The Talk Music Podcast – A Guitarist’s Passion

Season 2 Episode 8

In episode 8 of the Talk Music Podcast we interviewed guitar player extraordinaire Sean Kelly. Sean has a lot going on. He teaches music. He started his own band (Crash Kelly) and plays in two others that tour (including in Europe) Coney Hatch and Lee Aaron. He has written one book (Metal on Ice) and is publishing a second one in the spring of 2023 (Don’t Call It Hair Music … art and the excesses of 80’s rock). But most surprisingly perhaps he had a top selling classical album and played on Nelly Furtado’s Spanish influenced album. Sean talks with Tom about his passion for music and for not missing a thing.

Andrew tells us the story of the making of a Canadian Gem, one of the top selling Canadian albums of all time, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. It won a Grammy and was turned into a successful Broadway stage show.

Tom reviews a recent concert by the great Jeff Beck… still amazing even now.

To listen to this episode of The Talk Music Podcast, click here . . .

The Talk Music Podcast – Carl Dixon, A Canadian Rock Singer’s Journey

Season 2 Episode 7

On this episode of The Music Podcast our featured guest was the singer, guitarist and keyboard player with a number of some iconic Canadian Bands . . . Coney Hatch, The Guess Who and April Wine.

Carl Dixon is considered to have one of the best and most distinctive voices in Canadian rock.

He also has a solo career and written a book (and is an inspirational speaker) about his life and in particular about recovering from a devastating car accident that almost ended his life and kept him off stage for years.  He eventually made a triumphant return playing even though one arm was rebuilt with titanium inserts.

January 2023 Carl and Coney Hatch are joining up with old friends British Lion, Steve Harris of Iron Maiden’s side project, and embarking on a multi date UK tour.

As well, Andrew brings you another Forgotten Gem… this week Images in Vogue.

Click here to check out this and other fine episodes of The Talk Music Podcast.

The Talk Music Podcast – A Producer’s View

Season 2 Episode 6:

What does it take to make a great stage show? Why are cover bands unappreciated? What are immersive shows and where do they go next? These are only a few of the topics a hugely successful Promoter, Manager and Producer covers this week.

Wayne Thompson promoted world tours and concerts for Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, George Burns, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Beach Boys, Moody Blues, Julio Iglesias, The Temptations and many more.  He managed many well known entertainers including Tanya Tucker, Harry Belafonte, Steven Seagal and many top Canadian artists such as The Nylons, Canadian Brass, The Infidels, and Strange Advance. He produced theatrical productions of ‘Forever Plaid’ and A Clockwork Orange’ among others.

His latest show is One’s based on the Beatles number one songs.

We talk about one of favourite artist’s Massey Hall concert ..Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

As well the guys do part two of Keyboard riffs… which are the best in their view? Feel free to say ….”What…. ! “  ( See List Below)

We review a Teenage Head classic Gem and let you know about a band that is On Our Radar… Digging Roots, fantastic indigenous messages with a native Jimi Hendrix style guitarist…seriously 🙂

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The Talk Music Podcast – A Canadian Bluesman and The Best Keyboard Riffs

Season 2 Episode 5: 

On The Talk Music Podcast this week we spoke with Harrison Kennedy, who had the first million selling single by a black Canadian artist as part of a Detroit group. Find out what happened to him then and how he has reinvented himself at least twice leading to a remarkable comeback as a Juno winning artist on a European tour decades later. He has just been nominated for a bunch of Canadian Maple Blues awards too.

As well Tom reviews a Canadian Gem by a brilliant and world famous Canadian Producer.

Andrew tells us about a book by Sonic youth’s Kim Gordon  called Girl in a Band.

And the guys have some major fun figuring out the Best of Keyboard Riffs . . . See if you agree with their choices.

Click here to listen to this and other fine episodes of the Talk Music Podcast

The Talk Music Podcast -Riffs and Session men

Season 2 Episode 4

Guitar Riffs. From Led Zepplin’s Whole lotta Love to Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love to The Kingsmen’s Louie Louie . . . what are the guitar riffs you love the most and which are the most memorable? Tom & Andrew swap their favs . . .

Also featured is a review of the new doc about Shania Twain and BBC goes all in on the lives of the World’s Greatest Band, The Rolling Stones with four docs, one on each member, and Andrew gives his take.

The guys also have a discussion about “Session” musicians. Talking about people who used to do this or used them on albums . Famous ones discussed include Hal Blaine, The Swampers,  Chris Spedding on “New York City,” Steve Lukather on “Thriller,” And there are some surprising names . . . the E street band and The Wrecking crew! Is there still such a thing as session musicians who can make a living doing this or is it a dead art? 

And a new On Our Radar with Jacquline Kenyon.

Click here to check out this and other fine episodes of The Talk Music Podcast

The Talk Music Podcast: Fraser Hill, an A&R Man’s Adventures

Season 2, Episode 3

From Tom Cochrane and Red Rider to Serena Ryder . . . this weeks episode includes a conversation with Fraser Hill, who for years was an A&R man with Capital and Universal records discovering and signing bands and artists like the Northern Pikes, Serena Ryder and Elijah Woods. 

