Hour One
1. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra: Also Zprach Zarathustra - 1970
2. Snakefinger’s Vestal Virgins: There’s No Justice In Life - 1986
3. Pink Floyd: Interstellar Overdrive - 1967
4. King Crimson: Elephant Talk - 1981
5. Jon Hassell: Ba Benzélé - 1981 *
6. Michael Waite: Me and The Silver Surfer - 1982 *
7. Mother Tucker’s Yellow Duck: One Ring Jane - 1969 *
8. Rockadrome: Royal American 20th Century Blues - 1969 *
9. Klaatu: Blue Smoke - 1981 *
10. The Byrds: This Wheel’s On Fire - 1969
11. John Prine: Paradise - 1971
Hour Two
1. Nineteen Seventy-Seven: The Otherside - 2009 *
2. Junip: In Every Direction - 2010
3. FM: Dialing For Dharma - 1978 *
4. Kensington Market: Looking Glass - 1968 *
5. Hawkwind: Urban Guerilla - 1973
6. Mack: In The Limelight - 1975*
7. Mars Bonfire: Lady Moon Walker - 1969 *
8. Foreigner: Girl On The Moon - 1981
9. Skylark: The Writing’s On The Wall - 1972 *
10. The Deserters: Innervisions - 1981*
11. Plaid: The Bee - 2016
12. Chimo!: Etc Blues - 1970 *
13. Renaissance: Wanderer - 1969
14. Ralf Bendix: Auf Wiedersehn - 1959
*CanCon = 52%
Hour One
1. Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra: Also Sprach Zarathustra
(Thus Spake Zarathustra)
(Richard Strauss)
2001: A Space Odyssey - volume 2: MGM Records - SE-4722
Berlin, Germany
Herbert von Karajan: conductor
Compilation Produced by Jesse Kaye, 1970
Richard Georg Strauss b. 11 June 1864, Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria / d. 8 Sept 1949 (85) Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany
Synonymous with 2001: A Space Odyssey, is considered to be a tone poem, composed in 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical novel of the same name. The first recording was made in 1935 with Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The recording of the opening fanfare used for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey was performed by the Vienna Philharmonic and conducted by Herbert von Karajan. It was the opening of an entire symphonic piece.
Note that there were two 2001: A Space Odyssey albums produced: the first album was the actual soundtrack and the second one featuring music that Stanley Kubrick considered using for the film.
2. Snakefingers Vestal Virgins: Theres No Justice In Life
(Snakefinger)
Night of Desirable Objects: Ralph Records RR8703
Tooting, South London UK
Philip Charles Lithman (Snakefinger): guitar
John Ryan: drums
Eric Drew Feldman: keys
Ben Guy: bass
Miguel Bertel: guitar
Produced by Snakefinger, Howard Johnston, Eric Drew Feldman, 1986
Recorded by Howard Johnston with Mark Slager & David Plank at Different Fur Studios, San Francisco
Philip Charles Lithman b. Tooting, London 17 June 1949 / d. 1 July 1987 (38) Linz, Austria
Lithman came up through the British blues scene and moved to San Francisco in 1971. There he became associated with the avant-garde group The Residents. It is said he was given the name 'Snakefinger' by The Residents after looking at a photograph of Lithman in which his finger looks like a snake about to attack his violin. He performed and recorded with The Residents as Snakefinger and The Vestal Virgins. During a routine gig in Linz, Austria he suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 38. His new single "There's No Justice in Life" was released on the same day as he died.
3. Pink Floyd: Interstellar Overdrive
(Mason / Waters / Wright / Barrett)
Piper At The Gates Of Dawn - 40th Anniversary set: EMI - 50999-505919-2-9
London / Cambridge UK
Syd Barrett: guitar, vocals
Roger Waters: bass
Nick Mason: drums
Rick Wright: keys
Produced by Norman Smith, 1967
Recorded at Abby Road Studio 3 by Peter Brown
From the first Pink Floyd LP, Piper At The Gates of Dawn, this is the only track on it that really illuminates what Pink Floyd were all about in 1967 during the Syd Barrett inspired underground. Many of the band’s songs turned into 20 minute psychedelic raves unlike the 3 or 4 minute tracks contained on the rest of the album. In fact, the Floyd had to fight producer Norman Smith to include Interstellar on the album. This is a different take than the one that appeared on Piper.
4. King Crimson: Elephant Talk
(King Crimson)
Discipline: Warner Bros / EG Records XBS 3629
London UK
Adrian Belew: electric guitar, guitar synthesizer, lead vocals
Robert Fripp: electric guitar, guitar synthesizer, devices (Frippertronics)
Tony Levin: Chapman Stick
Bill Bruford: drums
Produced by King Crimson and Keith Davies, 1981
Recorded at Basing Street Studios, Notting Hill, London, England
After the original King Crimson ended around 1975, Fripp really wanted to put another band together (after his gig with The League of Gentlemen). He recruited his players and announced that the band would be called Discipline but later gave in and used the King Crimson name.
Discipline is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band King Crimson. While not one of the bands best received albums, reviewers praised the pairing of electric guitar players Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp. With a rhythm section featuring Tony Levin and Bill Bruford, what could go wrong? It was just too far out there for most people to enjoy.
5. Jon Hassell: Ba Benzélé
(Jon Hassell)
Music & Rhythm: Passport Records - PD 7501
Toronto ON
Jon Hassell: trumpet
Michael Brook: mbira
Aiyb Dieng: talking drum
Brian Eno: synths
Produced by Jon Hassell, 1981
Recorded at Ontario College of Art November 14, 1982 by Paul Fitzgerald
Live Mix: Richard Henderson
Remix by Michael Brook
Jon Hassell b. March 22, 1937 Memphis, TN
Song first appeared on 1980 album with Brian Eno entitled Fourth World Vol 1: Possible Musics. Fourth World Music is a term he created to describe the sound that is a fusion of primitive and futuristic.
Music & Rhythm was an album released by the WOMAD organization in the UK. He performed this piece at a gig at the Ontario College of Art and Design on the 13th and 14th of November, 1982, around the time that Brian Eno was working with Daniel Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton, so they were both around to record at that time. They did another gig at OCAD on December 4, 1982 as well. So this piece was recorded at one of those two sessions.
6. Michael Waite & Eyes: Me And The Silver Surfer
(Michael Waite)
Cosmic Wave: A&M Records SP 9092
Toronto ON
Mike Waite: bass, piano, guitars, synths, percussion, vocals
Martian Wars: 5 string electric violin, mando-guitar, synths
Mike OBrien: drums
Kim Mitchell: guitar solo
Produced by Michael G Waite with Glen Johansen, 1983
Recorded by Glen Johansen & Michael G Waite at Integrated Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Zaza Sound by Frank Morrone, Michael Waite & Glen Johansen
Mike Waite is currently the owner and man (with the beard) behind the counter at Mike’s Music on The Danforth in Toronto. He played bass in Toronto band Breathless, featuring a young Nash The Slash, and briefly managed FM. This was his only solo album release.
7. Mother Tucker’s Yellow Duck: One Ring Jane
(Don McDougall / B Ivanuck)
Homegrown Stuff: Duck Records / Capitol Records - ST-6304
Vancouver BC
Pat Caldwell: vocal, harmonica
Charlie Faulkner: bass
Roger Law: guitar
Hugh Lockhead: drums
Don McDougall: guitar
Produced by Robin Spurgin, 1969
This Vancouver band started out in the later part of the 1960s as a joke, with only one guy who could actually play. Over the next year they put together a real band and released One Ring Jane as a single in the US but it wasn’t promoted. That was when they formed their own Duck Records and recorded their first album featuring a re-recorded version of One Ring Jane. Bonded with the San Francisco music scene, the album did rather well considering it didn’t get much airplay. They went on to tour with the Yardbirds, Alice Cooper, opened for Cream and Deep Purple before calling it quits in the early 1970s.
8. Rockadrome: Royal American 20th Century Blues - 1969 *
(Rockadrome)
Royal American 20th Century Blues: Sound Canada SC-7701
Richmond Hill, ON
R J Dove: lead guitar
Michael R Clancy: guitar
Rick Vallieres: drums
Paul Lachapelle: bass
Produced by Art Snider, 1969
Recorded by Art Snider at Sounds Canada Studios, Toronto
Psychedelic performers, Rockadrome formed in Toronto in 1968 – were given free studio time by Art Snider (one of Canada’s recording pioneers); in exchange, the band had to back his wife on her syrupy album The Allen Sisters. Everything comes with a price! This was from their only album.
9. Klaatu: Blue Smoke
(Klaatu)
Magentalane: Capitol Records of Canada 6000 Series ST 6487
Toronto ON
John Woloschuk: vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, vibraphone, sitar, vibes, orcana, piano, glockenspiel
Dee Long: vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, slide guitar, Korg synthesizer
Terry Draper: drums, percussion, Polymoog synth, trombone, tambourine, vocals
George Bertok: piano
Produced by Klaatu, 1981
Recorded at ESP Studios, Buttonville ON
10. The Byrds: This Wheel’s On Fire
(Bob Dylan / Rick Danko)
Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde: Columbia Records - CS 9755
Los Angeles CA
Roger McGuinn: guitar, lead vocals
Clarence White: guitar, backing vocals
John York: electric bass, backing vocals
Gene Parsons: drums, harmonica, banjo, backing vocals
Lloyd Green: pedal steel guitar on "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man"
Produced by Bob Johnston, 1969
Recorded by David Diller, Tom May, Neil Wilburn at Columbia Studios, Nashville, Hollywood
Great versions of this Dylan / Danko song by The Byrds as well as The Band. Originally recorded by Dylan and the Band during their 1967 basement sessions, The Band released their own version of it on their 1968 album, Music from Big Pink. They subsequently re-recorded it live on Rock of Ages. According to Rick Danko: Danko recounted how the song was written: "We would come together every day and work and Dylan would come over. He gave me the typewritten lyrics to 'This Wheel's On Fire'. At that time I was teaching myself to play the piano.... Some music I had written on the piano the day before just seemed to fit with Dylan's lyrics. I worked on the phrasing and the melody. Then Dylan and I wrote the chorus together."
In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and the Trinity became a hit in the UK. The Byrds released their recording of it on their 1969 album, Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde. In 1987, the song was covered by the British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshee. It has also been recorded by Phil Lesh, Golden Earring, Elvis Costello, the Hollies, Ian and Sylvia, Leslie West, Serena Ryder, and June Tabor.
11. John Prine: Paradise
(John Prine)
John Prine: Atlantic Records SD 8296
Maywood, Illinois
John Prine: guitar, vocals
Reggie Young: lead guitar
Leo LeBlanc: pedal steel
John Christopher: guitar
Bobby Emmons: organ
Bobby Wood: piano
Gene Chrisman: drums
Bishop Heywood: percussion
Steve Goodman: guitar, harmony vocals
Dave Prine: fiddle
Neil Rosengarden: bass
Produced by Arif Mardin, 1971
Recorded by Dale Smith at A&R Studios, NYC
Hour Two
1. Nine-Teen Seventy-Seven: The Otherside
(Julie Kendall)
Nineteen Seventy-Seven: JK001
Port Credit, ON
Julie Kendall: keys, vocals
Brent Hough: guitar, bass
Jordan Bruce: drums
Produced by Julie Kendall & Brent Hough, 2009
Recorded by them in their apartment, winter 2007
Mixed at Gay Studio, Parkdale by Alphonse Lanza
Mastered by Noah Mintz at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto
The band formed by wife and husband team of Julie Kendall and Brent Hugh in 2004. This album came out in 2009 and was nominated for a Juno Adult Alternative Album of the Year in 2010. I’m not too sure exactly when they put the vinyl out but I’m glad they did.
2. Junip: In Every Direction
(Junip)
Fields: Mute Records MUT 9448-1
Vänersborg, Sweden
Elias Araya: drums
Jose Gonzalez: guitar, vocal
Tobias Winterkorn: keys
Erik Bodin: tambourin
Produced by Don Alstherberg and Junip, 2010
Recorded by Don Alstherberg at Don Pierre Studio
Mastered by Hans Olsson and Don Alstherberg at Svenska Grammofon Studion
The band was formed in Sweden in 1998 by 3 childhood friends as a hobby. Fields was their first full length LP. They have been quite successful recording music for films and TV shows.
3. FM: Dialing For Dharma
(FM)
Black Noise: CBC / Passport Records 9167-9831
Toronto
Nash The Slash: electric violins, mandolin, glockenspiel, effects
Cameron Hawkins: Synths, bass, piano
Martin Deller, drums: percussion, synths
Produced by Keith Whiting, 1978
Recorded by Mike Jones and Ed Stone at Sounds Interchange, Toronto
The band's original 1976 lineup consisted of two people: Cameron Hawkins on synthesizer, occasional bass guitar, and lead vocals, and Jeff Plewman (later known as Nash The Slash) on electric violin, electric mandolin, and backing vocals. The group did not use guitars until the mid 1980s after Nash had left the band.
