Joni Mitchell’s Masterpiece, “Both Sides Now”

by Kevin Burton    Turning on the radio is like opening a musical fire hydrant. The product comes at you fast and   furious.     When I was young I lacked the discernment to understand that some of the musical water being spewed out by that hydrant was more nourishing than some of the other.    …

A New Tool In The Fight For Braille Literacy

by Kevin Burton    Last week we ran a story about subjects that are either gone from classrooms or close to it (“Subjects No Longer Taught (Much) In Schools,” March 6.)    That got me thinking about Braille.     While growing up at the Ohio State School for the Blind, I just assumed that all …

50 Years Ago, Terry Jacks’ “Season In The Sun”

by Kevin Burton    When you move into a house, you see it and feel it in a way all your own. You inhabit that space with your special vitality.    The way others see that space, if they see it at all, may be interesting, but it lays no lasting hold on you.    …

Canada: So Close, So Livable, Why Not?

by Kevin Burton  Americans alarmed and disgusted by extreme left-wing and right-wing elements destroying their country bit by bit, can look north to a quite agreeable landing spot.       We posted part of a BBC story, stating that Mexico is the favorite location for expatriates (“Survey Names Mexico best Location For Expats,” Sept. 16).    …

Last Of The Original Temptations Looks Back

by Nick Krewen Special to the Toronto Star    Sixty-three years on, Otis Williams is still at the helm of one of the greatest Motown acts of all-time, the Temptations.    Not only does the tenor and baritone vocalist continue to tour with the group into its seventh decade as its only original member, but …

Café Owner To Pay Fine For Discrimination

by Lisa Steacy CTV News    The owner of a B.C. café has been ordered to pay a woman, who is legally blind, $12,000 in compensation for discrimination after she was refused service because she had a guide dog.     The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruled on the case last week and the decision was …

Hope You Relish This Juicy Hot Dog News

by Kevin Burton    Some things need a day to call attention to themselves, some things don’t.    For instance, today is national Stick Out Your Tongue Day. If for some twisted reason you wanted to draw attention to that, you need to declare a day.    The humble, but simultaneously mighty hot dog however, …

The DJs Made Old-Time Radio Come Alive

by Kevin Burton    Music fans who go back as far as the 80s and especially before, badly miss the old days of radio.     You had music historians, actual musicians and others who loved music, choosing what records hit the airwaves. It was a wacky, fun time for listeners across musical genres. It was …

“If You Could Read My Mind” Is A Masterpiece

by Kevin Burton    The greatest songwriters will leave room in their songs so you can climb in, look around and make yourself at home.    Just be careful, there is going to be a mirror in there in the place you least expect. You’re going to see yourself.  You’re going to be confronted. If …

Raised On Radio: Rush Makes A Statement

by Kevin Burton    The Band Rush made a musical comment on the state of radio in 1980’s “The Spirit of Radio.”  It took me more than 40 years to get wind of it.    Though they made reference to the lyrics of two of my heroes, Simon and Garfunkel, in the song, they didn’t …