Hour One
1. Ben Mink: Talk is Cheap - 1980 *
2. King Crimson: Sailor’s Tune - 1971
3. Roxy Music: Trash 2 - 1979
4. Iron Butterfly: The Mirage - 1968
5. Daisy DeBolt: Josephine - 1971 *
6. McDonald & Giles: Flight of the Ibis - 1970
7. Cano: Sometimes The Blues - 1980 *
8. Triumvirat: Maze - 1973
9. Bill Bruford Earthworks: Thud - 1987
10. Hawkwind: Urban Guerilla - 1972
11. Brian Eno: Here Come The Warm Jets - 1974
Hour Two
1. Salome Bey: You Never Give Me Your Money - 1981 *
2. Argent: Hold Your Head Up - 1973
3. Procol Harum: Pandora’s Box - 1975
4. Peanut Butter Conspiracy: Living Dream - 1967
5. Horn: Things In Themselves - 1972 *
6. Pied Pumkin String Ensemble: Sundial - 1976 *
7. Bonzo Dog Band: Can Blue Men Sing The Whites - 1968
8. Robyn Hitchcock: Do Policemen Sing? - 1981
9. Druids of Stonehenge: Pale Dream - 1968
10. FM: Rocket Roll - 1979 *
11. Jon Brooks: Proxima B - 2018 *
12. Spirit: Space Child - 1969
13. Bill Mankiss Band: Stash Polka - 1963 *
Bonus Track
14. Jackson Hawke: Falling In Space – 1977 *
CanCon = 41%
And Now for The Particulars:
Hour One
Ben Mink: Talk is Cheap
(Ben Mink)
Foreign Exchange: Passport Records: PB-2024
Toronto ON
Ben Mink: violin, mandolin, guitars
Allan Soberman: bass
Martin Deller: drums
Cameron Hawkins: synths
Mendelson Joe: electric guitar
Produced by Allan Soberman, 1980
Recorded by Danny Lanois at Grant Avenue Studio, Hamilton ON
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC
Benjamin Mink b. Toronto January 22, 1951
Mink got his start performing with the rock group Mary-Lou Horner, which became the house band at Toronto’s "The Rockpile" nightclub. They got to open for Led Zeppelin and Muddy Waters, along with being a backup band for Chuck Berry.
Mink was a member of Stringband, played in Murray McLauchlan's Silver Tractors and replaced Nash The Slash in FM. He is best known as a long-time collaborator with Canadian singer k.d. lang, whom he met at Expo '85 while doing a gig with CANO.
Mink was invited to play electric violin on the Rush song "Losing It" from the band's 1982 album Signals and contributed strings to "Faithless" from the 2007 album Snakes & Arrows. He also co-wrote, produced and played guitar on Geddy Lee’s solo album ‘My Favourite Headache’ (2000) . He’s appeared on albums by Barenaked Ladies, Anne Murray, Dan Hill, Mendelson Joe, Prairie Oyster, Raffi, Jane Siberry, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Valdy, Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLauchlan, Willie P. Bennett, Susan Aglukark, Alison Krauss, Feist, Daniel Lanois, Sarah McLachlan, Roy Orbison, Elton John and Heart.
Ben Mink is one of few people to ever share a songwriting credit with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. In 1997 Mink and k.d. lang were credited as songwriters on the Stones single "Anybody Seen My Baby?". Mink and Lang were given credit before the song was released after Jagger/Richards realized the chorus was very similar to lang’s song "Constant Craving", written with Ben Mink in 1992
2. King Crimson: Sailor’s Tune
(Robert Fripp)
Islands: Atlantic Records SD 7212
London
Robert Fripp: guitar, mellotron, Peter’s Pedal, harmonium
Mel Collins: flute, sax
Boz: bass
Ian Wallace: drums
Pete Sinfield: words, sounds
Keith Tippett: piano
Robin Miller: oboe
Mark Charig: cornet
Produced by King Crimson, 1971
Recorded by Andy Hendrikson at Command Studios, Piccadilly, London
Mastered by Tony Arnold
This is from the fourth King Crimson album, released in 1971. I saved a Toronto Star mini-revue of the album and stuck it on the inner cover. It reads: “This album is evidence that King Crimson has fallen apart since (Greg) Lake left the group.” Like, that was over two albums ago! (Lake only played on the first album and sang on the second).
