I’m writing this post to inform all three readers of this blog that I’ve decided to hang it up as the Canadian Audiophile. For a number of reasons, I have lost that loving feeling when it comes to writing about music. I have been writing on life support for some time now, so to speak, …
Of the influences for Holy Fire, Foals vocalist and guitarist Yannis Philippakis lists “The Delta, voodoo, the swamp, sexuality, Byzantine iconography and music, syrupy rhythms, the mountains, the abyss, the decline of the bee populations, hip hop, and stoner rock” along with the folk music of the Deep South in the United States. Continue reading »
Here is Myriad3, a jazz trio out of Toronto with affection for the groove and a weakness for swing. Comprised of pianist Chris Donnelly, bassist Dan Fortin and drummer Ernesto Cervini, the group came about after a few happy accidents on the T-Dot scene. Continue reading »
Whether you loathe his brand of operatic pop or love him like only a Grobanite can, there’s no doubting the sheer prowess of the 31-year-old Josh Groban. With piles of album sales and high profile placements in the worlds of music, TV and film, the Los Angeles-born singer has been turning heads and opening ears ever … Continue reading »
With delicate, slightly removed tones and saccharine sweetness tempered with an aptly cheeky ego, BETS takes to her self-titled debut EP with polish and wonder. This bi-coastal wunderkind delivers her brand of indie pop with her fourth glass of champagne in hand, embodying the night-gazing of New York and the beach parties of Los Angeles … Continue reading »
A deeply personal record, Ron Sexsmith’s Forever Endeavour is a cutely titled examination of what happens when an extremely gifted songwriter turns things inward in an almost overpowering fashion. The Ontario-born folk/pop/whatever artist has been inside before, but he has seldom cut things this close to the bone. Continue reading »
Sometimes an outfit so impressive takes to your ears with poise and confidence so exceptional that it almost overwhelms. Even the smoothest, gentlest aspects of jazz can strike with that impact, as though undoing themselves from musical bonds and taking flight with “no cares, no strings.” Continue reading »
This here CD was available for purchase “only” at Sarah Brightman’s Harem tour and from the official website for a limited time. It is now out of print and a bit of a collector’s item, but I’ve got my trusty copy thanks to the miracle of modern shopping and technology. There may be a few … Continue reading »
As a collision of creative impulses, Saffron is something special. Perhaps best described as kindred spirits from across the musical divide, this collective of artists takes to dawning with a spirit of openness and reverence seldom heard. The record comes as an interpretation of some of the works of Persian Sufi poet Rumi through the musical dialogue generated … Continue reading »
It may seem odd to consider Holly Elle, the girl from Chestermere, Alberta, as a diva. Yet Leopardess, her new EP, seems to solidify that deep within the small Canadian town was a glam queen just waiting to burst out into the open and attack. Continue reading »
