Saturday 29 December 2012

The Halifax Musicphile Blog has moved to Wordpress for 2013

Thank you for your support since the inception of this blog on September 20th of this year.  There have been over 2,500 visits to the blog since that time.  The three most read posts were:
1. Tim Chaisson and Poor Young Things Tour with Matthew Pickup & The Movement - A Night of Great Music at the Seahorse (Nov. 5)
2. Dardanelles at The Company House - Newfoundland Traditional Music at its Finest (Oct 6)
3.  10 Songs For Your Playlist - November 1, 2012
4.10 Songs For Your Playlist - November 15, 2012
5. Grow Your Music Library For Free - The Legal and Ethical Way (Dec. 10)

I have decided to try Wordpress for 2013.   I hope it will provide an easier read and allow me to video clips.  Find me here http://thehalifaxmusicphile.wordpress.com/ beginning January 1, 2013.

Cheers,
Martin

Saturday 22 December 2012

12 Songs for Your Playlist - December 22, 2012: The Gordie Sampson Songcamp edition

Each week, I recommend songs from Atlantic Canadian artists for your music playlist. Most are new songs. The artists are listed in alphabetical order. Clink on a the date to go to my CBC Music playlist for that week. You can listen to the songs there. While there look for some other songs by those artists. Listen, enjoy and then, if you can, support the artists by buying their music or going to see them live.

This week, the playlist consists of alumni and leaders from the Gordie Sampson Songcamp.  A number of the performers I have watched this past year are alumni from that songcamp. 

Gordie, from beautiful Big Pond, Cape Breton, has won numerous music awards, including a Grammy for "Jesus Takes The Wheel".   For the past three years, Gordie has hosted a week long song writing camp for young musicians.    Steve MacDougall (Slowcoaster) has been a leader at the camp. Carleton Stone has graduated from a participant to a leader

The Songcamp is "a way to nurture young songwriters from across Nova Scotia, give them access to knowledge and help them develop tools that will benefit their writing careers". 

The results, as you can hear on the playlist below, are amazing. 

December 22, 2012 Gordie Sampson Songcamp playlist (click her to go to playlist)

1. Breagh MacKinnon - Whisky
2. Carleton Stone - Dominoes
3. Dana Beeler - The Woodsman's Son
4. Dylan Guthro - Thinkin'
5. Gordie Sampson - Sunburn
6. Jenny MacDonald - A Hundred Reasons
7. Mo Kenney - The Great Escape
8. Molly Thomason - All Down The Highway
9. Natalie Lynn - Soldier
10. Seamus Erskine - Hefeweizen Highway
11. Steven MacDougall - Cruel & Unusual
12. Willie Stratton - Railroad Tracks
 

     
 
 Gordie Sampson is playing 2 shows at the Carleton in the new year.  January 2nd with Molly Thomason; and January 3rd with Dana Beeler

December 6, 2012

Many of the artists on this week's playlist will be playing in Halifax this week. Click here for a list of concert dates. I have also added the new hit single by Serena Ryder for your enjoyment. She's not Atlantic Canadian, but she is so talented she could be.

1. The Band Before Time - Dark and Stormy
2. Jenn Grant - I've Got Your Fire
3. Jennah Barry - The Coast
4. Jenny MacDonald - Speechless
5. The Modern Grass - Reuben's Train
6. repartee - Missing the Sun Part II (featuring Andrew James O'Brien)
7. Ria Mae - Under Your Skin
8. Rose Cousins - For The Best
9. The Trews - The Power of Positive Drinking
10. Willie Stratton - True North
11. Serena Ryder - Stompa

To see the "10 Songs for Your Playlist" for all of November 2012, click here.

2013 Shaping Up to Be a Good Music Year in Halifax

It looks like 2013 is going to be another great year for music in Halifax.  A number of East Coast artists are releasing new music and the calendar is filling up with concerts.

Artists releasing new music in 2013

Andy Brown - Tin Man (February)

Dan MacCormack
Heartbreak A Stranger - Trenton
In-Flight Safety
Meaghan Smith
Molly Thomason

The Monday Nights
Orchid's Curse - Words
Stephen Fearing - Between Hurricanes
Tom Swift (March)



Concert Listings for 2013

January 2, 2013
Gordie Sampson with Molly Thomason at the Carleton, 8:30, $32.50

January 3, 2013
Gordie Sampson with Dana Beeler at the Carleton, 8:30, $32.50

January 4, 2003
The Modern Grass at the Seahorse

January 5, 2013
Like A Motorcycle at Gus' Pub, 10:00, $5

January 12, 2013
Christina Martin & Dale Murray at Patchwork House Concerts

January 13, 2013
Benefit for Cancer Research Concert at The Carleton with Old Man Luedecke, with guest appearances by Rose Cousins and Acres & Acres, 8:00, $27.50

January 26, 2013
Morgan MacDonald at the Bus Stop Theatre,

January 27, 2013
Dylan Guthro at the Carleton, 8:00, $1750

February 2, 2013
Ben Caplan with Paper Beat Scissors at The Company House, 8:30, $15

Saturday, February 9
Carleton Stone & Breagh MacKinnon at Patchwork House Concerts

Saturday, March 2
Irish Mythen & Steven MacDougall at Patchwork House Concerts

March 16, 2003
Heartbreak A Stranger "Trenton" CD Release at The Company House

Saturday, March 23
Jenny MacDonald & Jeffrey Straker at Patchwork House Concerts

Benefit For Cancer Research - Concert at the Carleton (January 13, 2012)

 Herohill and The Carleton are hosting a night of music to raise money for cancer research on Sunday, January 13th. 100% of the door will go towards The Ride To Conquer Cancer - a 200 kilometer bike ride that raised over 18 million dollars in 2011.

