Press Play> Vol. 12 Kenna Burima - Woodpigeon, Calgary Folk Festival

Kenna Burima is a member of Calgary’s Woodpigeon (see info and video below), Beaver Squadron (the new project brought to you by the members of now defunct Brenda Vaqueros) and is the driving force behind Calgary's doo wop group The Pigeonettes and the Five Step Program. She is also working on a solo album.

Kenna is more than a musician. She's also a broadcaster and podcaster. You can hear her on University of Calgary radio station CJSW 90.9 on The Morning After and on Calgary Folk Music Festival podcasts.

Kenna has a day job with the Calgary Folk Music Festival, specifically working with Festival Hall Programming and Outreach. In fact Kenna, along with many others including Kerry Clarke, Les Siemieniuk, Johanna Schwarts and a cast of thousands, is responsible for arranging the amazing musicians who appear at the festival every year. Take my advice, if you don't know the Calgary Folk Fest, go to the website and click here to see who has played the fest in the past then bike, drive or fly to Calgary next summer to visit Prince's Island for the best fest experience you will ever have.

Here's a bit about Kenna's band excerpted from their website.

Woodpigeon Makes Otherworldy Almost Orchestral Pop by Mary Christa O’Keefe

Woodpigeon is more than just the most beautiful word in the English language, although that’s precisely why it was chosen by songwriter Mark Hamilton as the moniker for his pretty-pretty-pop project. Encompassing a kind of ersatz collective orchestra, dispersed across a couple continents, rising and falling in number with the demands of song-life and real life, they rock out on harpsichords and wrench tears out of guitars before playing them damp. Bells, whistles, hand-claps – all the aural tchotchkes are enlisted to serve the song, wherever they can brighten a melody or a mournful line

Knowing Kenna and her varied and wonderful taste in music, I am so pleased she agreed to PRESS PLAY> and provided me with some musical insight by listing some of her favourite records, ones that influence her life and her music.


What are you listening to RIGHT NOW?

The Breakmen. Shawna Cooper, an independent manager and agent we worked with at the Calgary Folk Music Festival this past year has added a list of bands to her roster and I’m taking a listen. I’m a big fan of fiddle player John Showman, so anything he does is cool by me.

What is the record (okay maybe 2 or 3 or 4 ) that influenced your music the most?

Glenn Gould’s The Goldberg Variations

There is no other like Glenn Gould. To me his Goldberg Variations represent what classical music can do (mean something), what it can mean to people (perfection and beauty can exist) and how a classical musician can interpret a work from the canon in such a way to make it completely their own. The subjugation of the artist to composer is diminished.



Miles Davis Kind of Blue

One word “mood”. Is there any other album that creates and keeps a mood as perfectly? The answer is fuck no.



Amy Winehouse Back to Black

Pain, agony, rapture. The is a soul album for the 21st century.

Otis Redding The Dock of the Bay

Otis is my main man. No one does it better. Maybe Lou Rawls. But to me, the way Otis can communicate in a turn of phrase, in a change in tone, makes him the master.

What was the first record you bought?

Ugh. Cassette of New Kids on the Block Step By Step

What’s your favourite cover tune? (Song and covered by whom?) 

Mark Ronson featuring Tiggers doing Brittney Spears’ Toxic. It’s fucking amazing.

What is the record that you count as a guilty pleasure?

Appetite for Destruction by Guns ‘n’ Roses. But I don’t feel guilty about it. I strongly believe there is nothing you should feel guilty about when it comes to music. Feeling guilt would insinuate that you shouldn’t love what naturally moves you.

Currently, what’s your favourite record to listen to on the road?

James Blake's self titled album. It’s beautiful.



Which of your solo/band's records is/are your favourite(s)?

Woodpigeon  Treasury Library of Canada  and The Brenda Vaqueros (self titled.)

What’s the record you bought that you wish you didn't?

