Artist: Sven Gali, Album: Sven Gali, Song: Tie Dyed Skies

"There's blood across the tie dyed skies, see the world through different eyes.  It's been coming for a long, long time.  Agony across the city, city of lies."  Sven Gali were a hard rock band from the Niagara area of Ontario.  They formed in the late eighties and by 1992, had a deal with BMG and released their self titled debut.  The album did very well in Canada achieving gold status.  The band toured North America and Europe developing a fan base along the way.  Tie Dyed Skies was one of the singles from this album.  It has such a clean, hard sound.  The harmonies remind me a lot of a song called, It's Love, by the band, King's X.  The unfortunate part for Sven Gali was that times were changing and Metal was on it's way out.  They would release one more album in 1994 before calling it quits.  They tried to transform their sound though for the second release by recording in Seattle.  They enlisted the help of a producer that had worked with Candlebox.  Unfortunately, the listening public didn't embrace the new direction.  In recent years, the band has reunited and played some shows.  You can follow them at http://www.sven-gali.com/.  The album is no longer widely available.  At the time of this blog, there were copies on Amazon and Ebay trading between $5 and $65.  You can hear the song, Tie Dyed Skies, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bCxb8WkjU0).  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!
***Please note, any earlier blog that didn't have a You Tube link has now been amended.  You can link through the body of the blog or from the You Tube link in the top right corner of the main page.

Artist: Basia Bulat, Album: Oh, My Darling, Song: Before I Knew

"The first time I felt my heart was the first time I sang out loud all through the night."  Basia Bulat is a singer songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.  She released her debut, Oh, My Darling in 2007.  Before I Knew, is the lead off track from that release and clocks in at just over a minute.  But it's one beautiful minute!  There was an extended version of the song released on a limited edition single in 2008 as well.  She laid down the foundation for this release at the Hotel 2 Tango studios in Montreal with Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire).  He was so impressed with her work that he helped get her signed with the Rough Trade label in Britain.  The album was actually released overseas before it was even released in Canada.  She has garnered a lot of international acclaim and has toured Europe, Australia, the United States and Canada in support of the album.  She released her follow up this past year and is currently supporting Josh Ritter on his Canadian tour.  She has a delicate soulfulness to  her voice which you will hear on this track.  She plays the piano, guitar, banjo, ukulele, auto harp, sax, flute and bass.  A truly remarkable young woman.  You can follow her at http://basiabulat.com/.  The album, Oh, My Darling, is available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  You can hear the song, Before I Knew, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OIg3srhUyw&feature=related).  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: One To One, Album: Forward Your Emotions, Song: Angel In My Pocket

"I caught an angel in my pocket.  I caught an angel, she's forever mine."  One To One were a band out of Ottawa that released their debut album, Forward Your Emotions, in 1985.  They were vocalist Louise Reny and multi-instrumentalist Leslie Howe.  One To One were all over AM all hit radio with numerous singles in Canada.  Angel In My Pocket wasn't their highest charting Canadian single but it was the only song from the album to crack the American Billboard Hot 100.  They were signed to a British label, Bonaire, for this album and recorded it in West Germany.  Both shared the songwriting duties while Howe also produced the album.  They would switch labels to A&M in the early nineties and change their name to One 2 One.  In total, the band released 3 albums and numerous Top 40 Canadian singles.  After a brief hiatus in the nineties, they returned and collaborated once again on two separate projects.  The first was a band called Sal's Birdland and the second was Artificial Joy Club.  The One To One album, Forward Your Emotions, was re-released by Wounded Bird Records out of New York this past year.  It is currently available at Amazon.com.  You can watch the music video for Angel In My Pocket on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uXIU6bn8Hk).  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: Shawne Jackson, Album: Ktel Canadian Mint, Song: Just As Bad As You

"I'm just as bad as you, there ain't nothing I can't do.  I'm as bad as bad can be, ain't no man gonna mess with me."  Shawne Jackson was a soul singer from Toronto.  She worked her way from being a member of a Methodist Church choir to a chart topping Canadian singer.  In 1974, after spending the mid to late sixties in various r&b groups throughout the city with her brother, Jay, she released this top ten hit.  She signed with Hugh Hefner's Playboy Records label and was produced by her future husband, the late Domenic Troiano.  Domenic had been a successful solo artist in his own right as well as a member of the Guess Who and the James Gang.  Her partnership with Troiano would yield a self titled debut album in 1976 but it didn't include this song.  If you love soul music, this is one hard to find gem of a song.  For a woman who never intended to become a singer, she was very good at it.  She would leave music behind in the late seventies to pursue other interests before returning in the eighties once again.  Today, she and her brother Jay perform the odd show together.  The song, Just As Bad As You, is likely only available on 45 or on a vinyl Canadian music compilation from that time period.  I discovered it myself on a K-tel album (pictured).  At the time of this blog there were three vinyl 45 copies selling between $3 and $10 on Ebay and Amazon.  You can hear the song, Just As Bad As You, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQULvWqkdlE).  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: Russian Futurists, Album: Our Thickness, Song: Our Pen's Out Of Ink

