There’s a trend happening right now in the recording industry that I really like. The legacy artists that have been the soundtrack for some of us for 40 or even 50 years are coming out with new music! And not remakes of their old hits but new, vibrant and current songs. Rodney Crowell with his latest album 'Triage' singing “Something Has To Change”and John Fogerty singing about “Weeping in the Promised Land”. And now most recently the perennial favourite West Coast troubadour Jackson Browne, the latest release “My Cleveland Heart” from the album “Downhill From Everywhere.” Browne’s place in music history was cemented with his brilliant co-write with Glen Frey on "Take It Easy", a song that catapulted Eagles into the stratosphere of superstardom and Browne's breakout solo career song, "Doctor My Eyes".

Take a classic song, play it on a classical guitar and you create the opportunity for magic to happen. And that's exactly what Canadian guitarist Emma Rush has done. Rush took the renowned classic, "Both Sides Now", written by fellow Canadian Joni Mitchell, a version that she is now releasing as her new single.

"I recorded an album called "Canadiana", where I had performed my heartfelt tribute to some of the great Canadian songwriters and performers such as Gordon Lightfoot and Stan Rogers. One song I did not include was an iconic ballad. I had always loved "Both Sides Now", so I thought I'd record it as a single release in a sensitive and melancholy way to interpret the song the way I felt it," Emma Rush explains with the choice of her song. 

A big, bright sun, plus soft sand, warm ocean breeze, and falling madly in love under a Mexican moon... Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Especially now?  During our long COVID winter, idyllic scenes like this have been just a dream for most… But now, Canadian singer/songwriter Don Graham is set to turn your summer day into a romantic tropical getaway with his new single and video, “Como Te Amo”.

Inspired by a last-minute holiday Graham took to Guyabitos, Mexico, “Come Te Amo” recalls a beautiful but bittersweet moment in time in an equally beautiful place set to a rollicking country-rock soundscape.

Check out 'Como Te Amo' here on YouTube:

Rodney Crowell, The Houston Kid, has released his 18^th album and it’s a winner.

“Triage” is an introspective look into the mind and heart of one of the finest songwriters to ever put pen to paper. We caught up with Rodney for a brief chat as he was preparing to head to out Georgia to perform before a live audience, post lockdown.

“A call from the Great White North” is how the conversation started. “You know I spent some time up there in Toronto way back. A bass player named Skip Beckwith was passing through Nashville and suggested I head up there. He said Brian Ahern was working with Emmy Lou Harris and they were putting a band together and he thought I should look into it.” Rodney, of course, worked with Emmy Lou as a member of The Hot Band.

John Fogerty, the 75-year-old Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, is at it again, releasing his first single in eight years and making a political statement and stirring the pot as he did with CCR and “Fortunate Son".

Remember not long ago he issued a Cease and Desist Order to the Trump team to stop using that song at their rallies, which of course they ignored. His new song,  “Weeping In The Promised Land” is rife with commentary and reflection of the current times. Although John found the title in an old journal where he’d written the words weeping in the promised land twenty-five years ago, it wasn’t until 2020 that this version of the song was actually written.

Check out the video for “Weeping In The Promised Land” here:

When a legendary artist like Murray McLauchlan releases a new album of new songs it’s exciting. Exciting and a just a little bit scary at the same time. I first heard of Murray McLauchlan was when my friend John Williams was at CBS/Columbia Records. We were sitting in his car when he put a cassette in the deck and said “You gotta hear this kid!” That kid, of course, was Murray McLauchlan.

Every song on that album was first class, all killer, no filler as they say. So that was album #1 and here in the mail is album #20. And this where the scary part comes in.  Because the bar is so high with Murray’s body of work, you hope that anything new will rise to that level. And rise it did. From the first track, “The One Percent”, to the closing track, “Wishes”, Murray McLauchlan’s creative light shines as bright as it ever did. Listening to this album I felt like I was listening to the energy and the insight of a young Murray McLauchlan but with the wisdom and polish of a wise and mature sage.

Indie Week is proud to announce, indie101 Summer Sessions Music as a Business (3 Part Series) with Rick Barker (ex-manager of Taylor Swift). The 3-part series is every Tuesday for 3 weeks (July 6, July 13, July 20, 2021) and are FREE for everyone to register and attend. Rick will be covering information on how to run your career as a business, how to make money and how to grow your online audience.

“The information Rick Barker gave during our indie101 conference (online) was so good that it just made sense for us (INDIE WEEK) to get Rick to come back and be able to go into more detail. As things start to open up - it also made sense for us to make this information available to artists and businesses, so we are making the sessions FREE for everyone to attend”, says Darryl Hurs (founder of Indie Week).

Blue was the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released on June 22, 1971, on the Reprise label.Written and produced entirely by Mitchell, it was recorded in 1971 at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California.

Created just after her breakup with Graham Nash, and during an intense relationship with James Taylor, Blue touched on so many sides of relationships from infatuation on “A Case of You” to total insecurity on “This Flight Tonight”. The songs feature simple accompaniments on piano, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer, and had a sound like no other.

