Leon Stevens's Blog, page 51
March 25, 2024
Music Monday 1990: Ice Ice Baby.
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music
1990: The Good – Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
1990: The Bad – Unskinny Bop – Poison
1990: The Ugly – Ice Ice Baby – Yeah. That guy.
The start of a new decade always signals a change in many aspects of pop culture, but before the whole grunge/alternative movement took the nineties by storm, there were still some other artists making waves. Phil Collins always seemed to be on the charts:
She would rip up a picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Live two years later. We lost Sinéad O’Connor last year.
Who could forget one of the greatest one hit wonder.
I’m not a big rap / hip-hop fan. There are some rappers that I can tolerate, and at the start of the decade, rap was on it’s meteoric rise. What did I pick this song? No heavy chains, no thugs, no gangstas, no bitches, no hoes. Just rappin’, bro.
Speaking of alternatives to mainstream music:
Okay, I admit I did not know that song was a cover. I’m sure to be admonished for this by a blogger who shall remain anonymous (but if you look in the comments…), so I’ll throw the original in as a peace offering. It’s damn good.
Spirit of the West had already released three albums but their fourth “Save the House” solidified them as a folk rock juggernaut. I had to buy their back catalogue as soon I heard them.
Okay, I won’t leave out a song that many love to hate and some hate to love.
Sorry about that.
I wasn’t into the rap and hip hip so many of the songs I like and appreciate now, I couldn’t then. I’ll go back a year to give you a couple of tracks to wash out the taste of that last one.
Maestro Fresh Wes (Wesley “Wes” Williams) is considered to be the father of Canadian hip hip and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame yesterday.
Leon
Want to read more music blogs? Here are some of the ones I follow: Mostly Music Covers, Take it Easy, Beetley Pete, A Sound Day, PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture, SuperdekesVinylReviews
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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March 24, 2024
Juno what award ceremony is tonight?
Canada’s Biggest Night in MusicCanadian music often suffers from the ailment “You need to make it in the United States”. In many ways, if you want a certain level of popularity and financial security, it’s true for any non-US artist.
So, here are some songs from some of the artists (but not necessarily the song they are nominated for) at tonight’s event.
The Junos are hosted by Nelly Furtado this year.
Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds, known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer-songwriter.
Charlotte Cardin is a Canadian pop, electro and jazz singer and songwriter from Montreal, Quebec.
The Beaches have grown on me since the first hit the scene. Money was one of their first singles.
Men I Trust is a Canadian indie band from Montreal, Quebec. Formed in 2014, the band consists of Emmanuelle Proulx, Jessy Caron, and Dragos Chiriac.
Begonia is the stage name of Alexa Dirks, a Canadian pop singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I didn’t know who Talk was, or I thought I didn’t until I started looking up his songs and I was like “Oh, that one.” and “Oh, I like that one!”
Nicholas Durocher, known professionally as Talk, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician from Ottawa, Ontario.
Good luck to all the nominees!
-Leon
Want to read more music blogs? Here are some of the ones I follow: Mostly Music Covers, Take it Easy, Beetley Pete, A Sound Day, PowerPop… An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture, SuperdekesVinylReviews
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 23, 2024
Weekend Wrap-up March 23: Garment Dilemma
I have a favorite shirt. Well…had.
It wasn’t fancy. I bought it about 30 years ago during my first visit to an outlet mall. I was amazed that you could get brand name technical running gear so cheap.
Technical is a relative term. By today’s standards, the material it was made of is crap. and I say was made because over the years, much of that material has disappeared (leading to a semi-transparent garment) due to repeated washings, to become those deadly microfibers in your lower intestine.
This thinning of the shirt lead to my thumb piercing the arm, leaving a hole the size of, well, my thumb, obviously.
So that’s that, I guess.
Unless…If I am very careful…maybe I can get a few more years out of it.
-Leon
Do you have a favorite clothing item that you can’t throw away?
On my blog this week:Weekend Wrap-up March 23: Garment DilemmaFree Book Friday March 22nd: Just Visiting From…Thursday is Bookday (Reviews that is): CrucibleSnotty Nose Rez Kids: Indigenous Canadian Hip HopWeird Wednesday March 20: Cartoons and ComediansHope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 22, 2024
Free Book Friday March 22nd: Just Visiting From…
Yesterday I had a bit of a surprise when I saw my blog stats:
So, where did the traffic come from?
Hmmm.
When was he last time I posted anything about Russia? Two years ago:
I was going to do a cartoon about the Russian election being more a ‘s’election.
Good thing I didn’t…
Can it be that good? Only one way to find out.
The story behind Free Book Friday:I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnelStoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
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Free Books!
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March 14 to April 18Ending soon!
Current promos: Discover New Authors
Review Copies (These are free!)Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book (poetry or science fiction or both): Leon’s Newsletter
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 21, 2024
Thursday is Bookday (Reviews that is): Crucible
No, no THE Crucible. Not the one about the Salem witch trials.
As an author, I think I’m too critical when I read. Things that bother me in my own writing (inconsistencies, continuity issues, bad writing) bother me tenfold when I come across those in others. But I’ve always been a picky reader, which is why I have been trying to read outside my preferred genres.
I’ve read thrillers before. I read a bunch of Jack Reacher novels until I realized they were the same one over and over. Anyway, here’s what I thought:
Crucible by John Rollins
Thrillers are meant to be action packed and full of perilous situations, right?
So, yeah. Crucible is a thriller. Believable? Well, that’s where it lost me. There were situations that were unsurvivable, but you can’t kill off all your protagonists. Then there were a few parts that left me rolling my eyes, or thinking, “Well, that’s stupid.”
