Artist: Daniel Wesley Band, Album: Sing + Dance, Song: My Pony

"Jump on it, baby, ride it, my pony.  My saddle's waiting, come and jump on it."  Daniel Wesley is a singer songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia.  He released his first album in 2006 and to date has 4 releases.  He is signed to the 604 Records label.  His most recent album was a self titled release in 2009.  Sing + Dance was released in 2007 and garnered Daniel some attention nationally thanks to the single, Ooo Ohh.  He blends a number of musical styles such as reggae, rock and blues.  This particular album included a cover of the Ginuwine hit, My Pony.  Daniel absolutely electrifies this song.  If you are a fan of Big Sugar, you will definitely enjoy his music.  All of Daniel's albums are available for download on Itunes.  Daniel appears to be playing locally in Vancouver at this time and you can follow Daniel at http://www.danielwesley.com/.  You can hear the song, My Pony, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V-hWkgqwWc).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: The Acorn, Album: Tin Fist EP, Song: Dents

"I can see your years in my reflection.   Dents and cracks embedded in my skin."  The Acorn are an Ottawa band that formed in 2003.  The principle songwriter and performer is a man by the name of Rolf Klausener, who began home recording under the moniker, Acorn.  Since then, they've released albums and EP's with indie label's Kelp Records and more recently, Paper Bag Records.  They've toured Canada, Europe and the US and are developing a strong international following.  They have been nominated for a Polaris award and supported the band Elbow on their UK tour.  They recently released their second full length album with Paper Bag Records this past year.  The Tin Fist EP was released just before their full length album, Glory Hope Mountain, in 2007.  It included this great down tempo acoustic track, Dents.  You can also find a live version of this song on an Itunes exclusive release entitled, Heron Act.  The Tin Fist EP is also available for download on Itunes.  You can follow the band at http://www.myspace.com/theacorn.  You can hear them play the song, Dents, live on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gli4W5gCm4).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Aldo Nova, Album: Blood On The Bricks, Song: Modern World

"Well the mayor's hobby is doing crack while the homeless go hungry right out back."  Aldo Nova is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Montreal.  He rose to international stardom with the release of his self titled debut in 1982.  It included the well known song, Fantasy, which reached the platinum sales mark in both the US and Canada.  It was during the recording of his debut that Aldo befriended a man by the name of Jon Bon Jovi.  Jon was putting together demos that would eventually become Bon Jovi's debut album at the same recording studio.  Aldo worked with Jon on these demos.  Following Aldo's brief taste of success, his hard rock fortune hit rock bottom until Jon Bon Jovi returned to his side in 1991.  He was signed to Bon Jovi's label, Jambco Records, and released this album, Blood On The Bricks.  Aldo was also working with Jon on his song, Blaze of Glory, for the Young Guns II Soundtrack.  While still not as popular as his debut, Blood On The Bricks was a solid rock album with a number of great tracks. If you can look back fondly on those wonderful hard rock releases of the eighties, you'll enjoy this album and the song, Modern World.  This particular track wasn't a single off the album at the time but it's a fantastic song that really shows the depth of good material on this album.  Aldo went on to produce and write songs for artists like Celine Dion, Faith Hill and Clay Aiken.  He is living proof that it's never too late to re-invent yourself.  You can follow Aldo at http://www.myspace.com/aldonovacaporuscio.  The album, Blood On The Bricks, appears to be out of print.  At the time of this blog, there were copies trading on Ebay and Amazon between $5 and $50.  You can hear the song, Modern World, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0TDo2CMGk4).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Mudgirl, Album: First Book, Song: This Day

Kim Bingham hails from Montreal, Quebec.  She made her first impact on the Canadian music scene as part of the ska band, Me Mom & Morgentaler.  They had developed quite an indie reputation before she left and pursued her first solo project as Mudgirl.  She released her one and only EP entitled, First Book, in 1996.  She re-located to Vancouver where the album was produced and the single, This Day, did quite well in Canada.  She had a video for the song which got some decent rotation on Much Music.  Kim would go on to re-invent herself once more as The Kim Band in 2001.  Her sound has been relatively constant though through the band name changes.  She is definitely one of Canada's premier ladies of power pop.  Since The Kim Band, she has worked and toured with Nelly Furtado, David Usher and Bran Van 3000.  She has also developed a successful career composing music for movies and television.  This past year, she announced that she would be touring and recording as Mudgirl once more.  A new album is apparently in the works for release in the coming year.  There are a couple of places to follow Kim (http://www.myspace.com/kimbingham or http://www.myspace.com/mudgirlmusic).  Mudgirl's debut EP, First Book, is available for download on Itunes.  You can hear the song, This Day, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWFC9rWfMpo&feature=feedu).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Throck Morton, Album: The Power Of Music, Song: Nag, Nag, Nag

"I guess in life there are some things not worth fixing.  There must be some point that I am missing now. I can't figure, I can't figure out, why you're complaining, you're complaining."  Throck Morton were a band from the Niagara region of Ontario.  They were Cashmere Wojtowicz, Bug Holtam, John Bird and Spanky Bauer.  Cashmere and Bug had a band previous to Throck Morton, known as The Revenge Of The Egg People.  They were around for 12 years and had 13 independent  releases.  Neil Young numbers!  The final line up of that band became Throck Morton.  Throck was a vehicle for change so to speak, allowing Cashmere to write and record songs that may have taken them in a different musical direction from the previous band's work while also preserving ROTEP's legacy.  Throck Morton was signed to indie label, Stumble Records.  They recorded 14 songs that singer Cashmere cites as possibly some of the best songs he's ever written.  I found the gem, Nag, Nag, Nag on a compilation entitled, The Power Of Music.  It was a 2005 release in support of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty.  OCAP is a direct action, anti-poverty group that mounts campaigns against regressive government policies.  The compilation was very well done and the inclusion of this Throck Morton track makes it worth the money alone.  It may be the only place you'll find the song as there doesn't appear to be any Throck Morton releases available anywhere.  This compilation was put out by the Underground Operations label (http://www.undergroundoperations.com/) but doesn't appear to be available on their website.  Back to the band Throck Morton though.  The band never officially broke up but some of it's members left the band to pursue steady paying gigs outside of music.  Cashmere and Bug formed a new band called the Rumble Devils and you can follow them at http://www.myspace.com/rumbledevils.  You can also keep tabs on whether Throck Morton will reunite in the future at http://www.myspace.com/thebandthrockmorton.  You can purchase the music of the Rumble Devils as well as The Revenge Of The Egg People from Itunes and at http://www.stumblerecords.com/.  Stumble Records is one of the coolest indie labels in Canada and has a remarkable roster of great sounding bands that are worth checking out.  In the meantime, turn it up and give your ears a listen to Nag, Nag, Nag on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O3SDIuseG8).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Eye Eye, Album: Just In Time To Be Late, Song: Out On A Limb

