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Cesare Bonizzi sings God’s greatest hits

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There is a 62 years young, Franciscan monk that seems to have had a divine musical intervention with the big guy.

The thing is, he had it through the most unlikely of mediums … Metallica and Megadeth music! I wonder if anyone has translated the lyrics into his native tongue? I honestly do not know how this post is going to turn out, so here goes and don’t tell my mom!

Being brought up in a fairly strict catholic family, I always had the image of the Franciscan monk, as a very pious old man wearing the traditional brown vestment and singing Gregorian chants, which was invented by the Franks. The Franks were West Germanic tribes, first identified in the 3rd century as an ethnic group living north and east of the Lower Rhine, ok the religious history lesson is over for today kidz!Saint/priest Padre Pio, is the one who comes to mind when thinking of a monk. After this post, I just may change your idea of the singing Monk!

To many he is known as Brother Cesare Bonizzi and to others Fratello Metallo (“Brother Metal”). He has a not bad voice, but he might want to work on his stage presence. What do you think?

Keep on Jammin’





The Old Grey Whistle Test

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This was a very popular BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It was the British version of North American’s Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert show … or is it the other way around? It first went on air in September 1971 and lasted for 16 years. The final show was broadcast on Dec. 01, 1987.

I just happened to run into this gem of an old show while researching my post about Allan Holdsworth on this blog.

… a ‘tin pan alley’ phrase from years ago. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys [doormen in grey suits] . The ones they could remember and could whistle having heard it just once or twice had passed the old grey whistle test. The meaning behind the name

To say that it became one of the most influential music shows for a generation would be an under statement.

This show had everything you wanted in a 1970’s – 1980’s Rock & Roll variety show! I’ve never seen this show, but maybe that was because I live on another continent! Anyways, check out the line up of who played on this show!

The first British TV performance of Bob Marley and the Wailers, U2, The Ramones, Supertramp, Eric Clapton, The Police, John Lennon Lynyrd Skynyrd, Talking Heads, David Bowie (beautiful) and Edgar Winter Group, just to name a few!

“I owe my whole solo career to The Old Grey Whistle Test. Mike and Bob were the only people who had faith in ‘The Six Wives of Henry VIII’ Rick Wakeman

They also did some great interviews of the musicians of the time. Keith Moon, The Rolling Stones, A very young Muddy Waters, Tom Scholz and Brad Delp of Boston, John Lennon part 1 & 2.

Another way to promote bands that where not actually playing on the show, was making a video of the song, specifically for the show. I’ve never heard of any show, or band for that matter doing something like this. It is really a testament to what lengths a band would go to, just to be put on the show! Led Zeppelin, Mike Oldfield were some of them!

So hats off to the grand old lady of British Rock Variety shows, The Old Grey Whistle Test!

Keep on Jammin’

Rock and Roll Tattoo artist

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To me, tattoo’s represent the Rock ‘n Roll image, but that seems to be changing quite a bit these days. Tattoos are works of art if done properly. They can be a very personal expression of yourself to the world, but of course they should be done safely and correctly. If your looking for an excellent tattoo artist to help you with this, and you live in the Toronto area, then I may have found the one that you are searching for.

His name is Mark Naraine. We met this polite and courteous young man many years ago. He works part-time at a large high-end grocery store, close to our home. Mark is always friendly, helpful and never too busy to answer any of your requests, even if he is outside his specific specialty. Over the years we have started talking to him on a more personal level. We discuss a variety of subjects and one day his love of tattoos came up.

He didn’t seem like the kind of person who would have one, let alone be a tattoo artist. When he talked about his love of this art form, he described every facet about the procedures and the negative aspects of his trade to the general public. The one thing that stood out in our mind was his attention to the safety factor in his line of work. I have this uncanny ability to figure out what kind of a person you are, in a very short period of time, and my senses were telling me that this guy was for real.

The other day I saw him again. Having not seen him for ages, I asked him what he had been up to recently. He told me where he was working and I took note of it and went home to check out these places. As it turns out, they are highly recommended shops to have a tattoo done at.

He works at Abstract Arts and East Side Tattoo. Check out some of his work and I bet you’ll be impressed, I know I was.

Even thought I do not have a tattoo, I do think that they are neat to look at. My wife was interested in one many years ago, but I think she’s lost the drive to get one done. Has anyone had one done at any of these shops, we’d love to hear your feedback.

Keep on Jammin’

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