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Youssou n’Dour’s run for the Presidency in trouble
(Photo from his 2008 concert as part of the Toronto International Film Festival) The Senegalese star’s plan to run for the presidency of that country hit a major roadblock recently. The Constitutional Council of Senegal on Friday rejected his bid, claiming he had many invalid signatures on his application. However, it did approve 85 year […]
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Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Jr Lockwood: on film, 1942
Amazing colour film footage from 1942 of Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) and Robert Jr Lockwood playing on the front porch of an Arkansas grocery store in 1942. It also features some shots of Williamson playing with his band in 1952. No sound, but as one YouTube commenter wrote, “The music is there! You […]
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Etta James & Johnny Otis
It’s been more than a week since the deaths of those two giant figures of American R&B: Johnny Otis, and his greatest discovery, Etta James. My initial comments on Otis’ death are in a post below, and they’ve both received significant media coverage, especially James, although Lynn Crosbie in the Globe & Mail this week […]
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Howlin’ Wolf: “What is the Soul of Man?”
In early December, I made my yearly note that the Oxford American‘s annual Music Issue was about to hit the streets. Usually full of interesting takes on musicians, unknown, little known, or well known, it includes a CD of music by all artists profiled. (NOTE: The issue has been out for some time, but Soundscapes […]
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RIP, Johnny Otis
A giant of American popular music died on January 17 at the age of 90. Johnny Otis discovered, produced, recorded Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Esther Phillips and so many others; He helped create the R&B sound in the 1950’s and kept many of its early stars touring and performing through the 60’s and 70’s. […]
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Jan. 26: Fundraiser for Andy Frank
Andy Frank has been a tireless contributor to Toronto’s broadcast & music scene. Several years ago he hosted various CIUT radio shows, and created and hosted its morning show, Take 5. More recently he created Frankcasting, an independent company producing webTV and videography, much dedicated to promoting Toronto-area roots music. He also co-created and […]
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CKLN gone; Radio Regent now online
A parallel story to the post below about CIUT’s 25th anniversary, and a lesson about the vulnerabilities of local, non-commercial radio… As most readers know, what was Toronto’s first and longest-running community radio station, CKLN (88.1) sadly went off the air last year and lost its broadcast license. It continued broadcasting online from a studio […]
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CIUT FM: 25th Anniversary Open House and party: Jan. 15
Given the precarious state of community and other non-commercial radio, this Sunday marks a remarkable event: 25 years since CIUT began broadcasting on the FM dial. So the station is inviting all listeners & supporters to a 25 anniversary celebration: Sunday, Jan 15, 1-6pm Music Room, Hart House, University of Toronto (Map) CIUT hosts, staff, […]
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Townes Van Zandt: new book, old interview
Sometimes I don’t know where This dirty road is taking me Sometimes I can’t even see the reason why I guess I keep a-gamblin’ Lots of booze and lots of ramblin’ It’s easier than just waitin’ around to die —from “Waitin’ Round to Die”, Townes Van Zandt One of the greatest Americana singer-songwriters, Townes Van […]