This week we lost a classic. Stompin’ Tom Conners passed away. Now, those of you in the US likely have never heard of Stompin’ Tom Conners. Indeed I have to admit that I was only slightly aware of him. Country music isn’t really my thing. But when they started the tributes this week I realized that he was like wallpaper. He was always there, the texture behind so much of what I’d seen and heard since we moved to Canada. I’d never paid attention but so much of the sound track that was behind everything Canadian was his music. From The Hockey Song that they play a lot during the season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmimLBSTEUw

To the amazingly silly Sasquatch Song that I keep running across on summer afternoons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw09KiA9cXc

To Bud the Spud, about potatoes from Prince Edward Island
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNEg65rlnu4&list=AL94UKMTqg-9BIyHvNGZxWakbMLxM5UR-9

To Sudbury Saturday Night which describes plain working class folks having fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw7rzpvDvS0

To The Bridge Came Tumbling Down, a tribute to Vancouver ironworkers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mogpgJZDAxQ

and Tillsonburg, who knew they grew tobacco in Ontario?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6EiYbRTv4M

Stompin’ Tom wrote the sound track of Canada. He was proud of his country and that came through in his music.

And now for something completely different.

This week I discovered a Canadian band that I love. They are called The Real McKenzies. They are, a Canadian-Scottish-Traditional-Punk Band. Did you follow that? They are Canadian but wear kilts and sing with a heavy Scottish accent. They use penny whistle and bagpipes in their music but also use hard rock style guitar and drums. Their lyrics range from traditional songs like Barrett’s Privateers (by Stan Rogers who I’ve mentioned before) to their own aggressive, in-your face compositions. Here’s a selection. Keep in mind though, they are a punk band, they don’t shy away from profanity. Language Advisory.

The Tempest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbRQgrOnErc

Cross the Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmrnUUPOWeo

Barret’s Privateers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teKGPxr86ME
An edgy punk cover of the Stan Rogers Song. I like this version better than the original.

My Luck’s So Bad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sED0MIa2Igc
Hysterical

Pour Decisions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_gTDBzhQkQ

Bastards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Z5cVl6Mh8&list=AL94UKMTqg-9A9-rTu1lQdQIjkBz2SPtdN

Bugger Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Luriw7e2s
This is the song they end their shows with. I find it very funny but they ARE a punk band. VERY explicit. You’ve been warned.

And finally, this week Canadian singer, Justin Bieber fainted during a concert in London and was given oxygen.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2013/03/07/justin-bieber-faints.html
Am I the only one that finds it funny that this happened at the O2 Centre?

Doug & Marsha

PIX: A day at the beach: