Top Ten Different Concept Albums

By Brent Chittenden

I rather like concept albums. Maybe it's due to being a Rush fan, but I just like an idea that flows through and entire album be that theme or narrative. But there are a few where the concept is... well... different. Which is saying something considering that 2112 is a science fiction based narrative and it isn't on this list.

No, this list is presenting to you concept albums that are of the beaten path idea wise. Some of these you've probably heard of or maybe even own. Some are rock operas and others just have a consitant theme. Here's our Top Ten Different Concept Albums!

10.  Donald Fagen - Kamakiri

A futuristic tale about a man's journeys in a futuristic car. More or less a Steely Dan record but with a plot.

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20 Years Ago Today, a New Radio Show Called "The Ongoing History of New Music" Debuted

It was 7pm ET, February 28, 1993. CFNY/Toronto--recently rebranded as The Edge--offered up the first of what would be 691 fresh episodes of The Ongoing History of New Music.  I was terrified.

Wait.  Back up.

I still get a lot of questions about this show.  Who's idea was it?  How did I end up doing it?  And where can I listen today?

Let's start at the beginning.

After several years of uncertainty, new ownership took over CFNY.  New management was put in place.  In June 1992, a good chunk of the staff was let go.  

The survivors were told that a new era had begun.  Not only was the station going to stick with its new rock/modern rock/alternative format (the fear that we would be flipped to country), but we were going to embrace this music and this scene in a new and innovative way.  We all breathed a sigh of relief.  

For a while, it was business as usual.  I continued to work the afternoon drive shift, although I was given an on-air partner. After just a few weeks, it was obvious that there was no chemistry between us.  This, obviously, concerned me greatly.

Then in January 1993, the other shoe dropped.  After months of covert work, new management announced that CFNY would become "The Edge," complete with a new logo and new on-air positioning.  And then I was called into the office.

"Here's the deal," I was told.  "We're going to sever you and then re-hire you as a part-timer and a contractor. Inside of working weekday afternoons, you will now work Saturday and Sunday morning from 6am to noon.  And you'll be in charge of a new documentary program."

I was gobsmacked.  "You're firing me and re-hiring me?  And I'm demoted to part-time weekend mornings?"

"And you'll do this documentary program."

I still didn't hear that part.  I couldn't believe that my afternoon shift was no more--and that I could kiss my weekends goodbye.  My stomach began to hurt.  I got dizzy.  My career was over.

"...and the show will be called The Ongoing History of New Music.

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The Battle to be the Official Song of Massachusetts

There are those who believe that it shoud be "Dream On" by Aerosmith.  I disagree.  And not only because the song has nothing positive to say about the state or that the members should be held up as role models of any kind.

I disagree because Jonathan Richman got their first with a much better song that celebrates driving, cars, radio and Massachusetts.  If you agree, exert pressure here.

Want to Feel Old? U2's War Album Turns 30 Today

Back in the day, a band was given several albums to mature, to figure out who they were and what they wanted to do with their music.  It makes you wonder if a band like U2 were to emerge today if they would be given a chance.

The first two U2 records, Boy and October, were...fine.  Boy was filled with youthful energy, a good start for a very young band.  October was marred by rushed writing and recording caused by a packed tour schedule and the fact that Bono had a briefcase full of lyrics lifted from him after a show in Portland.  

But when they got to War--well, that's when everything began to change.  And fast.

War was U2's coming out record, the album.  It rocked, it was political, it was socially conscious.  And there are some great stories behind the songs.

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Everything is Connected 28 February 2013

By Brent Chittenden

Welcome back to Everything is Connected and due to a comment from last week, it seems everything can be connected to acting.

Eric Newby wrote in with this:

And then of course Bryan Adams was born in Kingston Ontario, and funny enough, Dan Aykroyd SAYS he's from Kingston when he introduces the Tragically Hip the first and only time they are on SNL (he's from Ottawa) and Aykroyd was of course Elwood J. Blues in the Blues Brothers whose backing band had a drummer named Willie Hall who played drums on the theme from Shaft which was, as you say, penned by Isaac Hayes.

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