Musical entertainment on the night will be courtesy of Juno Award-winner Old Man Luedecke, with guest appearances by Rose Cousins and Acres & Acres. It's a great line-up and a great cause. Tickets are only $25 + booking fee.

Friday 21 December 2012

Shows This Week - December 12 - 20, 2012

Four great shows in 8 days.  Although every show was different,  I thoroughly enjoyed each one.  Here is a brief recap.   Many thanks to those allowing me to use their photos. 


Embedded image permalink
photo by A Boudreau
Rose Cousins with Jennah Barry at the Carleton (Dec. 12)
 
Rose Cousins played 3 sold out shows at The Carleton.  Rose has a beautiful voice and charming (read: funny) stage presence.  On this night she was joined on-stage by some fabulously talented people: Stuart Legere, Don Brownrigg, Jennah Barry, Daniel Ledwell and Jenn Grant. 

Opening the evening was the lovely Jennah Barry, who  recently released her debut CD "Young Men". 





photo by M Hickey
Jenny MacDonald at the Economy Shoe Shop (Dec. 14)

Jenny MacDonald's solo performance at the Economy Shoe Shop made me want to invite her over for our 1st annual Christmas family jam. 

The venue is not a listening room, but Jenny still made it quite enjoyable and relaxing for listening to her music.  Jenny's guitar playing and songwriting shone through in the acoustic renditions of her songs. 

For some of her songs, Jenny was joined on-stage by her younger sister.  They appeared to be having a great time singing together and complimented each other nicely.

We had a great time.



Embedded image permalink
photo by E Secord
Meaghan Smith at the Spatz Theatre (Dec. 16)

The first Christmas album I played this year was Meaghan Smith's "It Snowed".  Then I played it again, and again, and again...

Meaghan's Christmas show was wonderful.  She is a great singer and is remarkably funny.  In Halifax, she was joined onstage by a full band and previewed some excellent new songs from her upcoming album. 





Embedded image permalink
From Left: Molly Thomason, Carleton Stone, Breagh MacKinnon
Photo by N Spence http://neiltherockstar.blogspot.ca/
Breagh MacKinnon, Carleton Stone and Molly Thomason at the Carleton (Dec. 20)

Three of this regions best young musicians put on a marvellous show to a packed house at the Carleton.  They played some familiar songs and some new ones; and were joined on-stage by their friend Dylan Guthro.
 









Photo from Grassmarket Website www.grassmarket.ca
Grassmarket CD Release Review:
I  have a draft review of the Grassmarket CD Release at the Company House (Nov. 24) that I hope to eventually finish.  That was an awesome show.



 


Tuesday 18 December 2012

Last Minute Christmas Shopping - Music Makes A Great Christmas Present

Here is a partial list of music released by Atlantic Canadian artists in 2012. Any of these would make a great Christmas present for someone on your list. Most people I know will be getting something from the list below. Albums in my collection are marked with a *. I gladly welcome music as Christmas gifts. Concert tickets are also great gifts. Click here for a list of upcoming concerts in Halifax.

Acres & Acres - Truth and Sky
Alan Doyle - Boy On Bridge*
Amelia Curran - Spectators*
The Band Before Time - Other Blunders
Billy Hickey - From There To Here*
Breagh MacKinnon - Where The Days Went*
Charlie A'Court - Triumph & Disaster*
Christina Martin - Sleeping With A Stranger*
Dale Murray - Dream Mountain Dream*
Dana Beeler - The Long Goodbye*
Dance Movie - Interlopers
Dave Gunning - No More Pennies*
Ennis - It's Christmas
Erin Costelo - We Can Get Over
Gloryhound - Electric Dusk
Grassmarket - You Are For The Ocean*
Great Big Sea - GBS XX (Twentieth Anniversary Box Set)
Heather Green - Your Last War
Hey Rosetta - Sing Sing Sessions - EP
Hey Rosetta - A Cup Of Kindness Yet - Christmas EP*
Jenn Grant - The Beautiful Wild**
Jimmy Rankin - Tinsel Town - Christmas*
Joel Plaskett Emergency - Scrappy Happiness**
Jon Bryant - What Takes You
Kyle Mischiek - 570 EP*
The Long Distance Runners - Tracks
Matt Anderson - Coal Mining Blues
Matt Mays - Coyote**
The Meds - The Meds - EP*
Mo Kenney - Mo Kenney*
Morgan MacDonald - Back To The Wilderness - EP*
The Once - This Is A Christmas Album
Paper Lions - At Long Creek - EP*
Rain Over St. Ambrose - Truth For News
Rose Cousins - We Have Made A Spark*
Savoury - Those Words Just Seem To Explain
Sleepy Driver - In A Low Dark Light
SoHo Ghetto - Humble Beginnings Make For Good Night Life
The Stanfields – Death and Taxes*
Steven MacDougall - Cruel & Unusual*
Tim Chaisson - The Other Side*
The Trews - Thank You and I'm Sorry EP*
Wintersleep - Hello Hum**

*Have in collection
**Have on vinyl

Monday 10 December 2012

Grow Your Music Library For Free - The Legal and Ethical Way

Want to add to your music library, but not ready to commit to purchasing the full album yet.  Here is a solution that is both legal and ethical.

