Did you vote for your favourite artist to represent Canada at Eurovision in Bulgaria in 2027! You still have today and tomorrow to do that at https://www.eurovision.cbc.radio-canada.ca where you will need to confirm your email address before you vote, and you can only vote once each day. Once again, the very deserving artists are William Cloutier, Josiane, Rêve, Talk, and Tyler Shaw. This week’s edition of The MAPL Tapes, Show #36, with its playlist further below, spotlights a song by each artist. I am pleased to continue to report about Canada’s part of Eurovision as it develops over the next several months.
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week, as well as a record of the week from “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, and “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. This week, “The Musicman” James Rogers’ has a Classic Five of pop/rock delights from 1977. If you missed them on Monday you’ll find out what songs are #1 and the Fastest Riser in the latest edition of the BILLCS Top 30.
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
THE JAMES CLARK INSTITUTE, “It’s Only Tuesday”
About the artist: The James Clark Institute is a Toronto power pop quintet which has released three albums to date and performs regularly in southern Ontario. The lineup consists of James on lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica; Tom Gibson on electric lead guitars; Tim Gall on bass; Greg Condie on keys and Dean Carl Glover on drums and harmony vocals.
About the record: Whimsical, witty and waggish are descriptors that come to mind when listening to James Clark’s wonderful sense of storytelling in “It’s Only Tuesday”. Written a few years ago on a plane as a relationship came to a close, “It’s Only Tuesday” comes to you today after enthusiastic reaction from his fellow band members as well as stalwart producer Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness, Trans-Canada Highwaymen). It’s a delightful follow up to “Reluctantly in Love” from earlier this year, which reached #6 on the BILLCS Top 30. Think of The Kinks’ droll sense of humour meeting the sarcasm and wit of Split Enz/The Finn Brothers somewhere in the middle.
Other comments: A fourth James Clark Institute album is in the works!
BENEDICT CORK, “Something Kinda Strange”
About the artist: It’s hard to believe that I’ve been writing about Benedict Cork’s songs since before the beginning of this decade! The British singer, whose specialty is piano ballads, has been without new music for over a year and is now embarking on a new chapter.
About the record: “Something Kinda Strange” has a sparse, ages-old sound – no piano this time – that stirs up 1960’s influences in particular, while throwing the spotlight entirely on Benedict’s voice. The melody is set against an electric guitar and harmonies, and it dips Benedict into the welcome territory of other retro-sounding songs by artists like Elliot James Reay or Stephen Sanchez. It’s a fine and classy start to a next era for Benedict.
Other comments: “Something Kinda Strange” follows up Benedict’s deluxe album release of last year, Footnotes on a Hopeless Romance. He has appeared four times on the BILLCS Top 30, each time charting in the Top 10.
FULL THROTTLE, CONE McCASLIN, “Generation of Tomorrow”
About the artists: Full Throttle is a rock trio on the rise from London, Ontario consisting of Max McGill (guitar/vocals), Evan Levite (bass), and Kaelin Caron (drums). They have released an EP and several singles during this decade. Cone McCaslin is the former bassist with Canadian Music Hall of Fame group Sum 41. He also produced and co-wrote the song with the band.
About the record: I’m a big fan of when music generations have a crossover moment. Bringing the raw punk energy of the 60’s through the 80’s but updated via the early 2000’s to today, there’s a lot of potential for Full Throttle and their single “Generation of Tomorrow”. Loud and brash, it’s a new anthem for those music fans who appreciate genuine vitality in rock music. The trio was massively influenced by Sum 41, so Cone McCaslin’s participation helps take the song to the next level. The band says, “It’s about taking everything that inspired us and turning it into something that’s ours”.
COOPER BENAIAH, “No End”
About the artist: Cooper Benaiah is a Toronto-based pop/rock singer/songwriter, who at age 16 has already released a debut indie album, Crush. One of his current main influences is Noah Kahan.
About the record: “No End” shows another side of Cooper and aims for crooner territory usually reserved for vocalists like Michael Bublé or Matt Dusk. Because of Cooper’s vocal talent, the stylistic change works, and he also gets to show off his vocal power in this kind of pop setting. It’s in fact so charming that it will win you over within the first 30 seconds. Cooper also plays all of the instruments – real ones like guitar, bass, and strings, brass and wind ones are also credited. He’s the real deal!
Other comments: Cooper’s second album is coming soon! But first he has a stop at the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival in Alabama this month.
CASII STEPHAN, “Happy”
About the artist: Casii Stephan is a Minnesota-born pop singer/songwriter based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When I last wrote about her music, she had released a fiery political protest song called “King in America”.
About the record: “Happy” is a beautifully produced (by Chad Copelin) and sung release that asks the eternal question, “what is it like to be really happy?”. I’m sure many people can relate from perspectives of times when they have been exceptionally happy or not at all. It’s a feel good song with plenty of food for thought, and Casii’s delightful, soul-tinged vocal is the focus. Her style blurs all pop genres together, and you’ll have no trouble finding something to enjoy in “Happy”.
Other comments: “Happy” will be included on Casii’s upcoming album scheduled for 2027 called Let Her Have Her Flowers.
Show #36 featuring songs by Canada’s Eurovision Finalists: William Cloutier, Josiane, Rêve, Talk, and Tyler Shaw
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
It’s “Take the World” by Spoons from their first album in 7 years, Nightlife
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
A little cowbell for you in “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones (1969)
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the owner and program director of online station Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s London-based French indie quintet Spanish Horses with “Some People”
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, including 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.
Hunter has been hyping up “Babydoll” by Jamie Miller on his radio programs and now it’s his certified Bop this week
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm ET Tuesdays, now repeating Wednesdays at 7pm ET on new Canadian affiliate https://www.retroradio.ca). 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. The 3D Variety Show returns on Tuesday, November 17.
Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
Burton Cummings – Stand Tall
Alice Cooper – I Never Cry
Peter Foldy – Julie Ann
David Dundas – Jeans On
BILLCS Top 30 #1 SONG
Canada Eurovision finalist Rêve takes over at #1 with “Devour”
BILLCS Top 30 FASTEST RISER
For the second chart in a row, it’s Carly Rae Jepsen with “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor” (14-4)
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