Acoustic Architects

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…


Aerosmith brings its history to life in Toronto

Well into their sixties, veteran rockers deliver the goods – with fewer gymnastics. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published Thu, Jun 28 2012 The last time they were at the Air Canada Centre — August 17, 2010 to be exact — Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry knocked singer Steven Tyler offstage and into the crowd to retaliate for Tyler accidentally hitting him in the head with his microphone a few…


Taking The Reins

Story by Nick Krewen | June 28, 2012 For SOCAN Words And Music.   Control. It’s a treasured commodity, the ability to call your own shots, and when you consider it in the context of a recording artist in the music business, as rare as liquid plutonium. But with its fifth album Synthetica, Toronto’s Metric have achieved the unthinkable: Singer and synthesizer player Emily Haines and guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy…


Maxi Priest’s take on Jamaican history

Concert June 28  to mark independence sparks frank talk from reggae star.   . Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   A very important milestone in Jamaican history is just around the corner. August 6 marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence from British rule, but Toronto’s Caribbean community is marking the occasion six weeks early with Jamaican Rhythms. To be held June 28…


Nellie McKay embraces music, keeps public at bay

Wide-ranging chanteuse ends boycott of Canada with Horseshoe gig. Nellie McKay plays the Horseshoe Tavern on June 30.     Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   It’s hard to know where to start with Nellie McKay. Over eight years and five albums, the enormously talented British-born New Yorker has immersed herself in disciplines both visual and musical, ranging from acting in major motion…