Soul

Toronto’s Cold Specks making her mark

Entertainment / Music Etobicoke native Al Spx, turns heads in London, is now in Toronto opening for St. Vincent on Thursday.      Al Spx is Cold Specks. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Dec 14 2011   If you were a betting soul, you could safely wager that Cold Specks is glad her telemarketing days are over. But it was only recently that 23-year-old Etobicoke native Al Spx,…


Herbie Hancock gives it all a try

Herbie Hancock gives it all a try | Toronto Star Longtime Gershwin fan’s Massey Hall show just latest outlet for broad-minded creator.   Herbie Hancock at home with keyboards both acoustic and electronic … thanks to Miles Davis. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Thu Oct 20 2011 Legendary jazz innovator Herbie Hancock might be considered something of a prodigy, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking his upcoming…


Plundering the past with Phil Collins

Plundering the past with Phil Collins | Toronto Star A mature pop titan becomes a covers act for the first time.  Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Oct 08 2010 “I just bought a second cannon.” Not exactly the words you expect to hear flowing from the mouth of Phil Collins. But the 59-year-old’s chief passion these days is no longer music, but collecting 1820-1840 era Texas…


Cee-Lo Green didn’t expect his cursed good fortune

Entertainment / Music Cee-Lo Green didn’t expect his cursed good fortune | Toronto Star  Nearly five million views for his Motown-flavoured kiss off and Gnarls Barkley singer Cee-Lo Green has a hit, even if radio can’t touch it.   Cee-Lo Green’s new single tore up the Internet with nearly five million views, but it’s not getting on the radio without rather severe editing. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Mon…


Esthero is still working on it

Esthero is still working on it | Toronto Star Writer, Kanye collaborator and notorious perfectionist back for hometown show   HANDOUT PHOTO “My intent is to debut as much new music as possible,” says Esthero of her Lee’s Palace gig. Nick Krewen  SPECIAL TO THE STAR,  Published on Sun Jun 27 2010 The drought is almost over. Esthero admirers who have been jonesing for some new music ever since 2005’s Wikked…