At the core of the band, The Russian Futurists, there is one man named Matthew Adam Hart.  He's originally from Cornwall, Ontario and started his recording career as the Russian Futurists in the year 2000.  Since then, he has released 4 full lengths and a 5th is pending release next month.  The song, Our Pen's Out Of Ink, is from the album, Our Thickness, which was released in 2005.  It is also available on a retrospective released in 2007 entitled, Me, Myself & Rye.  His sound can be described as electronic with a pop mentality.  This particular track conjures up images of a coastline and the harmonies remind me of the Beach Boys.  Actually, when you consider how people often described Brian Wilson's work and the way he constantly pushed the boundaries of pop music, you wonder if Hart has been cut from the same cloth.  His music is truly different without being extreme.  With respect to this song, at the root of it's many layers is an addictive, listenable melody.  Matthew has toured Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe.  He's remixed songs for the Shout Out Louds and Stars.  He has also aligned himself with a producer that has worked with the likes of Outkast and Arrested Development for his new album.  You can follow the Russian Futurists at http://www.russianfuturists.com/.  Both releases are available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  You can hear the song, Our Pen's Out Of Ink, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXnFx36g6qM).  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: Queen City Kids, Album: Queen City Kids, Song: Down Again

"Looks like I'm in trouble again.  I'm down again."  Queen City Kids were named after the city they originated from, Regina, Saskatchewan.  They were childhood friends who started out as a British Invasion cover band called, Cambridge.  By the age of 16, the guys were opening for Rush on the western leg of their tour.  In 1981, their independent album caught the ear of producer Gene Martynec (Rough Trade) which in turn attracted the attention of Capital Records.  This led to their self titled debut and the song, Down Again.  It's one of the band's more pop oriented songs.  Constant touring landed them opening spots with Ozzy Osbourne, April Wine, Streetheart, Joan Jett and Blue Oyster Cult (a band that they were covering a few years earlier!).  The album achieved gold status in Canada and led to a second release in 1982.  However, the band was broke and with very little label support from Capital/CBS to promote the album, they called it quits in 1983.  They reformed though and today you can catch them playing from time to time.  You can follow the band at http://www.queencitykids.com/.  The song, Down Again, can be found on their self titled debut as well as a Best Of album that was released in 1989.  Both are difficult to find.  At the time of this blog there was one vinyl copy of the debut album for sale on Ebay for $8 and two CD copies of the Best Of album on Amazon for $88.  You can hear the song, Down Again, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZzMX96fONA&feature=related).  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: Rachelle Van Zanten, Album: Back To Francois, Song: Take Me Right Back

"Get me right back to home where the water flows.  Sticky sweet like cola, the cherry go round.  The cherry go round.  Here we go round now." Rachelle Van Zanten is a singer songwriter from British Columbia.  After playing in the band, Painting Daisies, she released her solo debut in 2006 entitled, Back To Francois.  What makes her so special is her remarkable slide guitar playing.  She absolutely blazes a trail of blues power on this track, Take Me Right Back.  I haven't been this excited about a female guitar player since I heard Ellen McIlwaine ("We The People") for the first time.  Rachelle has been touring all over the world in support of this album and in 2009, released her follow up entitled, Where Your Garden Grows.  She is one of our country's brightest lights at the moment and you can follow her at http://www.rachellevanzanten.com/.  The album, Back To Francois, is available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  You can watch the video for the song, Take Me Right Back, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUeVbHx1i8o).  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: Kish, Album: Order From Chaos, Song: I Rhyme The World In 80 Days

"From nation to destination, it ain't a vacation so let me bust a conversation."  Kish was a Japanese-Canadian rapper that released his debut, Order From Chaos, in 1991.  The lead off track and single was I Rhyme The World In 80 Days.  Canadian rap was already starting to show real promise at this time.  Maestro had dropped Let Your Backbone Slide and turned that into a Top 40 hit which had never been done before.  This particular track by Kish was equal parts R&B and Rap.  It was smooth and reminiscent of Around The Way Girl by LL Cool J as well as Lisa Stansfield's R&B hit, All Around The World.  He also enlisted the production team of Anthony and Peter Davis who worked with Maestro Fresh Wes.  Unfortunately, he didn't experience much longevity as an artist.  He would release one more album in 1994 before calling it quits.  Today Kish is based in California and is in the voice over business.  He does work on commercials, animated movies, video games etc.  Regardless, he will always be remembered as an integral artist in our rap history.  The album is a difficult find.  At the time of this blog, there were limited copies on Ebay and Discogs ranging in price from $15 to $50.  You can bust a running man to the video for I Rhyme The World In 80 Days on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVyAnbqCCVg).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about on Live 365 (http://www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Michael Breen, Album: Michael Breen, Song: Rain

