[The Horrible Esthete]

Are you suggesting that American Jazz & Blues is superior to our version of Jazz & Blues? Or did you mean to say that our musical tastes would never have been born if it weren't for the influences from the south?

First of all, there is no such thing as 'your version' of jazz and blues -- if it's "jazz", then it's a music style which was born in the USA; if it's "blues", then its a musical style also born in the USA. But yes -- what I was suggesting was that if it weren't for jazz and Delta Blues, the landscape of popular music across the US and Canada (and beyond) would not even be remotely the same as it exists today.

There is plenty of classic American music that will continue to live on.....but it isnt't recent. Sorry, but, Canada has simply put out a better product over the last twenty years without a doubt. f**k there is probably better polka music out there in comparison to recent American bands

How do you figure? By what standard? How could you even pretend to have evaluated all American & Canadian music over the last 20 years? You do know that there is a slew of music that doesn't ever surface on network or cable TV, Billboard, American OR Canadian radio, and on the shelves of your local department or record store, right?

EDIT: I do agree that Canada's "popular" (commercial) music scene has been giving the masses a better product that the American "commercial" music scene....but I learned a long LONG time ago that if you want to find good American music, the radio and TV are the worst places to look.

[The Horrible Esthete]

I think you mean "All Songs Considered" which is a music programme on NPR.

There is an NPR program called "All Things Considered" (not focused on music), and a program called "World Cafe" (exclusively music).

[tootragic]

I know they are what they are in the states, and I don't personally care if they appeal to the mainstream American nor do I think they care that much. I just figure they tour in the states why not preform on a late night show such as Letterman or Conan - this wasn't meant to be a USA/Canada thread.

[emperor penguin]

Surprisingly Letterman has on a lot of obscure, minor indie bands. He had a band from Flamborough, Ontario on there a couple of months back. And a great band I've been listening to a lot lately, Beirut, made their late night show debut on there in the winter, it was an amazing performance.

[sullivand]

Surprisingly Letterman has on a lot of obscure, minor indie bands. He had a band from Flamborough, Ontario on there a couple of months back.

And you'd think there'd be a Canadian connection with Paul Shaffer. Would be cool to see them on there, but no holding my breath.

[SoylentGreg]

Frankly, I think a good review from Pitchfork would do way more for them then some awkward talk show spot. Especially with the "indieness" of this album compared to the last few.

[chris]

Frankly, I think a good review from Pitchfork would do way more for them then some awkward talk show spot. Especially with the "indieness" of this album compared to the last few.

That, and an appearance on Ellen.