I’ve already posted the classic rock artists (John Fogerty, Steve Miller, Peter Frampton etc.) on Rock News on the CHEZ page.  Here are some acts I’m personally excited about, in no particular order:

Wanda Jackson

  73 years old, one of the great voices in the history of American music, Wanda Jackson was one of the great rockabilly singers and one of the great early influences in rockabilly, country and gospel.  A rock and roll hall of famer, she has also recorded a song specifically for Randall this morning, after the Habs forced game seven…

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

  Yeah, it’s poppy.  And yeah, they seem to be a bit of a pretentious one-hit wonder.  But you gotta love that song, “Home”, which was so ubiquitous a few years ago.

Flaming Lips

  One of the great live acts in music today, I got a chance to see the Flaming Lips at Sarsfest.  You know, from six miles away in a sea of 800,000 people.  It will be nice to see their bonkers stage show up close.  Or…closer anyway.

Bedouin Soundclash

  Again, I know they’re really poppy.  But this Canadian band’s ska-reggae-alt rock sound is so catchy and infectious that I am betting it will be a terrific live show.

The Roots

  Best known now I think because they’re the house band on Jimmy Fallon, The Roots were one of the most incredible musical outfits of the past decade, effortlessly blending soul, funk, rock, hip-hop and blues into a unique sound.

Buck 65

  Halifax hip-hop artist and turntablist, Buck 65 is one of the most talented artists in this country.  Always mentioning artists from other genres in his rap lyrics (like Johnny Cash on this track), of late Buck 65 has added other styles to his musical output – blues, country, folk, rock, etc.  Listen to this song and try NOT to love it:

Dropkick Murphys

  I used to work at a music store.  For some reason they put the Dropkick Murphys in their ‘reggae’ section.  Maybe because they were signed to Hellcat Records, and Hellcat also had a couple of ska bands?  Or something?  Anyway, Boston’s Dropkick Murphys are straight Celtic punk, bar-room drinking tunes cranked up to 11.  Think George Thorogood type party music, only Irish and six times faster.

Soundgarden

  I, like almost everyone else in the world, have a huge soft spot for the music I discovered between the ages of 11 and 16.  And Soundgarden was one of the first, and biggest loves of my music-listening life (along with fellow Seattle grunge band Alice In Chains)

Sierra Maestra

  An offshoot of the Buena Vista Social Club – and who doesn’t want to go somewhere outdoors like Bluesfest to watch old Cuban musicians do their thing?

Blue King Brown

  Doc was the one who turned me on to this kick-ass Australian roots band.  One of those bands with more members than you can count, they’ve done a ton of stuff with the John Butler Trio.

John Butler Trio

  Another Australian act, rootsy, bluesy jam band.  Been around for years, but I just got into them in the last few. 

Dennis Coffey

  Anyone who has seen Standing In The Shadows of Motown will want to check out any member of the Funk Brothers who comes to town with his show.  Especially if he’s 70 years old and still flying.

Chali 2na

  (Pronounced “Charlie Tuna”), one of the founding members of one of my favourite groups of all time – not just rap groups, but favourite groups – Jurassic 5.  They broke up in 2007, but Chali 2na has a strong solo career going now.  And one of the most distinctive voices in the business.

Bootsy Collins

  I don’t really need to explain Bootsy Collins, right?  Funk legend, James Brown, Parliament, Funkadelic…awesome.

Court Yard Hounds

  After watching Shut Up And Sing, I became a fan of the Dixie Chicks.  And this is basically the Dixie Chicks without Natalie Maines.  (That is, sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.)

     For several years now, Operation Come Home has run a program called Bead Works, where kids make jewelry – necklaces, bracelets and other trinkets – in one of our most successful social enterprises.  Kids learn business acumen and the program has become a huge success.  Now that Operation Come Home has moved to a much bigger location on Gloucester Street, we are now able to open an actual 9-5 store selling the crafts created by the kids.  Grand opening is April 28th at 4:00 in the afternoon.  Stop by!

     Came across this picture at Ain’t It Cool News.  Thought I’d throw it up because it makes me happy and nostalgic for a time I never knew.  The photo was taken on the set of an old film noir called The Lady From Shanghai (1947).  Is it just me, or do black-and-white photographs make women a thousand times hotter?

     Chickenfoot’s Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar took to the field to perform the American national anthem on Saturday night in San Francisco.  Hagar, to his credit, remembered most of the words.

     It was a chaotic scene around the station here yesterday as I walked in and the kitchen table was covered in cheerios, bottles of booze, and dozens of Don Cherry bobblehead dolls in a line.  Office workers paused, did a double take, and then milled about in a confused sort of way.  Is there one of those office parties today?  If so…it’s gonna be kind of a weird one…but of course there was a very simple explanation.  Here it is:

     That’s right, Molly Doll is now an internet superstar, thanks to this, her first music video.  She came out of the board room (with Andrew and Jenna) covered in applesauce, beer and cheerio dust.  Now she’s behind me in the control room and sort of smells like garbage.  All in the name of art though, I think Molly would say.  Maybe.  At any rate, I hope that posting this video on my blog provides an explanation for the odd goings-on at the office yesterday.  Also an explanation of why Steve Colwill and Jeff Graham now hate Molly.  Who is, admittedly, creepy.