Two comical parts include Fraser talking about working with the mighty Tom Cochrane & Red Rider the very first time he did a recording by himself in a studio! A second one, which is featured in the the critically acclaimed documentary, Anvil! The Story of Anvil. But you’ll have to listen to the podcast to hear more on that one! Recently Fraser has been working with iskwē, Shawn Hook and many other new artists. 

Also, discussed in the podcast:

What was A&R and how has the tiktok age changed things?

This weeks Canadian Gem is Just a Game, the third studio album released in 1979 by Canadian hard rock band Triumph.

“Imagine if” is  a new band just starting out and is discussed in our  Under the Radar segment. 

Finally, Andrew takes on the good, the bad and the ugly of the Woodstock festivals as seen though two different docs.

Click here to listen to season 2, episode 10 of The Talk Music Podcast

The Talk Music Podcast, Season 2, Episode 2

Featured interview with Alfio Annibalini, above left, currently in a project with Alex Lifeson of Rush and Andy Curran of Coney Hatch called Envy of None. A sound engineer and musician, he is also working with The Arkells, arguably Canada’s biggest rock band today. In the past he has worked with Blue Rodeo, Sons of Otis, Big Sugar, h3o, Andy Curran on Soho, Gipsy Soul and many others.

Alfio and Tom reminisce about when they both started out in the music biz, then Andrew Alfio talk about how it has changed today.

Click here to listen to season 2, episode 2 of The Talk Music Podcast

The Talk Music Podcast: Season 2 starts October 13

New episodes following every Thursday.

To start a new season the guys discuss the best  rock bands. Who is your pick and what makes a truly great rock experience ? From the Foo Fighters to Van Halen, from Deep Purple to Rush. Who had the best front man, the best drummer, which era were they best in and who keeps bringing it?

Tom revisits a Daniel Lanois classic Gem, Acadie, and talks about his early days experience with Lanois. Andrew reviews the movie Elvis . . . is it worth a look and can anybody actually play Elvis convincingly? Tom goes to a party and gets turned on to an inspiring book about Chris Blackwell of Island records. Our under the radar artist comes recommended by a friend and is Patrick Brealey . . . find out about him.

To listen to the Talk Music Podcast click here.

The Talk Music Podcast: Episode 7 Season Finale!

Don’t miss the season finale of the Talk Music Podcast as we talk about why Canadian Music has punched above its weight on a worldwide basis. Is it something about being a country of distinct regions each with a music style and history? What are they and why? A top Canadian music exec. who produced The Rolling Stones, Peter Gabriel and Black Sabbath, Gary Muth, wades into the discussion as well with his take on who makes it where and how in Canada. Almost every Canadian artist and band who has had hits and you might remember is talked about in this cross Canada tour of our musical and physical landscape.

A couple of specific tracks mentioned are Streetheart’s classic version of Under my Thumb, and both Lightfoot’s and Dylan’s cover version of Early Morning Rain.

A lot of those Canadian bands continue to have overseas success and tour even as they fade away at home. Find out who still is drawing crowds in Germany and elsewhere.

There are also a couple of Canadian “Hidden Gems” to discover. As well an artist that has flown “Under The Radar” despite having had the first million selling single by a black Canadian artist.

To listen to the Talk Music Podcast click here.

The Talk Music Podcast Episode 6:

Making money-publishing and cover songs. 

Tom and Andrew talk about the Music Publishing business. For young musicians and writers how do you protect yourselves? What do you own rights to? Do you get paid for co writing a song? What about cover songs..who makes money? They get advice from an expert -Greg Stephens

They also discuss Taylor Swift’s re-recordings and the amazing value of catalog sales

Tom finds another artist who has flown Under the Radar but deserves a listen, Andrew does a “quick take” on the best book on Patti Smith and they both argue over the greatest – Rock Bassist…. who is your pick?

Greg Stephens is a leading practitioner in music and copyright law, and has experience in film, television, animation, Internet and new media matters. Intellectual property protection (trade-mark and copyright), book publishing and fine arts are other areas of interest and experience.

Greg is a frequent panelist and speaker at workshops and music industry conferences and frequently attends the annual international MIDEM music conference in Cannes, France.

Greg has served on the boards of the Songwriters Association of Canada, the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association and Toronto Artscape, and has been a part-time professor at the Music Management Program at Durham College.

Greg is a former songwriter and professional musician who signed with a Canadian independent record label and then with Capitol Records in the 1980’s. He wrote, sang and performed on albums and toured with several well-known pop groups of the time.

Artists discussed include:  Kaili Kinnon, Patti Smith, Steve Gorman, The Black Crowes, Tears for Fears, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Johnny Cash, Nine Inch Nails, Jeff Buckley, Corey Hart, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Soft Sell, Aerosmith, Van Halen, The Kinks, Linda Ronstadt, William Shatner, Pat Boone, Celine Dion, Sid Vicious, The Expensive Winos, Alanis Morisette, Taylor Swift, Neil Young