Today, Blue is generally regarded by music critiques and fans as as one of the greatest albums of all time; the way Mitchell's songwriting, compositions and voice all work together are frequent areas of praise.

In July 2017, Blue was chosen by NPR as the greatest album of all time made by a woman.

In January 2000, The New York Times chose Blue as one of the 25 albums that represented "turning points and pinnacles in 20th-century popular music".

In the music industry, when the discussion of lawyers comes up, 9 times out of 10 the name Paul Sanderson is mentioned, more often than not the comment is “Paul is my lawyer”. (Even I get to say that). But what so many don’t know is what a diversified career this deep and thoughtful man has and his latest poetry book embraces that sensitive and soulful side of a diversified talent.

Frampton Forgets the Words in our current age of legendary artists could very well be a disconcerting comment but the tongue in cheek title for this new studio album offering is actually a brilliant concept. Frampton Forgets the Words is the new studio album out now via Ume.

The album includes instrumental versions of some of Frampton’s favorite songs and is actually the follow-up to his 2007 Grammy Award-winning instrumental album, ‌Fingerprints‌. The Peter Frampton Band’s Instrumental Cover Album is being met with praise and kudos, with featured instrumentals of songs by other legendary greats such as George Harrison, David Bowie, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Roxy Music, Lenny Kravitz to name a few. The 10 perfectly chosen songs spotlight the guitar brilliance of Peter Frampton and also engage in his diverse influences with a plethora of mixed genres, proving he has not lost his magic in the deliverance and performance in this album.

Paul Saunders wears a lot of hats, actor, writer, producer, entertainer and songwriter. And although he wears them all well, the one he is most comfortable and happy wearing is songwriter. “That’s really how I started in this business was as a songwriter with Epic Records in Los Angeles. It was the kind of gig that paid me to sit in a room and write with a monthly quota of songs required.”

Paul started out his career in Toronto, Canada and played in the Yorkville Village, (Greenwich Village north) getting the grassroots training that would form the foundation of his musical career.  It wasn’t long before the call of the West was ringing loudly in his ears and he made his way to Los Angeles, CA to take his shot at the U.S. market. This led to connections and opportunities as a performer and acting roles. playing leads in both Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair and Paul continues to play character roles in film, television and commercials to this day.

Combining the singer and actor in him he created a stage show, Pauly and the Goodfellas with an entertaining and energetic troupe of talented performers that he produced and played frontman.

Merck and I first met by phone, while I was at CHOM-FM Montreal, later face to face backstage at the UB40 gig at Theatre St. Denis.

We became fast long-distance friends.  It was always about music, the music business, and our massive record collections. Merck was Head of Marketing at Virgin Records in Toronto, where he excelled in the music business, born in Schefferville, Quebec.

Much Music launched August 31st 1984. I went. I‘m sure Merck was there, everyone in Canada was there, including Rush, the best party ever! I knew this was my next move to do television in Toronto.  I got the job a week later and couch surfed in Toronto returning to Montreal weekly for a few years. Then I heard Merck needed a roommate.  It was worth it just for the guest list (Leroy Sibbles, Jackie Mittoo, Willi Williams, China Crisis, Simple Minds, Quincy Jones, MoJah, Colin Linden upstairs, and Big Sugar across the hall.)

The music coming out of our apartment was amazing in Arcadia the Artist Co-Op on Bishop Tutu Street and Queens Quay; it was one of the most creative and fun times of my life.

In Canada, we have the tradition of the May 24 long weekend, in honour of Queen Victoria. Being the Commonwealth country, we still uphold this holiday, but not so much as a Birthday recognition of a long ago Monarch, but as the tradition of cottages opening up for the season, gardens getting prepared for the summer flowers, holidays being planned and always the music. Music is the thread we all have in common.

Summer brings the radio stations back to playing hits from the past that we all identify with the season approaching. ‘Summer in the City’ by The Lovin’ Spoonful, ‘Summer Breeze’ by Seals and Croft and of course the Canadian summer anthem ‘Sunny Days’ by our very own Lighthouse.

Of course, this year will be different, there won’t be large gatherings, festivals, and big BBQ’s but the music can help make you feel a little more optimistic right now.

So try to grab on to some ‘normal’ while the weather warms up, work on your tan, go to the cottage with people in your ‘bubble’, go for walks and as The Doobie Brothers say: Listen To The Music!

Time Life has released Time Life “The Crickets and Their Buddies” to all major digital platforms, a collection of hits recorded by the band’s original members (with the exception of Buddy Holly) and a lineup of all-star guest vocalists and musicians.   Eric Clapton, Rodney Crowell, Phil & Jason Everly, Nanci Griffith, Waylon Jennings (one of his last studio recordings), Tonio K., Peter Case, Albert Lee, Graham Nash, Vince Neil, John Prine, Johnny Rivers, J.D. Souther and Bobby Vee step in to perform iconic songs including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Rave On,” “Not Fade Away,” “I Fought the Law,” “Someone, Someone” and “The Real Buddy Holly Story.” Originally released in 2004 (and produced by Grammy®-award-winner Greg Ladanyi), this marks the first time the tracks have ever been available for streaming.

