Murray had a strong career in the 70’s and 80’s, writing and recording many current staples on Canadian classic radio. Unfortunately, he never hit mainstream elsewhere.
Terry Jacks Guests on OTR (Photo credit: Stephen Dyrgas)
Smaltzy Canadian pop at its’ best (worst?). The Poppy Family had a string of North American hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The group was made up of Susan and Terry Jacks.
BTO’s very first release, very different from everything they did afterwards. My favourite song by them by a country mile. This clip is of Randy Bachman only, but it is live and is at a great venue in Vancouver called the Commodore Ballroom. Great groove.
Highlighted this week are some classic rock, a great singer songwriter, some current rock and an appropriate song for this time of year in Canada.
1. Limblifter
“Ariel vs Lotus”
Limblifter was a Vancouver based rock band. This tune was released in 2000 and achieved top 20 in Canada. The band was formed by brothers Ryan and Kurt Dahle. Kurt left the band in 2001 to play with “The New Pornographers” while Ryan carried on with a revamped lineup. After the band broke up, Ryan and 2 other members joined up with Mathew Good. Although they put out only 2 albums, they have some influence on the current Canadian music scene.
Chantal Kreviazuk talks to the audience in between songs during a performance at Jackson-Triggs Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Winnipeg born Chantal Kreviazuk is a singer/pianist who is continually close to being a major international star. This song highlights her voice quite succinctly. Interesting side-note. We saw her in concert in Saskatoon once. This was the infamous row F fiasco. Lori and a friend of ours, Lorna, were purchasing the tickets for the show and came home, pleased that they had gotten floor tickets in Row F. They swore that it meant the front row. Obviously, Robin and I were skeptical. So, on the night of the show we head straight for the front row. Even though I pointed out that the row was noted as A on the aisle, they forced us to sit there. Within minutes, the people who actually had Row A arrive and we moved to our correct seats. I had to ask, but if Row F was the front row, was Row B at the back? If I remember right, I till have the scar from asking that question.
From Niagara Falls, Ontario, Honeymoon Suite (pun intended, I’m sure) formed in 1981. They had great success on the Canadian scene throughout the 1980’s. They are still touring on occasion, although the original lineup (reformed in 2001), broke up in 2009. Their most recent album “Clifton Hill” was released in 2008. The song here is from their self-titled first album, released in 1984, and is their signature song.
Triumph performing at Sweden Rock, 2008. Showing all three original members. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Triumph was a power trio band who cultivated a huge North American following on the backs of their insane live performances. The group has had several incarnations over the years but have reformed with original members Rik Emmett, Gil Moore and Michael Levine. They began touring again in 2008. They are icons in Canada and their songs are the type that you just start singing to as soon as you hear the first chords.
Stompin' Tom Connors, 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Stompin Tom Connors recorded this piece of Canadian lore in 1973. It is a song that creates a sing-a-long when it starts up as every Canadian has it in their DNA. A classic.
