Avril Lavigne to Release First Ever Greatest Hits Album
Dee Lippingwell – Award-winning Photographer succumbs to Cancer
Jim Cuddy Announces New Solo Album and Coast to Coast Canadian Tour
Shawn Desman Announces Headlining Show at Toronto’s HISTORY

Sing me the Songs (Celebrating The Works Of Kate McGarrigle) – All Star Ensemble

Keith Sharp
Sing me the Songs (Celebrating The Works Of Kate McGarrigle) – All Star Ensemble
(Warner Music Canada/Nonesuch Records) This two-cd live set culled from concerts in London, Toronto and New York has been recorded in memory of Kate McGarrigle who succumbed to cancer in 2010. Organized and performed by surviving sister Anna McGarrigle and offspring Rufus and Martha Wainwright, this 38-song set also features an all-star cast that includes Norah Jones, Emmy-Lou Harris, Linda... Read More

Classic Canadian artists get the digital treatment

Music Express
Classic Canadian artists get the digital treatment
Warner Music Canada opens its vaults today with the first of a series of digital releases from classic Canadian artists ranging from Honeymoon Suite to Streetheart to Messenjah and the Rheostatics. The label has gone back to the original master tapes of albums that have not been in circulation in over a decade in order to make them available through... Read More

Nick Sinopoli – The Human Jukebox

Keith Sharp
Nick Sinopoli – The Human Jukebox
Nick Sinopoli is one proud dad. Returning from his daughter Nikki (Lemonbeat)’s convocation at York University where she graduated with an environmental studies degree, Sinopoli is beaming about his daughter’s achievements. “Nikki is going to save the world,” announced Sinopoli. “Even as a kid Nikki would decorate our fridge with “Cows Are People Too” stickers. She even pestered her high... Read More

The Cooper Brothers – Southbound

Keith Sharp
The Cooper Brothers – Southbound
(Gunshy/Fontana North) There’s nothing nostalgic about Ottawa’s The Cooper Brothers or their new opus, “Southbound”. Yes they were under wraps for about 20 years following the death of lead vocalist Terry King, but the Coopers made a tentative step forward in 2010 with the release of “In From The Cold” and now plan a fully-fledged return to the spotlight with... Read More

The Contrast Between Darkness And Light – City And Colour

Music Express
The Contrast Between Darkness And Light – City And Colour
Of all the lyrics on City And Colour’s fourth full-length, The Hurry And The Harm, the only line that was selected to be printed on the artwork is “I’ve always been dark with light somewhere in the distance.” It’s from the mercurial “Two Coins,” one of the album’s best tracks, and Dallas Green’s favourite this round. It sums him up.... Read More

What’s In A Name?

Keith Sharp
What’s In A Name?
It was photographer Ted Van Boort who inadvertently came up with this Rockpiles’ column idea when he called me one day to inform me The Bay City Rollers were playing Hamilton Place and was I interested in covering the show. First off, we don’t cover non-Canadian artists, and secondly, who the hell is still playing in the Bay City Rollers???... Read More

Still Grinning After All These Years – Barenaked Ladies

Keith Sharp
Still Grinning After All These Years – Barenaked Ladies
“What us go corporate”?, gasps Barenaked Ladies’ frontman Ed Robertson in mock horror, reacting to the band’s cover shot on their new `Grinning Streak release in which all four members poise in Bay Street suits. “Those aren’t Bay Street suits, they’re hipster suits, and you can even see my beard growing in”. “Actually,” continues Robertson, “If you look at the... Read More

CMAO Awards – Hot Night In Markham

Roman Mitz
CMAO Awards – Hot Night In Markham
It was a picture perfect night at the lovely Markham Theatre, a most appropriate setting for what turned out to be a very successful Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Show. Based on this inaugural show, the CMAO’s should serve as the model for every other awards ceremony out there. It was well paced at just over two hours and... Read More

Working Men… and Women

Roman Mitz
Working Men… and Women
On his Twitter page, Bryce Pallister calls himself the ‘Singing Farmer’ which is a pretty good fit considering he obtained his degree in agriculture from the University of Manitoba and works his farm by day, and takes to the stage to croon his traditional country tunes at night. Pallister’s new record is called Down Dusty Roads and it comes four... Read More

Sharp Inks Publishing Deal With Dundurn

Music Express
Sharp Inks Publishing Deal With Dundurn
Music Express editor in chief Keith Sharp is happy to announce that Dundurn Publishing Company has agreed to publish his Music Express book. The title will be previewed to potential retailers and libraries in Dundurn’s Fall catalogue and will be at retail by early 2014. “I am totally excited by the news that Dundurn will give my book full national... Read More

How to make a rock ‘n roll record! – Headstones

Keith Sharp
How to make a rock ‘n roll record! – Headstones
My first reaction on listening to The Headstones’ new recording “Love + Fury” was “What the hell! Nobody makes records like this anymore?” A record that contains 13 incendiary rockers in the two-to-three minute time range, all punk energy, snarling lyrics, raw, in your face arrangements with the allowance of one more melodic tune (Midnight Of This Life) tacked on... Read More