Ten Becomes Twenty

Hello Friends,

August 27th marked the 20th anniversary of Pearl Jam's debut album release entitled 'Ten'. I was but a mere 15 years of age and on my way into grade 10 at the time. This was a big time for my generation, when it comes to music, as less than a month later would see the release of Nirvana's 'Nevermind' changing the landscape of music around the World. I for one sided with Pearl Jam and saw their release as the far superior of the 2. I've only recently learned to appreciate Nirvana's music...but I digress.

I remember exactly where I was, and what I was doing, when I heard this album for the very first time. It was a game changer for me and when I hear it today I'm instantly transported back to my friend Wes' house. I had skateboarded there to hung-out poolside without a care in the World. Wes' older brother and Uncle Charlie didn't mind having us around and even included us on the beer run that night. A nice intro to my high school years indeed.

This poster still hangs in my parent's basement today - and I'm pretty sure every girl I know could recite this scene from 'Singles' verbatim. Pearl Jam reigned at that time.

Eddie Vedder was in Toronto in 2008 supporting the film he scored called 'Into The Wild' . I had the pleasure of being at Massey Hall to witness his greatness. He played songs from the soundtrack - but surprised the crowd a few times with Pearl Jam classics along with some Neil Young covers and stories from days gone by. Here's a clip from that night.

Today was a great day for me. I got a call today inviting me to the forthcoming screening of the Cameron Crowe documentary 'Pearl Jam 20' and attend their concert that night. I've never had the chance to actually see see Pearl Jam live in concert - so suffice to say I'm super excited. Thanks Gasp and JD.

Here's a few tracks to remind you how great that debut album still is - along with a few beauties I'm hoping to hear that night...

• 'Black' *one of a few songs I know how to play on guitar
• 'Jeremy' *remember this video? wow
• 'Release' *one of the most perfect tracks ever recorded
• 'Immortality'
• 'Nothing Man'
• 'Given To Fly'
• 'Alive'
• 'Crazy Mary'
• 'Hunger Strike' *wishful thinking. Listen to Eddie's vocal on verse 2 :)

There will be a full review of the show on Monday September 12th.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

Why Music Matters | Elbow

Hello Friends,

I stumbled back across the site why music matters again today as someone had posted something new about The Beatles. The site itself has done the rounds on social media sites based on their amazing and cute little cartoons depictions of bands/artists – ultimately showing why music matters. I dug into the archives of older ones and was reminded how much I love the English band Elbow.

Elbow won the 2008 Mercury Prize for their album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ which is a true masterpiece. If you’ve not heard this band then I highly recommend you give them a chance. Here are a few tracks to get you started - enjoy!

'One Day Like This'
'Newborn'
'Forgot Myself'
'The Bones of You'

Thanks for reading/listening.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Gregg

Snow Patrol Time

Hi Friends,

Snow Patrol are easily one of my favourite acts of all time. From their humble beginnings to opening shows around the World for U2 - this band can do no wrong in my eyes. Click here and listen before going any further.

Tomorrow morning brings the release of their latest video for 'Called Out In the Dark' from the band's first studio album in over 3 years. Here's a teaser clip. 'Fallen Empires' will be the band's 6th studio album and the first after having released a greatest hits box set entitled 'Up To Now' in 2009.

The band formed in 1994 while at University in Dundee, Scotland. Over the next 7 years they'd go on to release 3 albums before their major record label debut on Polydor Records in 2002. In between this time Snow Patrol's lead singer formed a Scottish super group called The Reindeer Section which included Belle & Sebastian among many other greats. They were very much like Canada's own Broken Social Scene (only way better and cooler).

The Reindeer Section released some beautiful music in a short period of time. Here are a few tracks you should check out...

• 'Your Sweet Voice'
• 'You Are My Joy'

My personal connection is that I had the pleasure of working on their first 2 major label albums 'Final Straw' and 'Eyes Open'. Both albums are fantastic from start to finish and I am almost certain that everyone at Universal fell in love at that time. The band were one of the first acts to give us the time with an in studio sessions I created called 'Live at the Orange Lounge'. They were already massive in the UK and in Toronto ready to start from scratch building a following.

The big break for this band was when the song 'Chasing Cars' was used in the show Grey's Anatomy in 2006. The scene that changed everything using 'Chasing Cars' was so successful that the show used it again in a different way Grey's Anatomy cast sings 'Chasing Cars'. I'm telling you - TV is a very powerful medium:)

Here's a bunch of songs I highly recommend you give a spin. They also make great music videos as seen here.

• 'NYC' - 1998
• 'One Night Is Not Enough' - 2001
• 'Run' - 2004
• 'Chocolate' - 2004
• 'Chasing Cars' - 2006
• 'Set Fire To The Third Bar' (featuring Martha Wainright) - 2006
• 'Signal Fire' - 2007
• 'The Planets Bend Between Us' - 2008
• 'Just Say yes' - 2009

The next song (3 parts) is maybe the most epic 16 minutes of music I've ever heard. It still gives me goosebumps and I've heard it at least 300 times. Check them out!

1. 'The Lightening Strike - Part 1'
2. 'The Lightening Strike - Part 2'
3. 'The Lightening Strike - Part 3'

Gary Lightbody had a few more side projects over the years including Tired Pony alongside REM's Peter Buck.

The band also do some mean covers...

