January 2012 Archives

Thursday January 26, 2012

Allan Cooper - Ashley Condon - Atlantic Airwaves Saturday January 28, 2012

Posted by Glenn Meisner

On this weekend's edition of the program we'll have a feature on Allan Cooper and his latest release Rose Dale - Also, a feature on Music PEI Award winner Ashley Condon and album Come In From The Cold

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It's been nine years since Allan Cooper released his last album, but now he's back with a new project he calls 'Rose Dale'. You might remember the New Brunswick poet and songwriter as part of the award winning roots blues group Isaac Blewett and Cooper from the late 90's. Since that time Allan has been concentrating primarily on his poetry, the lure of music could not be ignored. This time around Allan teamed up with his daughter Kate and some of New Brunswick's finest musicians to create a project who's musical landscape is larger and lusher that any of his previous works. Through this process Allan, who always tried to separate his poetic and lyrical writing, finally realized they both share many commonalities. Melody and rhythm being the most important.

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Raised between two potato fields on Prince Edward Island, Ashley Condon is the grandchild of Bill Leblanc, a Canadian country pioneer who once spent the night in jail with Hank Snow. Like pecan pie - sweet and nutty - Ashley has won audiences over with her larger-than-life stage presence and down-to-earth charm. As a performing artist, Ashley has more than eighteen years of stage experience and a degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College; a testament to her strength as both a songwriter and entertainer. Last week, during the 2012 Music PEI Awards, Ashley was presented two trophies including New Artist Of The Year.

Wednesday January 18, 2012

Becky Siamon - Caleb Miles - Atlantic Airwaves Saturday Jaunary 21, 2012

Posted by Glenn Meisner

On this weekend's edition of the program we'll have a feature on Becky Siamon and her debut solo album Breakfast Epiphanies - Also, a feature on Caleb Miles and his recent release Strange Weather
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On January 28th Becky Siamon will release her long awaited CD. It will be one of the events of the In The Dead Of Winter Festival. held in Halifax each year about this time. You may remember her from such notable Halifax groups as The Johnson Sisters and The Hurtin' Unit. But with her debut solo recording Breakfast Epiphanies, Becky serves up a mixture of music that draws heavily on the music she loves; blues, jazz, reggae and roots. The album release concert will be held at The Bus Stop Theatre on Saturday January 28th - showtime is 11:00pm.

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Caleb Miles cut his musical teeth under the blazing sun of New Mexico's high desert, playing lead guitar in original rock'n'roll bands throughout the 1980s and early 90s. He joined The Illegal Aliens at the age of fifteen and continued his musical apprenticeship in bands such as Sundog, F.O.R., and A Murder Of Crows. Albuquerque at that time offered little reward for the aspiring musician, but it did foster hard-edged determination, strength of purpose, an outlaw sense of community, and an appreciation for sweaty bodies writhing in dance-induced ecstasy. His guitar sound is shaped by his desert days: sharp, clear, and dry like the sage-scented air. Lawless like the Old West. In 2005 he moved to Nova Scotia expecting to surrender to rural solitude and an early retirement from the stage. He has found instead a rich and rocking community of musicians, songwriters, performers and listeners with whom to share his ongoing musical adventures. In 2006 he recorded BRICKYARD ROAD, a rootsy assemblage of spare parts and previously unfinished tunes that served as an introduction to his new audience. In 2008 he released MEMORY WELL, featuring twelve new songs graced by contributions from several talented local friends. His latest recording, Strange Weather, is entirely a one man creation, from the production to the recording to playing all the instruments.

Tuesday January 10, 2012

The Black Family - Ian Alistair Gosbee - on Atlantic Airwaves, January 14, 2012

Posted by Glenn Meisner

On this weekend's edition of the program - A concert from Ireland's Black Family with Mary Black, and a feature on Ian Alistair Gosbee and his latest recording 'Invisible'.
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Featuring Mary, Frances, Michael and Shay, the Black Family is one of the most important musical families in Ireland. The Black Family started performing in the folk clubs of Dublin in the 1970s. While sisters Mary and Frances rank among the best-selling folk artists in the world, the three albums that they recorded with their brothers - Shay, Michael, and Martin - document the strength of this family collaboration. Their music was inherited from their parents - their father Kevin was a fiddle player from Rathlin Island, while their mother Patty, sang traditional and music hall songs. Michael, Shay and Frances performed at Celtic Colours in 1999, but this was be Mary's first time. And, what a time they had!

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The acoustic guitar is and always will be synonymous with Halifax's music scene. It's an old city comprised of a vibrant collage of old school sounds with new school flavors. Nothing vibes with city quite like six strings on wood and no one embodies that feeling quite like Ian Alistair Gosbee. The multi talented singer/song writer has been grooming himself for a career in music since he was a five years old, sneaking down to the basement to wail on his brother drum kit in secret. Though his talent has earned him performances in Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, Ian has always felt his most rewarding gigs have always been charity centered here in Canada. In 2007 he lent his talents to Bands for Breast Cancer, and was featured on CTV. In 2008 he showcased his abilities during the Human Rights Torch Relay concert in protest of China's abysmal human rights record and their being awarded the Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee. Though he takes his career as a musician seriously, he's never afraid to have some fun, as he fronted Nova Scotia's favorite Kiss tribute Dressed 2 Kill. While remaining active locally and playing a whopping 180 solo shows in 2009, most of Ian's energies are currently being poured into songwriting. His first solo album 'Music' was release summer of 2011 and his follow up album 'Invisible' was released just last week. "I like to think of myself as an open musician. I don't want my music to become stale, so I'm always trying to expand on my styles and keep pushing myself."