Music Biz Headlines, Dec. 11, 2017
In today's roundup, a pioneering digital currency scheme allows fans to purchase a piece of a song. Other topics include a rating of singing drummers, a chorister's Leonard Cohen adventure, Johnny Hallyday's mass funeral, and Neil Young's massive archives.
By Kerry Doole
7 times music critics got things completely wrong
For many music fans, becoming a critic is a dream job. But there can be pitfalls. What if you write a terrible review of a record that ends up becoming a classic? Or you back a band to be the next big thing, only to find out that no one else likes them and they quit a year later? — Phil Hebblethwaite. bbc.co.uk
Canada stages its next invasion
Scruffy, indie-rock collectives from the past decade no longer represent Canadian cool. They have been replaced by the mellow flows of the DIY, Soundcloud generation — Carl Wilson, Globe and Mail
Want to buy a piece of a Drake song? Track’s rights sold via pioneering digital currency scheme
Vezt lets investors and fans purchase a share of future revenues from ‘Jodeci (Freestyle)’ and many more to come — Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
The 10 Best Singing Drummers in rock history
Is there anything harder than playing drums and singing lead at the same time? Here are the 10 musicians who have done it best in the past 50 years — Lee Zimmerman, Paste
From synagogue to Bell Centre: a chorister's Leonard Cohen adventure
"I’ve sung in the Shaar Hashomayim Choir for 25 years. It’s a fun gig and great musical training, but it’s never been cool. Until two years ago, when a gust of fate lifted our choir into a recording studio for Leonard Cohen's final record "— Lorne Shapiro, Montreal Gazette
A million take to Paris streets for Johnny Hallyday's funeral
The French president makes an emotional address calling for ‘people’s tribute’, as singer’s body is driven through the capital on a final journey — Kim Willsher, The Guardian
Toronto’s newest fuzzy, buzzy rock band, Casper Skulls, is ready to bust out
The quartet’s new album shows off its rapid creative ferment — Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Veteran songwriter Tom Phillips says goodbye to 'champagne mornings' and greets a new day on Plastic Machine
On Drinking Days, the final song on his new record, the veteran Calgary songwriter seems to offer a bittersweet farewell to his wild years — Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
Sting: ‘When I get angry I’m a Geordie. It’s very effective’
The former Police singer talks music, politics and his brush with the IRA — Patrick Freyne, Irish Times
Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter is a rare conservative in the classical music world
Manny Laureano created a stir by walking offstage in protest at a Rufus Wainwright concert — Terry Blain, Star-Tribune
Neil Young’s vast archive deal is backed by intriguing new technology
The Neil Young Archives are already a huge treat for fans, and behind it is a service that the beloved rocker hopes will bring the best audio to the masses at last — Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Music books for the holidays
Canadian authors Nicholas Jennings and Martin Popoff make the cut — Jeff Miers, Buffalo News
Metz men began band to banish monotony
The Toronto band deviated from its established noise-punk template with Strange Peace, which was recorded by iconic producer Steve Albini — Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Roxy Music plan massive 45th anniversary reissue of debut LP
3CD/1DVD edition of 1972's 'Roxy Music' to feature early demos, studio outtakes, radio sessions, TV performances and more — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone
Canadian singer-drummer has a vintage plan to tap American blues scene
Now based in Austin, Lindsay Beaver is touring with a re-vamped The 24th Street Wailers — Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
This Alabama rock star wants to remind you that Roy Moore is not normal
Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood explains why the alleged sexual predator Roy Moore does not speak for his state and needs to bow out now — Eric Kingrea, Vice
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra teams up with Jann Arden for Christmas cheer
Two seasonal shows at the Jack Singer Concert Hall this week are sold out — Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
SaskExpress delivers a musical that's full of Christmas cheer
All I Want For Christmas Is You is an original story relating the trials and celebrations of the holiday season — Gord Brock, Regina Leader-Post
