New music on the radio

 ADAM ADAMANT and KEVIN VILLAGE on JAM 66 Radio from today. Enjoy the station on http://jamradio.mex.tl

Paradise Blue

 

 

In the back of my mind, I have carried reminders of evenings engaged with Keith Jarrett’s 1975 The Köln Concert recording of improvisations played on a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand. Solo piano is a precise arena for many a pianist. At once revealing, yet intimate and rewarding. Much to do with the broad range, possibilities, command, touch, and the instrument at hand. Jarrett achieved something few before had ever tested in front of a vast audience. Sit behind the piano and play. No script, no set list, no banter between entertainer and admiring crowds.

With Paradise Blue I explore the range of emotions, the many shades of the colour blue. Six of twelve tracks are improvised. The blues, a touch of classical and the accidental improvisational curves of jazz. And there is a backstory to my relationship with the piano.

In the ‘50s, Era King looked after the boys as dad worked the night shift at Colgate’s, and mom hemmed parachutes at the Quartermaster Depot. Era was my grandmother, old country in style, manners, and as stern as a woman could ever be. A weary upright piano stood near a soft lit window, the centrepiece of her daily life. Mid afternoons, the soap opera The Edge of Night and other Christian programming held her interest.

When playing, Era whispered along, invariably something sacred. I’d study her squinting eyes as they peered above wired-frame glasses while she leafed through a hymn book, hair rolled in a bun, and understood the wheezing soap opera organ in the background, the soundtrack of her daily life. The hymnals - a reprieve from separating agitated kids and averting the devil’s grip.

It was the most primordial sound. Melody and broken chords. No frills, just the occasional inverted triad, one that never disrupted a lyric or directive from the Lord. Slow-moving melodies, distinctive and meaningful. Folkish and rooted deep in civil soil.

I’ve long been intrigued with melody. The cry of a single note as it seeks a partner, suddenly a community member, and then a composition. It’s those moments when sound moderates the brain, and one tunes in. How and when a single note, a second, and third merge - stream down through the soundboard resting at the feet of the damper pedal.

Paradise Blue is the piano talking back at me. That light in the head momentarily eclipsed, hands in receipt of inspiration. Junctures of sweeping colour and others of blue intent. Fingers jabbing and prying at the space between black and white notes, the overtones, the undertones, wedged between the crevices. A solitary moment where melody and harmony linger beyond invitation.

In memory of those piano teachers that brought so much joy and clarity to my playing. Eva Smith, Don Murray – The Louisville Academy of Music, Jamey Aebersold, Oscar Peterson, Composition studies at Ursuline College and piano at the Louisville Conservatory of Music. That other worldly miracle of influence, pianist Martha Argerich.
Remembering Doug Tipple whose Yamaha C-3 resides in our kitchen, a gift from Laura Tipple and the love and care Doug shared with his beloved friend. Big hugs to my piano finder and friend – Helga Stephenson.

To Kristine for the lovely cover art, Jesse - cover design, Mike Haas the critical mastering – friends, Gary Slaight, Derrick Ross, Pat Silver, FYI MUSIC News, Saturday Night Jazz, Mark Ruffin, Martine Levy, Jane Harbury, Stephen Smith, Ilona Kauremszky, Jessica Bellamy, Ken Stowar, CIUT 89.5 FM, Gloria Martin, Mark Hebscher, Susan Perly, John Harris and my brilliant cousin, Linda Michelone Lang.

Michael Massaro

 

Michael Massaro is in motion once again with his 5th full Album Release with ‘I Remember You’ as a follow to his latest Single Release of New World being played over 200 +Stations spanning over 20 countries! This Album consists of 12 Original eclectic and easy-to-listen instrumentals that are accessible to the listener. In other words, it covers different grooves, styles, and genres to connect on some level with everyone.

Michael Massaro is no stranger to the Canadian airwaves as he is one of Canada’s premier musicians. His distinctive saxophone recordings have been heard internationally since the eighties with major instrumentals such as ‘Flying Easy’, ‘L.A. Days New York Nights’, and ‘Wings of Glory’. His talents were heard on a Redmond Broadcasting compilation recording with some of Canada’s foremost instrumental performers including David Foster, Liona Boyd, Moe Koffman, Andre Gagnon, and Frank Mills to name only a few. Michael Massaro was thrilled to be included with such a stellar lineup and was humbled when the album was titled after the Massaro hit, ‘Flying Easy’.

https://michaelmassaro.bandcamp.com/

Robert Ocean

 

In a domain as saturated as the music industry, it is very rare for an up-and-coming singer and songwriter to not only discover their niche very early on, but also to make it their defining attribute. This is exactly what Robert Ocean has done – by blending an array of dynamic acoustic ranges and marrying them with the bold hook of alternative rock, Robert Ocean has created a brand of music only he can truly champion.

Ocean has always prided himself in writing music with a higher purpose in mind. He has always aspired to create music that has the potential to inspire, enlighten, and initiate growth and forgiveness. Championing the theme of togetherness at its core, his entire discography stands tall as a riveting example of how music has the transcendent ability to foster love and care. 

 https://www.robertocean.com/

JAM 66 Radio

Listen to blues, bluesrock, rock, country, folk, jazz and the newest on http://jamradio.mex.tl. Open 24 hours a day.

Crystal Shawanda

 

JUNO Award-winning powerhouse singer-songwriter Crystal Shawanda is back with a new studio album, Midnight Blues, set for release this September 30th on True North Records. The latest fiery bluesy Americana collection features the first single  “How Bad Do You Want It” — showcasing her full-throttle raspy voice, unmatched in today’s musical landscape, and an authenticity for the genre dating back to her youth.

