Country

Norah Jones musically solid but lacking in charisma

The Grammy Winner got in 12 songs from her new album Little Broken Hearts but seemed most at home playing country standards.   Norah Jones performs at Massey Hall in Toronto on Friday evening.   Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Sat Jul 07 2012 Ever since she exploded onto the mainstream pop scene with her jazzy multiple Grammy-winning album Come Away With Me, Norah Jones has been…


Trails and Trials

Story by Nick Krewen | December 26, 2011 He’s known for his amazing country ballad “Trail In Life,” but British Columbia’s Dean Brody truly knows what it means to have trials in life. In the past three years alone, the 36-year-old singer and songwriter – a recent hat trick winner at the 2011 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards for Album (Trail In Life), and for Single and Songwriter of…


David Bromberg: Gifted guitarist keeps ’em guessing

Entertainment / Music Spontaneity and fun keep the road vital for axeman at Hugh’s Room Sunday.   Respected guitarist and songwriter David Bromberg plays Hugh’s Room on Sunday. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Dec 16 2011 David Bromberg, the journeyman multi-instrumentalist string wizard who returns to Hugh’s Room on Sunday, is certainly one of a kind. At 66, he’s done it all: as a session and sideman, he’s…


Jeff Tweedy’s take on Black Eyed Peas trips up Wilco album

Entertainment / Music Lark of covering pop hits taking attention from diverse new tunes from Wilco, coming to Massey Hall for two nights.       Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Sep 14 2011 A few days after becoming a YouTube viral sensation with his surprising acoustic guitar recitatives of the Black Eyed Peas hits “I Gotta Feeling,” “Rock That Body” and “My Humps,” Wilco principal Jeff Tweedy…


Urban renewal, thanks to country

Urban renewal, thanks to country | Toronto Star Keith Urban’s prowess and that of his crack band coaxed fresh depth out of his songs at the Air Canada Centre. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Sun Sep 11 2011 Many have talked the talk when it comes to promising something innovative in a country music concert format, but at the Air Canada Centre over the weekend, Keith Urban…