Following up on my commentary last week about the Live Nation lawsuit by the US Department of Justice, a settlement was made quickly on Monday. It’s never clear how settlements will actually play out, since it looks like Live Nation flexed its muscles as a huge, profit-making corporation, but it appears Live Nation has to divest itself of 10 stadiums in the US, adjust the percentage of profit they make from tickets, share their technology with rival ticketing services (so as not to be perceived as having a monopoly, as at present), and to pay certain US states up to $200 million, while still retaining Ticketmaster as one of its companies. There are several states that are unhappy with the settlement and will continue to challenge the decision. How this affects other countries, such as Canada, also remains to be seen. You can read about it at the following link: Live Nation
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five choices are all from 1980. If you missed them on Monday, you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser this week on the BILLCS Top 30.
The MAPL Tapes’ first two episodes have been well-received, so I am including its playlists in its own section as a regular feature below as well. I am posting all of its shows on Mixcloud every weekend and the link is also below.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
MASHBIT, NAVAN, “Embrasse-moi (Mara Beboos)”
About the artist: MashBit is Dariush Mashayekhi, Dallas-based, Italy-born dance producer of Persian heritage whose song “Holding On” (with Luke Alexander and sunsett.) got to #4 on the BILLCS Top 30. Navan (aka Ali Amini) is a Toronto-based artist originally from Tehran who has had success in this decade with multi-lingual records (Farsi, French, English) and sell-out concerts.
About the record: “Embrasse-moi (Mara Beboos)” is a generational Iranian anthem, which was initially covered by Navan. His version is in both French and Farsi and accompanies the story of a young woman who has lost a grandparent. MashBit has taken it a few steps further, refining it into a subtle, mid-tempo dance track, highlighting Navan’s studied and restrained vocal, that retains both story and sophistication. It’s a different and refreshing treat for you to check out.
Other comments: The original version was recorded by Hassan Golnaraghi.
BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT, KIM DAVID SMITH, “Next to You”
About the artists: Featured many times in these blog pages, Bright Light Bright Light (BLx2) is a NYC-based Welsh multi-talent, who follows up his latest album Enjoy Youth. Australia-born Kim David Smith joins in the fun in this collaboration, and is known for his acclaimed cabaret performances and recordings, most recently the album Mostly Marlene. I saw both artists sing together at one of BLx2’s shows at Joe’s Pub in NYC last summer.
About the record: “Next to You” was originally recorded by BLx2 on his album Fun City with singer Mark Gatiss. The emphasis was on other tracks from that album, but it has been revisited by BLx2 and Kim in a most captivating way. Think of it in this version as a contemporary torch song, complete with some seductive French lyrics, zeroing in on its emotional power in terms of longing for affection and love. The vocals are outstanding and highly complimentary, and you can find this version of “Next to You” on BLx2’s recently released Duets EP, which also features collaborations with Ana Matronic, Tom Aspaul, and Xavier Smith.
Other comments: I’ve also written about Kim’s music when he recorded a stellar indie pop album called Nova back in 2013. You can find my comments about it at the following link: Nova. The track “Shooting Star” got to #14 on the BILLCS Top 30.
MICHAEL GILAS, “Convenience Store”
About the artist: Michael Gilas is a New York-born adult contemporary artist who has recently found a second career in music after a devastating horseback riding accident left him paralyzed for an extensive period of time. Prior to music, Michael founded two successful businesses with his brother. The dedication to music has led to three singles which have placed on the adult contemporary radio charts and are included in his debut album 231 Kensington.
About the record: “Convenience Store” is a recent non-album single that uses the title imagery as a metaphor for a relationship that has become transactional. If Michael’s style is familiar it’s because it’s a surprisingly well-honed amalgamation of classic pop/rock sounds of the 80 – think Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Toto – that have been brought up to date. Michael sings with conviction, sounding sometimes like Tom Petty, and at other times like Billy Joel. “Convenience Store” has a grittiness beneath the surface that will resonate with listeners. The crisp production is by Grammy nominee Kent Wells (Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire).
