California

Brian Wilson: Talking about ‘Plenty O’ Nuttin’

Entertainment / Music Pop visionary chats, just a bit, about Gershwin before Toronto show.     Pop legend Brian Wilson got a chance to complete two unfinished George Gershwin songs for his recent album. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jun 17 2011 Has pop music ever had a more tortured soul than visionary Brian Wilson? From the physical and psychological abuse inflicted by an intimidating father, to his…


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…


Grey-haired headbangers pledge allegiance to ’80s rock

Entertainment / Music In rock bars on Toronto’s fringes, patrons live a dream in which an era of rock never lost its cachet. John Corabi ,formerley from Motley Crue plays at The Rockpile, a bar at Toronto’s west end dedicated to celebrating the rock of yesterday. Nick Krewen  Special to the Star Published on Sun Aug 08 2010 Their hair may be greying with time, their stomachs may be a little paunchier…


Suzie Katayama – Cellist and Arranger to the Stars

Suzie Katayama…Cellist and Arranger to the Stars Nick Krewen GRAMMY.com October/November  2003 As with most five-year-olds enamored with Saturday morning television, Suzie Katayama was dazzled by the animated images dancing in front of her eyes, fuelling her imagination and making her laugh. But unlike most youngsters, she was equally taken with the variety of sonics bombarding her ears, ranging from the wild sound effects punctuating the action to the music…


Diane Warren, Hitmaker

      California Dynamo Writes The Songs That Sell Millions   Nick Krewen Toronto Star Special to the Star December 28, 1998   Wynonna Judd, Mark Chesnutt and a gaggle of country and non-country music celebrities paid $125 U.S. a head a few weeks ago to stuff themselves into Nashville’s renowned Bluebird Cafe and witness a historic event:the first ever full-length concert by Diane Warren. Diane who? Unless you peruse the Billboard…