'Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience' Concert Event Review at the Sound Academy

I have a confession to make. My expectations of a band facetiously named Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience who only sing Led Zeppelin songs and are led by the late John Bonham’s drummer progeny, Jason, were miniscule. 

Jason Bonham

That is, till I heard James Dylan shriek like the ghost of Robert Plant’s past and Tony Catania shred the guitar effortlessly and with dexterity while not missing a beat on everything from “The Lemon Song” to “Kashmir”. That is, till I witnessed father and son locked in a necromancer’s drumming duel that was epic in its conception and poignant in its execution. 


Saturday May 14th's concert at the Sound Academy was always going to be about nostalgia for the Baby Boomers that thronged to the event. For those that may never have the fortune to see the original lineup live, the concert and Bonham’s lineage are the closest to witnessing Zep back in their halcyon days. For the youngsters in the crowd, this was an opportunity to experience the English hard rock pioneers in real time – a rare thing in the age of You Tube.

The spotlight was fixed on the deceased Bonham senior as the show was inspired with archival
footage, home videos and some chin wagging from the younger Bonham. The affable drummer voiced his affection for the crowd throughout the performance and his admiration for their ability to sign along to all the classics. Dylan’s rendition of “Over the hills and far away” especially sent chills down the spine as his voice swelled with the audience’s backing. While he might sound like his more illustrious idol, James Dylan is glaringly unPlantlike in appearance. Bald headed and strongly built, the JBLZE front man’s vocal chops were especially impressive during “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and the crowd pleasing, “Whole Lotta Love”. Tony Catania’s guitar licks and solos were scintillating and retained his own distinct flavor especially during the psychedelic projection-screen-enhanced renditions of “Kashmir” (clip below) and “Stairway to Heaven”. 

Multi instrumentalists Stephen LeBlanc and newly acquired bassist, Dorian Heartstrong kept things tight and economical. However, the spotlight was firmly focused on the music. It might not have been new, earth shattering or even ground breaking but Saturday’s concert was a reminder of what a great band Led Zeppelin were.

The Ex & Brass Unbound Concert Event Review at Lee's Palace

Dutch anarcho-punk outfit, The Ex were in town yesterday at Lee’s Palace with their newly experimental outfit comprising experimental jazz quintet, Brass Unbound. The punk collective have undergone several lineup changes over the years with a revolving door of avante garde musicians and jazz artists. The effect is a breathtaking arrangement of classic punk, jazzy improvisations and Ethiopian folk music resulting in a high octane show that had the crowd clamoring for two encores. 

The Ex

The opening act, Toronto’s The Swyves were well appreciated by the crowd for some nifty punk-jazz creations that stretched the limits of their instruments. This is music that has to experienced live and while their long and drawn out creations can be testing for the casual listener, their uniqueness and the pure joy of their performance is infectious. 

The Swyves

The Ex + Brass Unbound were successful in actually getting the crowd to dance to some obscure Ethiopian folk tracks supplemented by killer punk riffs and the collective blaring of trumpet, clarinet, sax and trombone. Sadly, music of this nature will only find its way into the collection of those with eclectic tastes and a disregard for the bilge being played on mainstream radio.

'OF MONTREAL' at the Phoenix - Concert Review

The Phoenix Concert Theatre was brimming with excitement last night as fans waited patiently for the arrival of indie rock legends, Of Montreal. Over the years, Kevin Barnes and his band of massively talented multi instrumentalists have regaled music lovers with their brand of theatre, vaudeville, sexual imagery and yes, even pro wrestling to complement a genre bending sound that is purposely uplifting while the lyrics often reflect dark tales of misery, death, suicide and heart break. 

Kevin Barnes

Having only just missed Painted Palms, we had the opportunity to watch art rockers, Braids from Montreal, Canada. The foursome have been making a buzz on the indie circuit with the debut album, Native Speaker. Lead singer, Raphaelle Standelle-Preston’s ethereal voice delicately connects the lilting, cosmic sounds being created by each member as it rises and falls with sublime cadences complimented by medieval whoops and incantations. The band appeared oblivious to their audience and while on stage were almost in a trance-like state quite suitable to the dream pop realm they are inhabiting. This is cerebral music that is best appreciated at home rather than live.

Braids

Of Montreal strutted on stage with an assurance and swagger that can only come from years of performing and critically acclaimed releases. Barnes changed outfits with regularity and effortlessly mixed androgynous sex appeal with rock star braggadocio. The theatrical presentation and carnival-like atmosphere did not distract from the music and while not appearing to be totally in sync with it, offered  a pleasing distraction. 

Garishly dressed, combating luchadors (with one conveniently decked in Canadian colors), fair maidens, pigs, a bizarre monster in a mustard gas brandishing a gigantic claw,a massive head juxtaposed between bulging breasts, rump-shaking go-go dancers, cryptic two-sided placards, circus performers, a lounge singer and a suitably surprised audience member being invited onstage – the show had it all. 

Throughout the spectacle, the group kept their performance taut, polished and professional. The icing on the cake was the end when band members turned against one another and tossed each other into the welcoming sea of audience members. K Ishibashi’s soul-stirring rendition of “O Canada” was the perfect conclusion to a night of fun, entertainment and above all, exquisite music.

Check out the bands:

Of Montreal

Braids

Painted Palms