Canadian music scene bursting with energy FINAL Edition

• Published in: The Gazette (Montreal)
• Main Author: Pearson, Peter
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Montreal, Que Postmedia Network Inc 09.11.1991
• ISSN: 0384-1294

While The Commitments is set very much in Ireland, it could well be a Canadian story. Because, across this country, we are enjoying an outbreak of similarly delightful bands from Vancouver to St. John's: bands whose own commitment to tapping and exploiting the music of their regions is catching fire, drawing audiences back into clubs, and providing an onflowing stream of CDs, which are getting airplay on radio. The decline of the Quebec anglophone population has made it difficult for Montrealers to see and hear most of these artists. They sing of a Canada that is far removed from Quebec and its concerns. They sing of their land, with a pride and passion that explains much of the aroused emotion now stirring from Bonavista to Mission, B.C. Now, whether the stations are rock, C & W, or middle-of-the-road, abundant choice exists from this cornucopia of talent. Twenty years ago the artists sang shyly about their land; now they are belting out anthems, which are finding enthusiastic reception not only in Canada, but increasingly around the world: Bryan Adams plays everywhere, as does Celine Dion. [Rita MacNeil] makes a glittering Australian tour, Figgy Duff tours Europe to sold-out houses.