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Thursday, June 23, 2005
Were Ian & Sylvia Not Available?
Once again, Canada has tried to play with the big boys, and once again has proven itself to be the mecca of mediocrity with Live 8.
Bryan Adams. Gordon Lightfoot. Burton Cummings? Everything old is new again. Were Ian and Sylvia Tyson not available? What about Tommy Hunter? Surely Tommy would come out for such a good cause. Him and Ian Tyson could do a duet of The Farmer's Song. Wouldn't the hep young cats love that? It would be neat-o. Swell, even.
The diva herself can't be bothered to show up personally. Celine Dion will perform via satellite from Vegas. You know, Vegas, where middle aged people go to rock out.
Therein lies the problem. Canadian content, or Can-con, rules have made it so that Canadian artists do not have to be the best in the world. They do not have to gain international recognition, and if they do, it is often with just one hit. An exception would be someone like Alanis Morissette, who has proven to be an international success, and who is conveniently promoting her new 10th anniversary acoustic Jagged Little Pill. Is the in the line-up for Live 8? Of course not.
Of course, tickets were snapped up in record time - 35,000 tickets in 21 minutes. Wow. People are obviously willing to settle for second best. You can see that in our government, can't you? It helps that Live 8 is being held in Toronto (Toronto, centre of the universe. We have a tower that keeps us still while the rest of the world revolves around us.), where those who support mediocrity in government can show their support for mediocrity in music.
And once again, Canada will be left behind in world news, as other countries are rattling off the list of who held Live 8 concerts on July 2. Once again, we'll try to join in on the making of history, but half-assed attempts are better forgotten.
Posted by RightGirl on June 23, 2005 in Music | Permalink
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Comments
http://bulletsandhoney.blogspot.com/2005/06/bob-geldof-lets-out-strange-mix-of.html
Bob Geldof lets out the strange mix of profanity and plea making that has become his signature tune. Whenever I catch these so called Africa saviours on TV, the urgency of their appeals and the faux concern they exude always leaves me enraged. They use African poverty and suffering like a prop for already over-large egos. We are helpless beings who cannot survive without the concern of an Elton John (in the background) or a Geldof who has not written a hit song in a decade and yet can save Africa.
>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
John/Geldof: boiled in hot water.
The scorn burns through the Internet.
Posted by: maz2 | 2005-06-23 6:39:37 PM
Ummmm, is not that one of the seven things you cannot say in Canaduh.
Well said RightGirl, but why be so vexed, the intent of live8 is to pressure Dithers to give more money to governments that can piss away the loot even better than the glibs. For once I am with Martin.
BTW you missed Rita McNeil.
Posted by: Cascadian | 2005-06-23 7:12:15 PM
Why aren't they inviting David Allen Coel to perform the Rodeo Song for everyone?
Posted by: underemployedbum | 2005-06-23 8:11:25 PM
Don Messer is on the bill is he not? I mean, he's still on the electoral rolls in Nova Scotia so I assume he's available for gigs.
(hat tip to Plato's Stepchild!)
Posted by: Justzumgai | 2005-06-23 8:13:16 PM
stompin tom was left off the parade..does he vote conservative?
It's been proven, for Africa, that the only aid that works is education and it must be controlled by the donors.
Posted by: off the beaten track | 2005-06-23 8:23:31 PM
Actually the mediocrity of Canadian music comes from the MONOPOLY of the Canadian music industry and NOT from Can-con laws!
Take it from me I know. All the good bands need to sign deals OUTSIDE the country (ie The Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Constantines, Hidden Cameras, DFA 1979 etc etc) then they come back and the MONPOLY here ignores them.
Anyway while I"m posting here I just want you to know that (as of this evening) it looks like the Liberals are going to pass the same-sex marriage laws very soon so you right-wing haters have lost. HA!
Posted by: Justin | 2005-06-23 10:44:31 PM
There's a petition to get Stompin' Tom on the bill.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/06/23/Arts/live8stompintom050623.html
An Ottawa radio station has suspended one of its DJs for playing the music of Stompin' Tom Connors non-stop in a bid to get the Canadian music legend added to the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ont.
Posted by: TimR | 2005-06-23 10:50:34 PM
We're not haters. You're the bigoted, closed minded, communist dictator haters! Go impose your social beliefs on somebody else! I've lost faith in this country. When I finish school I'm moving to the U S of A.
Posted by: Andrew | 2005-06-23 10:59:54 PM
The reason why there aren't more Canadian music acts is because they are not popular. Pure and simple.
Posted by: Scott | 2005-06-23 11:09:08 PM
And this is the same country that collectively shrieks with glee whenever a Canadian makes it "big" in the US.
I remember when Canadian entertainers who made it to Johnny Carson got their own feature spot on the national news.
Posted by: Kate | 2005-06-23 11:44:08 PM
Canadian culture does not exist, never has existed and never will exist no matter how much money is spent on it.
Posted by: Scott | 2005-06-23 11:57:42 PM
Where have you been Scott? Canada has a 'culture of corruption'.
Posted by: Jema54 | 2005-06-24 12:34:40 AM
Jema54: I see your point and sympathize, but I was refering to the lack of quality cultural products in the standard formats: music, film, television, art, books, etc.
Posted by: Scott | 2005-06-24 1:03:44 AM
How can there still be poverty in Africa? I thought the rock stars took care of that back in the '80s.
Hey, record breaking "sales" of free tickets. Now there's a shocker.
Posted by: Sean E | 2005-06-24 1:14:08 PM
Hey Scott anyne who says Canada has a "lack of quality cultural products" has got their head so far up their own ass (or only watches Top 40 videos) that they really shouldn't comment.
Posted by: Justin | 2005-06-24 7:32:20 PM
Justin: when was the last time a Canadian film was shown at a multiple-screen movie theater? Probably a very long time because they're simply not in demand.
Canada's cultural products do not serve any purpose but a make-work project. I say the money wasted on these efforts be used instead on social programs.
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