Chuck Wagon Band Old Time Hymns Vol. 1. Old white people singing about god. What the fuck was I THINKING?

Follow Kenna Burima on Twitter @KennaBurima 

Follow her band Woodpigeon @woodpigeontweet

Calgary Folk Music Festival @calgaryfolkfest

CJSW U of C Radio 90.9 FM @CJSW

Shock the Monkey

This week I bought a CD copy of a classic record, Security by Peter Gabriel. It cost 10 bucks, cheap at twice the price. I plugged it into the CD player in the van and punched the track button until it stopped at track 6 – Shock the Monkey. It’s the song that sparked my appreciation for Gabriel.

An interesting thing happened. 

As soon as the song kicked in, the video started playing in my head. It occurred to me, I will never hear that song without the images that go with it. 

Of course that doesn’t happen with songs that predate the days of rock videos. When I hear Beatles songs or Stones, they recall past events, people, places and things. For example I remember where I was and what I was doing when I first heard (I can’t get no) Satisfaction. In the car with my cousin David driving and hearing him tap along to the rhythm with his ring on the steering wheel. He was a drummer in a rock band in Calgary in the 60s. He’s in PR in Toronto these days and his son is this jazz drummer guy.

But I digress.

Listening to Shock the Monkey and having one of the best videos ever playing in my head at the time got me thinking how technology helps define how we experience music.  In the days of the famous classical composers, their music was heard in the royal court and in the public concert halls. Of course their printed music lives on but no one alive today has ever heard Beethoven or Mozart perform their own music, and no one ever will.

We have cylinders and vinyl to hear old scratchy performance. We even have computer software to “clean them up” although, as the experts will tell you, you can never truly restore sound to its original form, only approximate it. Of course we also have early film and video performances of many artists dating back to the early part of the 20^th Century, but not much before that.

In the early days of video, some traditionalists suggested it spoiled songs for the audience because it replaced the personal image of the music with a contrived one. While that’s true, I don’t fully agree. One only has to look at the video for Gabriel’s song, in fact many of his songs, to see that, when it’s done well, video advances the art. (Yes I know, a lot of cliché-filled videos suck. So do many songs.)  

It’s interesting to see how more and different technologies are changing the way we consume music: iTunes, Youtube, HD flat-screen TVs; and even more interesting to think about how future technology will define my 10 year-old daughter’s musical experiences.  

Press Play> Vol.11 Tom Wilson - Blackie And The Rodeo Kings, Lee Harvey Osmond

If Tom Wilson isn't the "King of Hamilton Ontario," he most certainly is the King of Rock n Roll in Canada's Steeletown.

He keeps forming bands and releasing solo records that are among my favourites. Tom was the leader of the much-loved Junkhouse in the 90s.

He then helped form an incredible musical collaboration that was originally supposed to be a one-off project to honour the great, now late, Willie P. Bennett,  Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (BARK) with Stephen Fearing and Colin Linden.

(Willie P. was one of Canada's best singer songwriters, a legend in folk circles and he was very much alive when the first record came out.)

Tom also released solo albums in 2001 and 2006, and a 2005 collaboration with Bob Lanois, The Shack Recordings.

He fronts another band with one of the coolest names ever Lee Harvey Osmond and indeed the band is as cool as its name. There's one LHO record out and I'm sure we'll hear more.

Tom's latest record is with his BARK buddies and the trio has attracted the most amazing collection of female country and jazz singers you'll ever hear, in a series of "duets" with the  group. You can read more about Kings and Queens on my blog here.

Tom is also an incredible visual artist. He is sitting in front of one of his creations in the photo above. He is also responsible for the artwork on many of his and his bands' records.



I sent Tom an email some time ago and asked him to PRESS PLAY> . After a busy summer touring with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings he took some time to drop me a line to tell us about some of the records that influence his music.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Charlie Parker.. Any of those old records I can get my hands on..
Upstairs in my room in good old 12 inch needle scratchin' darkness..


WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

Bob Dylan - Desire
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer
Willie P. Bennett - Hobo's Taunt

Willy P Bennett - Lace And Pretty Flowers

WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Kicks

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE (SONG AND BY WHOM)?

Solitary Man - Johnny Cash from American Recordings III also the Chris Isaak version (Original by Neil Diamond)



It's not a cover but I have to tell you a favourite of mine is Del Shannon's Runaway. It'll get you laid in a convent. 

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE? 

If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman  ( I don't own a white suit but if I did .......) I just love this fuckin' song so much..

CURRENTLY, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD? 

Roberta Flack- First Take - Stephen Fearing introduced my to it driving home after a Blackie and the Rodeo Kings show in NYC last summer.

WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS (YOUR BAND OR SOLO RECORDINGS) ARE YOUR FAVOURITES ?

Lee Harvey Osmond - A Quiet Evil
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - Kings and Queens



WHAT'S THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T ?

I lost my mind in a Zellers department store on Mohawk Road in Hamilton ON and bought a Scottish bagpipe album that had an AM radio hit of Amazing Grace on it. Possibly the worst three dollars I ever spent in my life. I also have French and Native blood in my veins so when I hear bagpipes I naturally want to come out shootin'...

Follow Tom and his bands on Twitter @leeharveyosmond @therodeokings

You'll find Lee Harvey Osmond on Facebook here and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings here.

Press Play> Vol.10 Transit - Hip Hop

There is so much to like about Transit and his video Calgary (above). Where to begin? I can't remember who tweeted the YouTube link or what was written in the tweet that inspired me to click on it but I did. And as soon as the video kicked in, I was hooked.

• The song - It's a great song - pure and simple - with a great groove. It does what every good song in any genre does; it tells a story. 
• The visuals - Calgary looks amazing. It looks like a real honest to goodness cool beautiful city. People who visit our burg notice that but I don't think many of us who grew up here realize how big and cool it's getting until we see it reflected in a video like this.
• The stereotype - It takes an immigrant (!) like Transit to come out and say it - we're not all cowboys - even though many of us have known that for years. When I lived in Ontario, people would find out I was from Calgary and assume they knew my politics, attitude and taste in music. They assume Calgarians are anti ... uh.. well.. anti a lot of things that suggest sophistication or tolerance. And I would have to educate them. In this video Transit just comes out and says it. He sings "We're not all cowboys" because we're not.  
• The mayor - How cool is it that Transit thought to ask and how cool is it that the Mayor @nenshi said yes.
• The voice - Jann Arden's appearance in this video is the icing on the cake. What a treat to hear her voice like honey dripping through the beat and then soaring above it. It just works so well. @jannarden is a Calgary icon, a Canadian star, an old school voice next to an up-and-comer singing. She sings the praises of a city not usually know for its arts and music.Plus there are images and names dropped of a whole bunch of indie and hip hop artists that are buzzing in YYC.  

I chased down Transit @transitrants on twitter and I asked him to Press Play> and I am happy to post the results. 

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? 

Wale featuring J.Cole – Bad Girls Club



WHAT IS THE RECORD OR MAYBE TWO, OR THREE OR FOUR THAT INFLUENCE YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

Atmosphere - You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having and Shad - T.S.O.L

WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT? 

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Actually I didn't buy it, I stole it from my older sister and ended up playing it too much and I wrecked it.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE? (SONG AND COVERED BY WHOM?)

Elise Roller

When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls covered by Elise Roller. She completely slows it down and adds a different feel to it and it makes a normally garbage song enjoyable.

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU COUNT AS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Any Young Jeezy record is a guilty pleasure for me. It’s definitely not my style of rap but every now and then I like listening to it and pretending I’m a thug.


CURRENTLY WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD?

Manchester Orchestra - I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child



WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS IS YOUR FAVOURITE ?

My latest CD 22. It’s not out yet though…

WHAT IS A RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T?  

Jay-Z  - Kingdom Come --- It’s not even that it was that bad of a record but after coming out of retirement and all the hype behind that, I got so excited for it to drop. When it came out, I skipped school (I was in grade 12) and walked 45 minutes each way in the rain to HMV. As soon as I got home and heard that track he did with Usher I wanted to cry.

Transit on Facebook 

Find him on MySpace  

Press Play> Vol.9 Russell Broom, Guitarist, Producer

guitar player at the Jann Arden concert

In the mid 90s I was living in Windsor, Ontario. They announced Jann Arden from my hometown of Calgary was coming to town for a concert. My friends from home had been telling me about her and her new single Insensitive was getting to be a hit. That show in Windsor was poorly attended because Detroit media dominates which makes it tough for Canadian stars to get noticed. I will quickly point out that the next time Arden came to town her Windsor show sold out faster than any of the others on the tour and they added a second show.
 
I dragged my friends to see "the girl singer from my hometown with the voice." Of course we were extremely impressed with her humour, her songs, that voice. We were also raving about Arden's killer band. We all agreed the stand-out was her guitar player. He was simply amazing.

 
I have since found out that Russell Broom is much more than a killer guitar player. When you visit his website you'll see evidence of his musical experience, talent and knowledge.

He describes himself as "a music guy, I produce, engineer and mix records, write songs and play guitar. I’ve also performed, written, and or engineered a whole bunch of music on film and TV."

His list of projects includes Ms. Arden and an eclectic mix of terrific musicians including Chixdiggit, Dojo Workhorse, SheDaisy, Terri Clark, Sierra Noble, Emm Gryner, Martin Page, Robbie Williams, Doc Walker, Tariq, Clayton Bellamy, Jason McCoy, Josh Groban, Ron Sexsmith, Sam Roberts and many more. You can get a detailed look at the projects he has worked on and the stack of awards he has won on the "credits" page on his website.

I knew I would get some interesting and eclectic answers from Russell when I asked him to Press Play > and he didn't disappoint.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Music I'm working on for a client! I am just wrapping up projects for Lynzie Kent, Chris Austman, CMT and a bunch of others. 

As far as listening for enjoyment, the new Bon Iver record - Bon Iver, records by Laura Marling, William Fitzsimmons, I Blame Coco and Cream - BBC sessions.

WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

These are some records that inspire me, that I have no interest in copying but simply enjoying and being enveloped by.

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies

Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball

U2 - Unforgettable Fire

American Music Club - Mercury

Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

Talk Talk - Colour of Spring

Joy Division - Permanent.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

Elvis Costello - Armed Forces --- I heard the song Oliver's Army when I was 8 or 9 and loved it, not really understanding the political content, but I loved the melody and the song itself. Still one of my favourite records.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE (SONG AND BY WHOM)? 

Goodbye by Steve Earle, covered by Emmylou Harris --- A heartbreaking song, a heartbreaking version of a heartbreaking song. Gosh, nuff said!

WHAT IS THE RECORD THAT YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE?

Madonna - Music --- I like the production on the Madonna's Music record. I dig the energy of it. She's not the most musical person in the world, but I respect what she draws out of producers a lot. And any of John Mayer's records --- John Mayer writes some great songs, and I'll listen to Steve Jordan and Pin Palladino any day of the week. As a guitar player I'm supposed to dismiss him. I ain't gonna. He's great at what he does.

 

CURRENTLY WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD?

Amos Lee - Mission Bell  --- I mixed a live show of his for CMT and fell in love with the songs, especially Violin. Great travelling music and  Arvo Part - Sanctuary --- No matter what is going on around me, this record can pull me out of whatever environment I am in and totally captivate me. I love his work and this record is a great representation of the beauty and simplicity in what he does. As a guitar player, that would be my ultimate goal, to play simply and beautifully.

WHICH OF YOUR ALBUMS (SOLO OR A BAND) IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

All of them dammit! Like having to choose your favorite child - ha ha. Each one has a large part of my sanity, heart, soul, and love in them. They each draw out different things, and I learn so much on every project.

WHAT'S THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T?

Too many to list!

Follow Russell Broom on twitter @russellbroom

Find Russell on My Space here

Hire Russell to work on your record here

Press Play> Vol.8 Matt Masters, Country, Alt. Country, Folk, Roots, Americana

I tell anyone who will listen to me that the best music being made today is what a lot of people call alt.country, roots or Americana (?). I don't much like any of those labels. There are two reasons behind them: 1) to distinguish edgy country music from more mainstream country played on most radio stations and 2) when hipsters try to say the words "country" followed by "music" it gets stuck in their throat.

Matt Masters is a Calgary based musician. He plays country music. Kick ass country music. Here's a bit of his bio from his record company Saved By Radio.

The Montreal Gazette says he was ʻborn to sing country music.ʼ The Red Deer Express says he wields a remarkable voice, they call him a ʻtrue country and western singer in the traditional sense.ʼ They go on, ʻA historian with a keen sense of the modern era, Masters intertwines his western heritage with a forward-looking vision.ʼ

With his new album, ALL-WESTERN WINNERS, Matt Masters lays out the blueprint for what is coming in Canadian country music. He has grabbed the sounds of the prairie by their roots and used the future as a fertilizer to grow a crop of Canadian songs that will serve to feed a generation. The sound is heavier than ever before as Masters carries his voice to new heights. Traditional 21st century western Canadian folk music. World and Canadian music, Alberta style.

Here is a song from Matt's latest record.

I asked Matt if he would like to Press Play> on my blog and he said yes and he answered my questions ... sort of. 

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

My friend and bandmate Craig McCaul is playing guitar in the room next to me.

Craig's bio -- A master guitarist by trade, Craig's prowess as a bass player is equally formidable. His rich sense of musicality is enhanced by the diversity of projects he has spearheaded or been a part of in past years. A graduate of the Music Diploma Program at Calgary's Mount Royal College, McCaul is a veteran of the touring circuit. His impressive resume of projects display diversity such as as African folk group Doundounba, singer/songwriter Adrienne Pierce, and jazz violinist Karl Roth

WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

All three of these were really big for me

Marty Robbins - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

Roger Miller - Robin Hood 

Willie Nelson – Greatest Hits and some that will be





WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

Sting – Dream of the Blue Turtles

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE (SONG AND COVERED BY WHOM)?

Changes all the time. I am quite fond of It's A Heartache by Bonnie Tyler (written by Ronnie Scott & Steve Wolfe also covered by Juice Newton and Ronnie Spector) 

I am also rather fond of a song I cover on my new record. It's called Snake Farm written by Ray Wylie Hubbard.

SEE THE NEW VIDEO FOR SNAKE FARM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. (Jan 4, 2012)

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE? 

Pump by Aerosmith and then about another 100.

CURRENTLY, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD? 

Usually the newest one I have. My current faves include the new album (Tonight, Tonight) by The Heartbroken



WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS IS YOUR FAVOURITE? 

My newest one, All-Western Winners for sure!

WHAT'S THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T? 

I never really regret a record purchase. I have some pretty weird ones, but I wouldn’t call them regrets.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MastersMatt 

Like Matt on Facebook here 

Find out when and where Matt is performing here 

Press Play> Vol. 7 Mike Stevens, Harmonica Innovator

At a very early age Mike Stevens found a harmonica. Actually it found him. Living in Sarnia, Ontario he couldn't help but hear the sounds of Motown and the Blues over the airwaves from Detroit. At 16 something snapped and Mike started to practice up to 12 hours a day. Creating and refining a very original and often copied style of playing.

This approach to music led Mike to audition for a bluegrass band; he didn’t realize that the harmonica was not an accepted instrument in bluegrass. In fact some people turn their backs or re-tune their instruments so the harmonica would not fit in only strengthened Mike's resolve and made his playing even more explosive and expressive.

In the 1980’s Mike was playing the Carlisle, Ontario bluegrass festival when Little Roy Lewis from the world-famous Lewis Family invited him on stage. The crowd went nuts and afterward Little Roy said "look if you’re willing to follow us around for no pay I’ll let you play with us."  So Mike would sit in the audience and Little Roy would start a tune then stop and say "What this song really needs is harmonica." (the audience would gasp – a harmonica ) That was Mike’s cue and he would jump on stage and they would burn down the house to thunderous applause.

In 1988 while appearing at a bluegrass festival in Georgia, Mike met bluegrass legends Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. Once they heard Mike play they invited him up sit in. After the performance Mike heard the words "You need to be on the Grand Ole Opry" and that’s what happened. Mike has performed more than 300 times on the world famous Grand Ole Opry stage and can count the late Roy Acuff, the king of country music as one of his biggest fans.




Mike toured the world as a featured performer with Jim and Jesse for close to 15 years playing all the major bluegrass festivals solidifying Mike’s position as a true pioneer of bluegrass harmonica. Meanwhile the awards were rolling in: In 1990 Mikes first release Harmonica won Recording of the Year at the Central Canadian Bluegrass awards.

1990-1996 Mike was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards and was retired from the category after six wins in a row.

In 1991 Mike's recording Blowin up a Storm was the highest selling release on Pinecastle Records.

In 1994 Mike was named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky for his contributions to bluegrass.

In 1995 Mike wrote the book Bluegrass Harmonica detailing his unique harmonica technique - available through Hal Leonard Publishing.

In 2001 Mike signed on with Borealis Recording Company, one of the most prestigious folk and roots music labels in Canada. Both Old Time Mojo and The World is Only Air were released on Borelis.Mike continues to play many styles of music incorporating his influences and experiences.He plays solo shows involving looping with mouth percussion creating otherworldly sound paintings. 


Some of the highlights have been Avante-garde multimedia performances with world famous photographer Larry Towell

He also performs with duo partners - with legendary bluegrass musician Raymond McLain and blues shows with Matt Andersen.

Matt and Mike recently won an East Coast Music Award for their duo recording Piggyback. They prepared a second duo record during a recent songwriting residency at the Banff Centre. The new record is expected to be for sale soon through Mike's website as well as Matt's.

Mike Stevens' music is always evolving and reflects all of his influences, always pushing the envelope while respecting the past.

I have known Mike for about 15 years. You can read a bit more about our connection and why I like his music elsewhere on the Musical Immigrant blog.

Meanwhile I asked Mike to Press Play> and he did.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Inuit throat boxing that I recorded in the Arctic

PARDON?

Inuit throat boxing is a wild combination of throat singing and beatboxing. I don't think there is a term to describe it yet. It's too new

Mike recently performed at the Rockin Walrus Festival in Igloolik, NU, Canada

WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE 2 OR 3 OR 4) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

Everything I hear everyday sneaks in somewhere. Maybe Tom Waits - Bone Machine

WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

A 45 rpm single by Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies - Groovy Grubworm I think I bought when I was 11 or 12. I probably bought it with my grass cutting money.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE?

Richard Thompson's version of Donovan's - Season of the Witch. Killer version



WHAT IS A RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE?

Bad Company - Runnin with the Pack

CURRENTLY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD?

I don't listen on the road much usually stuff I'm working on or talk radio.

WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Probably the first one, Harmonica because it shook up the bluegrass folks a bit.

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T?

Could have been Groovy Grubworm, I don't remember



Mike Stevens and David Lindley jamming on Mercury Blues - Sarnia, Ontario, Canada 

www.mikestevensmusic.com 

Find Mike Stevens on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeStevensHarp

Find Mike on MySpace