Side One

1.   Mike Malahini Scott: Rhythm of the Islands – 1983 *
2.   Tame Impala: Island Walking – 2007
3.   Renaissance: Island – 1969
4.   Gregg Allman Band: Island – 1988
5.   Don Messer & His Islanders: Charlottetown’s Centennial Breakdown – 1967 *
6.   Oingo Boingo: Islands – 1982
7.   Gerry Rafferty: Island – 1978
8.   Mac Beattie: Dream Island – 1968 *
9.   Gordon Lightfoot: Seven Island Suite – 1974 *
10. Red Island: Dartmouth Reel – 1978 *
11. King Crimson: Islands – 1972
12. King Crimson: Formentara Lady – 1972

Side Two

13: Joe Pass: ‘Round Midnight - 1974
14. Country Joe & The Fish: Untitled Protest Song - 1968
15. Rare Bird: Iceburg – 1970
16. Two: Iceburg – 1988 *
17. Sandy Nelson: Beat From Another World – 1965
18. Rheostatics: Stolen Car – 1997 *
19. Jackson Hawke: Falling In Space – 1977 *
20. Stanley Jordan: Angel – 1985
21. Michael Occhipinti & Shine On: I’m Only Sleeping – 2012 *
22. Nucleus: Judgement Day – 1969 *
23. Don Ross: Catherine – 1989 *

CanCon* = 46%

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Side One

1.   Mike Malahini Scott & His Hawaiianaires Rhythm of the Islands
(Leon Belasco)
Live At The Waikiki: Maple Records MA 1014
Toronto
Jamie Nolan, guitar
Al Gardner, drums, uk
Paul Butler, keys
Mike Scott, Hawaiian steel
Produced by Mike Scott & Jamie Nolan, 1983
Recorded at Fiesta Studios, Toronto

Mike Scott took to the electric Hawaiian guitar in the late 1940s. He was born in Wiltshire, England and learned to play properly before emigrating to Toronto in 1954. Within days of his arrival he joined the musicians’ union and was out working with local bands. He was given the nickname Malihini ...a Hawaiian word meaning 'a newcomer' to Hawaii. His Hawaiianaires were frequent musical guests at the infamous Bali Hai room in the Ports of Call restaurant where CHUM DJ’s used to hang out.

This album claims that it was recorded before a live audience, but the shoddy production shows how the audience was dubbed in before and after every song.

2.   Tame Impala: Island Walking (Bonus track)
(K Parker)
Innerspeaker: Modular Recordings – 5025425142741
Perth, Australia
Kevin Parker: all instruments, vocals
Produced by Kevin Parker, 2011
Recorded by Tim Holmes at Wave House, Yallingup, Western Australia
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC
Mixed by David Fridman

Tame Impala is really a composer / performer Kevin Parker’s solo project, releasing four albums of very interesting stuff. When he performs live, he utilizes a touring band but plays all the music himself for his studio performances. This song – which is a rare bonus track – has the same feel as Manic Depression.

3..   Renaissance: Island
(Keith Relf / Jim McCarty)
Renaissance: Elektra Records EKS 74068
London
Keith Relf: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Jim McCarty: percussion, vocals
John Hawken: keys
Louis Cennamo: bass
Jane Relf: vocals, percussion
Produced by Paul Samuel-Smith, 1969
Recorded at Olympic Studios, London by Andrew Johns

After the breakup and complete take-over of the original Yardbirds in 1968 by Jimmy Page, three ex-Yardbirds migrated over to Renaissance to produce this album. In my humble opinion, it’s a raw classic. Somehow I picture it up there with another similar album that I bought around the same time, It’s A Beautiful Day. Long cuts (only five songs on the albums) and virtuous producing and playing. Keith Relf, Jim McCarty and Paul Samuel-Smith were ex Yardbirds.

4.   Gregg Allman Band: Island
(D. Toler / G. Allman / J. Neel / T. Colton)
Just Before The Bullets Fly: Epic – FE 44033
Nashville
Hammond B3, Lead Vocals – Gregg Allman
Bass, Backing Vocals – Bruce Waibel
Drums – David "Frankie" Toler
Guitar – Dan Toler
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tim Heding
Percussion – Chaz Trippy
Produced, Recorded and Mixed By Rodney Mills, 1988
Recorded at Criteria Recording Studios, North Miami FL

5.   Don Messer and His Islanders: Charlottetown’s Centennial Breakdown
(Don Messer)
45 single bw The Lightening Hornpipe: Apex Records: 9-26415
Halifax NS
Don Messer: fiddle
Waldo Munroe: piano
Duke Neilson: bass
Warren MacRae: drums
Vic Mullen: banjo
Produced 1967

Donald Charles Frederick "Don" Messer
b. Tweedside NB May 9, 1909 / d. Halifax NS March 26, 1973 (73)

The most famous fiddler in Canada – for all times.

6.   Oingo Boingo: Islands
(Dannyi Elfman)
A&M Records SP 4903
Los Angeles
Leon Schneiderman: saxes
Dale Turner: trumpet, trombone, bg vocal
Sam Phipps: saxes
Danny Elfman: lead vocal, guitar
Steve Bartek: lead guitar, bg vocal
Johnny Hernandez: drums
Harry Hatch: bass
Produced by Joe Chiccarelli & Oingo Boingo, 1982

7.   Gerry Rafferty: Island
(Gerry Rafferty)
City To City: United Artists LA 840G
Paisley, Scotland
Gerry Rafferty: guitar, vocals
Gary Taylor: bass
Glen LeFleur: drums
Tommy Eyre: keys
Raphael Ravenscroft: sax
Brian Cole: steel
Hugh Burns: guitar
Produced by Hugh Murphy & Gerry Rafferty 1978
Recorded by Harry Hammond at Chipping Norton Studios, UK

Gerald Rafferty
b Apr 16, 1947 - d Jan 4, 2011
 
8.   Mac Beattie & Ottawa Valley Melodiers: Dream Island
(John MacNab Beattie)
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Album: Banff Rodeo RBS 1299
Arnprior ON
Gaetan Fairfield: guitar
Mac Beattie: drums, vocal
Reg Hill: fiddle
Al Utronki: steel, Spanish
Jim Mayhew: piano
Ralph Carlson: bass
Produced by Ralph Carlson, 1968

John MacNab Beattie
b Arnprior ON 21 Dec 1916 / d Arnprior 14 Jun 1982 (65)

Performing in The Melodiers, a band he organized in the late 1920s, Mac’s real passion was playing goal for the Arnprior Green Shirts. If not for WW2, he might have made it to the NHL. He began his professional career as a singer-songwriter playing drums and washboard in The Ottawa Valley Melodiers in 1948 and released several singles for Rodeo records in the late 1950s. Rodeo, on its Banff label, put out 11 albums by the Melodiers with most songs written by Mac about people and places in the Ottawa Valley. In this song, Mac reminisces about the summer nights playing under the stars on the shores of the Ottawa River. Steel guitar player Al Utronki later ran Al Utronki's Appliance and TV - Television & Appliance shop in Renfrew

9.   Gordon Lightfoot: Seven Island Suite
(Gordon Lightfoot)
Sundown: Reprise MS 2177
Toronto
Gordon Lightfoot: vocal, 12 string guitar
Red Shea: lead acoustic guitar
Terry Clements: lead acoustic guitar
Jim Gordon: drums
Gene Martynec: moog
Nick DeCaro: strings, horns
Produced by Lenny Waronker, 1974
Recorded by Lee Hershberg and Chris Skene

10. Red Island: Dartmouth Reel
(Jamie Snider)
In Pursuit of the Wild Bologna, Quay CS-7803
St. John’s NL
Jamie Snider: fiddle, acoustic guitar
Don Walsh: guitars, bodhran
Derek Pelley: bass
Bruce Crummell: lead guitar, crumpet horn
Shawn Power: drums
Brian Best: sound madness
Produced by Red Island and Neil Bishop, 1978
Recorded by Neil Bishop at Clode Sound Productions, Stephenville NL

The only thing negative to say about Red Island was that they only put out one album. Shortly after this Jamie Snider joined The Wonderful Grand Band (featuring Ron Hynes). Jamie currently resides in St. Catherines, Ontario, performing with his long time music mate, Rick Bauer.

11. King Crimson: Islands
(Robert Fripp / Pete Sinfield)
Islands: Atlantic Records SD 7212
London
Robert Fripp: guitar, mellotron, Peter’s Pedal, harmonium
Mel Collins: flute, bass flute, saxes, vocals
Boz: bass, lead vocals
Ian Wallace: drums, percussion, vocals
Pete Sinfield: Words, sounds & visions
Keith Tippett: piano
Paulina Lucas: soprano
Robin Miller: obie
Mark Charig: cornet
Harry Miller: string bass
Produced by King Crimson, 1972
Recorded by Andy Hendrikson at Command Studios, London

12. King Crimson: Formentara Lady
(Robert Fripp / Pete Sinfield)
Islands: Atlantic Records SD 7212
London
Robert Fripp: guitar, mellotron, Peter’s Pedal, harmonium
Mel Collins: flute, bass flute, saxes, vocals
Boz: bass, lead vocals
Ian Wallace: drums, percussion, vocals
Pete Sinfield: Words, sounds & visions
Keith Tippett: piano
Paulina Lucas: soprano
Robin Miller: obie
Mark Charig: cornet
Harry Miller: string bass
Produced by King Crimson, 1972
Recorded by Andy Hendrikson at Command Studios, London

Side Two

13. Joe Pass: ‘Round Midnight
(Monk / Williams / Hanighen)
Virtuoso: Pablo Records – 2310 708
Johnstown PA
Joe Pass: guitar
Produced by Norman Granz, 1973
Recorded by Dennis Sands at MGM Recording Studios, Los Angeles

Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua
b. Jan 13, 1929 New Brunswick NJ / d. May 23, 1994 (65) LA

RIP Country Joe McDonald 1942 - 2026

14. Country Joe & The Fish: Untitled Protest Song
(J McDonald)
Together: Vanguard VSD 79277
Berkeley CA
"Country Joe" McDonald: vocals, guitar
Bruce Barthol: organ
Robin McDonald: finger cymbals
Produced by Sam Charters, 1968
Recorded & mixed by Ed Friendner at Vanguard’s 23rd Street Studio, NYC

Joseph Allen McDonald
b. January 1, 1942 Washington, D.C / d. March 7, 2026 (84) Berkeley, CA

Country Joe was best known for his Fish chant – “Gimme an F…” which was changed at Woodstock to “Gimme an F, Gimme a U…” and so on. He recorded several albums for Vanguard, a folk label. He was political.

15. Rare Bird: Iceberg
(Rare Bird)
Rare Bird: ABC Records ‎– CPLP-4514
UK
Graham Field: organ
David Kaffinetti: electric piano
Steve Gould: bass guitar, lead vocals
Mark Ashton: drums, tympani, backing vocals
Produced by John Anthony, 1970

Iceberg was originally written with a different title: “To the Memory of Two Brave Dogs”. The band, originally called Lunch, started recording in the fall of 1969. While they were not a singles oriented band, they recorded four good albums before calling it a day in 1974. They never made much of an impact in North America but were very popular in Europe. Note: no guitar player in the band.

16. Two: Iceburg
(Mary-Ellen Anderson)
Loose Marbles (In A Big Wooden Box): Two Productions TWO1
Toronto ON
Sandy Stubbert: guitar, bg vocals
Mary-Ellen Anderson: guitar, lead vocal
Ian Tamblyn: piano, DX7
David Woodhead: DX7
Produced by Ian Tamblyn, 1988
Recorded by Vince Agostini and Rick Lightheart at Sound Design, Oakville ON
Mixed and Mastered by Ian Tamblyn and Phil Bova at Ambience Studio, Ottawa
Graphics: Penny Patton and Judy Lowry
(Also Available on Cassette)

These Two met up at university in Thunder Bay, ON and began playing music together before relocating to Toronto. Fellow Thunder Bay personality, Ian Tamblyn, produced them. Shortly after this release, they got a full band and changed their name to Two Penny-Opera.

17. Sandy Nelson: Beat From Another World
(S Nelson)
Teen Beat ’65: Imperial LP12278
Santa Monica CA
Sandy Nelson: drums
Produced by Nick De Caro

Sander Lloyd Nelson
b. Santa Monica CA December 1, 1938  / d. February 14, 2022 Las Vegas NV (83)

18. The Rheostatics: Stolen Car
(Dave Bidini)
Double Live: DROG 041
Toronto
Dave Bidini: rhythm guitar, vocals
Martin Tieli: lead guitar, piano, vocals
Tim Vesely: bass, guitar, piano, vocals
Don Kerr: vocals, drums, cello
Produced by Gary Stokes, 1997
Recorded at the Bathurst St. Theater, Toronto

A gem of an album, this two record set was recorded in various venues across Canada in the spring of 1997 when Don Kerr took over the drum duties from Dave Clark. With so many stolen cars being reported these days, it’s good to have Dave Bidini’s take on things.

19. 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

Jackson Hawke was co-founded in 1974 by Tim Ryan and Bob Yeomans. The two had originally begun working together as professional musicians in 1963 and had earlier been managed by noted Canadian manager, promoter and record producer Bernie Finkelstein.

This is a band that was based in Toronto but were mostly from the Sault Ste. Marie area of Northern Ontario. To me they sounded a lot like Procol Harum. Great lead vocals by several of their players. They released two albums of good quality songs in 1976 and 77.

20. Stanley Jordan: Angel
(Jimi Hendrix)
Magic Touch: Blue Note – BT 85101
Chicago IL
Stanley Jordan: guitar (no overdubs)
Produced by Al Di Meola, 1985
Recorded by James Farber & Kenny Florendo at Songshop Studios, NYC

Stanley Jordan
b. July 31, 1959 Chicago, Ill

Magic Touch, which sat at No.1 on Billboard 's jazz chart for 51 weeks, a record for a jazz guitar album. Among the artists Jordan has worked with are Quincy Jones,  The Dave Matthews Band, The String Cheese Incident, and Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh.

21. Michael Occhipinti & Shine On: I’m Only Sleeping
(Lennon / McCartney)
The Universe of John Lennon: True North Records TND 566
Toronto
Michael Occhipinti: guitars
Yvette Tollar: vocals
Elizabeth Shepherd: keys
Roberto Occhipinti: bass
Mark Kelso: drums, percussion
Kevin Turcotte: flugelhorn, trumpet
Robi Botos: piano
Produced by Roberto and Michael Occhipinti, 2012
Recorded, Mixed and Edited by John “Beetle” Bailey at The Drive Shed, Toronto
Mastered by Trevor Saddler at Mastermind Prod., N Carolina

22. Nucleus: Judgement Day
(Greg Fitzpatrick)
Nucleus: Mainstream Records - S/6120
Toronto ON
Greg Fitzpatrick: bass, piano, vocal
Danny Taylor: drums
Rob Horne: organ
Hughie Leggat: bass, vocal
John Richardson: lead guitar
Producer not listed, 1969

23. Don Ross: Catherine
(Don Ross)
Bearing Straight: Duke Street Records DSR 31054
Udora ON
Don Ross: guitars
Hugh Marsh: violin
David Piltch: bass
Produced by Don Ross, 1989
Recorded by Ron Searles and Brad Haehnel at Manta Sound, Toronto
Mastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto

Donald James Ross
b. November 19, 1960 Montreal

World renown for his finger picking style, he’s just one of those guitar players that are unexplained – you just can’t put your finger on why he’s so amazingly good. Originally known for he playing with Oliver Schroer and his wife, Kelly McGowan as well as Eye Music before going solo. He’s got kudos coming out of everywhere!