 “Growing up, all of my favorite music had these breadcrumbs that led me to the blues,” Crystal says. “I often quote Willie Dixon: ‘Blues is the roots and everything else is the fruits.’ Even today's pop music, there's all this influence that derives from the blues. I was just always really attracted to the rawness and the realness of the blues.”

Produced and engineered in Nashville by her husband and long-time collaborator Dewayne Strobel, Midnight Blues — her eighth studio album, and fifth since switching from a chart-topping career as a country artist —  is a collection of original songs, such as the seductive-sounding rocker “Midnight Blues,” swampy dance-floor groove “Rumpshaker,” and gentler “Take A Little Walk With The Moon,” as well as covers of the Howlin’ Wolf classic “Evil” and her take on Celine Dion’s hit “That’s Just The Woman In Me.”

“This is absolutely my favorite album I've ever recorded because I feel like my husband put me in a picture frame,” says Crystal. “He really captured who I am as an artist. He let my vocal shine. He brought out the best in me and all the songs that we wrote really capture my live show and who I am.”

Crystal was introduced to the blues by her eldest brother and to old-time country by her parents. “I was also into other styles of music that led me to the blues,” she says, citing everything from Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” written by Big Mama Thornton, to R&B-pop star Monica’s “Misty Blue,” by Dorothy Moore.

“I was one of those kids who read the liner notes,” Crystal says.  “I wanted to know everything, who are the songwriters, the musicians, the producers, the engineers. I'm always wanting to know who are the originators, who are the mothers of invention, who inspired all of us?  I’m a purist at heart, so I was always diving back to learn from the masters, like Etta James, as far as vocalists; Muddy Waters, as far as feeling; and Buddy Guy, as far as stylists who have a lot of swagger.”

And yet Crystal’s first foray as a professional singer was in country music, not blues.  She was in her early 20s and had immediate success after signing a U.S. record deal with RCA Nashville. 2008’s Dawn of a New Day, featuring the single “You Can Let Go,” reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Album chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, the highest charting album by a full-blooded Canadian First Nations country artist (in the SoundScan-era). Her first single, You Can Let Go,”

The following year she left the label and created her own, New Sun Records. Her first release was the holiday album I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Her next country album was 2010’s Just Like You, which won a 2013 Juno Award for Best Aboriginal Album, before she made the change to the blues with 2014’s The Whole World’s Got The Blues.

“I love all styles of music, but there was just always something drawing me to the blues,” she explains.  “I had a country hit on the radio, and I would show up at country music festivals and I'd do a BB King cover or Buddy Guy or Etta James. Within country music, as much as I loved it, I had to restrain my voice a lot. It's very hard to hold back, and sometimes it was exhausting, whereas with the blues, I could just let it fly.”

While other artists have been embraced when they’ve made the switch to a different genre — Taylor Swift from country to pop; Dallas Smith from hard rock to country; and Darius Rucker from pop/rock to country — Crystal doesn’t mind talking about the difficulties she’s encountered.

“Country music is so excited when anybody from any genre comes to their world, hoping it'll make their world more popular. It'll up the cool factor but switching from country to blues is a lot more difficult because the blues scene is very protective because it's such an original genre. They want it to be respected and preserved.”

She would’ve had an easier time if she had created a blues-influenced sound, like the Black Crowes, Sass Jordan, or Alannah Myles, but Crystal can hold her own in any conversation about the blues pioneers. Still, she still likes to cover an iconic Canadian artist in her inimitable way. Last album, it was The Tragically Hip’s “New Orleans Is Sinking” and this time, Celine Dion.

“Because I had so much friction coming to the blues where people were like, ‘You don't know nothing about the blues,’ I'm trying to show them not to be so close-minded because a lot of people are more inspired by the blues than they may realize. Again, I'm trying to reiterate that quote by Willie Dixon that the blues is roots and everything else is the fruit.” 

 http://crystalshawanda.co/

The Livesays

 

The Livesays are an accomplished five-piece Heartland/Americana band fronted by the band’s namesake critically acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, who spent 12 years performing, recording and touring with E-Streeter Clarence Clemons' band "Temple of Soul." During his 12-year tenure with the beloved “Big Man,” Billy recorded and released "Live in Asbury Park" Volumes I & II at The Stone Pony, the second album which features Bruce Springsteen. Billy has shared the stage with so many industry giants, his resume reads like a "Who's Who of Rock n' Roll Hall of Famers."

Drummer Steve Rheingold, was formerly the beat keeper with the legendary Wayne Cochran.

The Livesays' lineup is rounded out with Jorge Laplume on bass, Victor "Cuqui" Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, and Tim Murphy on piano, all of whom have impressive resumes of their own. Cuqui, who grew up in New York City, offers a touch of the Big Apple to the band with his Hammond B3 and impassioned vocals. Tim brings his ear for harmony and his unique Elton John style piano. Jorge hails from Havana, Cuba; with his Latin roots coupled with a steady diet of the rock groups The Who and Free, he delivers a bass sound that is both funky and thunderous.

The combination of these five seasoned pros, with their versatile backgrounds, incomparable harmonies, energy level, and undeniable chemistry, create real magic on stage together and put on one heck of a dynamic live performance.

The Livesays have created five full length albums that are both memorable and moving with stories ranging from adolescence to adulthood, from battling addiction to conquering depression, from finding love to losing love ... with lyrics that will surely touch your heart and quench your soul. 

 https://www.thelivesaysmusic.com/