• Beyonce - 'Crazy In Love'
• Oasis - 'Champagne Supernova' *normal unacceptable to do this
• Oasis - 'Wonderwall'

I for one am excited to hear this new album and am eager to see some live dates on North American soil. It's time for Canada and America to fall in love while diving deep into a catalogue full of magical tunes.

I hope you check them out.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

5 Tunes for the Weekend

Hi Friends,

We're that much closer to the Weeknd and in Canada it's a long one. An extra day to get out there and celebrate the summer. It also means you'll have some extra time to listen to great new music. Whether you're heading to Caribana, Drake's OVO festival at the Molson Amp or heading to Montreal for Osheaga Music & Arts Festival make sure you consume as much music as humanly possible.

Here's a few new tracks that I'd like to recommend...

• The Bees - 'I Really Need Love Now' *not really new but God damn this album is fantastic
• The Arctic Monkeys - 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalala' *this one knocked me on my ass
• Snow Patrol - 'Out In The Dark' *they are BACK:)
• Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 'The Death of You and Me' *Never not going to be good:)
• The Sheepdogs - 'Baby I Won't Do You No Harm (Medley)' *whole album is meant for long weekends

Have a safe and happy long weekend!

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg Stewart

Television Tunes

Hi Friends,

I had a conversation about TV theme songs today and it got me thinking. It got me thinking about how many amazing, yet sometimes embarrassing, tunes there were. Cheesy or awesome they all have the power to instantly transport you back in time. For me it's back to a childhood in suburban Toronto where television reigned King. Many of these shows conjure up memories innocence and a naivety to the World.

I started writing a list, went online and I soon found myself in a worm hole of catchy jingles from my past. There were just so many classic sitcoms in the 70s and 80s. It was a time when television didn't have much competition - so the shows had to be good to make the cut and that included a killer intro.

Here's a few that I dug up including a few that bring a tear to my eye from the first note...

• The Greatest American Hero *made popular again on Seinfeld as George's voicemail
• The Wonder Years *favourite show of all time
• Welcome Back Kotter
• WKRP in Cincinati
• M*A*S*H covered by Manic Street Preachers here *listen to those lyrics . This theme reminds me of my Dad as he loves this show.
• Different Strokes
• The Littlest Hobo *Cancon
• Degrassi Jr. High
• Family Ties *what a love song
• Growing Pains *single tear

I'm not sure if it's a case of getting older - but I really don't hear that magic in theme songs these days. Maybe it's because most shows are reality based and the reality is that it's much easier to just buy a song. I guess it might also be that I'm a child of the 70s/80s - and was spoiled with great television music.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Now sing it with me..."I'm at - WKRP - in -Cin-cin-na-ti".

Gregg

Top Toons

Hello Friends,

Sometimes the music Gods come together and decide that the World needs a bunch of amazing music all at once. Well that's exactly what seems to have happened in recent days. I've been introduced to a few beauty tracks I think will be with me for the next few months in a heavy rotation.

Here's a quick list of those tracks for you to check out...

• Cults - 'Go Outside' *disturbing video but amazingly beautiful track
• Little Dragon - 'Ritual Union' *live at Glastonbury - but the track itself is awesome and makes drum n' bass accessible to all
• DJ Khaled featuring Lil Wayne, Drake and Rick Ross - 'I'm On One' *I wanna be a rapper listening to this
• The Vaccines - 'If You Wanna' *The Ramones live on :)
• Calvin Harris featuring Kelis - 'Bounce' *Calvin is Scottish and rules period.
• The Horrors - 'Still Life' *John Hughes would have loved these guys
• The Midway State - 'Atlantic' *not a new track but they played our show today and killed it

There's lots of summer left - so here's to more great music in the coming months. I hope you're having a great summer and seeing lots of live music.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

and the Grammy for album of the year goes to...

Hello Friends,

It's only July and I think that it's safe to say that Beyonce has just released the album of the year. Not only is she fierce (Sasha Fierce) she's angelic and simply the most powerful woman in the game. Kanye may have to do this again if Beyonce doesn't get the Grammy next February.

Like everyone - I saw the video for 'Run The World (Girls)' and knew it was again Beyonce's turn to shine. She comes in hard on each new album and gets even more gorgeous with age. She's stunning and for that Jay Z wins:)

A colleague of mine was first to jump up and down about this album when it arrived on our desks. She raved about it for days - but I always need to hear things for myself to believe it. Well this is one I believe and am totally in love with from start to finish. Thanks for pushing it Jully.

Here's my top Beyonce tunes play list for you to enjoy.

• Party *This is a massive hit from the new album
• The Best Thing I Never Had *hotness alert
• Irreplaceable
• Crazy in Love also covered by Snow Patrol
• No, No, No part 2 *this song was huge when I was in Europe in 1997
• If I Were A Boy
• Single Ladies *SNL version:)

It's funny when you look back at Boy or Girl groups - because it's clear as to who the Superstar was going to be. For Destiny's Child it was obviously Beyonce, for Nsync it was Justin Timberlake and for The Backstreet Boys it was clearly Nick Carter (or was that just me?)

There's still lots of time for other great albums to come out in 2011. God knows Adele and a few others have already released some beauties - but I think this one has got legs - along with about 5 number 1 singles to go.

Beyonce is truly the Queen at this time and I suggest you give this full album a listen.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg