Latest Music News

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Luther Wright and the Wrongs have the Right Stuff

Tuesday, 05 May 2009 21:28 Richard Amery

It isn’t often you get to see a legend up close. While Neil Young was the big legend of the week, mandolinist and multi-instrumentalist Dan Whiteley snuck into the Slice, April 24 as part of Luther Wright and the Wrongs, who played their own style of country and bluegrass music to a decent crowd of about 30.

“I come from a real punk tradition, but Dan brings a real traditional sound on banjo and mandolin. Dan's a great guy. He's one of the best mandolin players in Canada” said Wright after their first set which included original material from all three Luther Wright and the Wrong’s CDs including the latest “Man of Your Dreams,” a cover of Dan’s Juno award winning sister Jenny Whiteley’s “Hallelujah Haircut” as well as several Stompin’ Tom Connors classics sung by special guest Mitch Anderson. Jason Mercer was also on board on banjo and guitar.

Apparently they payed a couple numbers off of “Rebuilding the Wall” — a country/bluegrass reworking of Pink Floyd's the Wall, but I missed it.

Endangered Ape on the Road Again

Tuesday, 05 May 2009 21:26 Richard Amery

Local band Endangered Ape have been literally making a lot of noise around Lethbridge lately. Known for the craziest 20 minute shows in the city, they are frequently playing the GCBC Lounge in Henotic they are also constantly on tour. Their latest with bass and drums duo Amelia Earhart, begins today. It will go to Halifax and back.

“It's three weeks long and we're playing every day. We lucked out,” said Endangered Ape bassist and songwriter Paul Lawton, waiting for people to arrive for an April 24 show in the GCBC Lounge, adding they will hook up with numerous bands along the way including the The Hot Blood Bombers in Regina, the O’Voids in Montreal and the Stolen Minks in Halifax.

South Country Fair Songwriting Competition

Tuesday, 05 May 2009 21:25 Richard Amery

Shaela Miller is enthused about winning the South Country Fair Songwriting Competition finals newcomers category at the Slice, April 25.

“It was pretty exciting to learn I won,” Miller said adding she got great feedback from the judges and the other competitors for her song “Loving Me.”

“Everyone did a really good job. So I was really happy,” she continued adding it won't be on the next CD which is still being completed, but it will be on the next.

“So I get $300 and tickets to the fair and get to play my song on the main stage, Friday or Saturday. But just to say I won and can put it on my résumé , that's what it’s all about,” she enthused.

Karen Romanchuk won honourable mention for her song, Tired and True (An Ode to Alberta)

“It was really good,” Romanchuk said adding the Slice had a decent crowd by the time the April 25 event started at 8 p.m.

Pow Navarro placed second in the category for his song “Going to L.A.”

In the old pros category, Brandi Sidoryk won first for her song “Mortimer,” as well, Scott Cook took second for “The Ramblin’ Kind” and Cort Delano won honourable mention for “Maski-pitoon Broken Arm”

Neil Young Rocks Lethbridge

Saturday, 02 May 2009 15:35 Richard Amery

Neil Young proved he is the godfather of grunge, the fife of folk and quite possibly a baron of the blues because he played a little bit of everything during his April 25 show at the Enmax Centre.

Standing beneath a set of lights spelling out “Neil,” Young, clad in a work shirt, t-shirt and jeans and dwarfed by a massive ancient, battered amp cabinet, took over with an electrifying Crazy Horse set which began with “Love and Only Love”, which I didn't recognize right off, but then launched into “Hey Hey My My” which proved why grunge rockers idolize him.

He was scowling and tearing into his big Les Paul like it did him wrong, and had the crowd loving ever minute of it. And while he played quite a few new songs from his new CD, “Fork In the Road” including “Fuel Line” and “Get Behind the Wheel” but “Cortez the Killer”, “Cinnamon Girl” and “Pocahontas” were to be heard among them.

Buzz April 22

Saturday, 25 April 2009 12:30 Richard Amery

This coming week is going to be legen— wait for it— dary.

Not only is Neil Young coming to the Enmax Centre, April 25, but there is a cornucopia of music happening.

One of my favourite quirky country bands, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, will be playing April 24 at the Slice. They get extra cool points because a few years ago they released a double album of country versions of Pink Floyd's the Wall, which is just outstanding. Plus they used to play with Sara Harmer in a band called Weeping Tile, so don't miss them.

Endangered Ape is releasing a new EP the same night at Henotic, with Amelia Earhart, the Myelin Sheaths, Evan Van Reekum, Kent Aardse and The return of Ran! Most of them were playing at Henotic this week too, so if you missed them this week, catch them on Friday.

A big event is happening at the Slice, April 25, unfortunately competing against Neil Young. The semi-final competition of this year's South Country Fair songwriting take place featuring Lethbridge acts Shaela Miller, Karen Romanchuk, George Arsene and Bruce Roome. It starts at 8 p.m., I'll most likely miss it as I'm going to be “rocking in the free world” with Neil Young, but it is sure to be an outstanding show.

The first two were both performing to packed houses this past Saturday night, April 18.

Romanchuk and a full house of well wishers, enjoying the music from her new CD “Shine” as well as a lot of new material and choice covers from the likes of Willie P. Bennett, and Lucinda Williams. She sounded fantastic, bringing the spirit of old school country back.. Her backing band including lead guitarist James Oldenburg, bassist David Popovitch and her husband Darwin pounding out rhythm on a “Cajon” were tight.' Romanchuck is also going up to Calgaryon May 9 for the Calgary Folk Fest songwriting competition in the Alberta category with her song “Tired and Trrue” which she played at her show.

I hadn’t heard Shaela Miller play for a few months until her Front Row pub debut, April 18 so I was impressed to hear how much she has improved her craft. She played a most of the music off last year's EP including an uptempo version of my personal favourite, “Manchester” as well as a lot of cool new old country style throwbacks including the song she entered in the South Country Fair songwriting competition called “Loving Me,” which was exceptional. her backing band drummer Tyler Bird and stand up bassist Paul Holden were outstanding and as always Shaela has a unique vulnerable, yet edgy sound that makes her immediately appealing.