July 30, 2009 (4:20pm)
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY #44
"50 DEAD MEN WALKING" The Human Cost of Conflict & War.
Last night I saw the compelling and very well shot movie written and directed by Kari Skogland "50 DEAD MEN WALKING" starring Ben Kingsley and Jim Sturgess (who portrays Martin McGartland.)
The movie was brilliant yet brutal, but when dealing with a true story such as this of hatred, violence and occupation on foreign soil, obviously there will be some brutal moments. Reality does not pull any punches or sugar-coat the events of people whose lives are truly affected by these struggles and violence.
The movie dealt with the struggles between the Irish and the English and the Protestants and the Catholics and how the English were trying to infiltrate the I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) to obtain intelligence to try to minimize the violence against its soldiers that were stationed in Ireland during the 38 years that they were there.
One line that really jumped-out to me was when Ben Kingsley’s character, Fergus, says "We abuse the law, break the law, in the name of the law." This really captures the "anything goes" mantra of fighting in any kind of war.
There were no winners in this battle that raged on for decades while families buried sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. Martin McGartland has not seen his family for decades. He has survived being shot 6 times by I.R.A. hitmen while hiding-out in Canada and is still on the run.
It is stories like these that makes me hope for a peaceful tomorrow.
Keep It Crucial!
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
XAVIER RUDD rocks Toronto!!!
Thursday July 23rd, 2009 (4:20 pm)
Crucial Blog Entry #43
XAVIER RUDD rocks Toronto!!!
XAVIER RUDD, one of Australia finest exports and musicians, blessed Toronto with a soulful and passionate performance last night as part of a 2 night engagement at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
XAVIER's energy and talent is something that I have never seen before... his slide guitar playing while also playing the Didgeredoo, stomp box, drums and cymbols is something to watch in wonder and listen to in amazement.
If your looking for a new album to buy I would suggest Xavier Rudd's "WHITE MOTH".
visit Xavier at www.xavierrudd.com and if you have the chance to see this amazing artist Live, DO IT!!!
I am going to Xavier Rudd round 2 tonight!!
Keep it Crucial!
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Crucial Blog Entry #43
XAVIER RUDD rocks Toronto!!!
XAVIER RUDD, one of Australia finest exports and musicians, blessed Toronto with a soulful and passionate performance last night as part of a 2 night engagement at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
XAVIER's energy and talent is something that I have never seen before... his slide guitar playing while also playing the Didgeredoo, stomp box, drums and cymbols is something to watch in wonder and listen to in amazement.
If your looking for a new album to buy I would suggest Xavier Rudd's "WHITE MOTH".
visit Xavier at www.xavierrudd.com and if you have the chance to see this amazing artist Live, DO IT!!!
I am going to Xavier Rudd round 2 tonight!!
Keep it Crucial!
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD in ROCHESTER today!!! FREE SHOW at the PARTY in the PARK!
Thursday, July 16th, 2009 (10:20 a.m.)
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY #42
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD play a FREE SHOW in Rochester this evening as part of their PARTY IN THE PARK promotion to get people to come to Rochester and for fun for the locals that live their.
I for one have never been to Rochester and today will be a great trip on a sunny summer day to go see MY FAVOURITE BAND IN THE WORLD....if you don't already know SPEARHEAD, please check-em out at www.spearheadvibrations.com
CHRIS BLACKWELL of ISLAND RECORDS (Producer of Bob Marler & U2 calls Michael Franti) the MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOURING TODAY!!
Power to the Peaceful and have a great day everyone!!! I know that I will.
Keeping it Crucial in Rochester, N.Y.
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY #42
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD play a FREE SHOW in Rochester this evening as part of their PARTY IN THE PARK promotion to get people to come to Rochester and for fun for the locals that live their.
I for one have never been to Rochester and today will be a great trip on a sunny summer day to go see MY FAVOURITE BAND IN THE WORLD....if you don't already know SPEARHEAD, please check-em out at www.spearheadvibrations.com
CHRIS BLACKWELL of ISLAND RECORDS (Producer of Bob Marler & U2 calls Michael Franti) the MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOURING TODAY!!
Power to the Peaceful and have a great day everyone!!! I know that I will.
Keeping it Crucial in Rochester, N.Y.
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Sunday, July 12, 2009
OTTAWA BLUESFEST is Canada's BEST FESTIVAL of the SUMMER !!
Sunday July 11th, 2009 (10:20 a.m.)
CRUCIAL Blog entry #41
The 2009 line-up for the Ottawa Bluesfest is THE BEST CONCERT LINE-UP FESTIVAL IN CANADA THIS SUMMER!! Hands-down.
BEN HARPER was amazing on Thursday night playing not only great tracks from his new album but also GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES by Led Zeppelin and UNDER PRESSURE by QUEEN.
The highlight for me so far has been LINDSAY FERGUSON on FRIDAY night on the SUBWAY Stage with the Ottawa River glistening in the background as the sun was slowly setting on a beautiful and breezy summer evening. LINDSAY FERGUSON played 5 new songs and ended her set with a Tribute to Michael Jackson and played a groovin version DON'T STOP (TILL YOU GET ENOUGH) and she really brought the crowd together and made more than a few people cry with her unique and original interpretation of the classic MJ song.
SAM ROBERTS also rocked-out as well as STEVE EARLE !!