Other comments: Michael has been touring in the US, and has an upcoming appearance at The Cutting Room in New York City on April 8.
THE SUN HARMONIC, “Space”
About the artist: Originally a solo project for vocalist/guitarist, Kaleb Hikele, Canada’s The Sun Harmonic became a three piece rock band in 2023 which includes drummer Dave Skrtich, and bassist Ian McLennan.
About the record: “Space” is a real throwback to late 70’s and early 80’s classic rock. In particular, bands such as Triumph, Max Webster, Santers, Toronto, and Headpins all come to mind, some because “Space” reminds me of one of their songs, and with others its the melody or the guitar work. Nonetheless it’s a fine, engaging albeit short (2:10) song that follows in the recent footsteps of newly minted Grammy winner Yungblud working with Aerosmith, or maybe even Foo Fighters, but it’s a solid two minutes+.
Other comments: “Space” is culled from The Sun Harmonic’s seventh album which is called Self-Titled.
COL GERRARD, “Come on Over”
About the artist: Col Gerrard is a London-born singer/songwriter and pianist who initially found his way into the music industry through songwriting as a teenager. After an extended break, he has released his debut self-titled album.
About the record: “Come on Over” lands on the album after initially being released in 2024. Col’s songwriting style is classic and authentic and his songs are reminiscent of late 90’s and early 00’s American acts like Matchbox Twenty and Lifehouse, before the style was classified for radio as the Americana genre. The song seems to reflect on our current inclination not to communicate face-to-face, when sometimes that might just be the better route to clear the air. It has pristine production by Grammy-nominated producer Chris Potter (The Rolling Stones, U2), and winds down with a stunning guitar solo. “Come on Over” is an unassuming winner.
Other comments: Col Gerrard is currently on tour supporting Boyzlife in the UK.
KIM THOMAS, “Confidential”
About the artist: This release actually comes by way of Kim’s friend and mine, Peter Foldy, who co-wrote “Confidential” with him and co-produced it with fellow Canadian John Capek (who co-wrote Rod Stewart’s “Rhythm of My Heart” with Marc Jordan) for release back in 1983.
About the record: Like many of Peter’s songs, “Confidential” is a bright and catchy one with an infectious harmonica hook, bringing back yacht rock vibes from the early 80’s era, which have become trendy with renewed interest from younger listeners in recent years. Though a bit deeper at times, Kim’s vocal sometimes reminds me of Matthew Wilder (“Break My Stride”) and even Peter himself, and the late Dee Murray, of Elton John’s band, provided the bass work.
Other comments: I’m glad that Peter has unearthed and remastered “Confidential”, and re-released it himself. There’s tons of completely finished music out there that we will never hear, for one reason or another, much of it locked away in major labels’ archives.
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s a retrotastic bop from Stephen Sanchez called “Sweet Love”
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
From late 1969 it’s “That’s Where I Went Wrong” by Canadian rock band The Poppy Family
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
It’s L.A. trio Cannons with “Starlight”
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my New Music Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
It’s indie country/pop trio Midair Decision with “Leave the Bar”
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Ali Thomson – Take A Little Rhythm
Joe Walsh – All Night Long (You Tube link)
Blues Brothers – Gimme Some Lovin’
Kim Carnes – More Love
Rolling Stones – Emotional Rescue
THE MAPL TAPES
Our featured performer in Show #3 is Toronto area rock band The James Clark Institute, and there’s also an excerpt of an interview with Rob Preuss (Spoons, Honeymoon Suite)!
You can find all available playlists for the show, added to Mixcloud on weekends, at the following link: Mixcloud
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Alexander Stewart continues at #1 with “The Boy I Almost Was” – and I get to see him perform again in concert on Friday!
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
Will Swinton has another winner and it’s “Better Off” (19-10)
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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