HMV record store trying to reinvent itself as a concert venue /TORONTO/ A report from blogto.com says that the HMV record store at 333 Yonge Street is set to reinvent itself as a “concert space” by opening a basement-level live music room this weekend. The first event in the 140-seat space, to be known as…
Songsmiths now have a monthly “PD Night” in Oakville /// Like the term “songwright” which my longtime buddy Rob Minderman and I started using in referring to songwriters some 20 or so years ago, “songsmith” fulfills a similar function: elevating the activity of creating tunes to be on a par with that of millwrights or…
Rambling scaliwag Jody Ferrer now restricted to one jam Tuesdays /// He’s the minstrel that many people –especially several prudish open mic hosts and/or club owners— seem to love to hate, while savvy audiences with a sense of humour adore him and his cheeky, satirical-sarcastic and very clever Pop songs. Jody Ferrer is living an…
Jordan John carving out a stellar career that makes dad proud /// Many who have been part of or following the GTA live music scene for the past several decades are familiar with the name and talent of Prakash John. The amiable bass player, a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, achieved…
3 multi-artist Roots-Pop Kensington shows feels like a festival /// It may still seem like winter late at night but lately the days are starting to actually feel like Spring. And along with sightings of robins, budding tree stems and grass blades nervously poking forth, the creative juices of artists have started flowing again too.…
Between a quirky Pop & a hard Rock place /// I’ve always had very eclectic musical tastes and I hope that this is reflected in the coverage of the GTA live music scene that I present every day in this publication. People often ask me how I decide which clubs and shows to feature and…
Roxing the Swan as only Robbie can /// What can you say about in-yer-face proto-Punk sarcastic songwriter/singer Robbie Rox that hasn’t already been said in the 40-plus years since he first burst onto the TO scene like a homegrown Frank Zappa? He’s been written about many, many times in this publication but also in major…
A Moon reverie and a blooming Lilly /// It’s possibly true that I pay proportionately more attention to the east Toronto musical scene than any other area of the GTA and it’s understandable that many may assume this is because I live in that part of the megacity. While it certainly is true that I’m…
Intrigue abounds as Covello reveals secret identity /// You’ve probably heard the expression “best kept secret” applied to a lot of performers and certainly you’ve read it a few times if you’ve been following my Toronto Moon coverage of the live music scene because I know of several hidden talent gems that many people have…
/// Robbie “The Blues Butcher” Bellmore, who passed away at just 57 years of age sometime earlier this week while vacationing in Cuba, was a sparkplug harmonica player and singer who added a lot of energy and audience appeal to a band. But he’ll be missed by his musical friends as much for his upbeat…
from Toronto Moon TV for subscribers only: The Blues Butcher live at Wise Guys September 24, 2011, Copyright 2011 by Gary 17, Toronto Moon This link takes you to a special private video posted on public Toronto Moon TV channel on YouTube.
Fats pals sing Songs of Sam tonight to support Larkin cd /// It’s always a shame when treasured friends die before their time but at least when the departed one is a songwriter there’s the consolation of knowing that their music can live on, both via being performed by other artists and through the magic…
BULLETIN: Robbie “The Blues Butcher” Bellmore has died -report /// I have just received word that Rob Bellmore, popularly known as The Blues Butcher, has passed away while in Cuba. I talked to the Blues singer and ace harp player on Sat. April 12 when he was in town and having a brew at his…
Bouza factor makes Old Nick visit appealing tonite /// I’m not really a big fan of the Old Nick pub on Danforth Avenue just east of Broadview across from the Black Swan and near the Dora Keogh. You’re far more likely to find me in one of the latter two places on a Monday…
The Lemonbeat sound will be part of this Easter show /// I have never met and had never heard of young Nikki Lemonbeat until a couple of nights ago when a new subscriber to the magazine, who happens to be doing an afternoon show today, told me that this intriguing second-generation musical talent would be…
“No Show”s don’t have to mean your day lays an egg /// I’m not sure why some bar owners decide to cancel otherwise regular live music events that fall on the day before or the day after a religious holiday like Easter, but that still happens even in our non-denominational secular bar culture. (What slays…
Indie Pop artists breaking out /// One of the reasons I enjoy attending jams and open stages like the Stir It Up Sundays sessions each week at Relish on Danforth Ave. in East York is that I get to discover first-hand and all in one night several talents I hadn’t been familiar with beforehand.…
/// I just got word that Howard Gladstone had to cancel his show at Relish tonight referred to in the article about Folk artists with today’s show listings, due to illness. Relish owner Joanne Clayton advises that Brad Alexander will be filling in. For more details see the event page.
[Editor's Note: Since this was post published overnight Relish announced that Howard Gladstone had to cancel his show tonight due to illness. He will be replaced by Brad Alexander.] Folkies have started to pop and rock it up /// Time was when a “Folk” or “Roots” artist was usually one guy or gal with…
Are there really any actual genres anymore? /// As someone who grew up in a time before they really invented musical genres (when all the popular music being recorded by artists whom today you’d describe as either Rock, Country, R&B, Jazz, Adult Contemporary, Novelty, Pop, Blues, Folk, even Classical, or whatever, was all played on…
Tonight you can help ensure the Beat goes on >>> Although famously known as a poet and the host of the weekly Tuesday night “Howl” radio show on CIUT 89.5 FM, Nik Beat is also a musician and songwriter whose Tyranny of Love band kicks ass. Although he hasn’t performed much with the group…
Jazz piano sideman in the driver’s seat tonight >>> Jazz piano accompanist Peter Hill is fairly well known now as singer Laura Hubert’s main man in her band for about 15 years and for his longstanding commitment as part of the house band for Lisa Particelli’s Girl’s Night Out singers jam at Chalkers Pub in…
