Monthly Archives: April 2012

Doc Pomus: documentary, biography & appreciation

  April 22, 2012 - 2:27 pm | , ,
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A new documentary, AKA Doc Pomus will screen on May 13 at the Bloor Hot Docs Theatre as part of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. (Screening details here) I don’t know the documentary, but  highly recommend this, based only on what I know of Doc Pomus’s life. Doc grew up as a short, overweight Jewish kid in Brooklyn, whose childhood polio meant he lived life with crutches (and later in a wheelchair). He became a true blues shouter in the Joe Turner style, and later half of the most successful pop music songwriting team in the early to mid-60’s (“Save … Continue reading →

“Appalled by Dick Clark”: Joe Boyd on Clark’s Bandstand beginning

  April 21, 2012 - 5:37 pm | , , , ,
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He may not be hip, but he was clean Two very, very different rock & roll figures died within a day of each other this past week, and have each received, in their own way, extensive media & internet coverage. Below is one take on Dick Clark. One of the news stories I read about Clark noted that he had taken over a local Philadelphia music and dance TV show, “Bandstand” after the original host had been fired. In the opening chapter of his excellent memoir, White Bicycles: making music in the 1960’s, Joe Boyd describes just what happened. (see … Continue reading →

Benefit for Billy Bryans tonight at Lula

  April 19, 2012 - 8:20 am | ,
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A reminder of the night for Billy Bryans tonight at the Lula Lounge. The producer, musician, publicist, promoter, DJ and friend of music (especially Cuban and Latin music in recent years) has been suffering from lung cancer for some time and is now in palliative care. His impact to the local music scene has been significant enough that Errol Nazareth wrote News that Billy Bryans is once again fighting lung cancer and receiving palliative care has galvanized the music community in a way I haven’t witnessed in all the years I’ve been covering the city’s various scenes. Last Saturday, Garvia … Continue reading →

Bombino: London concert still on (Fri. Apr 13)

  April 12, 2012 - 11:29 pm | ,
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It’s unfortunate that the visas for the Bombino and band did not come through in time for Thursday’s Lula Lounge show; no doubt the band would have rocked the place again. They may be back later this summer, but the good news is that they did finally get the visas this afternoon, and their Friday, April 13 scheduled concert in London, Ont at the Aeolian, put on by Sunfest is still on. Sunfest concert info Article on the visa issues here Bombino interview with CBC music about the situation in Mali (Bombino is a Tuareg from Niger) Below: Bombino at … Continue reading →

The crisis in Mali, Tuareg music and rebellion

  April 11, 2012 - 11:19 pm | , , , ,
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For some people, when you say “Timbuktu”, it is like the end of the world, but that is not true. I am from Timbuktu, and I can tell you we are right at the heart of the world. — Ali Farka Touré. from the liner notes to his 1994 album, Talking Timbukutu In 1994, I was looking forward to seeing the great Malian guitarist for the first time, in a concert with American Ry Cooder, with whom he had recorded the above CD. However, not long before that concert, word came out that Touré had cancelled his tour, because of … Continue reading →

CANCELLED: Bombino concert at Lula Lounge, April 12

  April 11, 2012 - 9:33 pm |
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Sadly, it looks like the return of this great Tuareg guitarist to Toronto won’t be happening. From Small World Music: It’s with considerable regret and frustration that we’re forced to cancel tomorrow’s Bombino performance at Lula Lounge. Due to visa complications, the band was unable to enter Canada for this show. We hope for their sake, that they’re able to cross the border in time for some of their other Canadian dates. Obviously, we’ll look for another opportunity to present this wonderful artist and will keep you informed. If you’ve bought tickets for the event, refunds are forthcoming. You can … Continue reading →

Gospel (and other) music for Easter

  April 8, 2012 - 11:44 pm | , ,
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An appropriate time for a bit of gospel… Mahalia Jackson From the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, the intro says it all: “The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer… Miss Mahalia Jackson”   Sister Rosetta Tharpe Gospel and rock & roll: The connection is well known. Numerous soul singers had roots in that tradition, starting with Ray Charles,  and Sam Cooke who was once one of the great stars of gospel. But one performer who is less known now,  was perhaps a much more important link between the two musics: Sister Rosetta Tharpe,  a highly under-rated performer. Below, part 1 of a BBC … Continue reading →

Khaira Arby at the Lula May 8

  April 4, 2012 - 11:51 am | , , ,
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Great news, that Malian singer Khaira Arby is finally playing a concert in town with her band.  Of course, given the situation in Mali, especially in her region, around Timbuktu, we can all hope not only that she gets here, but that the fighting is resolved soon, and the people there can enjoy peace. She, Vieux Farka Touré, Bassekou Kouyaté have just released a new single, “La Monde Pour La Paix” pleading for peace. Khaira first played North America in the late summer of 2010 (and in fact, it was almost the first time she’d ever travelled outside Mali), and … Continue reading →

April treats

  April 1, 2012 - 1:02 pm |
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A gloomy start to the month of “April showers”, but the musical forecast is anything but. Check the full event listings at www.to-music.ca/events A few goodies picked out from there below. (Details and links for all these shows are in the events calendar) April 5: Brazilian/Mexican grooves at the Lula: Aline Morales and Quique Escamilla. April 6, Batuki Music continues its new “Africa Up Close” series at the intimate NOW Lounge, with Malian griot Sountougoumba “Tapa” Diarra. Only $10 April 11: Jane Bunnett’s “Spirit of Music” benefit for Cuban musicians with a raft of guests including Molly Johnson, Njacko Backo and … Continue reading →