There are names in the mosaic of the legendary list of bands that have stood the test of time - and Crack of Dawn is way up there on that list. Once again releasing a new, well-produced, catchy tune with and the song will have you dancing and groovin' from the first note on "Gotta Find a Way".

Featuring the same signature velvet-funk tones that have made them Canada’s most celebrated soul act for 40 years and running, this latest delivery from Crack of Dawn teems with that craft so finely tuned, it still has audiences moving in the seat of their pants.

In a tribute to history’s trademark funk-pop hallmarks, the lyrics of the 4:03 piece are about connecting with the heart of a desired woman. Soulfully delivered by Michael Dunston, the track’s engineering (Dennis Nieves, who also co-wrote the song), makes a brilliant stand for a composition method that’s now a rarity, where all of the musicians of the ensemble, collaboratively, are actually involved as arrangers to the track.

Watch and listen the new hit single “Gotta Find a Way” on YouTube here:

The life and times, the highs and lows of legendary singer/songwriter Eric Andersen has finally been captured and available to watch in sequence in the epic documentary: The Songpoet.

This labor of love was created by director/ producer Paul Lamont; "This is an intensely personal film for me because it came out of my deep appreciation of Eric’s music. But more than that, I think it came from a place in my soul that wanted to give something back to someone who had given so much to me through his words and music. Eric Andersen told me that he believes every artist has a spiritual or symbolic father; someone who enlightens and informs them and helps to define their path in life. For Eric, that person was the poet Arthur Rimbaud. That symbolic father for me, as a teenager with a guitar, was Eric. It took nearly eight years to make this film and my hope is more people will become aware of Eric and his music, through this film.”

Perseverance, patience and positivity, three things that when augmented with talent, are ingredients that Marshall Potts has utilized to the max on his musical journey.

The success of his last single “That’s How It Starts” opened doors for the Kamloops B.C. artist and solidified his belief in his chosen path. The single created career openings such as touring in France and Sweden at major festivals as well as a mainstage performance at Canada’s Indie Week in Toronto which saw him nominated in Best Emerging Artist – National category.

Marshall began writing songs at age 12, after an early heartbreak. At 18, he began his musical journey when he formed a band with high school friends called the Cause. Early performances under this name followed a rebranding of the band name to Saints and Poets. Regular performances and tour dates followed to support the band’s first CD release. Early success was achieved with 2 songs from the CD placed on a movie soundtrack, received radio airplay, a CFOX seeds CD, the Best of BC CD placement, and many live performances.

Award-winning Hall of Famer and multi-Platinum selling producer, songwriter, and April Wine leader Myles Goodwyn asks a tall and transcendental question as he releases this, his first-ever spiritual song, “Will the Last Voice I Hear Be an Angel?

Beyond a legendary mainstay of the Canadian music landscape in his own right, Goodwyn is joined on the track with Bruce Dixon (Oakley Band, Rita MacNeil, Roch Voisine) and Jim Henman — the latter with whom he started the iconic rock band, April Wine, alongside David Henman and Ritchie Henman in 1969.

The stunning song arrives ahead of Goodwyn’s forthcoming recording project, Long Pants, set for release this Summer 2021. A collection of his most personal songs to date, the new full-length dives deep into the masterful musician’s extensive and previously unreleased archives, with one song’s origins even dating back 40 years.

“The ‘oldest’ new song on the album, ‘Forever Amber,’ was written four decades ago,” Goodwyn shares. “I wrote it for my daughter, Amber, on the very night she was born.

Entertainment Music Group (EMG) has gathered legendary artists and young independent artists from around the world to create a virtual music-doc to be pre-produced and released on April 22, 2021 in honour of Earth Day. The project is headed up by Executive Producer Sandy Graham, a music industry veteran and owner of the legendary Cashbox Magazine Canada, joined by celebrity icon, Dr. Tom Jackson  C.C., LL.D, as Producer and Host for this music initiative.

The Black Crowes Present: Shake Your Money Maker, the multi-platinum debut by the seminal rock n' roll band The Black Crowes, is being re-released in multi-formats sets on February 26, 2021, through UMe/American Recordings.

Band founders, brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, with original producer George Drakoulias, oversaw the creation of the re-release.  Most exciting are the  4LP and 3CD Super Deluxe versions, which includes the original album, remastered; 3 never-before-heard studio recordings; 2 unreleased demos from the band's early incarnation as Mr. Crowe's Garden;  B-sides; a spectacular, high-energy 14-song unreleased concert recorded in their hometown of Atlanta, GA in December 1990; reproductions of an early Mr. Crowe's Garden show flyer, setlist and tour laminate; a 4" Crowes patch; and a 20-page book with liner notes by David Fricke.