As an author myself, I am more critical when I read, and there were two parts that bothered me. Near the beginning of the book, we get the line: “It lay open, its inner padding cradling a sphere that Carly jokingly called the soccer ball.” Nothing wrong about that, but on the same page, we get the line, “Next, she powered up what Carly called the “soccer ball”” That was redundant in my opinion.
Later on, a certain hostage’s name was mixed up with another, which made me have to flip back and see if I had read something wrong. I hadn’t.
And there were pictures. I thought they were unnecessary, along with the page of physics equations that just looks like Mr. Rollins is trying to show he knows more than you.
Will you like this book? You might. Here’s what 10 697 other readers thought:
Finally, I made this graphic a few months back but I believe it is apt:
What am I reading now?
Yeah, I know. Why…?
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 20, 2024
Snotty Nose Rez Kids: Indigenous Canadian Hip Hop
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a First Nations hip hop duo composed of Haisla rappers Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. They are originally from Kitamaat Village, British Columbia.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids have been around since 2016. I can’t say I follow them closely, but I am familiar with some of their songs thanks to CBC Radio. When I heard their new song this morning, I thought it was worthy of a share.
Here’s a couple of their previous hits.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
Weird Wednesday March 20: Cartoons and Comedians
There are not many comedians that can make you laugh without being rude or controversial, but I’ve always been a fan of Brian Reagan.
-Leon
My newsletter goes out every Wednesday: Lines by Leon Super Newsletter Extravaganza
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 18, 2024
Music Monday 1989: Bye, bye Eighties (you’ve been alright)
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it.
Maybe you will find a new favorite.
CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music
1989
The 90s are on the doorstep. Grunge in the American northwest was already percolating, rap and hip-hop was poised to be the dominant music on the airwaves. CD’s were now outselling vinyl and cassettes, and digital encoding was on the horizon. Alternative rock was now mainstream and encompassed all the music that wasn’t the crap you heard on the radio.
Let’s end the decade with some tunes, shall we?
Neil Young had a lot of great songs before this one, but this one kicks all their asses for the rawness and the message.
It’s hard to pick a Stevie Ray Vaughn tune without leaving of one of the many gems, but Tightrope is a keeper.
We would lose Stevie in a plane crash in 1990.
You might have never heard of the band, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet or their song, Having an Average Weekend, but for Canadian TV audiences, it was the call to watch the comedy troupe, The Kids in the Hall:
You might have recognized a few names, some of the members later had moderate success in the US, most notably David Foley (NewsRadio), and Scott Thompson (The Larry Sanders Show). Kevin MacDonald had bit parts in Seinfeld and Friends, while Mark McKinney was a brief cast member on SNL. Yeah, because of Lorne Michaels.
Colin James had a hit with Five Long Years, but I think Voodoo Thing shows his guitar chops much better.
Speaking of alternatives to mainstream music:
And finally, most guitar music. Remember that Satriani guy from last week? He put out another album and it was a good as the last. Not to rest on his laurels, he had a few more tricks up his sleeve, taking tapping to a different realm. At 2:00 he taps an arpeggio with his left hand while muting the strings with his right to minimize any other string noise. Brilliant.
The title: The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing. Brilliant.
On to the 90s we will go…Wait!
I’ll end with what I think is the best solo acoustic guitar album. Canadian, Don Ross, released his first album Bearing Straight. I couldn’t pick just one so here’s two, starting with a song he wrote for his mother.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 17, 2024
Sunday with St. Paddy
The true story of St. Patrick’s
St. Patrick was born Maewyn Succat but after the school yard bully called him “Girly May Suck At” he asked his parents to change it. When they refused, he said he would run away. When he turned 16, and wanting to make a better name for himself, he headed to Ireland because he heard the beer was good.
After a rough crossing of the North Channel, he disembarked, green to the gills and promptly threw up. As he sat shivering on the curb, a family on their annual vacation was leaving the themed restaurant, Medieval Times (just called Times in those days), young Angus of the clan McDonald, pointed and shouted, “Look! That guy has the Shamrock Shakes!”
His parents admonished him for this rude outburst, but generations later, a distant relative (Raymond of the clan McKrok), would recall this story passed down as family folklore, and hit on an idea for a seasonal treat, but that’s another story.
At the first bar Maewyn saw, he began to do a jig. When asked by passersby what he was doing, he said, “It’s my anti-snake dance. It keeps the snakes away.”
People looked around. No, there were definitely not any snakes to be seen, but they couldn’t remember if there had been snakes there before, either. Erring on the side of caution, they agreed to pay him to travel from town to town, ridding the country of this terrible scourge.
The townsfolk watched as turned to walk away an patted himself on the back. Interestingly enough, in Gaelic “rick” (pronounced reah/hic) means: “one’s back”. He smiled, thinking how lucky and charming he was in this new country.
Later that year, in partnership with the Dental Association, he would invent a cereal so sweet, it ensured the longevity of the dental profession, whose members now revered him as a saint.
True story.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
March 16, 2024
Can’t wait till tomorrow? Happy St. Urho’s Day!!!
Happy St. Urho’s Day!!
Confused? Well, St. Urho is the Finnish Saint who drove the grasshoppers out of Finland, thus saving the vineyards from destruction.
Fortified by a diet of sour milk and fish soup, his powerful voice drove the hoppers into the sea as he shouted, “Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen” which translates to: “Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell!”
How do you celebrate?
Wear purple and green, drink grape juice (or something stronger if you prefer), cut out carboard grasshoppers to skewer with a pitchfork, and have a good time.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
