! Along with this mystery, I still can’t find out if this CD was done with or without the blessings of the Pope or the Vatican. Another puzzling thing about this thing. The church is great at doing things like this, now aren’t they.

Has anyone else heard of this CD or bought it in past?

Keep on Jammin’

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome exercises for guitarist

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This is a post for all you guitarists that may be affected by the painful disorder better known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This can be the result of the compression of nerves in the wrist due to repetitive (motion). This can be the consequence of many daily tasks that one does over and over again (typists for example often suffer from CTS).

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I will attempt to concentrate on the aspects of this painful ailment as it relates to guitarists in the remainder of this article.

The guitarist uses very fine and complex muscles, tendons and ligaments when plying their gift. We tend to be overly sensitive to our every ache and pain. We tend to gravitate towards the worst case scenario when we think about the long term results from something like this. Most of us respond with inaction while dealing with symptoms of CTS. So let’s give our heads a good shake and let’s DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Here are a couple of exercises that you can do to help manage this affliction.

  • (1) Massage your playing hand with your opposite hand by “kneading”the meaty part of your palm and working “outward”.
  • (2) Play as much AIR GUITAR as possible. this loosens up your fingers and gets the blood going. Be sure to let your wrist move with the motion of your fingers, this will prevent your hand from cramping up.
  • (3) If your hands feel tight or feel as if they are asleep, use a heating pad for about 20 minutes prior to playing. if this is not practical, run your hands under warm/hot water for about 5 minutes, rolling your fingers while the water is on. If you can’t do this,and you’re doing a gig at a restaurant, order a baked potato and hold it in your hand for a good 5 minutes or so, repeat for 15 times.
  • (4) Grasp you hands together in front of you. Apply light isometric pressure and lift you arms up over your head. Bring your clasped hands down behind your head. Return them to a position in front of your torso. Stretch out to the left, then the right keeping those hands pressed gently but firmly together.

So hopefully this will help some of you who are afflicted with this horrible disease.

Keep on Jammin'(after you warmed up with some of these exercises!)

Busker Of The Beaches Attends His Own Wake

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The well known beaches busker, 59 year old Dan Cole, is dying of in-operable lung cancer, but has a funny way of showing it.

Dan Cole is having a wake … but the thing is, it’s for him and he will be there … alive and kicking/laughing or juggling. The man who just can’t stop loves performing on cruise ships and entertaining UN peacekeepers in war zones far away from the comforts of home.

The event was put together by his friends and admirers to help him with the cost of his own funeral expenses. I realize this is a bizarre story to write about, but this was intended to be a nice piece. It’s about an artist who in the past has helped others drift away from their day to day troubles or fears and bring them a laugh or smile. These are the ones society should be idolizing!

“I didn’t want to miss people saying good things about me by waiting until I died,”

My wife found this story while going through some e-mails. The local TV news station, city tv, had picked up this story and then ran another article that was just as nice. The Star had also wrote a piece on Dan’s story as well.

I can’t recall seeing Dan perform on the boardwalk, but if I did I now wish that I may have paid more attention to his act! So hats off to the Busker of Kew Beach!

Keep on Jammin’

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’

First day home from the Hospital

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Sorry for not being overly active on this blog for the past while but, I’ve been feeling a bit sluggish!
While at work I was having some small cardiac episodes and had to be checked in for some work ups. I did not what to be admitted in, who really does, but I had to.

I was taking a patient back from our recovery room and then I felt some minor chest pains, feeling disoriented and sweaty. The nurses in the Day Surgery area went nutz when they saw me this way and threw me on a chair, did vitals and ran me off to the ER. They probably did this because I had one of these before and it was almost deadly.

I’m ok now but, I am still feeling a bit off. I hope you understand this and your looking forward to better posts in the future!

Keep on Jammin’

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