Treble, treble … music notes
Apparently, I don’t “seem” the type that listens to classic rock - Led Zep, Queen, Joplin, The Who, Hendrix, etc. But, looks can be deceiving - especially when it comes to music. Just ask the Wilson sisters from Heart, one of my all-time favourite bands blast-from-the-past bands. When they first started out as musicians, and then joining the band that eventually became Heart, women were not really considered to be rockers. But that would soon change.
I’m hoping that will be one of the topics talked about in the book by Jake Brown, Heart: In the Studio. The book promises to offer fans a “backstage pass” to the writing and recording of Heart’s hit singles and albums, as well as interviews with the Wilson sisters and other band members. It will be added to my reading list, no doubt!
But, classic rock is not my sole indulgence. I’m mad about jazz too! The TD-Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival will ’straighten up and fly right’- I had to use it - from June 19-29, with a special event on July 1. ‘It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that swing’ … okay, that’s the last of my cliché references to jazz! But, truly both great jazz tunes, sung by various artists over the years.
I am hoping to score tickets to the Al Green concert on June 19, but I may be a little late. If not, I’ll just pop into local venues around town over the festival and sample its offerings. I covered the festival for the Web last year, mainly a preview and then profiles of some artists during the festival - Chris Botti, Lina Allemano and Eliana Cuevas, to name three.
On a completely different note, I so wanted to watch the new CBC show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which debuted Sunday night. It’s based on the BBC series by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian - the same producers have teamed up with Mirvish Productions to bring The Sound of Music to the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto this fall. It’s about time that Canadian music reality shows venture beyond the now stale Canadian Idol.
Bathroom Divas on Bravo is another great series, featuring those opera star wannabes who have dreamed of performing with an orchestra, in front of a packed concert hall. The second season ended last year, so I am hoping another one is in the works. I think the show offered insight into the grueling and unappreciated form of music. Most people think that opera is boring or uptight, but it’s actually passionate and raw - especially the arias.
Last, but not least, I am looking forward to the release of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends on June 17. I haven’t really listen to any clips yet from CDUniverse or Amazon, since I want to be surprised. RollingStone magazine gave it 3.5 stars out of 5, which is quite good, so I’m optimistic.