Edmonton's Cadence Weapon Wins 2021 Polaris Music Prize

Edmonton's Cadence Weapon won the 2021 Polaris Music Prize.

From the Polaris Prize news release:

Cadence Weapon has won the 2021 Polaris Music Prize for the album Parallel World.

This is Cadence Weapon’s first Polaris Music Prize win.

The Prize, which was presented by CBC Music, goes to the best Canadian album of the year based on artistic merit without regard to genre, sales history or label affiliation. It was determined by a Grand Jury of 11 music media professionals drawn from the greater Polaris jury pool of 199 writers, editors, broadcasters, DJs and personalities from across the country. This was the 16th edition of the Polaris Music Prize.

“If I won this, I wanted to announce that next year I’ll be using some of my resources to organize some voter registration events around the Toronto municipal election, as well as the Ontario provincial election because we need some changes to our leadership and we need to make things more equitable for people in this city to be able to vote. I also just want to take this time to mention that Justin Trudeau has worn Blackface so many times he can’t even remember how many times, and he was just given a third term. That’s exactly why I need to be making rap records that are political, that are about these subjects because that’s still a fact today,” said Cadence Weapon in his acceptance speech.

“Finally, this goes out to everybody in Edmonton and Alberta! I’m from Edmonton, 780, we’ve never been here before. I want to show everybody, all the young artists listening right now, and watching this, you don’t have to be from Toronto. Your experience is valuable. Your art matters. Coming from Edmonton, I don’t want you to forget that. The prairies got something to say. E-town.”

Cadence Weapon’s victory came with a $50,000 monetary reward. The nine other Short List nominees each received $3,000 courtesy of Slaight Music. Additionally, Play MPE awarded Cadence Weapon with a global music promotion distribution package for one release (single or album) worth up to $3,025 CAD. Play MPE will also gift all nine remaining Short List artists with distribution packages worth up to $1,000 CAD each.

Links: Cadence Weapon, More Cadence Weapon Stories, Videos above courtesy of Cadence Weapon

Links: Polaris Music Prize, More Polaris Stories

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The Band's 'Cahoots' Turns 50

Cahoots, the classic album from The Band turns 50 this year (2021). The world-famous group featured members from Norfolk and Six Nations. 'Life Is a Carnival' and 'When I Paint My Masterpiece' were the two major highlights from the incredible recording.

Details: 

• Released September 15, 1971
• This was their last album of original material for years.
• On Capitol Records
• Guests: Allen Toussaint, Van Morrison
• Produced by The Band
• Peaked at 21 on the Billboard album charts
• Gold certified

Guest review by musician George CW Douglas

Cahoots opens with the raucous “Life Is A Carnival” with it’s Allan Toussaint arranged horns it’s quite the party and wasn’t like anything else on the radio in the early 70’s.  I was lucky enough to get down to Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles, three times before he passed and the horn section in his band, on the stage in his barn, was so great to hear live. 

It wasn’t until Danny Medakovic’s 2014 release of Jolley Cut, at The Casbah, that I got to see a great live horn section to rival that one!  All of the band, except Levon grew up within 100 miles of Hamilton: Robbie Robertson on Six Nations and Toronto, Richard Manuel in Stratford, Garth Hudson in London and Rick Danko near Simcoe.  Van Morrison was living in Woodstock (N.Y.) and was a frequent visitor to Big Pink at the time of Cahoots resulting in the song 4% Pantomime which was the other song Van sang in the Last Waltz...everyone remembers Caravan from the film, with him doing high kicks in that polyester onsie.   

The other stand out track for me on Cahoots is “When I Paint My Masterpiece”.  The Band’s version preceded Dylan’s by a few years and Levon sings “I got me a date with a pretty little girl from Greece” instead of Bob’s lyric “I got me a date with Botticelli’s niece.” 

Links: The Band, More Stories of The Band, Van Morrison, More Van Morrison Stories, Videos above courtesy of The Band on MV, More Album 50th Anniversaries

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Happy First Day of Fall! Videos by Tia McGraff, Killin' Time Band, Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band

Links: Tia McGraff,  More Tia McGraff Stories, Video above courtesy of Tia McGraff

Links: Killin' Time Band, More KTB Stories, Video above courtesy of Killin' Time

Links: Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band, More HASJB Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton All Star Jazz Band - Topic

More Fall Videos

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Happy International Country Music Day! Videos by Donny Lee, Elora Taylor, JP Riemens

Links: Donny Lee, More Donny Lee Stories, Video above courtesy of DonnyLeeVEVO

Links: Elora Taylor, Video above courtesy of elora taylor

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories, Video above courtesy of J.P. Riemens & The Barflies - Topic

Links: International Country Music Day, More Country Music Day Stories, Our Country Music Stories

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Snooky Pryor's 100th Birthday

Yesterday (September 15, 2021) would have been American Blues legend Snooky Pryor's 100th birthday. Snooky performed with a number of local artists such as Mel Brown, Gary Kendall, John Lee and many others.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born in Lambert, Mississippi (September 15, 1921 - some sources say 1919)
• Played with Jimmy Rogers (mid 1930s)
• Moved to Chicago (approx. 1940)
• Recorded with Moody Jones and Floyd Jones (late 1940s)
• Recorded debut solo album, Snooky (1970)
• Passed away (October 18, 2006)

We asked a number of local artists about working with the legendary Bluesman.