4. Kensington Market: Looking Glass
(Keith McKie)
Avenue Road: Warner Brothers 1754
Toronto ON
Keith McKie: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Alex Darou: Bass Guitar
Jimmy Watson: Drums, Percussion, Sitar
Eugene Martynec: Lead Guitar, Piano
Luke Gibson: Backup Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica
Produced by Felix Pappalardi, 1968
Recorded by Steve Scheafer at Century Sound Studio, NYC
The Market only put out two stellar albums before its leader, Luke Gibson, decided to go solo. They were so far ahead of their time! The first rock band to utilize the services of a dedicated Moog Synthesizer player (John Mills-Cockell) on their second album. Eugene Martynec was later hired to produce records for the fledgling True North Records label, producing output for all Bruce Cockburn’s albums in the 70s.
5. Hawkwind: Urban Guerilla
(Dave Brock / Robert Calvert)
Doremi Fasol Latido: United Artists Records UA-LA001-F
London UK
Dave Brock: 6 and 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocals
Nik Turner: saxophone, flute, vocals
Lemmy: bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Dik Mik (Michael Davies): Synthesizer
Del Dettmar: Synthesizer
Simon King: drums
Robert Calvert: vocals
Produced by Dave Brock & Del Dettmar, 1973
Recorded at Olympic Studios
Ian Fraser Kilmister b. 24 December 1945 in Stoke-on-Trent, UK / d. 28 December 2015 (70) Los Angeles
Space Rock specialists Hawkwind recorded three albums with Lemmy before sacking him after he suffered a drug bust in 1975 while trying to cross into Canada at the Windsor, Ontario border. (He served 5 days in jail and was released without charge). He once said:
"I did like being in Hawkwind, and I believe I'd still be playing with them today if I hadn't been kicked out. It was fun onstage, not so much offstage. They didn't want to mesh with me. But it was a great band.”
6. Mack: In The Limelight
(A Deguire)
Rock & Becs: Zodiaque Records ZOX-6021
Quebec QC
André Deguire: guitars, claviers, percussion
Luc Giroux: bass, percussion
Nicky Catalano: drums
Produced by Mack, 1975
Recorded by Billy Szawiowski at Tempos Studios, Montreal
7. Mars Bonfire: Lady Moon Walker
(Mars Bonfire)
Faster Than The Speed of Life: Columbia Records CS 9834
Oshawa ON
Mars Bonfire: guitar, vocals
Others not mentioned
Produced by Ted Glasser, 1969
Recorded by Lee Herschberg
Mastered at Customatrix
Dennis Eugene McCrohan aka Dennis Edmonton b. Oshawa ON April 21, 1943
Best known for his song Born To Be Wild, he (and his brother Jerry) were both members of Toronto band The Sparrow, backing up Jack London. In 1965 John Kay joined the band and a couple of years later, they all moved to California to start up a new band called Steppenwolf. However, Dennis Edmonton decided to go the solo singer-songwriter route, writing great songs, some of which were covered by Steppenwolf. He put out two solo albums in the late 1960s, including Faster Than The Speed of Life. He was awarded the Cultural Impact Award by SOCAN in 2015
8. Foreigner: Girl On The Moon
(Mick Jones / Lou Gramm)
45 Single bw Urgent: Atlantic Records - AT 3831
New York City NY
Lou Gramm: lead vocals, percussion
Mick Jones: guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
Rick Wills: bass guitar, backing vocals
Dennis Elliott: drums, backing and lead vocals
Hugh McCracken: slide guitar
Michael Fonfara: keyboard textures
Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Mick Jones, 1981
Recorded and engineered by Dave Wittman(chief engineer) and Tony Platt (basic tracks) Electric Lady Studios, New York City
Mastered by George Marino
Originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musician Mick Jones and fellow Briton and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with American vocalist Lou Gramm. Members were from UK, Canada and the US,
9. Skylark: The Writing’s On The Wall
(Domenic Troiano)
45 single bw Wildflower: Capitol Records Canada 3511
Vancouver BC
Bonny .J. Cook (vocals)
Donny Gerrard (vocals)
Norman McPherson (guitar)
Steven Pugsley (bass)
David Foster (keyboards)
Carl Graves (percussion)
Duris Maxwell (drums)
Produced by Eirik The Norwegian, 1972
Skylark formed from the ashes of one of Ronnie Hawkins' many back-up groups. The Writing’s On The Wall was actually the B side of Wildflower which went to No. 1 in Canada and made Billboard magazine's Top-10. The single would go on to sell over a million copies. The band featured some prime players including David Foster and Donny Gerrard who did backing vocal work for Elton John, John Fogerty and Donna Summer. Bonny Cook was married to Foster for several years and went on to write the lyrics to theme songs for the TV shows like 'Night Heat'
10. The Deserters: Innervisions
(C Bigg / K MacLean)
45 single bw Alien: Capitol Records 72856
Ajax ON
Chris Gibb (synthesizer, bass, vocals)
Kenny MacLean (synthesizer, guitar, vocals)
Henry Diclemente (percussion, drums)
Greg Stephens (synthesizer, vocals)
Produced by Carter, 1981
Originally known as The Suspects, a Toronto punk band. After signing with Capitol Records they did a make-over, lots of hair spray, and became The Deserters, a new wave band. They released two albums before calling it a day in 1983.