Michael Breen was a singer from Quebec who released his self titled debut in 1987 with Alert Records.  He was discovered by the label through an East Coast Talent Contest that he subsequently won.  Michael was actually a francophone who teamed up with English lyricists so that his music would have wider appeal.  With respect to the lead off track and single, Rain, from this album.  He teamed with a young Sass Jordan.  She, of course, would go on to establish a successful career as a solo artist.  The album was produced by Pierre Bazinet who was a well known Montreal based producer that had worked with artists like Luba and Celine Dion.  This particular track got quite a bit of airplay in Canada for Michael.  He just belts that chorus out with great energy.  There isn't much in the way of information on Michael since this release.  I don't believe he recorded another album after this.  His name does come up in the credits of the McGarrigle sisters' 1990 release, Heartbeats Accelerating, where he added guitar work to the album.  There also appears to be another country artist in the US that shares his name and is still recording.  The album is a difficult find these days.  At the time of this blog, there were vinyl copies of the Rain single and the self titled debut album on Ebay ranging from $4 to $7.  You can watch the original video for the song, Rain, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buur6KcnO8E).  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: Yoko Casionos, Album: These Are The New Old Times, Song: Cameras On

"I can't recall if there were cameras on.  Looking back I was on the run."  The Yoko Casionos are a band from Vancouver.  They are siblings, Misty and Chad Reid, Juice and Kieron Rhys Drake.  These Are The New Old Times was their debut album for Universal Music in 2006.  It was recorded in Vancouver with Todd Simcoe (Pure) and mastered in Toronto with Noah Mintz (hHead).  It's a great power pop album and the song, Cameras On, is one of the highlights.  At their peak, they were performing with bands like Ted Leo & the Pharmacists.  The band took a bit of a break but is back in the studio recording their second album as we speak.  They expect to release it by 2011.  They are also playing in the Vancouver area and showcasing some of their new material.  The drummer, Juice, has a blog similar to my own at http://sttvs.blogspot.com (Switching To The Vapour State).  You can follow the band at http://www.myspace.com/theyokocasionos.  The album, These Are The New Old Times, is available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  You can watch the video for Cameras On, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8DJqlHRJmk).  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: Mae Moore, Album: Bohemia, Song: Bohemia

"Closer than I've ever been to being alive.  Since I've arrived in Bohemia."  Mae Moore is a singer songwriter based in British Columbia.  Bohemia was the title track to her second album in 1992.  Mae already had some success on the publishing end of the business as a result of the Loverboy hit entitled, Heaven In Your Eyes, which she co-wrote.  It appeared on the soundtrack to one of the biggest movies of the eighties, Top Gun.  She then landed a deal with CBS records and released her debut in 1990.  The track, Bohemia, received a lot of airplay on alternative stations in Canada.  It's an acoustic song which melds well with Mae's folk roots but it also layers soft beats under the guitars that enhances the mood of the song.  She decided to record this album in Australia and enlisted the help of Steve Kilbey and Peter Koppes from the band, The Church ("Under The Milky Way Tonight") and Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip.  Mae is an author, artist and musician who is expecting to release a new album in 2011.  She also released a greatest hits package entitled, Collected Works, in 2000.  You can follow Mae at http://www.maemoore.com/.  You can purchase Bohemia or Collected Works from CD Baby or Amazon.  You can watch the video for Bohemia on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiKB9UGYPrQ).  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: Big House, Album: Big House, Song: Dollar In My Pocket (Pretty Things)

"Ooh come along.  I got a dollar in my pocket for you.  Ooh come along.  You can have it if you want it."  Big House were a rock band from Edmonton, Alberta.  They were Jan Ek, K.B. Broc, Craig Beakhouse and Sjor Throndson.  They released an indie EP entitled, Pretty Things, on the Boomtown Music label in California.  That led to a distribution deal with BMG and the release of their self titled debut in 1991.  The band got some decent airplay for this particular song.  This track was right in line with where heavy metal was going at the time.  A rough and trashy sound more like Guns n' Roses as opposed to the slick production of bands like Def Leppard.  Guns n' Roses' Appetite For Destruction was almost 5 years old at this point though and Nirvana's Nevermind was released this same year.  So like most metal acts around that time, they failed to produce another album.  What's interesting about this band though, is that two of their core members actually came from the punk scene.  Ek and Throndson were in a punk band called Down Syndrome before joining Big House.  It's just unfortunate they didn't continue recording to see how their sound might have evolved.  The self titled debut is not widely available.  At the time of this blog, there were used copies for sale on Amazon ranging between $5 and $240.  You should also not confuse this band with a country band that goes by this same name.  You can hear the song, Dollar In My Pocket (Pretty Things) on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOfIc-4kCjQ).  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: Dave Rave & The Crashtones, Album: Dave Rave Anthology Vol.1, Song: Rock The Party