"Catch me this time for it could be the last time.  Here I am out on a limb."  Eye Eye were a Toronto band that rose to prominence in the mid eighties.  They won a number of talent competitions on both a local and national level.  They also took advantage of the birth and subsequent popularity of music videos and got some great rotation on the nation's station, Much Music.  They were eventually signed to Duke Street Records and released their debut, Just In Time To Be Late, in 1986.  It included two very successful singles, X-Ray Eyes and this track, Out On A Limb.  They achieved rapid popularity and found themselves playing and touring constantly.  All the touring put them behind the eight ball when it came time to produce their second release in 1988.  The band once again had some decent recognition from it but the genre of synth pop was starting to wear thin and the band eventually broke up .  Some of the members like lead singer, Bill Wood, continued to release music as a solo artist while others left the profession all together.  Drummer, Mark Caporal, was actually killed in a small plane crash in Ontario.  The band's second release, Common Ground, was made available on Itunes with the inclusion of some tracks from their first release.  It includes Out On A Limb and X-Ray Eyes.  This is probably the best place to purchase their music at the moment.  You can watch the video for Out On A Limb on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gDb5iDR850&NR=1).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Taxi Chain, Album: Stuck On A Cold Steel Pole, Song: Cheer My Baby Up For Christmas

"Please Santa please, I'm down on my knees, cheer my baby up for Christmas.  Tell me what to say, what to get, who to pay, cheer my baby up for Christmas."  Taxi Chain are a band from the Toronto area that purvey an eclectic mix of roots rock, Celtic, r&b and jazz sounds.  They boast instruments as diverse as the bagpipe, mandolin and saxophone.  The band includes Grier Coppins, Ayron Mortley, Jim Bish, Josh Hicks and Dennis Mohammed.  They released their self titled debut in 1993 and to date they have at least 5 releases available.  You can follow them at http://www.myspace.com/taxichain.  The album, Stuck On A Cold Steel Pole, is an indie compilation put out in 1995 by Duke Street Records.  It is a collection of songs written about winter and Christmas.  Taxi Chain contributes the rhythm and blues track, Cheer My Baby Up For Christmas.  I find I'm always looking for new and interesting festive music around this time of year.  Boney M tends to get overplayed a bit but then again, there is nothing wrong with that!  You can purchase this album on Itunes.  You can hear the track, Cheer My Baby Up For Christmas, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tEQB_2Xvgs).  Happy Holidays!

Artist: Katherine Wheatley, Album: Habits And Heroes, Song: Mrs. McIvor

"I hear the neighbours complain.  I hear them hissing, Mrs. McIvor's insane.  There never were pests here before.  Now the boys play nikki nikki nine door."  Katherine Wheatley is a singer songwriter from Parry Sound, Ontario.  She released her debut in 1995 and to date has three albums.  Her most recent was released in 2009.  Habits and Heroes was her second release in 1999 and includes the wonderful song, Mrs. McIvor.  Katherine is a wonderful songwriter and on this particular track, she draws the listener in as though they were reading a story themselves about the plight of the misunderstood Mrs. McIvor.  A wonderful talent who continues to play festivals and clubs throughout the province.  Most recently, she appears to be playing with former Bird Sisters, Jude Vadala and Tannis Slimmon.  You can follow Katherine at http://www.katherinewheatley.com/.  You can purchase the album, Habits and Heroes, on Itunes.  You can hear the song, Mrs. McIvor, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9afPJ5r-TTQ).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Colin Linden, Album: When The Spirit Comes, Song: When The Spirit Comes

Colin Linden is a singer songwriter from Toronto.  He started out playing coffee houses and folk festivals in the early seventies.  He toured the US south around the same time and played with a number of blues musicians.  His first recording was with 80 year old Mississippi blues man, Sam Chatmon.  By the mid eighties he decided to release his first solo album and in 1987, he released When The Spirit Comes, his sophomore album with A&M Records.  The album featured guest appearances by Rick Danko and Garth Hudson of The Band as well as a blazing cover of the Band's song, Chest Fever.  I have fond memories of listening to this album over and over and I especially enjoy the title track.  Colin has to be one of the most credited musicians in Canadian history.  He has produced, worked and toured with a ton of artists on both sides of the border.  His resume includes a who's who of rock and blues.  In the nineties, he formed a successful band called Blackie And The Rodeo Kings.  He also contributed to the movie score of O' Brother Where Art Thou with T Bone Burnett.  He has recorded and toured with Keb' Mo', Lucinda Williams, Colin James and Bruce Cockburn.  His latest album, From The Water, was released in 2009 and you can follow him at http://www.colinlinden.com/.  You can purchase the album, When The Spirit Comes, on Itunes.  The song, When The Spirit Comes, is also on a new compilation entitled, Colin Linden: The Columbia Years which is available from Amazon.  You can hear the song, When The Spirit Comes, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByfFTAPrw5E).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Boy, Album: Every Page You Turn, Song: Up In This Town

"I don't know why you won't settle down.  I'm moving up in this mess of a town.  I'm moving up in this town."  BOY was initially one lonely guy from Whitehorse, Stephen Noel Kozmeniuk.  He recorded his self titled debut in 2002 with Bumstead Records.  He is a multi instrumentalist and recorded the album in his home.  This collection of catchy pop songs landed him Canadian tour dates with Sam Roberts, 54-40 and the Broken Social Scene.  It also led him to the big smoke (Toronto) where he expanded his act to 5 members and beefed up his sound.  The result was his sophomore release entitled, Every Page You Turn, in 2004.  Despite the larger sound though, BOY doesn't lose any of it's pop appeal or British styling.  Up In This Town is a dirty piece of rock and roll with a real throwback sound.  There doesn't seem to be any recent news on this band.  They changed labels to Maple Music for this last release but don't appear in the current artist list on the label's website.  The universal nature of their name ("Boy") makes searching for them very difficult.  You can purchase the album on Itunes though.  You can also watch the video for the song, Up In This Town, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUxk0Q0vaco).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Fludd, Album: Cock On!, Song: Cousin Mary

