Ontario - Matthew Barber

Welcome to Ontario. Canada's most populated province.  I have lived in places like Ottawa and Toronto and for everything I disliked about these cities one thing they do have is some great music. Not only are there some great acts but also some great venues big and small. Places like Massey Hall and the Amphitheatre are amazing venues. I've seen probably my 3 favorite concerts of all time at Massey: Damien Rice, Neil Young and David Gray. Being a huge live music fan living in a city like Toronto is awesome.  You can catch live music every night of the week. Some of my favorite pubs in Toronto (and I've been to allot of them) are just so because of the live music they have. I strongly suggest you check out places like The Local, Dakota Tavern and the legendary Rex. Now that we are in Ontario there is someone I'd like to introduce you to, Matthew Barber. He is probably my favorite solo artist out there right now. His 2008 CD Ghost Notes is amazing. I cannot stop listening to it. It's one of those albums that is amazing from start to finish which I don't say very often. If I can convince you to get any album please get this one. It's only $5.99 on his website: http://matthewbarber.com/discography/  While you there please pick up his 2 newest ones as well. I haven't got his new CD yet since I still buy the actual physical CD and have been waiting for it to come in the mail. One thing you might recognize is his last name. He is the older brother of one of my other favorite artist, Jill Barber. If you don't know her(first off where have you been) and be patient because I will be posting her once we get to British Colombia. He doesn't have the best presence on youtube and hopefully he will be touring soon to support his new a;bum but in the mean time please enjoy and send me a note to tell me yours thoughts.

I cannot find a live version of this song but you need to listen to this song: http://youtu.be/qxpmGaLv6j0
Amazing Song and Video:

If you don't like that then you don't like good music

Great Song:

(Available in HD)

Another great one:

(Available in HD)

 

Quebec Wrap Up - Lanois / Cohen

Hello / Bonjour. I really hoped you enjoyed those three artists because I enjoyed finding the videos for you.  When deciding to do this blog I wanted to focus on more independent smaller artists that I really like that maybe you haven't heard before which is why when I came to Quebec I didn't speak about Daniel Lanois.  I heard of Daniel for the first time through my friend Kegger. I think its his favorite artist and when Lanois came out with his album Shine he couldn't get enough.  His latest album is almost reggae and shows a different side of him.  Lanois is also a famous producer who a number of U2's album including the famous Joshua Tree and most recently Neil Young's latest album, Le Noise. You might even know a Daniel Lanois song and you don't even know its him.  On Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds latest album he covered 2 lanois songs, The Maker and Still Water.   Although I am not in the point that I want to put cover songs on here (that time will come) I wanted you to compare the two versions and tell me which one you like more:

Dave's:


Lanois':


Or heck, how about Lanois, Nelson and EmmyLou Harris:



Here's another song you might not have known was Lanois' but it is a great song and great version (your welcome)

(Available in HD)



I guess while we are on the topic of Iconic musicians from Montreal I should mention perhaps the grandfather of the Montreal music scene, Mr Leonard Cohen. I am not going to talk too much about him because he is a legend and I would really insult anything he has done with my ramblings but all I am going to say is you should have his Live in London CD is your catalog and this is one of my favorite all time songs by any artist:



Ok I guess I was naive when I thought I could only put one Cohen song on this blog. Here is one of my favorite songs (yes I say that alot) but it has been covered by everyone from KD Lang, Damien Rice, Rufus Wainright, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow and my favorite (and one of the first)versions by Jeff Buckley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOoEYxt0PPA

Here's the original:

(Sorry for the ads but the version is too good to miss)

Ok I was going to write about a couple of other Montreal artists but how do you follow up those songs..You can't. Enjoy

Quebec - Arcade Fire

Ok well now I know everyone by now has heard of them but nevertheless they are the best band out of Quebec right now so they make the list. I have never seen the live but I remember the first time I saw them on TV and heard their music. One of my favorite shows back then (and still now if I got the channel) is Austin City Limits. Here is the exact show that introduced me to them http://video.pbs.org/video/1350236975/  They were so different, using instruments I still don't know what they are called and producing some amazing sounds and lyrics.Austin City Limits is a great show that features 1 or 2 relatively new bands each week. It can be found found sometimes on PBS. I was introduced to allot of my now favorite artists on that show including Amos Lee (DVD from his show available). Like I mentioned they don't need much of an introduction anymore. They have one every single award they were up for. They will also be opening up for U2 at the big Moncton show coming up and to be honest as much as U2 would put on a good show I am pretty sure Arcade Fire is going to steal it. That being said I still wanted to give you my 3 favorite video's. Please crank and enjoy.

One of the most unique video's out there:


A great find of my favorite song:


The song that made them "popular"

(Available in HD)

Quebec - United Steel Workers of Montreal

Hello Everyone. We are going to stay in Montreal and I want to tell you about the band, United Steel Workers of Montreal. They are a 6 piece band from Montreal and their music is a micture of blues, country, folk jazz. This mixture first caught my ear online at CBC Concerts on Demand. Unfortunately that particular concert is not online anymore which means simply you are going to have to see them live. They are one of the bands that their albums do not do their songs justice. They put on an amazing show. You'll find yourself dancing around, foot stomping and singing along in no time. I've mentioned this in previous posts but some bands really need to develop a series of better quality videos on you tube or their website. This band is a prime example. There is not much out there of high quality but I was able to find you three of my favorite songs so please enjoy and make sure you check them out if they are ever near you. I really enjoy how the songs take such a different sound depending on which of the 3 different singer are singing. Such unique and different voices. Gern especially offers something that is not out there in any band I know.

One of my favorite songs


An amazing song about their favorite diner


A little harder for sure