"Rock, Rock, Rock The Party!"  Dave Rave is a musician from Hamilton, Ontario.  He has had a long affiliation with the punk and garage rock scene since the late seventies.  He worked closely with Teenage Head on many of their albums and even assumed the role of lead singer for a short period.  He's a true pop genius that might actually be more popular beyond our borders than within them.  Rock The Party was a song recorded during his time with the band the Crashtones.  The song apparently was written following their first gig together in Buffalo.  It was recorded in one afternoon and released as part of a two volume anthology featuring the music of Dave Rave and his various bands in 2006.  If you like rock, I highly recommend this release.  Dave has released some wonderful material throughout his career and it's great to see him preserving his legacy through re-issues.  He's worked with Daniel Lanois, Alex Chilton (Big Star, Box Tops) and the Trews.  He's also been featured on the BBC.  He released a solo album this year and is currently touring Canada and US in the next few months.  You can follow Dave and his career at http://www.dave-rave.com/.  The Dave Rave Anthology Vol.1 is available from his website and Amazon.com.  You can watch the video for Rock The Party on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjJzOajwYG4&feature=related).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Len, Album: You Can't Stop The Bum Rush, Song: Hot Rod Monster Jam

"Everybody's stoned, nobody gives a shit.  But these guys are making so much bread that it doesn't matter what they do."  One of the many random samples in this jacked up track off the band's major label debut.  You Can't Stop The Bum Rush was recorded almost 10 years after the band started and was released with Sony's WORK label in 1999.  Most might remember the huge hit, Steal My Sunshine, which was a top ten hit all over the world.  That song gave the album it's gold status.   As you can tell from this particular track, Hot Rod Monster Jam, the band was very eclectic.  I can remember being totally surprised when I first purchased this album.  I think I was expecting to hear songs like Steal My Sunshine but in fact, a lot of the songs are completely different.  There was also quite an A-list of musical contributors.  Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), Buck 65, Biz Markie, Kurtis Blow and C.C. DeVille (Poison) to name a few.  This particular track samples The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Shop Around, White Lines (Don't Do It) and Do Your Duty.  The core of the band were siblings Marc and Sharon Costanzo.  They would release a couple more albums before calling quits in 2008.  The album isn't widely available.  At the time of this blog there were used copies trading on Ebay and Amazon between $1 and $50.  You can hear the song, Hot Rod Monster Jam, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzwl7jpyG64).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Cooper Brothers, Album: Best Of The Cooper Brothers, Song: Dream Never Dies

"The dream never dies, just the dreamer.  The dream never dies if it's strong.  The song never dies, just the singer.  So come on everybody sing along."  The Cooper Brothers were a band formed in the early seventies in Ottawa.  They were brothers, Brian and Richard Cooper and their late friend Terry King.  One listen though and you would probably expect them to have roots in the American south.  Their sound was southern rock and country and this particular song, Dream Never Dies, from their self-titled debut, was very much like the Eagles or Little River Band.  Soaring harmonies and great musicianship.  The band was actually signed to a label based in Georgia called Capricorn.  They would release 3 albums with that label between 1978 and 1981.  The label went under while they were producing a fourth album which in the end was never released.  The band then broke up in 1983.  But they are back!  Fresh out of a recording studio in Nashville, they released their first album in almost 30 years.  You can follow the band at http://thecooperbrothers.com/.  The song, Dream Never Dies, may sound familiar.  It actually won an ASCAP award for the most performed song on US radio and has been covered by a number of American country artists.  It's quite a tune and you can hear it on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enh-dsa00ro).  The band released a retrospective in 2006 which includes this song and is available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Rat Silo, Album: What The Butler Saw, Song: Getupgotoworkgohomegotobed

"Stuck in a rut and I feel so afraid.  I don't see nothing and nothings coming my way.  Just looking for a reason to get up, go to work, go home and go to bed."  Rat Silo are Jim Newton, Don Binns, Finn Manniche, Dave Osborne and Sean Stubbs.  They are a band from Vancouver that released their debut, What The Butler Saw, in 2007.  Getupgotoworkgohomegotobed is off their debut and is a catchy rock song about how dreary life can be at times.  If the names or voice sound familiar then you likely remember a band during the nineties called Sons Of Freedom.  They had a great song called You're No Good.  Jim Newton was the vocalist for that band.  Don Binns was also a member of the band and the others all spent time in bands like 54-40, Bif Naked, Tainted Lovers, Jakalope and Econoline Crush. Seasoned musicians that are now releasing some great original music and having a lot of fun in the process.  Some of their track titles are hilarious (The Cock The Size Of Roma, Oh Fuck Off Tony, Jiggle My Wiggle).  They released their second album in 2009 and it is available on Itunes and at CD Baby.  You can follow the band at http://www.myspace.com/ratsilo.  You can watch the video for the song, Getupgotoworkgohomegotobed, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThNGkwKquDI).  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Hemingway Corner, Album: Hemingway Corner, Song: Man On A Mission

"I'm a man on a mission, a rain cloud raining, a river that runs to the sea.  I'm a road that's winding around the world spinning, turning in eternity.  I'm a man on a mission."  Hemingway Corner was an American-Canadian duo that met while songwriting for Sony Music.  David Martin was from Georgia and Johnny Douglas was a Canadian songwriter living in Nashville.  The two started writing and playing together and decided to release their self-titled debut in 1993.  It spawned a hit with the song, Man On A Mission, which received some regular airplay on Canadian radio.  It also prompted them to hit the road and tour in support of the release.  Following that, Johnny decided that touring wasn't his speed and left the band.  Hemingway Corner would release another album in 1995 with new members before calling it quits.  Both Johnny and David are still active today in the music business.  For comparison purposes, I remember at the time of this release, there was a similar sounding American band called the Rembrandts that were all over the radio as well.  They, of course, would land the theme song for the ever popular show, Friends.  You can watch the video for the uplifting, acoustic, Man On A Mission, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBrqksRFDVA&NR=1).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Huevos Rancheros, Album: Get Outta Dodge, Song: What A Way To Run A Railroad