"Cousin Mary was a lady that could really hold her own.  She went fighting for her country, she went fighting for her home."  Fludd were a rock band from Toronto that formed in the early seventies.  They were immediately signed to Warner and released their self titled debut in 1971.  The band was formed by brothers, Ed and Brian Pilling and their childhood friend, Greg Godovitz, who also had a band together in the late sixties called the Pretty Ones.  The brothers then went to England and formed a band called the Wages Of Sin and were subsequently hired by Cat Stevens to act as his back up band called Zeus.  They broke off from that deal and returned to Canada to form Fludd.  They only lasted for one album with Warner and then released their sophomore effort, Cock On!, with the indie label, Daffodil.  The original release in 1972 was titled, ....On! at the request of their distributor, Capitol Records.  The album was re-released with the original title in the nineties by Unidisc.  The song, Cousin Mary, is from this album and has to be one of our country's greatest rock songs from the seventies.  The funny thing about the song though is that it was never intended to be a single.  The band's inability to release a follow up album until 1975 caused the label to scramble and release a fourth single from Cock On! which turned out to be Cousin Mary.  It's release was almost a full two years after the album was released.  The delays between albums led to many line up changes.  Godovitz would leave to form a new band called Goddo.  A few of the later members would go on to form Saga as well. The band had stopped touring by the time Brian Pilling succumbed to cancer in 1978.  The last label that they recorded with, Attic Records, released a compilation called, From The Attic, that also includes this track.  You can purchase that album along with Cock On! on Itunes.  You can hear the song, Cousin Mary, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIPzayDVTE).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Vicki Fraser, Album: Dynamite Opening, Song: Half A Chance

"I can't believe how much I care about this country I had to share with the boys in office."  Vicki Fraser is a singer songwriter from Toronto.  I first discovered her on a compilation called, Take Back The Night.  It was a Guelph based group who released the CD to raise awareness about violence against women.  Vicki was signed at the time to the indie label, Drog (Dave's Records Of Guelph).  She released her debut in 1999 called Dynamite Opening.  The title of the album is a political remark against the burial of nuclear waste in the Canadian Shield.  The track I've chosen, Half A Chance, is also a sharp yet witty attack on our government and their misguided principles.  The album featured another Guelph artist by the name of Tannis Slimmon, who was part of a band called the Bird Sisters as well as another project called Crows Feet with Vicki.  Today, it appears that Vicki goes by the name, Chestnut.  You can follow her at http://www.myspace.com/vickifraser.  The album, Dynamite Opening, is not easy to find.  At the time of this blog, there was 1 copy on Amazon for $135.  You can hear the song, Half A Chance, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edhq6UQm_Qo).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Two-Minute Miracles, Album: Volume IV: The Lions Of Love, Song: Conjoined

The Two-Minute Miracles are a band from London, Ontario.  The principle songwriter is J.Andrew Magoffin who starting developing his trade in the mid-nineties.  In 1999, the band released their first album with Toronto, indie label, Teenage USA Recordings.  They have released four albums to date and the most recent is on the (weewerk) label, entitled, Volume IV:The Lions Of Love.  This album was released in 2007 and includes the track, Conjoined.  The band's sound is alt-rock but a lot of their music hangs on simple pop melodies like this one.  The name of the band was derived from their ability to craft two minute songs and Conjoined is a wonderful two minutes and thirty six seconds.  If this band ever hit the radar of enough listening bodies, they'd have the potential to be massive.  They are completely underrated.  As well as fronting his own band, Magoffin runs his own studio in London called, The House Of Miracles.  To date, he has produced records for a number of great Canadian bands like the Constantines, Cuff The Duke, Great Lake Swimmers and the Hidden Cameras.  You can download the latest album on Itunes.  You can also follow the band at http://www.thetwominutemiracles.com/ and at http://www.weewerk.com/.  You can hear the song, Conjoined, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXvHQponqv4).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Ray Lyell & The Storm, Album: Ray Lyell & The Storm, Song: Another Man's Gun

"Running from another man's gun.  That's how the west was won, running from another man's gun."  Ray Lyell is a singer songwriter from St.Catherines, Ontario.  He rose to prominence in the late eighties after winning a local radio station (HTZ Fm) talent contest.  He formed the backing band, the Storm, and released their self titled, major label debut in 1989 with Spy Records/A&M.  The album featured a number of successful singles, including this one entitled, Another Man's Gun.  Soon Lyell found himself touring with some of the biggest names in Canadian rock at the time (Kim Mitchell, Alannah Myles, Luba, Glass Tiger).  The album also did well in Australia which resulted in a tour but was never released in the US.  He would release 3 more albums between 1993 and 2006 before focusing his attention on vocal teaching.  He still lives and works in the area and you can follow him at http://www.raylyell.com/.  Another Man's Gun was a perfect hybrid of rock and country and it allowed him an audience on both sides of the musical spectrum.  His discography is available for download on Itunes.  You can watch the video for Another Man's Gun on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8q40IsrUI).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: SNFU, Album: In The Meantime And In Between Time, Song: Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump

"I met him at the head smashed in buffalo jump yeahhhh."  SNFU are a skate punk band from Edmonton.  They formed in 1981 and went through various line up changes, break ups and labels but are still recording today.  There are too many individuals to mention but the three original guys were Mr.Chi Pig along with brothers, Muc and Bunt Belke.  Today, Mr.Chi Pig is the one remaining original member that is carrying the SNFU torch.  The band started out on small indie labels but slowly graduated to Cargo Records and later Epitaph in the US which helped their distribution.  Definitely one of Canada's pioneers of punk rock.  In The Meantime And In Between Time, was their last release in 2004 which included this rocker, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.  The title of the song is an actual UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta that preserves an area that was used by the local aboriginals to hunt bison.  It's south of Calgary and worth checking out if you are in the province of Alberta.  Back to the band though.  Depending on the website you stumble upon, you may get a different perspective on the whereabouts of SNFU.  www.snfu.com appears to be a site from Muc Belke and he has a note stating that the band is finished.  The site does have some neat stuff linked to SNFU which is worth checking out.  On the other hand, www.snfuband.com, claims to be the official band website and links to a MySpace page with more current information on the band's activities (they apparently are back in the studio recording!).  So take your pick but definitely check out the tune, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDh3z8-KGD8).  The album, In The Meantime And In Between Time, is available on Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: National Velvet, Album: Courage, Song: Shine On

