Here’s my next “Mags’ Jazz” piece — storytelling and music inspired by Ken Nordine’s “Word Jazz” style.

In “Out of Proportion“, a shopping mishap leads a woman to discover that clothes don’t make the woman…or the man.

And naturally, there is accordion.

Enjoy the video on our YouTube channel.

Please hit the like button and subscribe to our channel. That’s a super easy way to support us.

Music & Lyrics by M. Martin
Musicians:
Maggie “Mags” Martin: composer, vocals, accordion, & synths
Gary “GDub” Wium: bass

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I’ve been creating some pieces loosely inspired by Ken Nordine’s Word Jazz – narration over background music.

Nordine is one of my early, big influences. He told tales and made commentary on the world with a fabulous, mellifluous voice over the sounds of cool jazz by the Fred Katz group.

I listened to the albums over and over and over when I was a kid.

First up is “Actual Factual”, a laid-back groove in which I have something to say about disinformation. Of course, there is accordion.

Enjoy the video on our YouTube channel. Please hit the like button and subscribe to our channel. That’s a super easy way to support us.

Listen to the audio file on our BandCamp.

“However Improbable” is a confection of ska, border polka, country, dance and brass band. The tune, written by yours madly, is a perfect example of the Mad Maggies “Hard to Describe, Easy to Love” style.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

-– Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, stated by Sherlock Holmes

Watch the video However Improbable on our YouTube channel.

The video features fantastic, detailed illustrations by Montreal artist Daniel Fiorito.

For a high quality audio file, go to our BandCamp.

After so much warm, humid here in Montréal, it is hard to believe that the streets were covered in snow just a few months ago.

Enjoy a very snowy, wintry trip through the streets of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montreal, Quebec while listening to The Mad Maggies’ release Groove d’Hiver* (Winter Groove), a dub-infused instrumental.

Watch and like on YouTube.

Listen to a high quality audio file on our BandCamp

 

The Streets of Montreal. I had big fun filming the hood during snow storms. Each shot had to have snow falling.

The streets I wandered looking for video shots for Groove d’Hiver are specifically the streets of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (Ho-Ma) and Viauville, two neighbourhoods on the eastern side of the island of Montréal which border the St. Lawrence River.

Before the Europeans came, Iroquois inhabited the area. By the early 1800s, it was a rural village, then a working class slum, then a busy manufacturing district. By the 1980s, the manufacturing sector had shrank and the economic decline hit the area hard. There is some rebound now because of the affordability of the real estate.

All this history makes the area’s urban landscape a hodgepodge of blight and gentrification. There’s Beaux Arts architecture from its glory days, remnants of factories, blocks of condos, empty storefronts and plenty of graffiti. Alleyways thread through the backs of most streets, some rough and ignored, some family friendly and “greened”. Copper-clad church steeples are everywhere.

A New Release!

The Mad Maggies’ new song Reva’s Revelation is now available in high quality audio download from our BandCamp: https://musicshop.themadmaggies.com/track/revas-revelation

I named the tune for the main character in the wonderful Swedish movie “Border”. This fantastical tale of self-discovery by director Ali Abbasi is a must-see.

Over the last ten years, my love Gary and I have crossed the North American continent twice by train and over 7 times by car, besides several times by plane.

I especially love the open road and videotaped many stretches along the way.
You can see some of that footage in the video.

Enjoy!

Happy Spring!

We have just released a new single. ☠️🎶☠️🎶☠️🎶

 

Blue Ska” is our version of an early Ska classic from Jamaica. We recorded and mixed the tune at Wally Sound in Oakland, California.

Listen to it for free on our BandCamp page. Throw in a dollar and you can download your own hi-fi file.

This is a very danceable groove that will surely please your endocannabinoid system. 😉

That’s right. Researchers have discovered that when we’re in motion, we release Anandamide the body’s naturally occurring cannabinoid that is similar to THC. This clever neurotransmitter (aren’t they all?) relieves anxiety.

So, lifting your legs will definitely lift your spirits. And, like the good musicians we are, we’re here to help.

Cue up “Blue Ska”, picture a warm beach with blue skies and start shaking that booty.