Huevos Rancheros were a trio from Calgary, Alberta who formed in 1990.  Get Outta Dodge was their 3rd release in 1995.  They were Cantankerous Tom, Richie Ranchero and Brent Cooper.  The band did not have a vocalist and played some of the most blazing, hard rocking instrumentals of the nineties.  Often quoted as getting in to music for the free beer, they had an interesting approach to marketing themselves and toured constantly.  They targeted garage rock labels in Washington and Seattle to release and distribute their music initially.  They released singles and allowed their songs to be included on numerous compilations.  As a result, their songs often provided the theme music in extreme sport videos.  They also used video to get the word out and had a number of songs on rotation at Much Music at the time.  By the time they signed with Vancouver label, Mint Records, they had already toured North America opened for Henry Rollins in New York.  Following the release of Get Outta Dodge they toured Europe extensively and appeared on the late John Peel's BBC radio program.  What A Way To Run A Railroad is the lead off track on this album and it is an absolute rocker.  This is what all those instrumental bands from the 50's and 60's would have sounded like if they had heard AC/DC.  Yeeehaw!  You can watch the video on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0rVrwibSTg).  The band would release one more album on Mint in 2000 but never officially call it quits.  So who knows, maybe we might see a reunion some day.  The album, Get Outta Dodge, is available on Itunes and at Amazon.  As always, you can hear this song as well as others I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Caribou, Album: The Milk Of Human Kindness, Song: Lord Leopard

Caribou is Dan Snaith who originally hailed from Dundas, Ontario.  Dan started his recording career as Manitoba but changed his name to Caribou in 2004.  Apparently, Dictators' front man, Handsome Dick Manitoba, threatened to sue him.  Most of Dan's earlier work has been re-released under his new name, Caribou.  He started recording in 2000 and to date has recorded 7 full lengths, 2 EP's and countless singles.  The Milk Of Human Kindness was released in 2005.  Lord Leopard is from that release and is quite a unique track.  The back beat of the song reminded me of a hip hop track when I first heard it but the other instrumentation and sounds are different.  Very tough to describe but that is Caribou's intent.  He is constantly evolving and breaking new ground with his music.  His last two albums Andorra and Swim have either won or have been nominated for the Polaris Prize in Canada.  Dan now resides in England and you can follow his work at http://www.caribou.fm/.  He is currently covering every square inch of the globe on tour.  It is actually quite overwhelming the number of shows he is doing and the countries being covered.  The man is an absolute machine.  As well, Dan usually performs live with a full band.  The album, The Milk Of Human Kindness, is available on Itunes and at Amazon.  You can watch the video for Lord Leopard on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41nsM02Oxzs).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Regatta, Album: Regatta, Song: Wherever You Run

"Four o'clock in the morning I open up my eyes from a dream where you were lying by my side."  Regatta were Chris Smith, Matthew Gerrard and Greg Critchley.  After winning the Q107 Homegrown Radio contest in 1985, they were signed to BMG.  They released their one and only self titled debut album in 1989.  Often referred to as AOR which stands for "album oriented rock" but in this case is used to describe the slick, commercial sound of many bands that got heavy FM radio play during the seventies and eighties.  It's funny how that term became so improperly used.  AOR was a way for DJ's to play more than just singles on the radio.  They would make an effort to showcase other album tracks by the artist.  Not a bad idea but somewhere along the way, the true meaning of the phrase got lost.  The song,  Wherever You Run, was the single for the band that got them the most attention.  It's an upbeat, smooth rock song with great harmonies.  Greg Critchley might be the most recognizable name of the trio as a result of his work with the Spoons, FM and the Partland Brothers.  Both he and Matthew Gerrard make their livings on the production side of the business today and are based in Los Angeles.  They have been linked to projects with Disney, Hannah Montana and Hilary Duff to name a few.  Chris Smith is still recording as a solo artist but in the genre of smooth jazz.  He has worked with the likes of Michael Buble and Diana Krall.  The album, Regatta, isn't widely available.  There were copies trading on Ebay and Discogs between $5 and $50 at the time of this blog.  You can watch the video for the song, Wherever You Run, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UttfwobAVkU).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Salmonblaster, Album: Salmonblaster, Song: Freeway