3. Roxy Music: Trash 2
(Brian Ferry / Phil Manzanera)
45 Single bw Dance Away: ATCO Records - ATCO 7100
Newcastle upon Tyne/London, UK
Bryan Ferry: vocals, keyboards
Andy Mackay: oboe, saxophone
Phil Manzanera: electric guitar
Gary Tibbs: bass
Paul Carrack: keyboards
Paul Thompson: drums
Produced by Roxy Music 1979
Recorded by Rhett Davies
Roxy Music were formed in 1970 by Bryan Ferry and were active until 1983 with a couple of years off in the mid-70s. Original member, Brian Eno, left the band after their second LP was released in 1973, citing differences of opinion with Bryan Ferry.
The original British release of the single Trash featured Trash 2 on the B side. Dance Away was only released as a single in Canada bw Trash 2.
4. Iron Butterfly: The Mirage
(Doug Ingle)
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida: Atco Records SD 33-250
San Diego CA
Erik Brann: guitar
Ron Bushy: drums
Lee Dorman: bass
Doug Ingle: keys, vocal
Produced by Jim Hilton, 1968
Recorded by Don Casale at Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA
Douglas Lloyd Ingle b. September 9, 1945 Omaha, Nebraska
Doug Ingle started out playing organ in church when he was a teen. His keyboards are the ‘sound’ of the Iron Butterfly. Their active years were 1966–1971 during which time they recorded four albums.
5. Fraser & DeBolt: Josephine
(D M DeBolt)
This Song Was Borne: Roaratorio Records: roar39
St Stephen NB / Winnipeg MB
Allan Fraser: guitar, vocal
Daisy DeBolt: piano; vocal
Dennis Pendrith: bass
Joe Ferguson: flute
Song Produced by Brian Blain, 1971
LP Produced by Allan Fraser & James Lindbloom: 2015
Recorded at Manta Sound, Toronto by Lee De Carlo & Rick Capreol
Donna Marie "Daisy" DeBolt b. Winnipeg MB July 19, 1945 / d. October 4, 2011 Toronto (66)
Allan Hugh Fraser born 21 July 1948 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Alan Fraser and Daisy DeBolt first got together around 1969 as a folk duo, touring the US college circuit. They came to the attention of Columbia Records and, with the help of Hamitonian Ian Guenther (Lighthouse and producer of a Barbara Allen dancercise record) recorded a seminal LP for Columbia in 1971. After an unsuccessful second album, things fell apart for them but there was enough great, mostly original material for many albums to come. Some of the recordings from early gigs were eventually compiled and released on this Roaratorio double album in 2015. This is one of ‘em.
6. McDonald & Giles: Flight of the Ibis
(McDonald / B P Fallon)
McDonald & Giles: Cotillion Records SD 9042
London UK
Ian McDonald: guitar, piano, organ, saxes, flute, clarinet, zither, vocals
Michael Giles: drums, percussion, vocals
Peter Giles: bass
Produced by Ian McDonald and Michael Giles for EG Records, 1971
Recorded Island Studios, May June 1970
Michael Rex Giles b. 1 March 1942 Waterlooville, Hampshire
Peter Anthony Giles b. 17 June 1944 in Havant, Hampshire, England
Ian McDonald b. 25 June 1946 from Osterley, Middlesex
Both of these gents came out of the original King Crimson who recorded a song on their second album “In The Wake of Poseidon” called Cadence And Cascade. Flight of the Ibis was the original melody for Cadence. With new words by Crimson lyricist Pete Sinfield and a slightly altered melody line by Robert Fripp, the song took on a different perspective.
7. Cano: Sometimes The Blues
(R Paiement / D Burt)
Spirit of the North: A&M Records SP 9040
Sudbury ON
Marcel Aymar: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
David C. Burt: electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Michel Dasti: drums, percussion
John Doerr: bass, trombone
Michael Kendel: vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, electric guitar
Wasyl Kohut: violins
Rachel Paiement: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Produced by Luc Cousineau and John Red Mitchell 1980
Recorded by Hayward Parrott at various locations around Toronto
Mastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto
CANO evolved out of the Sudbury based ‘Coopérative des artistes du Nouvel-Ontario’. They performed in both official languages. The band was formed in the fall of 1975. Spirit of the North, a compilation issued in 1980, traced CANO's integration of pop, rock and jazz influences into what was originally a folk-based style. Other well known musicians who have played or recorded with CANO include Ben Mink (who replaced Wasyl Kohut who passed away), Kim Deschamps (who played with Cowboy Junkies); percussionist Matt Zimbel (Manteca). Various members of the co-operative band backed Daisy deBolt on some of her late 1970s and early 80s albums when she was living in Sudbury.
8. Triumvirat: Maze
(Jurgen Fritz)
Illusions On A Double Dimple: Harvest/EMI ST-11311
Cologne GM
Helmut Köllen: bass, guitars
Hans Bathelt: percussion
Jurgen Fritz: keys
Produced by Jurgen Fritz, 1973
Recorded at EMI-Electrola Studios, Cologne GM by W Thierbach and K Lorbach
Mixed by W Thierbach
Hans-Jürgen Fritz b. March 13, 1953 Köln GM
Band’s Active years: 1969–1980
Triumvirat was often referred to as the ‘German Emerson, Lake & Palmer’ or ‘ELP clone’ due to Fritz's classical virtuosity on keyboards and synthesizers. They toured the United States with Fleetwood Mac to support Illusions on a Double Dimple, playing the album in its entirety. In 2015 album Illusions on a Double Dimple (1974) was ranked number 45 in the Rolling Stone list of 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time.
9. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks: Thud
(Iain Bellamy)
Earthworks: EG Records EGED 48
London UK
Bill Bruford: drums
Iain Bellamy: sax
Django Bates: keys, horns
Mick Hutton: bass
Produced by Dave Stewart and Bill Bruford, 1987
Recorded by Martin Rex at Terminal 24 Studios, London, October 1986
Mixed by Owen Morris and Jim Abbiss at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge UK
William Scott Bruford b. Sevenoaks Kent, May 17, 1949
Original drummer of Yes (1968: 72). Better known for his playing with King Crimson and Yes. He also performed with Gong, Genesis, UK and Earthworks. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Bruford No. 16 in its list of the "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes in 2017.
10. 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.”
11. Brian Eno: Here Come The Warm Jets
(Brian Eno)
Here Come The Warm Jets: Editions EG ENO1
Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
Paul Rudolph: guitar, bass
Simon King: drums
Brian Eno: occasional keys, vocals, guitar, synths
Produced by Brian Eno, 1974
Recorded at Majestic Studios, London by Derek Chandler
Mixed by Brian Eno & Chris Thomas at AIR & Olympic Studios, London
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno b. May 15, 1948, Melton, Suffolk UK
1969 At the Winchester School of Art, Eno attended a lecture by Pete Townsend of The Who about the use of tape machines by non-musicians, citing the lecture as the moment he realized he could make music even though he was not a musician at that point. In school, he used a tape recorder as a musical instrument and experimented with his first, sometimes improvisational, bands Eno's professional career began in London, a member of Roxy Music.
Collaborated with Phil Manzanera & Phil Collins before getting seriously into production
Created the Frippertronics idea with Robert Fripp on 1973 for LP No Pussyfooting
Created the Ambient Music series of LPs eg Plateau of Mirrors & Music for Airports
Came to Hamilton ON and worked w/ Daniel Lanois, teaching him some of his original production techniques
‘Here Come The Warm Jets’ was recorded in 1974, shortly after Eno left the confines of Roxy Music.
Hour Two
RIP Salome Bey 1933-2020
1. Salome Bey: You Never Give Me Your Money
(Lennon & McCartney)
In Montreaux: Intercan Records (CBC) IC-1014
Toronto ON
Salome Bey: vocal
Denzil A Miller Jr: keys
Armas Maiste: keys
Don Thompson: bass
Terry Clark: drums
Alan Penfold: trumpet
PJ Perry: sax
Butch Watanabe: trombone
Produced by Mark D Goldman, 1981
Recorded by Dave Richards of Mountain Recording Studios, Montreaux, Switzerland at 13th International Festival, 1979
Salome Bey b. Neward, New Jersey, October 10, 1933 / d. August 8, 2020 (86) Toronto
Bey formed a vocal group with her brother Andy and sister Geraldine (de Haas), known as Andy and the Bey Sisters. They performing in local clubs and toured North America & Europe. After moving to Toronto in 1966 she played the jazz club circuit & became known as "Canada's First Lady of Blues". She was a featured performer at the CNE grandstand in 1969, and enjoying success in musicals. I first saw here perform in the late ‘60s when she hit the Toronto pop music scene. She put together a blues & jazz cabaret show called ‘Indigo’ on the history of black music which earned her the Dora Award for outstanding performance. Bey was made an honourary member of the Order of Canada in 2005.
Beginning in her early sixties she began showing signs of dementia. As of 2011 her illness had progressed to the point that she could no longer perform.
2. Argent: Hold Your Head Up
(Rod Argent / Chris White)
45 single bw It’s Only Money Pt 1: Epic Records: S EPC 4321
London UK
Russ Ballard: vocals, guitar
Rod Argent: keys
Jim Rodford: bass
Bob Henrit: drums
Produced by Rod Argent and Chris White 1973
Rodney Terence Argent b. 14 June 1945 St Albans, Hertfordshire
Bassist Jim Rodford was instrumental in helping his younger cousin Rod Argent form the Zombies in 1964. Along with Rod Argent, Rodford was one of the founding members of Argent. Later performed in a band called Animals II, fronted by three ex-members of The Animals: John Steel, Hilton Valentine and Dave Rowberry.
3. Procol Harum: Pandora’s Box
(Keith Reid / Gary Brooker)
45 single bw The Piper’s Tune: Chrysalis Records: CHS 2073
London UK
Gary Brooker: vocals, piano
Keith Reid: lyrics
B.J. Wilson: drums, percussion d. 1990
Chris Copping: bass, organ
Alan Cartwright: bass
Mick Grabham: guitars
Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, 1975
In Greek mythology, Pandora’s box (that should never, ever be opened) contained all the evils of the world. No wonder it was used as the name of one of LA’s most popular rock n’ roll nightclub.
The club was located at 8118 Sunset Boulevard, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights Boulevard. In 1962, the club was bought by deejay and Shindig! host Jimmy O'Neill. O'Neill's trendsetting booking policy made Pandora's Box the center of the Sunset Strip youth scene. It was at the center of the Sunset Strip curfew riots in the mid-1960s. Frank Zappa wrote about the place in 1967’s ‘Plastic People’.
“I hear the sound of marching feet, down Sunset Boulevard to Crescent Heights, and there, at Pandora’s Box, we are confronted with a vast quantity of plastic people.”
4. Peanut Butter Conspiracy: Living Dream
(Alan Bracket)
The Great Conspiracy: Columbia Records CS 9590
Los Angeles
Barbara Robinson: vocals, percussion
Alan Bracket: bass
Lance Fent: lead guitar
John Merrill: rhythm
Jim Voight: drums
James Burton: guitar
Glen Campbell: guitar
Produced by Gary Usher, 1967
To dream with peanut butter or the devil, that is the question we are asking here.
5. Horn: Things In Themselves
(Bruce Burron / David deLaunay)
On The People’s Side: Special Records 9230-1028
Toronto
Les Clackett: vocals
Bruce Burron: guitar
Gary Hynes: guitar
Alan Duffy: bass
David deLaunay: keys
Wayne Jackson: trumpet
Bill Bryans: drums
Produced by Alan Duffy, Bill Bryans and Horn, 1972
Recorded & Mixed by Brock Fricker at Thunder Sound, Toronto
Special Thanks: Moses Znaimer
This was one of the most progressive bands in Toronto in 1972, partly inspired by Frank Zappa. You can hear that influence in many of the tracks on this, their only album. Partly produced by Bill Bryans who would go on to play with Parachute Club and Downchild Blues Band.
6. Pied Pumkin String Ensemble: Sundial
(Joe Mock)
Allah Mode: Squash Records U4UR2B
Vancouver BC
Rich Scott: dulcimer, vocals
Shari Ulrich: violin, flute, lead vocal
Joe Mock: guitar, piano
Doug Edwards: bass
Jeff Eyre: drums
Produced by Pied Pumkin, 1976
Recorded by Geoff Turner and Mark McNair at Little Mountain Sound Co
7. Bonzo Dog Band: Can Blue Men Sing The Whites
(Vivian Stanshall)
Urban Spaceman: Imperial Records 12432
London UK
Rodney Slater: sax
Roger Spear: sax, guitar
Vivian Stanshall: vocal, guitar, sax
Neil Innis: guitar, keys
Legs Larry Smith: drums
Produced by Gus Dudgeon and Gerry Bron, 1968
The 1968 album ‘Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse’ was released as Urban Spaceman in the US and Canada by The Bonzo Dog Band. The phrase "the doughnut in granny's greenhouse" is obscure British slang for the lavatory.
Originally called The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, the Bonzos came to the public attention through a 1968 ITV comedy show, Do Not Adjust Your Set. The band was officially formed on 25 September 1962 after several members bonded after listening to the Sonny Liston / Floyd Patterson championship boxing match. Their hit song, I’m The Urban Spaceman, was co-produced by Gus Dudgeon and Paul McCartney.
8. Robyn Hitchcock: Do Policemen Sing?
(R Hitchcock)
Black Snake Diamond Role: Armageddon Records ARM4
London UK
Robyn Hitchcock: Piano, bass, lead guitar
Gary Barnacle: Saxophones
Matthew Seligman: Bass
Vince Ely: Drums
Kimberley Rew: Guitar
Produced by Pat Collier and Matthew Seligman, 1981
Recorded at The Barge, Alaska, and Music Works studios
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock (born 3 March 1953)
This is from Hitchcock’s first solo album after leaving The Soft Boys, whom he used on this album. Hitchcock claims that the inspiration for "Do Policemen Sing?" came when two of his friends were arrested and served cold beans for breakfast in their cell, and when he met a Welsh policemen choir in the next studio during a recording session for the Soft Boys. His humorous take on it is what makes it something special.
9. Druids of Stonehenge: Pale Dream
(C Hauser)
Creation: Uni Records 3004
NYC
Tom Paine: bass
Steven Tindall: drums, keys
Billy Tracy: guitar
Carl Hauser: lead guitar, harpsichord, vocals
David Budge: lead vocals
Produced by Jerry Goldstein, 1968
Recorded by Ami Hadami and Neil Cepos
Just one real album by this NYC based band who were right in there with their psychedelic sound well established. A bit Jagger-esque with an R&B base to a lot of their songs adds to the completeness of this band who never set foot in the UK.
10. FM: Rocket Roll
(Cameron Hawkins / Ben Mink / Martin Deller)
Surveillance: Passport Records PS 2001
Toronto ON
Cameron Hawkins: lead vocal, synths, bass, keys
Ben Mink: electric violin, electric mandolin, vocals
Martin Deller: drums, percussion
Produced by Keith Whiting, 1979
Recorded by Mike Jones and Ed Stone at Sounds Interchange, Toronto
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC
FM basically existed from 1976 to 1996 and at one time featured Ben Mink. After appearing on the CBC TV variety show ‘Who's New’, FM were approached by the CBC to make an album, ultimately titled Black Noise, which the group presumed would be distributed in stores like a normal release. But the CBC chose to sell it by mail order, and only announced its availability during several radio shows. A mere 500 copies were pressed. They were best known for what was called “Space Rock” and by the time they released this, their third album, they were continuing along that theme with Rocket Roll.
11. Jon Brooks: Proxima B
(Jon Brooks)
No One Travels Alone: Borealis Records BCD251
Toronto ON
Jon Brooks: vocal, guitars, iTanpura
Neil Cruickshank: guitar, vocals
Alec Fraser: bass
Ed Hanley: tablas
John Showman: violins
Produced by Alec Fraser, 2018
Recorded in an old dancehall somewhere in Hamilton ON
Mastered by Peter J Moore
12. Spirit: Space Child: 1969
(Randy California)
Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus: Epic 30267
Los Angeles, CA
Randy California: guitar
Jim Locke, keys
Mark Andes, bass
Ed Cassidy, drums
Jay Ferguson: keys
Produced by David Briggs, 1970
Mastering by Vic Anesini
13. Bill Mankiss Band: Stash Polka
(Unknown)
Echoes of Poland: Arc Records: A561
Chatham Ontario
Bill Mankiss, accordion
Roy Anthony, bass
Mike Crosty, drums
John Gotch, sax, clarinet
Ken Stanley, vocal, piano
Victor Pasowisty, violin, guitar
Stan Radwick, trumpet
Produced by Ken Warriner, 1963
Bill Mankiss, born in Buchanan, Saskatchewan. Nov. 22 1929 was a pioneer. In the early days of TV and radio in Canada. Bill Mankiss was a regular performer On CKNX radio located in Wingham Ontario. He was often used by some of the great Canadian fiddlers as a backup musician. He even did a stint playing keyboards for Ronnie Hawkins.
BONUS TRACK
14. Jackson Hawke: Falling In Space
(Tim Ryan / Bob Yoemans)
Jackson Hawke: Columbia PES 90417
Sault Ste Marie ON
Tim Ryan, guitar
Bob Yoemans, guitars, keys
Gene Falbo, bass
Gary Hyolt, guitars
Larrie Londin, drums
John Lissauer, piano, flute
Dwayne Ford, organ
Don Lorusso, guitar
Produced by Bob Gallo, 1977
Recorded by Rick Capreol & John Naslen
Mixed by Andy Hermant & Hayward Parrott
Heard over:
CIUT FM 89.5 CHMR FM 93.5 FM
University of Toronto Radio Inc Memorial University, St. John's NL
Mondays 12 noon: 2pm Tuesdays 10-12 pm NT
Radio Bell Island 93.9 FM Radio VGR
Wabana, Bell Island NL London/Thetford UK
Tuesdays at 8-10 pm NT Tues 21:30: 23:30 GMT
Bluewater Radio CFBW 91.3 FM VOBB The Voice of Bonne Bay
Hanover / Grey Co. ON Rocky Harbour & Norris Point NL
Sundays 3-5 pm Tuesdays 8-10 pm ET Tuesdays 9-11 pm NT
BOIR Bay of Islands Radio Southern Shore Sounds
100.1 FM Internet Radio
Corner Brook, NL Ferryland NL
Thursdays 2-4 pm NT Sun 8:30-10:30 pm NT
Community Radio CIOE
97.5 FM
Lower Sackville NS
Sun 5-7 pm AT