Wednesday, January 30, 2013

2 More Episodes of Ensemble on YouTube

All videos courtesy of Cable 14



Links: Wendell Ferguson, Jon Brooks, Judy Rideout, Shawn Brush



Links: Astrid Young, Dave Rave, Bill Culp, David Lum

Click here for more episodes

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Darrell Webb Band@Private Show) - - - Next (News Roundup + Videos of Steve Sinnicks, Ed Vandendool and Felicia McMinn)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darrell Webb Band@Private Show (January 20, 2013)







Link: Darrell Webb Band

Here is a bonus video from the opening band.



Links: Barn Katz, More Barn Katz Stories

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (New James Clark Jones CD) - - - Next (2 More Episodes of Ensemble on YouTube)

Monday, January 28, 2013

New James Clark Jones CD: the days of convenience

Oakville singer/songwriter James Clark Jones has created a multi-genre gem with the days of convenience, his latest CD.

The disc kicks off with a beautiful potry reading and then travels through jazz, blues, folk, celtic music and many other sonic territories.  No matter where the songs lead, they're all reinforced with great songwriting and storytelling.  Highlights include the bluesy/jazzy Cool, the power of Rising Young Man, and the sweet melancholy of Whisky.

James has put together a great team for this album.  Talented area musicians such as Mike Branton, Sarah Beatty, Rob Reed, and others add to this superb mix of tunes.

Unfortunetly, the CD was sold out.  You can download the album through his bandcamp page or purchase at iTunes

You can stream this amazing disc below.


Links: James Clark Jones, More CD Releases

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (News Roundup + Videos) - - - Next (Darrell Webb Band/Barn Katz@Private Show)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

New Ian Thomas CD: little dreams

It took legendary Dundas music veteran Ian Thomas 25 years to record the follow up to his last solo album, Levity (1988).  With the CD, little dreams (released through Alma Records/Universal), the wait is finally over and it was well worth it.

One thing you'll notice from this disc is the positivity of the lyrics. Ian manages to reflect on the joys and happiness of life without getting sappy and saccharin. You can't help but feel good after listening.

On this uplifting solo excursion, he's assisted by the very musicians responsible for keeping him so busy.  Former Boomers member Peter Cardinali produces the album and Ian's also joined by Lunch at Allen's bandmates Murray McLauchlan and Marc Jordan.


Together, the band has created a collection of laid-back catchy semi-poppy hooks to go with his outstanding voice.

The CD is available at his live show, in stores, and as a download through iTunes.

Click to hear the track, Life is Good.

Blast From the Past: Ian Thomas YouTube Videos

Links: Ian Thomas, More Ian Thomas Stories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse) - - - Next (News Roundup+Videos)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Trickbag (Acoustic)@Buddy's Roadhouse (January 12, 2013)





More Steve Earle Covers/Stories

Blast From the Past: Trickbag@Fieldcote

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories

------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Steve Strongman Wins Big at Maple Blues Awards) - - - Next (New Ian Thomas CD)

Steve Strongman Wins Big at Maple Blues Awards

Hamilton's own Steve Strongman has proven that he's just as much of an award winner for his acoustic work as he is for his electric sound.  He took home three Maple Blues Awards on January  21, 2013 (Recording, Guitar Player and Songwriter). CONGRATULATIONS!

Click here for the Spectator article.

Video below courtesy of RandallStaffordCook



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Other big winners included MonkeyJunk (Electric Act, Harmonica, Drummer) and Suzie Vinnick (Acoustic Act, Female Vocalist).

Below is a complete list.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Colin James

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
MonkeyJunk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
Suzie Vinnick

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Matt Andersen

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Steve Kozak

RECORDING OF THE YEAR
“A Natural Fact" Steve Strongman


BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)
Matt Minglewood

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Tedeschi Trucks Band

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Strongman

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Vest

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jon Wong

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR
Gary Kendall (Downchild)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Steve Strongman

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

John Valenteyn

Click here for more about the Maple Blues Awards

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (News Roundup+Videos) - - - Next (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Famous Framus YouTube Videos

All videos courtesy of Paul Bottos






Blast From the Past: Famous Framus Band@Rebel's Rock

Links: Famous Framus, More Famous Framus Stories

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (New Whitehorse CD) - - - Next (News Roundup + Videos)

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

New Whitehorse CD: The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss

The sophomore album from the talented local duo Whitehorse (Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet) has been getting rave reviews and even
won a Hamilton Music Award last year.

All those accolades are well deserved as the disc picks up where their incredible self-titled debut left off and then proceeds to expand their musical repertoire.

Yes, you can still hear some really catchy alt-folk-pop tunes (Peterbilt Coalmine, Devil's Got a Gun) but they have also added more texture this time around.  There's the slow artistry of Mexico Texaco; the funkiness of No Glamour in the Hammer and Jane, the emotional bluesy power of Achilles Desire, and much more.


The album is available through Six Shooter Records (as a CD, LP and download) or can be purchased  at iTunes.

Below are tracks from the CD, courtesy of Six Shooter Records.






Blast From the Past: Our Review of their Debut CD

Links: Whitehorse, More Whitehorse Stories, More CD Releases

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (News Roundup + Videos) - - - Next (Famous Framus YouTube Videos)

Thursday, January 10, 2013

News Roundup (Burnin' Ethyl, Jude Johnson, Frankie & Jimmy)

World
Funny and Weird
Blasts From the Past
Featured Videos 



Links: Burnin' Ethyl, More Burnin' Ethyl Stories, Video courtesy of April Severin



Links: Jude Johnson, More Jude Johnson Stories, Video courtesy of Jude Johnson



Links: Frankie and Jimmy, More Frankie and Jimmy Stories, Video courtesy of Steinberg321

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Dave Rave & Friends@Fenian Films) - - - Next (New Whitehorse CD)

Dave Rave and Friends@Fenian Films (December 15, 2012)

Dave Rave (guitar), Rick Andrew (bass, lead vocals on Break Up), Tim Gibbons (guitar, lead vocals on 3rd video) - These 3 were members of the ShakersMark Foley (guitar) Paul Panchezak (Trickbag) (drums ), Tom Wilson (Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings) (lead vocals on 4th video)





Click here for a Christmas song from this event

Blast from the Past: Dave Rave & friends@Fenian Films (2010)

Links: Dave Rave, More Dave Rave Stories

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Previous (New Jack de Keyzer CD)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

New Jack de Keyzer CD: Electric Love

Local bluesmaster Jack de Keyzer has always known how to the rock the blues.  With his latest release, Electric Love, the man's proven he can really amp it up and unleash the power.

The CD's high-energy, loud blues is like a call to arms: Jack means business.  There's no doubt he can riff with the best of them and his voice can rattle the walls if needed.


That's doesn't mean he's sacrificed nuance for power.  Amazing, soulful, funky and slinky grooves pepper the album.  He even finishes off the disc with a dynamic acoustic version of the title track.

Jack is ably aided an abetted by David McMorrow (Rough Trade) on keyboards, Alan Duffy on bass and Rick Donaldson on drums.  

The CD is available at his live shows, through Indiepool, and as a download through iTunes and eMusic.

Below is a live perfomance of the title track, courtesy of RandallStaffordCook.



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories
----------------------------------------------------------

Previous (News Roundup+Videos) - -- Next (Dave Rave & Friends@Fenian Films)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012: Year in Review

It turns out that 2012 was an incredible year for local music.  Many of our local performers received some well-deserved recognition and there was a ton of great local shows to enjoy.

One of the biggest local newsmakers this year was bluesman Harrison Kennedy.  He seems to have been nominated for everything in 2012: Hamilton Music Awards, Blues Music Awards, Maple Blues Awards, Junos.  The musician earned an HMA and later in 2013, we should find out if Harrison will win the others (Good luck!).  Also this year, fans were treated to his incredible Shame the Devil CD, he worked with Shakura S'Aida on Time ..., which ended up on Saturday Night Blues' Top 10 list of 2012and had one of the best tracks on the Santa's Got Mojo 2 compilation.

Steve Strongman also made a major splash in 2012 with the release of his acoustic CD, A Natural Fact.  The disc's producer, Rob Szabo won a Canadian Folk Music Award for his work on it and the disc was nominated for a 2013 Maple Blues Award (Steve won the MBA for guitarist of the year in early 2012).  On top of all that, A Natural Fact was on Saturday Night Blues' Top 10 list. Also in 2012, he played on one of the initial episodes of Ensemble and performed at the Blues With a Feeling Gala

On a sad note, we also lost a number of talented musicians such as Larry Coad, Steve Didemus, Levon Helm (the Band), Earl Scruggs, Davy Jones (Monkees), and Etta James. Our condolences to all their fans, friends, and family.

Most popular blog posts of 2012:
Other 2012 Highlights
Top 3 YouTube Videos


Links: Chuck JacksonMore Downchild Stories


Links: Arrogant WormsMore Arrogant Worms Stories


Links: Barn Katz - More Barn Katz Stories

Here's to an ever better 2013!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (12 Videos of Christmas: 9-12) - - - Next (News Roundup + Videos)