11. Plaid: The Bee
(Plaid)
The Digging Remedy: Warp Records - LP277B
London UK
Andy Turner and Ed Handley: electronics
Benet Walsh: flute, guitar
Produced by Plaid 2016
Mastered by Noel Summerville
I went to a little city in England called Ludlow a few years ago and was introduced (in a pub, of course) to Benet Walsh. He was excited to tell me that he just put out some vinyl with Plaid, got up and ran across the road to his flat and returned with a double LP copy of The Digging Remedy for me. The following January Plaid made it to Toronto. Nice connection to make, just on a whim. I mean, why Ludlow?
12. Chimo!: Ect Blues
(Ross Raby / Tony Collacott)
Chimo!: Revolver Records LSP 4470
Toronto ON
Tony Collacott: piano
Ross Roby: organ
John Johnson: bass
Jack Mowray: guitar
Andy Cree: drums
Breen LaBoeuf: vocal
Produced by Mort Ross, 1970
Recorded by Mark Smith at RCA’s Toronto Studios. November 1970
Chimo! (Inuit for 'hello' and “goodbye”). Its roots can be traced back to Parry Sound band The Georgian IV who formed in 1964. David Clayton-Thomas Bossmen guitarist Jack Mowbray joined the Georgian IV and they changed their name to The Georgian People. Bossman pianist Tony Callacott joined shortly thereafter.
After the release of their only album, they began to lose members. Original drummer Pat Little went on to become a respected session drummer and a member of such Canadian acts as the Modern Rock Quartet, Fludd and Diamondback; LeBoeuf would move on to a brief reformation of Motherlode, then Southcote, and finally, Offenbach; Mowbray formed a lounge act with his wife until retired from the industry; Stewart McCann left the music business and is now a University Professor of Psychology.
13. Renaissance: Wanderer
(John Hawken / Jim McCarty)
Renaissance: Elektra Records EKS 74068
London UK
Keith Relf: vocal, guitar, harmonica
Jim McCarty: percussion, vocals
John Hawken: keys
Louis Cennamo: bass
Jane Relf: vocal, percussion
Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, 1969
Recorded by Andrew Johns at Olympic Soiund Studios, London
William Keith Relf (22 March 1943 - 14 May 1976)
Singer Jane Relf (born 7 March 1947) was Keith’s sister.
Producer Jeremy Andrew "Andy" Johns (20 May 1950 - 7 April 2013) Engineer, was younger brother of Producer Glyn Johns (The Who, Rolling Stones, Eagles).
The first line-up of Renaissance was composed of former members of The Yardbirds, Keith Relf and Jim McCarty and produced by ex-Yardbird Paul Samwell-Smith. This came about after the breakup of The Yardbirds in 1968. At that time Jimmy Page put together a band called The New Yardbirds which then became Led Zeppelin.
14. Ralf Bendix: Auf Wiedersehn
(Storch)
Auf Wiedersehn: Capitol Records - T 10197
Dortmund-Wellinghofen, Germany
Ralf Bendix: vocal, guitar
Produced 1959
Recorded in West Germany
Karlheinz Schwab b. 16th August 1924 in Dortmund ; d. 1. September 2014 in Stansstad -Fürigen, Switzerland.
Began working for TWA in 1952. Was in Pittsburgh PA for work. “there was a party of mainly airline people and I played guitar and sang a song or two. Some of the TWA folk too him to the local TV station where he performed live with “absolutely no ambition. This resulted in a recording contract.
As for the name Bendix: “I remembered the name of an immense aircraft factory in the USA and so I chose the name Bendix. Front cover shot at Dusseldorf Airport.