"Got a picture in my pocket, looks a lot like you.  And every time that I drop it, looks less and less like you."  Salmonblaster were a band from London, Ontario that formed in the early nineties.  They were Matt Werm, Brady Parr and Mat Davis.  They were signed to the indie label, Liquid Records and released their self-titled debut in 1996.  The single from the album and likely the one that most relate to the band's name was Freeway.  It's a power pop gem that starts out slow but just builds in to an all out guitar driven assault.  Very similar to another Canadian band during the nineties called the Doughboys.  The band would only release one album and garner some regional attention through college radio as well as a video for their song, Freeway, on Much Music.  That's actually where I heard the song for the first time.  The band was able to land some gigs with other Canadian acts like the Ghandarvas, Glueleg and I Mother Earth as a result.  The drummer, Brady Parr, is actually in another band from London, known as Raised By Swans.  The self titled debut by Salmonblaster is not an easy find.  Amazon had 3 copies selling between $4 and $5 at the time of this blog.  You can watch the video for Freeway on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdPy0P92mmU).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Christopher Kearney, Album: Christopher Kearney, Song: Loosen Up

"Loosen up your hold on me babe.  Let out the reins and let me run.  Loosen up your hold on me child.  I'm not the one to sing your song."  Christopher Kearney is a singer songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.  Christopher would relocate to the US West Coast in the late sixties and become acquainted with Gordon Lightfoot.  It was this connection that landed him his deal with Capital Records in the 1970's.  Christopher would release his self titled debut in 1972 and the lead off single was Loosen Up.  Known more in folk circles, this song is a countrified blues song which was a bit of a crossover song for folk rock at the time.  If you like Grateful Dead and perhaps CCR, you should enjoy this track.  The song did well in Canada and landed him some opening gigs for well-known artists like Anne Murray at the time.  He even represented Canada at an international song festival in Brazil with the Stampeders.  He would go on to release two more albums in the seventies as a solo artist, his last in 1975.  Christopher would resurface in a band known as China in the early eighties with Canadian, Danny McBride (former guitarist with Chris DeBurgh).  He still resides on the west coast, specifically, San Diego.  He collaborated on a song for the relief effort in Bosnia during the nineties.  The project featured a number of well known Canadian artists like Molly Johnson, Rik Emmett and Tom Cochrane.  The self titled debut is not an easy find these days and is likely only available on vinyl.  At the time of this blog, there were 3 copies for sale on Ebay between $20 and $30.  You can follow Christopher on his MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/christopherjkearney.  He still writes and records and released another solo album in 2008.  You can hear the song, Loosen Up, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFSzrBeD0OY).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: MCJ & Cool G, Album: So Listen, Song: So Listen

"So listen to what we say and you know you'll never rock this way.  'Cus were the best MC's you'll ever see and on top is where you'll never be."  MCJ and Cool G were a Hip Hop duo from Halifax, Nova Scotia.  They would re-locate to Montreal and sign with Capital Records in 1989.  They have the distinction of being the first domestic rap act to sign with a major label in Canada.  They released their debut, So Listen, in 1990 and had a solid single with the title track to the album.  The sound was a mix of hip hop and r&b which was popularized by many of their US peers during the late eighties and early nineties.  Comparative groups that come to mind are Heavy D & the Boyz, Kid n' Play and perhaps Color Me Badd's I Wanna Sex You Up single.  They would release one more album in 1993 and call it quits.  The duo was part of a unique pioneering core of artists that established hip hop in this country.  Michie Mee, Maestro Fresh Wes, Main Source and maybe the Dream Warriors would have been their native peers at the time.  I've owned the 12" version of the song, So Listen, since it's release and it's being streamed at RaisedonCanadianRadio on Live 365.  The club remix was produced by Funkmaster in New York and is worth a listen.  Their debut, So Listen, is difficult to find.  There were two copies on Amazon for sale between $30 and $40.  Discogs has a vinyl copy of the 12" of So Listen for sale at $3.99.  You can watch the video for the song, So Listen, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfCEVd5eHBQ).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Glueleg, Album: Heroic Doses, Song: Heroic Doses

Perhaps one of the coolest and most original bands to come out of Toronto during the grunge era.  Formed in 1992, Glueleg were Carlos Alonso, Ruben Huizenga, Christian Simpson, Andrew Wyse and Bob Mackowycz.  They had that trademark heavy guitar synonymous with the musical times in the early nineties but incorporated horns and a rare instrument known as the Chapman Stick.  Simply put, it's a variation on the guitar which was most prominently used in progressive rock bands like the Weather Report, Peter Gabriel and King Crimson.  Coincidentally, the band would cover a Crimson song on the album, Heroic Doses.  Heroic Doses was the band's big breakout album that was originally issued in 1995 with Page Publications (Barenaked Ladies) and re-issued in 1996 for wider distribution through EMI.  The title track is the perfect introduction to their heavy yet progressive sound.  The band would record one more full length in 1997 before calling it quits.  The album, Heroic Doses, is not easy to find. At the time of this blog there were copies on Ebay and Amazon trading between $1 and $10.  There is someone selling their Indie EP entitled, Park Alien, from 1993 for $130 on Amazon!  You can watch the video for Heroic Doses on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByQjNpXsx68).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: John Bottomley, Album: Blackberry, Song: You Lose And You Gain

"Being apart has kept me drained and all this growth has come from pain.  You lose and you gain.  Just when I feel life is falling apart.  Suddenly I turn and it's back in my heart again.  You lose and you gain."  John Bottomley is a singer songwriter who was originally from Toronto but now resides in British Columbia.  If you had your ear to the ground in Toronto during the eighties and nineties you would definitely recognize his name.  He was a popular act on the Toronto scene both as a solo artist and as a member of the band, Tulpa.  He won a Juno award as an independent early in his career and in 1995, released Blackberry with BMG.  This release helped him chart his first top ten hit with the song, You Lose And You Gain.  He is a published writer  and illustrates his own artwork.  To date, he has written 3 books and has 9 solo albums to his credit.  You Lose And You Gain is a melancholy pop masterpiece.  John is still playing live and recording.  His latest release in 2009 was entitled The Mountain Hammered.  You can follow John at http://www.johnbottomley.net/.  The album Blackberry is available on Itunes and Amazon.  You can watch the video for You Lose And You Gain on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDlf9JxfcM).  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!  

Artist: Jeff Healey Band, Album: See The Light, Song: Someday, Someway

"Someday, someway, some body's gonna love you.  Someday, someway, what will be will be.  Someday, someway, now you open your eyes and you'll see.  Baby, it's me."  Jeff Healey was born and raised in Toronto.  Having lost his sight to cancer before his 1st birthday, Jeff would have to battle through something most of us could never dream of dealing with to become our country's greatest guitar player.  He signed with Arista Records in 1988 and released his debut album, See The Light.  Unless you were living in a cave or outside of Canada, this album was hugely popular in our native land.  His unorthodox style of playing and unbelievable energy prompted many high profile musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughn and B.B King to praise his talents.  Around the same time, he acted in and recorded the soundtrack to the movie, Roadhouse.  He was Grammy nominated and was a Juno award winner.  Someday, Someway is just one of those great album tracks that often gets lost in the multitude of successful singles good albums yield.  When you play something repeatedly, like I did with this release, you develop other favourites.  This song just swings and has a great chorus.  Unfortunately, Jeff succumbed to cancer in 2008 and passed away.  He continued recording up until his death and the Alberta based label, Stoney Plain Records, continues to release his material.  There are a couple of places to read about Jeff.  In his later years, Jeff focused more on his love of Blues and Jazz and released albums in both genres.  You can follow him at http://www.jeffhealey.com/home.htm.  For news about his rock career as the Jeff Healey Band, you can follow him at http://www.jeffhealeyband.com/.  This particular release isn't on Itunes for download.  Amazon and Ebay had new and used copies selling between $4 and $70 at the time of this blog.  You can hear the song, Someday, Someway, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0eayFnEgYY ).  You can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Strange Advance, Album: The Distance Between, Song: Love Becomes Electric

"And you know the night shines when our love becomes electric.  Oh you know the city shines when our love becomes electric.  You and I shine when our love becomes electric."  Strange Advance were a band from Vancouver in the early eighties that were led by Darryl Kromm and Drew Arnott.  These guys could play every instrument but generally employed a long list of session players for recording and touring.  The list included Bryan Adams, Randy Bachman and members of well known Canadian acts like Loverboy, FM, Streetheart, Images in Vogue, Red Rider and the Kim Mitchell Band.  It's no wonder their 80's synth pop sound was all over the radio and television.  The band released their debut in 1982 and would release 2 more albums before calling it quits in the 90's.  The Distance Between, was their final release in 1988.  The song, Love Becomes Electric, was the lead off single from that album and I believe it was their highest charting single.  I thought this was surprising myself considering the multitude of hits they had back then.  Songs like We Run and Worlds Away were in heavy rotation upon their release and the band's sound really fit with what was coming out of the UK at the time.  They were certainly a progressive sounding band back then.  There are two compilations also available of their music.  The most recent was released in 1995 and is entitled, Worlds Away And Back.  This is the only retrospective that covers all three of their releases and you can also find the track, Love Becomes Electric, on it.  At the time of this blog, there were copies of Worlds Away And Back on Ebay and Amazon trading between $15 and $20.  Copies of The Distance In Between were only available in vinyl form on Ebay and ranged in price from $2-$10.  You can watch the video for Love Becomes Electric on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxjY0aHFMM).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Blood Meridian, Album: We Almost Made It Home, Song: Oh, Oh, Oh

"Well were living in a dream no one wants to see, oh, no, no.  And we're feeling so besieged like a fuckin' disease, oh, no.  And we're buying all the things, take away all the pains, oh, oh, oh.  Just living every day like it matters anyway, ohhh no.  Oh, no, no, let's get ruined."  Blood Meridian are Matt Camirand, Jeff Lee, Shira Blustein, Kevin Grant and Joshua Wells.  You could probably assemble an extensive family tree connecting all the bands that these players are a part of.  Black Mountain, Pink Mountaintops, Lightning Dust and Hard Drugs are just a few of the names of their current bands.  Thus, Blood Meridian was a side project of sorts which began in 2004 with their debut, We Almost Made It Home.  The song, Oh, Oh, Oh is from that release.  It's an alt-country song at it's roots but it has this dirty rock n' roll appeal to it.  The band's name comes from the title of a Cormac McCarthy novel.  They have released 3 full length albums to date.  The most recent, in 2007, was released by a label called Elevation which is part owned by the hockey player, Boyd Devereaux.    Noting that some of their other projects like Black Mountain and Hard Drugs have recently released material, I'm guessing that the time wasn't right for a new Blood Meridian album.  However, you can follow with anticipation at http://www.myspace.com/bloodmeridian.  This release is available on Itunes and at Amazon.com.  You can hear the song, Oh, Oh, Oh on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQv_MWSDNM&feature=related).  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio). Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Teenage Head, Album: Tornado, Song: Tornado

"Let's Dance, My dance, Come on Do it, Tornado."  Teenage Head were a punk rock band from Hamilton that started recording in the late seventies.  The main 4 piece included Gord Lewis, Frankie Venom, Steve Marshall and Nick Stipinitz.  I don't think there was a telephone pole in the town I grew up in where I didn't see a Teenage Head poster stapled to it.  These guys played constantly and through that developed quite a groundswell which would eventually attract record label attention.  They released their self-titled debut in 1979 and then joined Attic Records for their next two releases.  The EP, Tornado, was from a brief stint with MCA records in 1983.  The band was already well known in Canada with their previous two releases and this was their international debut so to speak.  Not an album that is generally reflected upon as their best and the band even cites being rushed in to the studio by the label to record it.  The title track, Tornado, just embodies what this band was all about.  Much like their American counterparts, the Ramones, their music was rooted in 50's and 60's rock n' roll but with punk attitude.  Coincidentally, the band would record a later album in 2008 with Marky Ramone on drums.  You'll also notice from the album artwork that the band's name was Teenage Heads on this particular release.  Apparently, MCA was afraid of the attention their name might get from the censor queen, Tipper Gore and forced the band to pluralize their name as to avoid any sexual suggestiveness.  Regardless of the name, this band is one of our country's most underrated treasures.  Guitarist, Gord Lewis is keeping the spirit alive at http://www.teenagehead.ca/.  This particular release is not easy to find.  Likely because it has been buried by MCA.  At the time of this blog, there were copies on Ebay trading between $4 and $20.  You can listen to the song, Tornado, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9UhvlwMUWE).  As always, you can hear this song as well as others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Artist: Bond, Album: Bond, Song: Dancin' (On A Saturday Night)

"Well the roller coaster, got to make the most, dance, dance, dance the night away.  Helter Skelter, maybe I can help you dance, dance, dance the night away."  Bond was a Toronto band that formed in the late sixties doing British cover tunes.  They signed with CBS records in 1974 and released their self titled debut, Bond.  The lead off track and single from the record was a Barry Blue cover called, Dancin' (On A Saturday Night).  It did quite well in Canada, becoming a Top 20 hit.  The band opened for the Stampeders and began touring across Canada.  Unfortunately, because the cover was more pop than rock, the band had a tough time getting radio play for their other tracks.  The band would only release a couple more singles after this full length and eventually disband in 1979.  I happened upon this song a great many years after it's release.  I remember being on a high school trip in downtown Toronto and sneaking off to visit some record stores along Yonge Street and buying the 45 single.  Years later, I purchased a used copy of the full length debut for sale on Ebay.  The version on the full length has an intro similar to Detroit Rock City by Kiss.  You hear someone walking with keys and the song is playing in the distance.  Once they unlock the door, the song becomes front and centre.  This album is difficult to find and likely only available on vinyl.  At the time of this blog, there were copies for sale on Ebay between $2 and $20.  You can hear the song, Dancin' (On A Saturday Night), on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bmvasrIJX0).  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about each day on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy! 

Artist: Catherine MacLellan, Album: Dark Dream Midnight, Song: House Of Love

"Sometimes I feel like we are both here together.  Happy to be but then a change in the weather.  Let's get inside where we both can feel better.  In this house of love."  Catherine MacLellan is a singer songwriter from P.E.I.  After playing in bands regionally, she released her solo debut, Dark Dream Midnight, in 2004 independently.  She has just released her third album this year entitled, Water in the Ground.  House of Love is a beautiful track about relationships and the fears of letting go or holding on too long from her debut.  Her songwriting is genius but perhaps it's in the genes.  Her late father, Gene MacLellan, penned some of Canada's biggest hits like Anne Murray's Snowbird and Ocean's Put Your Hand In The Hand.  Catherine's vocals are also very strong.  On this particular track she reminds me a bit of Natalie Merchant.  The song is a delicate acoustic treasure.  Thankfully, it is no longer hard to find!    True North Records has recently released it as an additional CD packaged along with her new release, Water In The Ground.  It also appears to be available on Itunes for download and for sale on her website.  Catherine is touring across Canada and at the moment, she is in British Columbia.  You can follow her music at http://www.catherinemaclellan.com/.  You can hear the song, House Of Love, on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jwxPMVgY-Q).  As always, you can hear this song and others that I blog about on Live 365 (www.live365.com/stations/raisedoncndnradio).  Thanks for reading and enjoy!