Bryan Adams made his mark in the 1980s, when it wasn’t unusual for the airwaves and record shops to be dotted with songs of activism, protest and social conscience (Springsteen to Sting, U2 to Tracy… Read More
In the fall of 1982, Donald Fagen released his first solo album, not long after he put his Steely Dan partnership with Walter Becker on ice. The Nightfly was inspired by the late-night DJs Fagen… Read More
Perhaps it’s frugality, or perhaps it’s a love of food, or perhaps it’s the smell in the house … but we love making jam. And other things that we can can, or bottle up for… Read More
It started with the idea of going to a concert, and it wound up including a few days of getting lost (quite intentionally) in the woods. It also included conquering a fear, getting out of… Read More
When you think of Édith Piaf, it’s hard not to think automatically of La Vie En Rose. It’s often called her signature song, and with good reason. The song inspired the title of the Oscar-winning… Read More
Earlier today, I placed an order at the venerable Fred’s Records here in St. John’s for the forthcoming album from Meshell Ndegeocello, the American bassist, producer, singer and lifelong boundary-pusher. Synonym doesn’t come out until… Read More
Most of the songs I listen to are conventional — that is, they have lyrics. I might even sing along to them as I putter about the house, or drive anywhere. But I’ve always had… Read More
Fifty years ago, Abba released Dancing Queen. I can’t think of too many songs that have had so much currency throughout those years, that — even now — can pack a dance floor within a… Read More
“Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”— Henry James There are things about late August and early September that seem to contradict… Read More
“I’ve always been misunderstood because of how I look; don’t judge me by the cover ’cause I’m a real good book.” — Dolly Parton In November 2023, I borrowed the audiobook of Songteller: My Life… Read More
“The best revenge is to live on and prove yourself.”— Eddie Vedder Something of a voice for Gen X kids like myself, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder’s quote above has been dished up around the… Read More
A bunch of us gathered at the venerable Georgetown Pub in St. John’s Friday for a karaoke night. Our friends Jessica and Brock have been wrapping up a visit, and a bunch of former newsroom… Read More
Ten summers ago, case/lang/veirs was released — a one-off collaboration between the singers Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs. It’s worthy, and it all happened fairly quickly. To mark the occasion, the trio and… Read More
Two years ago today was the last day of my dad’s life. Bill Gushue died in his home on July 30, 2024. It was not a shock: he was 95, and he had spent his… Read More
In November 1986, I went to see New Order at the Congress Centre in Ottawa. Peter Gabriel was playing that same night in an arena across town; instead of a nosebleed seat there, I went… Read More