Mr. Musicface

Nice! Wow, it's been a LONG time since I've heard anything about those guys. Any signs of them coming out Ontario-way?

- Mr. M.

FYI, they've got a couple of song up on MP3.com now:

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/476/blues_traveler.html

Peace,

Mr. M.

Hey there!

For any Rush and/or Neil Peart fans, I found this interesting feature linked off Rush.com:

http://www.rush.com/flash_content/movies/popUps/neil1.html

It's a Flash movie with audio of Neil reading from his new book Ghost Rider along with some interesting pics and video.

It does take a little while to load, but I just thought that it was a very neat thing to have on there.

Peace,

Mr. M.

Hey there!

For those who are interested and able to help out, a fund is being set-up to help protect the Toronto trustees who are in danger of getting f*cked by the Torries if they step out of line:

http://www.campaignforpubliceducation.ca/challenge/challenge.htm

Peace,

Mr. M.

Hey Willy, how was Yes?

I'm sure it was great. Last time I saw them at Massey a few years back was amazing, and that was before Wakeman came back. (Although I always laugh a little when I see Steve Howe play "Owner Of A Lonely Heart".)

Oh, and hopefully you found something cool to do afterward.

Peace,

Mr. M.

Mmmm, meatballs and beer, the breakfast of champions.

Woah, seriously? That place is tiny - great nachos thou!

That would be amazing seeing them there, too bad I've got my wife's birthday on the 29th and the Uncle Seth show on the 30th, or I'd definitely haul out to K/W for that.

Peace,

Mr. M.

I'm probably going on Wed. 20th. Anyone heard Atomic 7? Apparently they're opening that night.

- Mr. M.

Indeed, Dec. 4. @ Commodore Ballroom according to www.bluestraveler.net. Enjoy!

And yeh, Popper looks really good these days, if you saw him on the street you might not recognize him vs. 4 or 5 years ago. I saw him on his solo tour and then at Bluesfest in Ottawa less than 2 years later and I was stunned!

Peace,

Mr. M.

Yeh, those are the ones I was thinking off too. Would be cool to actually see them two nights in a row at the same venue, that should mean a wider spread o' tunes, no?

I'll consult with my buddies and see if we can offer a ride spot or two if anyone's interested. Partly depends on if we're taking my Hyundai or my buddy's Pathfinder!

Peace,

Mr. M.

Hey all! If anyone's interested, the new Blue Traveler live album "What You And I Have Been Through" is now available at least in Toronto at Edward's Records and CD Replay stores. It's 19 bucks which isn't too bad considering I think it's an import.

I just picked it up yesterday, for those that haven't heard the new line-up I'd definitely recommend it. The band is in very fine form, and new keyboard player Ben Wilson in particular adds something very cool to the sound. There's some great jams and excellent playing all around.

It's mostly material from the last album with a couple of notable exceptions: John Popper's scary harmonica version of "Star Spangled Banner" (sort of like Hendrix's Woodstock version), "Slow Change" from the first BT album and "Carolina Blues" from Straight On 'Til Morning, "Pattern" (originally a Frogwings song penned by Popper and Oteil Burbridge) and "The Path" (previously an Internet-only release.)

Anyway, there ya go. I'm not sure I'd recommend it as a first-ever BT album if you don't own anything by the band - in that case I'd say wait for the upcoming best of. But if you've been into the band in the past and want to catch up on where they are today, definitely a good listen.

Peace,

Mr. M.

P.S. I just noticed you can download an MP3 from this CD from http://www.artistdirect.com/

Doesn't anyone like my question? Do I smell? Be honest!

Yeh the Bisco site is definitely cool - I dig the ninja guy, it would be even cool if he did something when you click on him or something. Hadn't seen Particle before, thanks weezy!

- M.

I like the "O-Phish-al" at www.phish.com site, but personally I think all the Flash stuff makes the thing take too long and makes it a bit cluttered. I personally tend to spend more time at www.phish.net - it ain't sure pretty, but it gets right to the point.

I'm with Booche on this generally, I like simple, but I'm also trying to split the difference with something that has a strong visual aspect. It's a hard balance.

Peace,

Mr. M.

Ha, thanks h, I hadn't seen that before!

It's scary and wonderful all at the same time.

Sorry to hear it Shain. Take care of yourself, and hopes of a peaceful rest for your friend Howard.

Cheers,

Mr. M.

My first ever Q of the D. Hoo-ha!

So here goes: what do you think is a good looking band or artist website? Not necessarily your favorite artist, I don't even care if it's some lame boyband or MOR schlockmyster, but what band site have you been to lately that makes you go "wow, that looks cool"?

The context FYI: some of you may know that I host a number of music sites on my server at www.musicface.com, including Uncle Seth. We've been talking about re-doing the band site for the new year, and I'm curious to know what people in the scene find visually appealing.

Tara, the Uncle Seth singer, really likes this site and I agree:

www.erinsmithband.com

A great band to boot, but the design based on Erin's art and executed by Janine Stoll (who also has a great site) is definitely vibrant and catches your attention. No bells and whistles, just strong visual design.

Anyway, there ya go - bring it on!

Peace,

Mr. M.

I be 3!

Well I for one am all for it, but I have to wonder what would Moe and Carl say...

Peace,

Mr. M.

Hmmm, a very tuff one... off the top of my head:

• Matt Osborne - Underwater
  
• Blue Rodeo - Outskirts or Five Days In July
  
• Brothers Creegan I & II
  
• Spirit Of The West - any of the older stuff, up to and including Save This House
  
• Erin Smith Band - Get Your Own Sandwich
  
• The Hip - Fully Completely & Day For Night
  
• Pursuit Of Happiness - Love Junk
  
• Sloan - 4 Nights at the Palais Royale
  
• Spoons - Collectable (I'm serious!)
  

There are many many more. Go Canada!

Peace,

Mr. M.

That's a great one - Not So Soft, Out Of Habit & Firedoor are three of the best Ani songs IMHO.

Personally, I totally got into when the first live CD ("Living In Clip") came out. Her new live CD ("So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter") is pretty good too, but the first one rules! Her acoustic playing is just SO good, sort of like Pete Townshend meets Joni Mitchell at a James Brown show.

Oh, and personally I think my fave studio album is "Little Plastic Castles".

Peace,

Mr. M.

Indeed! He's the king of the quirky road movie in my books.

Schweet, thanks Schwa! Likewise.

Peace,

M.

Oh-oh-oh... a great movie, a music movie, a Canadian movie (what more could you ask for?): Hard Core Logo

The director Bruce MacDonald called it "sort my answer to Spinal Tap... actually sort of like Spinal Tap's mean little brother." Stars Hugh Dillon from Headstones, and he's excellent!

Peace,

Mr. M.

These are all pretty bad folks.

I actually saw a guy try this one once (it didn't work, BTW):

Walk up to a girl with an expression like you know her and say "Now, fuck me if your name's not Zelda!"

Have a nice evening!

- Mr. M.