"Shine on to me, Shine on to me, shine on to me as I shine on to you."  National Velvet were a rock band from Toronto that formed in the late eighties.  They were Maria Del Mar, Mark Storm, Mark Crossley, Garry Flint and Tim Welch.  They signed with Intrepid records and released their self titled debut in 1988.  Their sound was definitely alternative and some have described it as goth.  Intrepid folded and the band moved over to Capitol for their second release, Courage, in 1990.  They really developed a strong national following with this release.  It had a number of singles including this song, Shine On and the popular Sex Gorilla.  They recorded this album in England and with this particular track, Shine On, the guitars really opened their sound up to a broader rock audience.  The band would release one more album in 1995 before calling it quits.  Maria Del Mar can still be found playing the odd show in Toronto from time to time.  Sadly, Mark Storm went missing in 2002 and his body was found in Lake Ontario during the summer of 2003.  The album, Courage, is likely only available second hand these days.  At the time of this blog, there were copies of the album trading on Ebay and Amazon between $5 and $180.  You can watch the video for the song, Shine On, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFtggFfr0UQ&feature=related).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Emm Gryner, Album: Girl Versions, Song: Pour Some Sugar On Me

"Love is like a bomb baby come and get it on."  Emm Gryner is a singer songwriter originally from Sarnia, Ontario.  She was signed to Mercury Records early in her career and released her major label debut, Public, with them in 1998.  It included a Canadian hit, Summerlong.  Record company mergers squeezed her out of her contract and she soldiered on with her own indie label, Dead Daisy Records.  To date, she has 13 releases and her latest was released this past year entitled, Gem & I.  It includes guests Joe Elliot (Def Leppard), Sass Jordan, Sara Quin (Tegan & Sara), Royal Wood, Joel Plaskett, Nathan Larson (Shudder To Think) and Justin Sullivan (New Model Army).  A very diverse group of artists.  She played in David Bowie's band and can list Bono as a fan.  She's toured Europe, the US and has a very strong following in Ireland.  She has collaborated with Josh Ritter, Glen Hansard (Swell Season) and Snow Patrol in a band called The Cake Sale.  She was also in a band called Hot One with Nathan Larson (Shudder To Think).  She is a dichotomy in the sense that she can play piano driven pop and then change it up and hammer it with the guitar.  In 2001, she released this cool album entitled, Girl Versions, where she covers Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard.  There is actually a very cool group of people that have started the Side Street Project (http://www.thesidestreetproject.com/).  The idea behind this is having three different artists joined on stage to perform together.  You can watch the performance of this song as part of the Side Street Project where Emm is joined by Buck 65 and Holy F*ck on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCEXO-uNyMU).  You can purchase the album, Girl Versions, on Itunes.  You can keep tabs on Emm at http://www.emmgryner.com/.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Wordburglar, Album: Burglaritis, Song: The Route

"I'll never forget the time the police questioned me about a crime committed by the guy in number 5.  It sucks, he still owed me 20 bucks."  Wordburglar is a hip hop artist from Halifax.  He started his career as SJ but after his first single, Wordburglar, he adopted that name instead.  He released his debut in 2003 and to date has three full length releases.  The most recent was released this past year.  Burglaritis was his second release in 2006 and included this hilarious track called, The Route.  He chronicles the life of a paperboy "risking his life to bring you the news".  Wordburglar is probably best described as an old school rap artist.  The beats are clean and his rhyming is exceptional.  He doubles as a stand up comedian/actor as well.  He is one of a few emerging underground hip hop artists that is making a name for himself on indie and college radio.  You can follow him at http://www.wordburglar.com/.  He has a show coming up in Toronto on Jan.28th at Rancho Relaxo.  His discography including this album is available on Itunes.  You can watch the video for the song, The Route, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo5SudpANHg).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Plumtree, Album: Predicts The Future, Song: Go!

Plumtree were an all girl group from Halifax.  You could describe their sound as pop punk.  They were sisters, Carla and Lynette Gillis, Amanda Braden and Nina Martin.  Nina left the band after their first release to focus on school and was replaced by Catriona Sturton.  The girls met in their early teens while taking music lessons and after their first few gigs in Halifax, attracted the attention of the indie label, Cinnamon Toast Records.  They also gained recognition from their peers like Thrush Hermit, Sloan and Jale which helped them tour across the country.  They released their debut in 1995.  Predicts The Future was their second release in 1997 and the lead off track was this upbeat, shout-fest song called, Go!.  The band would release one more album in 2000 before calling it quits.  Another track on this album, Scott Pilgrim, has become the centrepiece of a new Michael Cera movie and soundtrack called Scott Pilgrim v.s. the World.  More than a decade later, the band appears to be finally emerging from the underground.  The sisters, Carla and Lynette Gillis have new gigs together in bands named, Sister and Bells Clanging.  Both bands have new releases.  The song, Go!, is also available on a Best of Plumtree release.  You can find their entire discography available on Itunes as well as from the band's website, http://www.plumtree.ca/.  You can hear the song, Go!, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGzDejmOcQ).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Symphonic Slam, Album: Symphonic Slam, Song: I Won't Cry

"All the days I spend with you and all you want to do is boogaloo."  Symphonic Slam were a progressive rock band that released their self titled debut in 1976 with A&M records.  They were Timo Laine, John Lowry and David Stone.  They recorded the album in Toronto and toured with the likes of Rush, the Rolling Stones and the Village People.  Timo Laine was born in Finland and the principle member of the band that still carries forward the band name today.  The big thing about Timo was that he pioneered the first guitar synthesizer.  He had six different synthesizers hooked up to his Les Paul guitar so that every string had it's own unique instrument.  He called it the 360 Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer.  The instrument made some pretty cool sounds and gave this particular track, I Won't Cry, a little extra funk in the trunk.  The band's label really wanted a sound that was more in line with the popular disco genre at the time which they weren't in agreement with.  Keyboardist, David Stone, would leave the band as a result and join Rainbow (Ritchie Blackmore).  After a long absence from music, Timo is back releasing music under his own name as well as Symphonic Slam.  In March 2011, he intends to release a Symphonic Slam II.  You can read about Timo at http://timolainemusic.com/home.html.  The debut album is available from his website as well as Itunes and CD Baby.  You can hear the song, I Won't Cry, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aXjIdHrtRU).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

From: Timo 

Date: December 14, 2010 1:16:30 AM EST

To: raisedoncanadianradio@gmail.com

Subject: Timo Laine Symphonic Slam

Thanks for playing  SONG OF THE DAY     "DAYS"

                     SLAM NEWS

Symphonic Slam signed a re-issue agreement with Musea Records last week
SYMPHONIC SLAM SSII WILL BE RELEASED IN MARCH 2011. THE ALBUM HAS
BEEN RE MASTERED AND WIIL COME OUT WORLD WIDE.
PLAYERS ON THE CD ARE
TIMO LAINE
JIMMY HASLIP
LINDA NARDINI
JAN UVENA
NOE CRUZ

SLAM IS IN THE STUDIO RECORDING A NEW ALBUM.
TWO CUTS WILL BE READY FOR A SNEAK PEAK NEXT YEAR.