Many artists offer free music to download from their website. Most will provide a free song, EP, or album if you sign up to their mailing list or newsletter.   I have found that this is a great way to become familiar with an artist's music before you purchase the album or go see a concert.  More often than not, the free download has led me to purchasing something else by the artist.  In addition, being on the mailing list provides its own benefits, like advance ticket information.

Below is a list of musicians offering free music on their website right now (these may change so I will try to keep it current).  I have listed the artist and the available download. Clink on the artist name to go to their website.

Andy Brown - Lovesick Lullaby (song) - sign up to newsletter
The Band Before Time - Bootscats (album)
Charlie A'Court - Sun Is Gonna Shine (song)
Erin Costelo - Oh Me Oh My (song)
Hey Rosetta! - Carry Me Home (song)
In Flight Safety - Fairytale of New York (song)
Jon Bryant - Deaf (song)
Katherine Moller - Bright Eyed and Bushy Haired (song)
Kim Wempe - Chameleon (song)
Mo Kenney - Deja Vu (song)
Molly Thomason & Carleton Stone - Never Felt A Thing (song)
The Novaks - Big World (song)
Orchid's Curse - Lie to Live the Lie (song)
Paper Lions - Trophies (EP)
Ria Mae - Leaving Today (song) 
Rich Aucoin - Brian Wilson Is A.L.i.V.E. (song)
Ron Sexsmith - She Does My Heart Good (song)
Rose Cousins - Birds of Belfast (song)
Rose Cousins - One Way (song)
Sharona Clarke - The Secret...Is To Dream (album)
Sloan - "I Can Feel It" (1993 - Pier 21 demo) (song)
Sloan - Merry X'Mas Everybody (song)
The Stanfields - Invisible Hands (song)
The Stogies - No Couth No Class, No Nothin' (5 track album)
Thomas Trio and The Red Albino - Jam It Inya (album)
The Tom Fun Orchestra - Boxcar Lullaby (song)
Thom Swift - Blue Sky (song)
Wintersleep - Martyr (song) and Resusitate (song)

Zunior Music Sampler ver.6.22 (7 song sampler) includes the following songs:
1. Diamond Rings - I'm Just Me
2. Julie Doiron - By The Lake
3. The Mohawk Lodge - Light You Up
4. Old Man Luedeke - Johan & The Whale
5. Nick Ferrio & His Feelings - Popular Flower
6. Young Rival - Two Reasons
7. The Luyas - Fifty/Fifty
 
Various Artists - Ho Ho Ho Canada 4 (album) includes the following songs:
1. Maylee Todd – I Don’t Intend To Spend Christmas Without You *
2.
The Barr Brothers – Dear Mrs. Claus
3.
The Meek – Cricket Carols *
4.
Kathryn Calder – Little Ones *
5.
The Wilderness of Manitoba – River *
6.
Doug Paisley – Winter Days
7.
Lindi Ortega – Christmas Eve With You
8.
Neil Haverty – The Snow It Melts The Soonest *
9.
The Acorn – Pigeon Toes
10.
Kashka – Empty Sleigh (Where’s Rudolph?) *
11.
Carnival Moon – Wexford Carol *
12.
Steve Fifield – Bootlegger Christmas
13.
Minotaurs – Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day *
14.
Digits – Cold White Christmas (featuring Leslie Davies) *
15.
The Magic – If It Lasts ‘Till Then *
16.
Freelove Fenner – The Snow Miser Song *
17.
Del Bel – Christmas In Prison *
18.
Hey Rosetta! – Carry Me Home
19.
In- Flight Safety - Last Christmas (w/ Carmen Townsend)*
20.
The Tom Fun Orchestra - Christmas Dinner On A Coleman Stove
21.
Wintersleep – Little Drummer Boy
* = Recorded specially for this years compilation

Various Artists - The 2012 Loss Leader: A Paper Bag Records Compilation (album) includes the following songs:
01. Luke Lalonde – Undone
02. Young Galaxy – Youth Is Wasted On The Young
03. The Luyas – Fifty Fifty
04. Cuff The Duke – Side By Side (Feat. Basia Bulat)
05. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Hoshi Neko
06. Slim Twig – Gun Shy
07. Elliott BROOD – Graveyard (Feist Cover)
08. PS I Love You – Red Quarter
09. CFCF – Exercise 5 (September)
10. Young Galaxy – Shoreless Kid