Music News Digest, Feb. 26, 2018

By FYI Staff

Myles Goodwyn is best known as the founder and principal songwriter and singer for hit-making classic rock band April Wine. His passion for the blues began in 60’s when he started listening to artists like BB King, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Although the blues songs he wrote over the years never made it onto an April Wine album, he kept saving them for the blues album he knew he was going to make one day. Myles Goodwyn And Friends of The Blues is the result of these sessions. Some of the friends joining him include Jack de Keyzer, Garrett Mason, David Wilcox, Amos Garrett, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Joe Murphy, Frank Marino, Shaun Verreault, Bill Stevenson, and Rick Derringer. Linus Entertainment officially releases the album on March 2.

“I Hate to See You Go (But I Love to Watch You Walk Away)” is the lead track from Myles and friends.

– Bryan Adams has announced a 14-city Canadian tour this summer in support of his 2017 album, Ultimate, which features two new tracks and 19 certified hits. The kick-off date is Victoria on June 5. Included is the Stars and Thunder Festival in Timmins on July 1^st at Hollinger Park.

– Earlier this month, Toronto-based singer/songwriter David Bray released a new album, Crowded Isolation. It’s the second in a trilogy of albums, following 2017's Night Rains. A third, Land of Extremes, comes out next year and features a guest appearance by Garth Hudson. Other notables to have guested for Bray include Jeff Healey, Daniel Lanois, Kim Mitchell, legendary Motown bassist Bob Babbitt, Justin Abedin (Jacksoul), and Colin Linden.

Bray states "my goal is to create the emotional impact of Motown/Soul with thought-provoking lyrics that you wouldn’t have expected." Pangaea/Believe Music is handling global digital distribution. Bray is also known in the Canadian music industry as a top radio consultant (Bray Partners’ Communications). Read an earlier FYI interview here

– Hamilton rockers Arkells were winners at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on the weekend.The band was flown over to entertain the Canadian athletes at a 600-strong party in the Olympic Village. The Arkells hit "Knocking at the Door" was reportedly adopted as the unofficial theme song of the Canadian team at the Olympics. Singer Max Kerman told The Hamilton Spectator's Graham Rockingham that their 90-minute set included covers of Summer of 69" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

–  As had long been expected, Toronto music venue the Cadillac Lounge has been sold. Owner Sam Grosso confirmed the news in a FB post on the weekend, citing family reasons for his exiting after 18 years. He added that "while I am not at liberty at this time to disclose the identity of the purchaser, what I can say is that I have complete faith in the purchaser’s vision for the space, what their goal is and that it will no doubt benefit the Parkdale community." A later post noted that the new owners will keep live music going into the summer.

The Cadillac will close April 30 after two nights of closing events. Acts to perform there before the hand-over include Sue Foley, Danny Marks, The Good Brothers, John Borra, and The Drifters. The Caddy has hosted many industry showcases and parties and has played a key role in the rejuvenation of the 'hood.

– The 2018 Music Industry Blue Jays Game fundraiser is set for July 24. Last year's event sold 400 tickets and raised $4400 for MusiCounts and Unison Benevolent Fund. This year's goal is 500 tickets and $5K. A fun day in the sun for two great causes. Tix are $25 and available via eTransfer to jon.box@umusic.com or paypal.me/jonbox/25 or cash/cheque in person.

– The latest '90s Canadian rock band to return to the fray is Rusty. They scored radio and video hits with such tunes as “Wake Me,” “Groovy Dead,” “Misogyny,” and ”Soul For Sale," before breaking up in 2000. The Toronto combo reunited in 2011 and has continued to play live since. The next step is a new album, and a PledgeMusic campaign has been launched to that end. To fuel that effort, Rusty is playing early March shows in Hamilton (This Ain't Hollywood), London (Call The Office) and Waterloo (The Starlight Room). 

–  Toronto rapper Bella Bankz made some noise back in 2010 with the track "Bella's Revenge," and she returns with the appropriately-entitled new cut, "The Comeback." Her hard-hitting X-rated rhymes are delivered with fire. Check it out the Prince Beatz-directed vid here.

– The Prism Prize is proud to announce Karena Evans as the recipient of this year's Lipsett Award (sponsored by Bell Media). The award honours a Canadian music video artist for their innovative and unique approach to the medium. The presentation takes place at a May 13 gala at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. Check out some of her work here:

– The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival (TOsketchfest) features 60 sketch comedy acts from across North America, performing March 1-11. A highlight is expected to be Rapp Battlez 100, the milestone 100thedition of Toronto’s hilarious comedic rap throwdown, on March 9 at The Great Hall. Talented comedians engage in a battle for tete-a-tete rap-battle supremacy.

– Kingston pop-rockers Kasador recently released an EP, Come Get Yer Money, and are working on a full-length. After recent Ontario shows, they cross the border for shows in Boston (Feb. 28), NYC (March 1), and Philadelphia (March 2). Here's their brand new video. 

Jolie Holland and Samantha Parton were co-founders of much-loved BC folk combo The Be Good Tanyas, and last year they recorded their first album as a duo, Wildflower Blues.  They play six US shows in early April, followed by an April 11 date at The Rivoli in Toronto. Tour dates here

RIP

Eddy Amoo, the lead singer of British soul group The Real Thing, died on Feb. 23, aged 74. He was touring with the group in Australia.

The Real Thing formed in Liverpool in 1972 and had a UK No 1 single with "You To Me Are Everything" in 1976. The band’s other hits include "Can You Feel The Force?" and "Can’t Get By Without You." Source: The Guardian

Barbara Ann Alston, a singer in famed '60s girl group The Crystals, died on Feb. 16, after contracting influenza. She was 74.
 
Alston sang lead on many of  The Crystals early hits, including "There's No Other Like My Baby" and "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)." Other hits from the group included "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me." The group was often linked to the "wall of sound" production style of Phil Spector.