Music of Calgary

[carom]

Saw this article in FFWD magazine a few weeks ago. I found it an interesting assessment of the Calgary musical scene.

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/mu...n-sounds-4646/

It wouldn’t be possible to make a definitive list of the best albums ever to come out of Calgary. Even if you could somehow track down every CD, cassette, 12-inch and homemade demo, whittling them down to a list of albums that incontrovertibly make Calgary great is a fool’s errand.
...
The question was intentionally open-ended: What is your favourite Calgary album? What constitutes the best (or even what constitutes a “Calgary album”) was left up to the individuals. Some of the answers are well known, while others are beyond obscure. Some can be found at Calgary’s finer record shops, while others will take a miracle to unearth. One way or another, though, the following is our stab at compiling the best records in Calgary history.

Beyond Possession: Is Beyond Possession (Metal Blade, 1986)
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra: Spirit Trail: Music of Allan Gordon Bell (CBC, 1996)
Wilf Carter: Calgary Horseman's Hall of Fame (RCA CAmden, 1966)
Caveat: Red (Cyclone Records, 2007)
Eugene Chadbourne: Solo Acoustic Guitar Volume 1 (Parachute, 1975)
The Co-Dependents: Live at the Mecca (Indelible Music, 2001)
Color Me Psycho: Kiss Me, Then... (Old Shep Records & Filmworks, 1986)
Jay Crocker: Below the Ocean Over (ArtUnit, 2008)
The Dudes: This Guy’s the Limit (Indie, 2000)
Hiatus: Between the Lines (Indie, 2002)
Hot Little Rocket: Our Work and Why We Do It (Flemish Eye/Catch and Release, 2003)
Huevos Rancheros: Rocket to Nowhere (Indie, 1991/1992)
maud: maud (Indie, 1995)
The Minks: Van Gundy (Indie, 2002)
Pathfinder: Pathfinder (Unknown label, 1985)
The Quitters: Fuzzball EP (Indie, 1992)
Clinton St. John: Black Forest Levitation (Indie, 2008)
Straight: Palm Springs (Hermit Records, 2001)
Ian Tyson: Cowboyography (Vanguard, 1987)
Vailhalen: Becs D’Oiseaux (Saved by Radio, 2004)
Various artists: Bloodbath at the Chinese Disco (Sloth/Pornstar, 1994)
Chad VanGaalen: Infiniheart (Flemish Eye, 2005)
Wagbeard: Ice Station Debra (Indie, 1996)
Diamond Joe White: Too Many Changes (Casino Records, 1978)
The Will: Causa Sui, (Indie, 1983)
XL Birdsuit: In Minotaur City (Flood Records, 2002)

THE REST OF THE BEST
Golden Calgarians: Savage Love (Rubber Records, 1984)
Golden Calgarians: It’s Fun to be Alive (Golden Rock Records, 1982)
Women: Women (Flemish Eye, 2008)
Fake Cops: Absolutely Your Credit is Excellent but in a Certain Way We Also Need Cash (Mockingbird Records, 2004)
The Primrods: Kneecappin’ (Melodiya, 1995)
Lynn Olagundoye: Africa Violet (Absurd Machine, 2006)

I dont know many of the bands on this list. Some of the stuff i liked included: Wagbeard, The Primrods, Huevos Rancheros, and Chad VanGaalen. I would also include Chixdiggit and Knucklehead to my version of the list.

What are your thoughts? Who would you add? Any of these albums stand out to you?

[MelBridgeman]

The Minks: Van Gundy (Indie, 2002)
Is a gem in my opinion

[Shnabdabber]

Exit Strategy

[alltherage]

Beija Flor. That is all.

[corporatejay]

Surprised chixdiggit isn't on that list, they put out some top flight stuff in the early 90s.

[Kybosh]

Some good, current Calgary groups:

Woodpigeon
The Shagbots
Dragon Fli Empire (listen to CGY)
Ghostkeeper

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

The Minks: Van Gundy (Indie, 2002)
Is a gem in my opinion

It's especially good for a bunch of high school kids. Reminded me of Superchunk. Too bad they never made a followup.

Bloodbath at the Chinese Disco was my favourite compliation of Calgary bands in the 90's. It sounds a little dated now, but I can still listen to it and reminisce.


A little off topic, but for anyone who had listened to Reverend Ron's Blues Witness show on CJSW you might have heard he passed away last week. They're doing a tribute show in his time slot tomorrow night. Dude was cool, and really had a passion for music.

[FoxMulder91]

In Vacuo
Swallow Your Tongue
Hamas
Tel Fyr
Sigil
Snake Mountain
You Are OK

[Peanut]

Ummm... Feist?!

[troutman]

CJSW put out this compilation a few years ago:

Disc One

1. Zoo Story: Kristara Barrington
2. Gravity Thugs: Take You Down
3. The Will: The Empty Cabinet
4. Golden Calgarians: 7 Inches to Heaven
5. Citrus Park: Take A Trip With Me
6. The Ripchords: Final Step
7. Color Me Psycho: Sacred Valley Penetration
8. Big Bang Theory: Love Letters
9. Sacred Heart Of Elvis: Wheezing Dog On Leash
10. Rabbit Has Brain: Sad Season
11. Red Autumn Fall: Revenge of The Blazer Boys
12. monster: Confessions
13. The Vindicators: Thinking of Birds
14. The Parkades: Attack Me
15. Fire Engine Red: Shank Pony

Disc Two

1. The Primrods: Barbet Lad
2. The Puritans: Welcome To Persia, Batman
3. Huevos Rancheros: Rocket To Nowhere
4. The Dudes: They’re A Comin’
5. The A-Team: I’m A Truck
6. Shecky Formé: You’ll Need A Telescope
7. Falconhawk: Safe
8. Wagbeard: Alpha
9. Reverie Sound Revue: Walking Around Waiting Downtown
10. The Minks: Square Lines
11. Vailhalen: Was It A Fix
12. Chad Van Gaalen: Day-Ja-Voo X2
13. Hot Little Rocket: Down With Safe

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Ummm... Feist?!

Lol, was going to say that. They are probably too BIG to be mentioned now though. Not cool anymore, even though they (she) basically did it all by being indie in the first place.

[troutman]

What is a Calgary album?

Who qualifies? Joni Mitchell went to SAIT. Tegan & Sara grew up here. Feist spent some time in Calgary. K. D. Lang has a place around De Winton.

No love for the Stampeders? Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet city woman!

[Mad Mel]

Always liked Wil. Played Ironwood tonight, according to my buddy's facebook.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

Always liked Wil. Played Ironwood tonight, according to my buddy's facebook.

Lol, 'Wil is live and playing with himself every Wednesday night!'

A great show though.

[rubecube]

No "Firm Handshake?" BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[chris_yk]

Belvedere - Fast Forward Eats The Tape

[Huntingwhale]

I heard of those guys, they are pretty good.

[Berger_4_]

Frankie McQueen! Best band in the city!

A shout out has to go to This Is A Standoff, The Dudes and The Evidence as well.

[octothorp]

Ronnie Hayward: The Lost Utrecht Sessions

Also, Difference Engine was a big favorite of mine back in the day

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by rubecube

No "Firm Handshake?" BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Do you know them?