AGE OLD STORY AND SAVE YOUR SOUL A 17 MINUT progrssive rock TUNE
FEATURING GUITAR, GUITAR SYNTHESIS, DRUMS BASS , AND VOCALS

Artist: The Perpetrators, Album: The Perpetrators, Song: Six Pack

"Well I got my six pack and here I go.  It's just a few blocks up the road."  The Perpetrators ("Perps") are a blues rock band from Winnipeg.  The members have been around that city's scene for a couple of decades often playing as a backing band to various blues artists.  In 2003, they released their self-titled debut which included this great tune, Six Pack.  Their sound is a mix of raunchy rock and blues.  Similar to the sound popularized by the White Stripes, Black Keys and the Soledad Brothers.  They've been nominated for a Juno and have toured Europe on numerous occasions.  They have 4 albums released to date and their most recent, a live album, was released this year.  You can buy this album as well as their entire discography on Itunes and at CD Baby.  The band will be touring across Canada and into the US this year and you can keep tabs on them at http://www.perps.ca/.  You can hear the song, Six Pack, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znl9_O5IW3A).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Dianne Heatherington, Album: Heatherington Rocks, Song: He's A Rebel

"He's a rebel and he'll never be any good.  He's a rebel and he never does what he should."  Dianne Heatherington was a musician/actor from Winnipeg.  She started out with a band called the Merry Go Round in the early seventies with Bill Wallace (Guess Who).  She later moved to Toronto and released her one and only album in 1980 called Heatherington Rocks.  The album was filled with some great tracks, mostly covers.  Everything from the Beatles (Helter Skelter) to this song, He's A Rebel, a former sixties hit for the Crystals.  Dianne just howls with punk attitude on this song.  The album featured Shawne Jackson on back up vocals and Rik Emmit (Triumph) on acoustic guitar.  Dianne would also develop an acting career with parts in movies like Cocktail and Canadian TV shows like Seeing Things.  She later started up her own film security company and retired from music.  Sadly, she succumbed to ovarian cancer in 1996.  There is a website commemorating her life called http://dianneheatherington.com/ that is worth checking out.  The album has never been re-released on CD and at the time of this blog, there were vinyl copies trading on Ebay and Amazon between $10 and $15.  You can hear the song, He's A Rebel, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvgtM0NEIjY).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Nathalie Simard, Album: Il Y Avait Un Jardin, Song: I Want To Know What Love Is

"I'm gonna take a little time.  A little time to think things over.  I better read between the lines in case I need it when I'm older."  Nathalie Simard is a well known francophone performer from Quebec.  She is a star within the borders of that province.   Her career began at a very young age.  Her and her brother, Rene Simard, were picked up by a producer named Guy Cloutier as children and basically moulded into child superstars.  They both began recording in the seventies and achieved gold and platinum status for many of their albums.  Nathalie was also a prominent figure in children's television within the province.  Sadly, Nathalie revealed that she had been sexually abused by her producer while in his care.  She disappeared from the limelight for a while but returned in 2007 with this release, Il Y Avait Un Jardin.  The album featured a wonderful cover of the Foreigner classic, I Want To Know What Love Is.  Nathalie would announce a year later that returning to the spotlight was harder than she realized and cut her tour short and officially retired from music.  A heartbreaking story involving a tremendously talented woman.  Here's hoping she finds peace within herself.  You can hear the song, I Want To Know What Love Is, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54qAYbQmlQo).  The album is available for download on Itunes.  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: The Fuse, The Six, The Big Beat & Other Stories, Album: Trying Must Count For Something, Song: Nowhere At All

The Fuse, The Six, The Big Beat & Other Stories seems like a strange name but it actually represents the various names the players adopted over the course of their careers together.  The principles are brothers, Jeffrey, Don and Paul Hatcher along with Dave Briggs.  They formed in the late seventies in Winnipeg playing old time rock and roll.  Their sound could be described as alternative county or roots rock.  They had quite a cult following in Winnipeg as The Fuse in the late seventies.  They quit briefly at the end of the seventies but resurfaced as The Six in the eighties.  Later, they became known as Jeffrey Hatcher and the Big Beat.  The band didn't have many albums and struggled with label support and distribution throughout their careers.  Major labels just weren't supporting their brand of rock at the time and had they been from the UK, I wonder if their story might have been different.  Elvis Costello actually saw them live on one of his tours through Winnipeg and joined them on stage.  Trying Must Count For Something is a compilation of their music under the various band names.  The song, Nowhere At All, was supposed to be released on their second album as Jeffrey Hatcher and the Big Beat but I don't believe the album was ever released.  Thankfully, their music has been preserved through this compilation and it is available on Itunes and at CD Baby.  You can hear the song, Nowhere At All, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbmML-yfg4E).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: John Southworth, Album: Mars Pennsylvania, Song: It's Not The End Of The World

"Can't we just quit on Monday morning.  Man, there better be another world.  It ain't exactly hip to be an earthling."  John Southworth is a singer songwriter from Toronto.  He is a multi-instrumentalist with a real throwback sound.  He released his debut album in 1996, entitled, Mars Pennsylvania, which included this track, It's Not The End Of The World.  It reminds me of Burt Bacharach and the Walker Brothers.  It's a wonderful slice of 60's pop.  John has 8 albums to his credit and his most recent, Human Cry, was released in 2010.  He has collaborated with Hawksley Workman and Mary Margaret O'Hara.  He's also opened for Andrew Bird, written a song for Jully Black and had his own song covered by Sarah Slean.  He once toured from Halifax to Vancouver by rail, stopping to perform busker style in train stations along the way.  A quirky, eccentric artist that is so talented yet under appreciated within the borders of his own country.  Hopefully, that changes.  You can follow John at http://www.johnsouthworth.ca/.  You can purchase the album, Mars Pennsylvania on Itunes.  You can hear the song, It's Not The End Of The World, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rAG7jM0xl4).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Angela Desveaux, Album: If Ever I Loved, Song: Let Me Roll It