The OTTAWA BLUESFEST runs until Sunday July 19th at Lebreton Flats as well as other venues and Free shows in the Market.
Today is going to be a great day with MOTHER MOTHER, ANI DIFRANCO, JOE COCKER and many, many others...
Keeping It Crucial in Ottawa / Wakefield.
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
CRUCIAL Blog entry #41
The 2009 line-up for the Ottawa Bluesfest is THE BEST CONCERT LINE-UP FESTIVAL IN CANADA THIS SUMMER!! Hands-down.
BEN HARPER was amazing on Thursday night playing not only great tracks from his new album but also GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES by Led Zeppelin and UNDER PRESSURE by QUEEN.
The highlight for me so far has been LINDSAY FERGUSON on FRIDAY night on the SUBWAY Stage with the Ottawa River glistening in the background as the sun was slowly setting on a beautiful and breezy summer evening. LINDSAY FERGUSON played 5 new songs and ended her set with a Tribute to Michael Jackson and played a groovin version DON'T STOP (TILL YOU GET ENOUGH) and she really brought the crowd together and made more than a few people cry with her unique and original interpretation of the classic MJ song.
SAM ROBERTS also rocked-out as well as STEVE EARLE !!
The OTTAWA BLUESFEST runs until Sunday July 19th at Lebreton Flats as well as other venues and Free shows in the Market.
Today is going to be a great day with MOTHER MOTHER, ANI DIFRANCO, JOE COCKER and many, many others...
Keeping It Crucial in Ottawa / Wakefield.
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondent
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Friday, July 10, 2009
CHRIS VELAN OPENS FOR TOOTS & THE MAYTALLS & BURNING SPEAR / LINDSAY FERGUSON PLAYS BLUESFEST IN OTTAWA
Friday July 10th (9:20 a.m)
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY #41
CHRIS VELAN OPENS FOR TOOTS & THE MAYTALLS & BURNING SPEAR / LINDSAY FERGUSON PLAYS BLUESFEST IN OTTAWA
Chris Velan Opened for Toots & The Maytalls & Burning Spear last night in Montreal as part of the Montreal Jazz Festival.
I am so happy that Chris got such a great gig and it is amazing to see that his hardwork, talent and musicianship is being rewarded. Chris is now off for a West Coast swing into B.C. which includes a Performance at VIRGINFEST Vancouver July 25th.
If you have the opportunity to see CHRIS VELAN LIVE DO IT!!! You can also search for clips of him on YouTube and of course see a great performance of him on our homepage at www.crucialmatters.com Chris also did the Opening INtro music and his new album SOLIDAGO is THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE HEARD in years!!! HUNTING SEASON ROCKS!!
Another CRUCIAL CONCERT will take place tonight when LINDSAY FERGUSON takes the stage at the OTTAWA BLUESFEST at 6:15 tonight. If your within driving distance of Ottawa RIGHT NOW, I would say DON'T MISS THIS CONCERT!! Lindsay was voted the BEST NEW ARTIST of 2008 and her album SOUND has been voted one of the TOP 5 CANADIAN ALBUMS of 2008.
LINDSAY FERGUSON puts so much energy and passion into her live performances; she really does leave it all out there on the stage and I think that her star has the capability of rising as high as Sarah Mclauchlan's and that she has the voice of an angel.
I will send a copy of LINDSAY FERGUSON's album SOUND to the first person that e-mails me back to paul@crucialmatters.com and tells me what town Lindsay calls home.
Today's show will be more than Crucial!
Have a great day and great weekend everyone.
Play Safe & Play Crucially!
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondant
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY #41
CHRIS VELAN OPENS FOR TOOTS & THE MAYTALLS & BURNING SPEAR / LINDSAY FERGUSON PLAYS BLUESFEST IN OTTAWA
Chris Velan Opened for Toots & The Maytalls & Burning Spear last night in Montreal as part of the Montreal Jazz Festival.
I am so happy that Chris got such a great gig and it is amazing to see that his hardwork, talent and musicianship is being rewarded. Chris is now off for a West Coast swing into B.C. which includes a Performance at VIRGINFEST Vancouver July 25th.
If you have the opportunity to see CHRIS VELAN LIVE DO IT!!! You can also search for clips of him on YouTube and of course see a great performance of him on our homepage at www.crucialmatters.com Chris also did the Opening INtro music and his new album SOLIDAGO is THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE HEARD in years!!! HUNTING SEASON ROCKS!!
Another CRUCIAL CONCERT will take place tonight when LINDSAY FERGUSON takes the stage at the OTTAWA BLUESFEST at 6:15 tonight. If your within driving distance of Ottawa RIGHT NOW, I would say DON'T MISS THIS CONCERT!! Lindsay was voted the BEST NEW ARTIST of 2008 and her album SOUND has been voted one of the TOP 5 CANADIAN ALBUMS of 2008.
LINDSAY FERGUSON puts so much energy and passion into her live performances; she really does leave it all out there on the stage and I think that her star has the capability of rising as high as Sarah Mclauchlan's and that she has the voice of an angel.
I will send a copy of LINDSAY FERGUSON's album SOUND to the first person that e-mails me back to paul@crucialmatters.com and tells me what town Lindsay calls home.
Today's show will be more than Crucial!
Have a great day and great weekend everyone.
Play Safe & Play Crucially!
Paul Benoit
Producer / Writer / Crucial Correspondant
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
