Arranger

‘I just thought it was time’ — Sylvia Tyson on ‘At the End of the Day,’ her (maybe) final album

If anyone thinks Sylvia Tyson at 83 is any less authoritative an artist, hearing “At the End of the Day” will quickly quell that notion. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Her singing voice is a little more weathered, but no less formidable; her lyrics are incisively sharp. If anyone thinks the legendary Sylvia Tyson at 83 is any less authoritative an artist, hearing her newly released 12-song album At…


She’s the daughter of Bobby ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ McFerrin, but she’s forging her own path in music

With her debut album now out, Madison McFerrin brings her world tour to Toronto’s TD Music Hall. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star If the name Madison McFerrin is familiar, it’s because she’s the daughter of Mr. “Don’t Worry Be Happy” himself, 10-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin. So one would assume that the elder McFerrin would be forthcoming in offering his 31-year-old daughter advice on tricks of the trade. They…


‘It’s an honour, obviously’: Michel Pagliaro on his induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame

Plus ‘Rock of Fame’ honourees like Alan Frew and Carole Pope talk about making it, fan moments and weird concert catering. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star On Thursday night, 13 legacy Canadian recording artists are to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame during a special ceremony at Massey Hall dubbed “Canada’s Rock of Fame.” The list is a who’s who of homegrown music talent from the ’70s and ’80s,…


‘I just write, you know?’ Steve Earle has songwriting down pat. Next, a TV pilot, two books and a Broadway musical

The outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring Americana songs has a Massey Hall show Aug. 25. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Steve Earle, the outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring and sublime Americana songs, has a new goal in mind as he creeps toward the age of 70: a Broadway musical. “I’m writing a musical of Tender Mercies with Daisy Foote, whose…


Alexandra Stréliski: From ad agency to award-winning musician with a hand from Jean-Marc Vallée

Stréliski, who has a new album out, Neo-Romance, says the late director gave her a push to make music her career. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star When Montréal composer Alexandra Stréliski release her instrumental album of lush piano music, Inscape, back in 2018, a funny thing happened. It became not only a smash hit in her home province of Québec and the rest of Canada, selling over 160,000…