NEIL DIAMOND--He opened a portal to my soul back in 1972. His poetic ballads nurtured me through lonesome spirals of my life and his zanier tunes energized me into doing housework. The critics are diffident about his singing but his appeal is undeniable. Attend a Neil Diamond concert and you'll see an audience that sings along enthusiastically, is on their feet most of the time, claps in uninhibited rhythm, and sweet talks him while he's on stage. Neil loves every minute of it, playing up to the crowd like a seasoned lover. And that's how most of the people view him, at least I know I do.
Here are other websites featuring Neil Diamond:
John Acorn is also host to "Twits & Pishers," a show about birdwatching. He goes out in the field to various locations across the U.S. and Canada to sight birds. His unique humor goes with him.
Louie hosted the ever popular game show "Family Fued" for several years before being shown the door on May 2002. .
JOHN ACORN THE NATURE NUT-- With the apt name of John Acorn (his real name), this low-key, offbeat but deceptively expert nature lover is a treat to watch as he unfolds simple tips and information about such mundane creatures as waterbugs, guppies, big wet rodents, and ungulates. His approach is fresh and whimsical, and he belts out an original and catchy song related to the show's featured species every episode.
RED GREEN--Canada's unofficial redneck. With his geeky nephew/producer Harold (Patrick McKenna who also appeared on "Traders" as Marty); Bill (Rick Green), the jack-of-all-trades who always has a few tricks up his overalls; and an assortment of other odd lollygaggers, Red (Steve Smith) is head of the Possum Lodge and master of "making do." Watch and laugh along with him as he makes fun of men being men and gives us tips on the many uses of duct tape.
His original show "Smith & Smith" was being aired on Rogers Cable channel, Comedy Network in London, Ontario in 1997. This was an engaging half hour with Steve and his wife, Morag Smith, singing their way through original songs and various skits. Hard to believe that they started out as school teachers. Ever want to see Red Green without his hat? Steve's wife is on the side.
LIFE WITH LOUIE--A sleeper of a cartoon starring comedian Louie Anderson. He survived three seasons, at least. You might not be able to find this nitty gritty, dysfunctional but loving family on your TV now but one never know when it will pop up again. Each episode is full of little gems of life as I've known it--the book under the edge of the sofa propping it up, pliers to turn the TV on, the plump and ever optimistic mother who knows how to cook every known casserole, the father who blunders through life, the fat kid who is wise beyond his years and has life thrust upon him. Through it all, the love the family shares shines through.
--Canadian-born singer who is widely known for writing the song, "Suzanne." After several months of hearing this low-voiced, narrative-type singer played in spurts on the radio and in record stores, I was compelled to buy one of his CD's. Now, I want his whole collection and am slowly building it. Listening to a Leonard Cohen album is like unwrapping a series of long-anticipated birthday presents. Stanzas jump out and wrap around your mind in delightful ways staying with you for days. He is a coffeehouse poet who has mastered the recording industry. Ironically, he started singing so that he could make enough money to pursue a career as a writer. Cohen has also written a few novels. Nowadays, he is living in a Zen community at Mt. Baldy in Los Angeles, and still writing songs in between life in the monastery.
--A sweetheart of a singer, Inuit by birth, beautiful in face and character, Susan Aglukark weaves Inuit words and tales into a tapestry of intrigue and satisfying song. She is another Canadian jewel. Her first album was "Arctic Rose", then came "This Child" which is my favorite. She also has a Christmas album. She is probably only found in Canadian stores and then back in the native section but she is well worth looking for.
My husband and I got to go see her in concert in a little town called Petrolia, Ontario which is a short hop from Sarnia which is right across the border from Port Huron, Michigan. The concert was held in a converted city hall so it made for a nice small audience. She is a very engaging, fresh-faced, and honest persona. Her music is just as much a delight to hear in real life as it is on CD. She interspersed songs with stories of where the ideas for the songs came from and stories about her background. As she looks out across the audience, she catches you in one of her smiles and focuses eye to eye with you. The hour and a half went fast.