Al Richardson (Mel Brown and the Homewreckers)

Snooky has an old-style approach, where he would drop beats at various places in a song, when he felt it. And he didn’t feel bound to do it in the same places from performance to performance, or take to take. This is very different from jazz-style improvisation which is much more about working within a pretty locked-down structure.

So here we were, just doing everything on ESP, and it went brilliantly. I think people often call it ‘flow’ and that’s exactly what we all had. Everything felt free but at the same time it like it was all inevitable. 

The only sad thing about it is that I’m probably one of the few people my age who got to come up in this traditional, apprenticeship kind of way, with guys like Snooky and (of course) Mel, who was already a generation younger than Snooky. I’m almost certainly one of the last who got to learn that way, and I’m eternally grateful that I did.

Jimmy Boudreau (Western Swing Authority) 

Andrew Galloway, owner of ElectroFi Records aked me to play on an album with Snooky.  Andrew introduced me to him on the sidewalk outside of the studio in Toronto.  Snooky shook my hand, looked me up and down, felt my bicep and said: 

"Yep.  He'll do!"

Mr. Pryor was a true gentleman.  Morally strong, never touched liquor.  Ever.  Some of my fondest memories in all my years playing drums come from my time with Mel Brown and Snooky Pryor.

Gary Kendall (Downchild)

Being able to meet Snooky Pryor, share his positive approach to life and play his deep blues was an extremely important part of my journey in the world of music. 

Click here for a 3 page story bout Gary's history with Snooky.

John Lee (Mel Brown and the Homewreckers)

Snooky was so much fun to play with.   The live recording we did at 'The Little Bighorn' really says it all.

Links: Kendall Wall Band, More Kendall Wall Stories, Morgan Davis, More Morgan Davis Stories, Video above courtesy of KendallWallBand

Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of ElectroFiRecords

Links: Snooky Pryor, More Snooky Pryor Stories, Video above courtesy of Snooky Pryor - Topic, More 100th Birthdays

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CONGRATS! 2021 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Winners!

The Ancaster Fairgrounds were home to this year's Country Music Association of Ontario Awards ceremony on September 5, 2021.

Below is complete list of winners. Local acts are bolded. 

• Single: “No Truck Song” – Tim Hicks (St. Catharines)
  
  
  
  Links: Tim Hicks, More Tim Hicks Stories, Video above courtesy of Tim Hicks
  
  
• Radio Station (Large Market): CKDK COUNTRY 104, Woodstock
• Album: Highway Mile – Aaron Allen
• Songwriter(s): Owen Barney: “Thank Her For That” (co-written by Jamie Appleby, Alyssa Reid, Dave Thomson)
• Female Artist: Meghan Patrick
• Male Artist: Aaron Allen
• Group or Duo: Buck Twenty
• Music Video: “Girls Like Me” – Meghan Patrick
  
  
  
  Links: Meghan Patrick, More Meghan Patrick Stories, Video above courtesy of Meghan Patrick
  
  
• Fan's Choice: Meghan Patrick
• Record Producer: Jeff Dalziel – Aaron Allen, David Boyd Janes, River Town Saints
• Roots Artist or Group: The Abrams
• Radio Station (Small Market): CICX PURE COUNTRY 106, Orillia
• Francophone Artist: Les Rats D’Swompe
• Rising Star: Robyn Ottolini
• Music Industry Person: Randy Owen, Radio Host/Personality
• Radio Station (Medium Market): CHCQ-FM COOL 100.1 FM, Belleville

Links: Country Music Association of Ontario, More CMAO Stories

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Happy Grandparents Day! Videos by Ty Baynton, Dana Sipos, Lightnin' Hopkins

Treble with his grandparents

Links: Ty Baynton, More Ty Baynton Stories, Video above courtesy of Ty Baynton

Links: Dana Sipos  More Dana Sipos Stories, Video above courtesy of Dana Sipos

Links: Lightnin' Hopkins, More Lightnin' Hopkins Stories, Video above courtesy of Lightnin' Hopkins - Topic

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'The Hilarious House of Frightenstein' Turns 50

Today (September 11, 2021) marks the 50th anniversary of the first airing of the Hamilton-filmed Canadian TV classic, the Hilarious House of Frightenstein.

Links: The Doors, More Doors Stories, Video above courtesy of Retrontario

Links: Three Dog Night, More Three Dog Night Stories, Video above courtesy of michaeltravis

Links: Claude Kent, Video above courtesy Sean Ryan Images

Links: Frightenstein Fan Page, More Frightenstein Videos, More 50th Anniversaries

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John Lennon's Imagine Turns 50 (including local covers)

John Lennon's classic album Imagine was released 50 years ago today (September 9, 2021).

Trivia:

• Release date: September 9, 1971on Apple Records
• Produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Phil Spector
• Recorded partially at Abbey Road.
• Guests: George Harrison, Nicky Hopkins, Alan White (Yes)

Here are two local covers of the unforgettable title track.

