Canadian Musicians


It recently occured to me that I like and listen to an awfully high percentage of Canadian music.
I am quite happy to make this confession because/although I am not Canadian.[Aussie]

Some of the Canadian artists I regularly listen to are-Bruce Cockburn,The Flying Bulgars,Holly Cole,Jane Siberry,Leonard Cohen,Mc Gariggle Sisters,Martha Wainwright,Rufus Wainwright,KD Lang,Neil Young,Blue Rodeo,Joni Mitchell,Ron Sexsmith,Harry Manx,Sarah McLachlan and Diana Krall.

I was hoping to expand this list and would be grateful for any other suggestions of good Canadian music in a similar vain[please no Rush suggestions].I'm sure that like many great Australian musos some great Canadians get little recognition outside of their own country.
If it is well recorded too that would be a real bonus.
A brief description of what type of music any suggestions typify would also help.

JT
jtgofish
Go to http://www.canehdian.com

This site contains a list of Canadian artists. The links on the left of the home page provide a break down by genre. The site has some glaring omissions, for example, Ian Tyson isn't there, but there's enough there to keep you busy for a while. I would suggest you try to link to the artist's website where you can download samples of their music.

I wanted to comment on a couple of people.

If you're into blues, check out the Jeff Healy Band. He covers other people's work. He's a tremendous guitarist.

Also check out Colin James. A bit hard to pin down in terms of style. A mixture of swing, big band and blues, with a touch of rock. You can't listen to his music without getting up and wanting to dance.

Someone else mentioned Gordon Lightfoot. He's a folk type who is an icon in Canada. He's been around for fifty years. He is to Canadian music what Bob Dylan is to the U.S. (that's acoustic Bob, not electric Bob)

Ian and Sylvia were also mentioned. That would be Ian and Sylvia Tyson. Folk with a country feel. On Neil Young's album "Comes a Time", he does a cover of Ian Tyson's "Four Strong Winds". Neil also played this song last year at Bob Geldof's Live 8 concert. Neil was the closing act at the Canadian venue for this worldwide concert. He described it as "the quintessential Canadian song". I agree.

Judging from the female singers you listed, you might also like Chantal Kreviazuk, Amanda Marshall or Sass Jordan. Contemporary adult is how I would describe them. Top 40 type of stuff, but who knows, you might like it. Sass Jordan has a bit of blues rock in her material.

Someone also mentioned Loreena McKennitt. She plays Celtic influenced music, with an ethereal New Age feel to it. (think of Enya). She plays the harp and she sings. You only have to hear her sing for five seconds and you wonder why she isn't an opera singer. Her voice is spectacular.
This group is no longer together as the leader, J Gaines is on a solo career.

If you can ever get their lone album, it is intelligent, smart and witty and has is very melodic.

This is a classy album with styles ranging from ballads to funky. A great voice, a great album period. Seek it out !

One of my favorite 5 cd's of all time, really.

Try and find their song ''So they Say''
I too listen to A LOT of Canadian artists (mostly rock)

*Rock w/ some blues influence...Kim Mithcell, Colin James, Tragically Hip, Sass Jordan
*Rock w/ a funky touch of folk...David Wilcox (if you research this, be sure you are on the Canadian David Wilcox, as there is an American musican with the same name.

If you check these out and like'm, I'll send a bigger list.

Enjoy!
Jeanne Lamon (sp?) is fabulous. Try Handels Concerto Grossi Opue 3, classical of course. Truly rewarding.
Hello,

I am a Canadian, and proud of it. Glad to see people enjoy music from here. You may like these artists

Roots:

Jim Bryson
Old Reliable
Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir
Elizabeth Anka Vajagic

Rock/Pop:

Sadies (hard to classify, but great)
Broken Social Scene
Black Mountain
Stars
Arcade Fire

World:

Mighty Popo
Alpha Yaya Diallo
Galitcha
Irshad Khan
Black Ox Orkestar

Jazz:

John Geggie
Vince Rimbach
Souljazz Orchestra

Classical:

Marc-Andre Hamelin
Shauna Rolston
St Lawrence String Quartet

Experimental/Electronic:

Polmo Popo
Silver Mount Zion
Akumu

hope you check them out.

all the best

matthew