Angela Desveaux is a singer songwriter from Montreal.  Similar to the story of Basia Bulat (see blog 10/30/2010), Angela caught the ear of former Arcade Fire drummer and producer, Howard Bilerman, who produced her debut album in 2006.  Her sound is alt country and she sounds a lot like Lucinda Williams on this blazing cover of the Paul McCartney and Wings song, Let Me Roll It.  The song is on her most recent release which is a limited edition 7 inch entitled, If Ever I Loved.  It was released in 2009 and is also available for download on Itunes.  To date she has two full length albums to her credit and has toured Canada, the US and Europe.  She is signed to Thrill Jockey Records out of Chicago and is working on a new album.  You can hear the song, Let Me Roll It, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tosAgdOHc64).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: John Henrys, Album: Sweet As The Grain, Song: Truth Be Told

"Truth be told, I was a puppet on her strings.  The John Henrys are a band from Ottawa.  They are Rey Sabatin, Steve Tatone, Doug Gouthro, Darryl Quinlan and Geoff Ward.  They released their self titled debut locally in 2004.  Sweet As The Grain, was their second album released in 2008 and picked up by Linus Entertainment in Burlington, Ontario.  This album really opened the band up to a wider, international audience.  They've toured Canada and the US in support of the album and received favourable reviews from the UK press.  Their sound is country rock.  This particular track, Truth Be Told, is a jangly country song with great harmonies.  Their sound is fresh while conjuring up memories of bands like the Byrds.  They just released their third album entitled, White Linen, this past year and it is available in limited edition white vinyl.  You can follow the band at http://www.thejohnhenrys.com/.  You can hear the song, Truth Be Told, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zx_A6j2R28).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Kinnie Starr, Album: A Different Day, Song: Another's Gone

Kinnie Starr is a hip hop/alternative/folk/spoken word musician originally from Alberta.  She is of Mohawk/European descent.  She released her debut in 1996 on Island/Def Jam but due to mergers and acquisitions, she opted out of her contract.  She released her 5th album entitled, A Different Day, this past year and the song, Another's Gone, borrows a little something from the Queen hit "Another One Bites The Dust".  It's quite an original though and performed by a very unique artist.  Kinnie is a published author, she has performed with Cirque De Soleil, has visited close to 100 schools in support of arts and literacy and is trilingual.  She is an amazing woman.  Similar to an artist like Lillian Allen, her social activism provides her music with a message at times.  Her poetic delivery is in the form of spoken word, rap or song.  You can follow Kinnie at http://kinniestarr.net/.  You can watch the video for the song, Another's Gone, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvXtCsdJbh8).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Murray McLauchlan, Album: Songs From The Street, Song: Hard Rock Town

"You're born in debt and you're never free.  You live all your life for the company.  And the smoke pours down on your mercury as the paint chips off your walls."  Murray McLauchlan is a singer songwriter who started his career in Toronto.  He started playing the clubs in the city and had one of his earliest songs recorded by American folk musician, Tom Rush, before he even released his first album in 1971.  20 albums and 10 Juno awards later, Murray has carved out quite an illustrious career in Canadian music.  Hard Rock Town was the title track to his 1977 album.  Murray has been praised over the years for his outstanding lyricism.  He is a true poet and although this song is a bit of a rocker, the lyrics remain clever and insightful.  Murray is still recording today and has started a band with fellow Canadians, Cindy Church, Ian Thomas and Marc Jordan called Lunch At Allen's.  You can follow the band at http://www.lunchatallens.ca/.  The original 1977 release of Hard Rock Town is likely out of print but there are two best of compilations that are available with the song.  The most recent is entitled, Songs From The Street, and it is available on Itunes.  You can hear the song, Hard Rock Town, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Ig0YiZRVs).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Andy Curran, Album: Andy Curran, Song: Let Go

"All my secrets been locked away.  Coming back to haunt me someday.  Let go.  Gotta let go."  Andy Curran is a Toronto musician.  Mostly recognized for his vocal duties with the band, Coney Hatch.  Andy decided to start a new band called Soho 69, only to be signed as a solo artist with Alert Records.  Notable band members included Simon Brierley (FM) and Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo).  Andy's solo debut won a Juno award in 1991 and had a number of radio singles.  The song, Let Go, was one of them.  Andy's former band mate from Coney Hatch, Carl Dixon, also performs on the album.  I remember watching these guys in Brampton at a bar called Hot Rocks.  Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) was in attendance that evening as well.  Andy would encounter label issues and move on to the Hypnotic label to record as Soho 69.  Grunge had already taken over the mainstream though but it didn't deter him from experimenting with his sound.  He would resurface again in a number of similar sounding bands like Caramel and Drug Plan in the late nineties.  Both bands had moderate success but more importantly, they showed Andy's versatility as a vocalist.  The self titled debut is a difficult find today.  At the time of this blog, there were used copies trading on Amazon between $15 and $60.  You can hear the song, Let Go, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qGmri0lwFA).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Bel-Vistas, Album: Somewhere Along The Line, Song: Somewhere Along The Line

"I used to believe in being tough.  To be tough was it for sure.  But somewhere along the line I stopped.  I don't believe in tough no more."  The Bel-Vistas were a four piece band from Toronto.  They released their first independent cassette in 1990 and created enough buzz to attract Eureka Records. In 1992, they released their first album for Eureka, entitled, Somewhere Along The Line.  The members were Mark Ripp, Bob Hamlyn, John Toffoli and Micheal Baxter.  Their sound was roots rock, perhaps, country even.  I find they remind me a bit of Blue Rodeo and early Steve Earle (Exit 0).  They toured with Blue Rodeo in support of this release and a few songs made it to radio.  There are some great tunes on this album and I really enjoy the title track, Somewhere Along The Line.  It's no wonder the band was able to land a publishing deal with Sony around the same time with lyrics like this.  Unfortunately, the band's label went bankrupt and they released one more album independently in 1995 before calling it quits.  You can still see and hear three of the members play in a new band called Mark Ripp and the Confessors.  You can follow them at http://markripp.com/home.html.  The album, Somewhere Along The Line, is a difficult find nowadays.  At the time of this blog, there were copies selling on Ebay and Amazon between $2 and $10.  You can hear the song, Somewhere Along The Line, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lJlIcBCidk).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Message from Mark Ripp & The Confessors

Bumped into Bel-Vistas

To:raisedoncanadianradi

Hello Raised On Canadian Radio,

Just wanted to say thanks for including us among so many cool Canadian artists, a real treat exploring your blog, take care.

Mark Ripp

Artist: Duotang, Album: The Cons & The Pros, Song: Don't Give Up

"And the more that I push for my place, I just keep falling flat on my face.  And the one's that think I've fallen from grace, just keep pushing their views in my face."  Duotang were a 2 piece from Winnipeg that formed in 1995.  They were one of a few great bands that signed on with Mint Records in Vancouver.  Rod Slaughter was the vocalist, bassist and keyboard player while Sean Allum was the drummer.  Their influence was British invasion stuff like the Kinks, Who, Beatles.  The duo had a big sound and the track, Don't Give Up, is a three minute charm.  The band released three albums between 1995 and 2001.  They then took a break and Rod Slaughter has been filling his time as the vocalist of the band Novillero.  I'm not sure if we will ever see these guys record again but you can find this album and their entire discography on Itunes.  You can read about the band at http://www.mintrecs.com/.  You can hear the song, Don't Give Up, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhdaZwl6TDQ).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Red Fisher, Album: War Wagon, Song: Tom BMX

"His name is Tom and he rides his BMX bike."  Red Fisher were a 3 piece punk band from Winnipeg.  They started playing in the late eighties and by the early nineties, they were really hitting their stride as a band.  If you grew up anywhere west of Thunder Bay you likely know this band well.  I found out about them from a friend who grew up in Saskatchewan and remembered seeing them live a number of times.  Although regional perhaps, the band's purpose was born from the skateboarding culture that was drifting up the coast into Canada from California.  And with that, came the lifestyle which included Punk music and a general distaste for anything or anybody that tried to control their independence.  Now I was never a skater.  Fell on my ass too much.  But I did have friends that were into it and I always kept a close ear to what they were listening to.  In the end, it was that lifestyle and music that went mainstream and suddenly, everyone was enjoying it.  My guess is, Red Fisher rode that wave in the nineties after bands like Green Day and Offspring broke.  They were playing venues with 500-1000 screaming kids across the prairies.  They also toured the US with bands like Screaching Weasel, SNFU and the Goo Goo Dolls.  Although courted by major labels, they remained strictly DIY until 1994 when they broke up.  The indie label, G7 Welcoming Committee Records, has re-released their final album, War Wagon, which is also available for download on Itunes.  You can read more about the band at http://www.g7welcomingcommittee.com/bands/redfisher.php.  Interesting fact about Red Fisher is that their drummer Jason Tait went on to become a founding member of the band, the Weakerthans.  You can hear the song, Tom BMX, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge9mfqP3wHU).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Islands, Album: Vapours, Song: No You Don't

"Don't buy dope from the man you don't know."  Islands is mainly one individual named Nick Thorburn along with a revolving cast of musicians from the Montreal area.  The original line up rose from the ashes of a now defunct indie act called the Unicorns.  Members of the Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre and Wolf Parade have all contributed to his music in recent years.  Islands released their debut in 2006 and have garnered a lot of international acclaim.  Vapours is their most recent release (2009) which features the catchy song, No You Don't.  Nick is another artist that also maintains a pop sensibility to his songs and this one is no exception.  It's a trippy tune with a danceable beat.  The band signed with ANTI records in Los Angeles and have been touring the US and Europe.  They have three albums to date.  You can follow Islands at http://www.myspace.com/islands or at http://islandsareforever.com/.  The album, Vapours, is available on Itunes.  You can watch the video for the song, No You Don't, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTzA8XejLxE).  The actor, Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Juno), acts in the video.  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Klaatu, Album: Endangered Species, Song: Howl At The Moon

"She was a sleek and slender enchantress.  I'd met in the Casbah.  When her green eyes first met mine, I was overwhelmed with awe."  Klaatu was a rock band from Toronto that was formed in the early seventies.  They were signed to Capitol records and released their debut in 1976.  The band has one of the most interesting stories in Canadian history.  Shortly after the release of their debut, a journalist in Providence, Rhode Island incorrectly reported that Klaatu were actually the Beatles recording under a pseudonym.  The band's sound was similar and the album credits didn't include any pictures of the band or names.  Couple that with the swirling rumours of Paul McCartney's supposed death at the time.  The band's album sales suddenly spiked!  The party continued until the release of this album, Endangered Species, in 1980.  It was the first album by the band that listed more information about where the band was located and it's members.  The album wasn't as commercially successful but it did include this gem at the end of side one, entitled, Howl At The Moon.  Klaatu would release one more album in 1981 before calling it a career.  Their discography was remastered by Bullseye Records.  Unfortunately though, Bullseye is no longer so the only copies available are floating around in the second hand market.  At the time of this blog, Endangered Species, was trading on Ebay and Amazon between $10 and $100. You can hear the song, Howl At The Moon, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDH2EPDIIEY).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Lindy, Album: Lindy, Song: Florence Street

"Into the morning out of a dream.  I thought I thought of everything.  It takes me back to Florence Street."  Lindy is of Icelandic descent but grew up in Manitoba.  His parents were folk singers that travelled and performed for former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.  Lindy settled in Toronto, recorded his self titled debut in Vancouver and released it on the Montreal based label, Aquarius, in 1998.  He is a musical poet.  His songs are melodic and his lyrics are clever.  Florence Street is the lead off track on the album and his style reminds me a lot of Bob Dylan or Ike Reilly.  More recently, Lindy is one half of the group Major Maker which has had some considerable success in Canada.  He does continue to play as a solo artist and you can follow him at http://www.lindymusic.com/.  The self titled debut is available on Itunes.  You can hear the song, Florence Street, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asy_6CBsWJs).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Gregory Hoskins And The Stickpeople, Album: Raids On The Unspeakable, Song: Dance Of The Vulnerable

"One minute there and gone the next.  All brotherly love then I'll break his neck.  Someone took a poison cup and threw it in our faces.  Same religion, same retreats, same convictions raised on different streets.  How did it come to this?"  Gregory Hoskins was born and raised in Quebec but launched his music career on the streets of Toronto.  He and his band the Stickpeople released their debut album in 1991 and were signed to True North Records.  They travelled the country opening for the likes of the Neville Brothers and the Indigo Girls before settling down and recording their followup, Raids Of The Unspeakable, in 1993.  This album had a big sound and the song, Dance Of The Vulnerable, is a great example of that.  I find it reminds me of the Waterboys.  Aside from being a great guitarist, Gregory is also a very talented lyricist.  Truly one of our country's hidden treasures.  Gregory still plays and records.  I believe he has some shows coming up in January in Toronto.  You can follow him at http://www.gregoryhoskins.com/.  You can purchase this album and his entire discography on Itunes as well as from his website.  You can hear the track, Dance Of The Vulnerable, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQKsksJuhPE).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!  

Artist: The Flying Public, Album: Harmony Lunch, Song: When They Call My Name

"C'mon, C'mon, C'mon, you must hate it when they call my name."  The Flying Public were a four piece with a big sound from Kitchener, Ontario.  They released what I believe to be their only album in 2004, entitled, Harmony Lunch.  Harmony Lunch is actually a 50's style diner in the city of Kitchener that has been around for half a century or so.  The band's members were Jon McGough, Kyle Squance, Dave Moore and Cameron Dunning.  The album only included 7 tracks but the first one, When They Call My Name, is blazing.  From the opening drum intro until it's end, this song never lets up.  Unfortunately, the band doesn't appear to be recording together anymore and I think this release likely had a very limited pressing.  At the time of this blog, there weren't any copies of the album for sale that I could find.  You can hear the song, When They Call My Name, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRepxKpQJL0).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Shuffle Demons, Album: Streetniks, Song: Spadina Bus

"I want confirmation of my information about my transportation from Spadina station."  The Shuffle Demons are a jazz group from Toronto who formed in the early eighties.  They started out as a street band, busking on various corners in the city.  They soon brought their act indoors and released their debut, Streetniks, in 1985 with Stony Plain records.  The band's popularity exceeded the city's limits thanks to the power of video.  That's how I learned of them back then.  If you tuned into Much Music for any length of time you probably remember their video for the song, Spadina Bus.  The song was a bit of a parody about our public transportation system and more specifically, the Spadina street route.  The band wore wild costumes and had three sax players.  The original members were Rich Underhill, Mike Murley, Dave Parker, Jim Vivian and Stich Wynston.  The band was actually nominated for a Juno as a result of this release and over the span of more than 2 decades, released 6 albums, toured Canada 20 times and Europe 16 times.  They actually did a street busking tour of Europe prior to the release of this album.  The band still gigs and is touring internationally as well.  You can follow them at http://www.shuffledemons.com/.  You can purchase the album, Streetniks, on Itunes.  You can watch the video for Spadina Bus on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZnLjRi_g9o).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Blurtonia, Album: Adventures In The Kingdom Of Blurtonia, Song: Never Less Than Perfect

Blurtonia was the genius of indie rock legend, Ian Blurton, from Toronto.  Within Ian's career trajectory, Blurtonia existed after his time with Change of Heart and before his current band, C'Mon.  Ian's been around the Toronto scene for almost 3 decades I figure.  He's played with the Cowboy Junkies and Scott B. Sympathy.  He's also developed an impressive list of production credits during that time as well.  Ian's got a bit of a throwback sound to his music.  Sloan might be a good comparison, especially with regards to this particular track, Never Less Than Perfect.  It's good time rock and roll with a little trash thrown in.      Adventures In The Kingdom Of Blurtonia was their debut album in 1999.  The band would go through some personnel changes and at one time included Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene).  They would release one final album in 2001 with Grenadine Records before calling it quits.  Ian has since released a solo album called Happy Endings and a slew of releases with C'Mon.  You can follow him at http://www.myspace.com/sirianblurton or http://www.thisiscmon.com/.  Sir Ian is criminally under appreciated and completely under the radar to most Canadians.  Those that are aware of him, are rabid for his work though.  The album, Adventures In The Kingdom Of Blurtonia, can be purchased at Maple Music.  You can hear the track, Never Less Than Perfect, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEjn9UTJIU).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Andy Sheppard, Album: Swimming In (Realtime), Song: Leaves Of Natangora

Andy Sheppard is a singer songwriter from Simcoe, Ontario originally.  He released his debut in 1995 and after spending some time travelling throughout the world, he released, Swimming In (Realtime), in 1999.  Andy has been widely regarded as a great guitar player but his use of sampling makes him even more unique.  In the song, Leaves Of Natangora, he uses samples of a children's story from the Island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.  From that sample, he builds a world beat masterpiece.  Andy continues to play and record.  He is apparently working on a new album that is scheduled for release at the end of the year.  He is also a prominent figure on CBC Radio.  Andy recently toured Canada and the UK as part of an International Guitar Night.  You can follow Andy at http://www.andysheppard.com/.  His discography, including this album, is available on Itunes and from CDBaby.  You can hear the song, Leaves Of Natangora, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ac3rkZfqhg).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Lillian Allen, Album: Revolutionary Tea Party, Song: I Fight Back

"Here I am in Canada, bringing up someone else's child.  While someone else and me in absentee, bringing up my own."  Lillian Allen is a dub poet from Toronto.  Originally born and raised in Jamaica, she immigrated to Canada in the early seventies.  Revolutionary Tea Party was likely her first major release although she did have some indie cassette only albums and EP's prior to 1986.  She worked with the reggae band, Truth and Rights, as a lyricist while attending university and that's likely how she became acquainted with the members of another band called, The Parachute Club.  Billy Bryans produced the album and Laurie Conger and Lorraine Segato both play on the album as well.  Lillian is a social activist with razor sharp lyricism.  I Fight Back's theme is centred around the struggles of African American women immigrating to Canada.  However, there are some other tracks on this album like Nellie Belly Swelly and Rub A Dub Style Inna Regent Park that deal with more graphic content.  I don't think I know of any other Canadian artist that is able to depict with word some of the themes that she sings about.  She sounds like a woman possessed on this particular track.  Lillian would go on to become a published author, playwright and advisor to the Canadian government on topics of culture and diversity.  She would also win a Juno award for this album.  Quite an outstanding woman.  Her discography isn't easy to find nowadays.  At the time of this blog, there were vinyl copies of Revolutionary Tea Party for sale on Ebay and Amazon between $20 and $25.  You can hear the song, I Fight Back, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk2QcoiVXFI). As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!