Links: Sarah and Adam, More Adam Ostrosser Stories, Video above courtesy of Sarah and Adam Live Online!

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video above courtesy of Harrison Kennedy - Topic

And a song from the man himself

Links: John Lennon, More Beatles Stories/Covers, Video above courtesy of johnlennon, More 50th Anniversary Albums

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Celebrate Back to School! Videos by Big Trouble Band, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, Ace Frehley

Links: Blueswinder (has former members of the Big Trouble Band), More Blueswinder Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Braithwaite & Whiteley, More Diana Braithwaite Stories, More Chuck Berry Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley

Links: Ace Frehley, More KISS Stories, Video above courtesy of Ace Frehley

More Back to School Videos

Interested in going back to school for music? Check out our wonderful sponsor, Pick n Sticks. They have incredible music lessons.

For more (mostly adult) education, we recommend the St. Charles Centre (our blogger's day job) who offer high school credit courses, ESL, computer workshops, career programs and more, Also FREE language classes for elementary school children. 

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Happy Labour Day! Videos by Stan Rogers, Snooky Pryor & Mel Brown, Ronnie Hawkins

Links: Stan Rogers, More Stan Rogers Stories, Video above courtesy of Norman Dale

Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Snooky Pryor, More Snooky Pryor Stories, Video above courtesy of Mel Brown - Topic

Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories, Video above courtesy of futykoolz

More Labour Day Videos

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St. Catharines Drummer Glen Gratto Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of St. Catharines drummer Glen Gratto. He passed away on August 31, 2021. Our condolences to his family,  friends and fans.

Here is Glen's obituary

Born in St Catharines April 8 1951 – August 31 2021

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news that the love of my life and best friend passed away peacefully in his sleep at home, as he wished.

Missing Glen more than ever is our daughter Missy (Lisa) & Jeff Phelps (affectionately known as “Phelpsman”). Grandfather “G Man” was the biggest fan of Luc, Nick, Carson, Bella & Walker Phelps.

He will be forever loved and missed by his sister Cory Bissell and her late husband Martin and their children Colin & Sarah, Devon & Casey.

Father of April Gratto-Gibbs (Nick), Jordan & Conner

Glen Gratto

Alex Gratto (Jessica)

Cassandra Gratto (Dalton), William & Alec

Loving son of the late Chester & Pearl Gratto, brother Larry and son-in-law Jeff Gibbs.

On February 9, 1964, Glen was mesmerized with Ringo Starr playing the drums on the Ed Sullivan show and announced “I can do that”. Glen played for The Kidds, Bull Rush, Madcats, Lee Aaron, Burnside Blues Band and Frank Soda just to name a few. You may have seen him in The Big Story of Small Potatoes with bandmates from the glory days.

Locally, Glen played with the Chris Anton Band and of course, The Glen Gratto Band.

Glen admired the musicians he played with, fondly reminisced, told stories and laughed about “the road”. He was a teacher and friend to many.

He loved Jazz, Afro/Cuban, Funk and Country music although “rock straight up” was his niche.

Garage rehearsals and Eller Stock are fond memories.

Glen was an avid, long suffering and forgiving fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He loved his Yankees just as much.

Hi sweet love “Pawco” will be missing his dad giving him sausage and eggs from the table and snuggling alongside him.

The “crows nest” will never be the same.

As per Glen’s wishes, there will be no service. Put on your favourite music – pour a drink and raise your glass to a life well lived.

Our family is grateful to Sally NP, RN’s Mychalina, Heather and Trevor, PSW Lindsay, Dr. Butera, Dr. Abonowara, Dr. J Roberts, Dr. Blewett and Dr. Lejnieks.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, memorial donations may be made to The Lincoln County Humane Society.

To plant a tree in memory of Glen Gratto, please visit our Tribute Store.

Social Media Comments 

Jim Casson (Mighty Duck Blues Band, Downchild)

He was an amazing drummer who performed in many Niagara bands, most notably The Mad Cats.  He also recorded with Frank Soda and Lee Aaron.  Glen was our first soundman when the band started at The Duck.  A great guy, always with a smile and a fierce drummer.  Our condolences to his family and friends.

Frank Soda

I remember when I came to Toronto in the mid 70's with Thor,  drummer John Lechasseur (RIP), and Charlie Towers on bass. Glen was playing in a band called Bullrush, along with Brian Gagnon. They headlined a show in St. Catharines, which included Rush and Mahogany Rush. Later he played and recorded with the Madcats, who were on the same record label Quality Records, that I was on. For my 3rd album Saturday Night Getaway, I recruited Glen and Peter Crowley, with Michael Tilka producing. I toured extensively with Glen and Brian,  Doug Raymond and Lorraine Morgan. I will always remember his smile and all the laughs we had..an excellent drummer and friend that I will dearly miss.

Links: Madcats, Video above courtesy of Bainmillions

Links: Lost Marbles Boogie Band, Video above courtesy of Bruce Andrews

Links: Glen Gratto, Video above courtesy of Doug Raymond

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