Pages

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

New Whitehorse (Melissa McClelland/Luke Doucet) CD

Local singer/songwriters Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet have not only decided to merge their lives (they're married) but they've now chosen to intertwine their music.

The result is Whitehorse, the couple's new project, who's beautiful self-titled debut was recently released through Six Shooter Records.

These two definitely work well together musically. Both have strong voices but when they join together, the harmonies are wonderful.

Highlights include the infectious Killing Time is Murder and Broken, the powerful Passenger 24, and a wonderful version of Springsteen's I'm On Fire.

The album can be bought online at their site or downloaded through Six Shooter Records or iTunes.



Above video courtesy of LadybirdSanctuary



Video courtesy of InTheWoods



Video courtesy of CBCRadio3

Blast from the Past: The couple (and other musicians) play at a Corktown fundraiser, Part 2 of the same show

Links: Whitehorse, More Melissa McClelland Stories, More Luke Doucet Stories

Monday, February 27, 2012

Ray Materick You Tube Videos





Above two videos courtesy of LostInStars1



Above video courtesy of RedSkyRobot



Above video courtesy of MeatFreeZone.



Above video courtesy of CountryJazz1007

Blast From the Past: Ray Materick@Roots N Rails Festival

Monday, February 20, 2012

New Mike Daley Covers CD: One Till Two

Hamilton son Mike Daley's latest CD, From One Till Two, Vintage Jazz, Ragtime and Blues is an incredible collection of covers. You can practically hear the history in every note.

Mike does an amazing job with these jazzy pre-war numbers (such as Dinah, Rocking Chair, Jitterbug Waltz). Though he maintains the feel of the originals there is a modern polish to them. His guitar work and vocals are in great form here.

This is mainly a one man show as Mike handles guitar, bass, banjo and more. Jill Daley does join him on violin for the title track though. His frequent musical partner Alec Fraser helped mix the songs.

You can download the tracks on iTunes and eMusic.

Below are a few songs from the album courtesy of Mike's YouTube Page.







Links: Mike Daley, More Mike Daley Stories

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Duane Rutter's 50 Hour Guitarathon@Robot Cafe (February 4, 2012)









This was to raise money for Camp Trillium. Click the picture below if you want to donate.


Bonus videos courtesy of DaceGrayling





Blasts from the Past: Last Year's Guitarathon, Duane@Moonshine Cafe

Links:
Duane Rutter, More Duane Rutter Stories

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

Previous (
News Roundup w/ Bob Marley, Trogg, Kathleen Edwards,  Steve Strongman, more) - - - Next (The Barn Katz@Private Function)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Harrison Kennedy Nominated for Juno

Hamilton Blues legend Harrison Kennedy has received a nomination for the upcoming 2012 Juno Awards. His latest CD, Shame the Devil is up for the Blues album of the year.

Harrison is up against David Gogo, Bill Johnson, MonkeyJunk and Suzie Vinnick. We wish him luck!

For the Roots category, we have Bruce Cockburn, Craig Cardiff, Dave Gunning, David Francey, and Lindi Ortega vying for the Best Solo CD. The Good Lovelies, The Deep Dark Woods, The Once, The Wailin' Jennys, and Twilight Hotel are up for best Roots Group CD.

Other Hamilton-area nominees include the Arkells (Group, Rock CD), David Braid (Traditional Jazz), Diana Panton (Jazz Vocal), Junior Boys (Electronic).

The award ceremony will be broadcast live from Ottawa on April 1 on CTV.

Click here for the complete list of nominees

Click here for the Spectator article

Blasts from the Past: Our review of Shame the Devil, 2009 Juno Award Winners, Jack DeKeyzer Wins 2010 Juno, Daniel Lanois Wins 2011 Juno, All of our Juno Stories

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories

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

Previous (
Mo' Kauffey@Lancaster Smokehouse) - - - Next (Waterstreet Blues Band@Lancaster Smokehouse)

Monday, February 6, 2012

John Ellison Receives Rev. John C Holland Award


Congratulations to local soul legend John Ellison for receiving a Rev. John C Holland Award.  Every year, the honor is bestowed upon significant contributors to the community to celebrate Black History Month.  It was the 16th anniversary of the gala.

Ellison is best known as the writer of the 1967 international hit Some Kind of Wonderful.

Click here for the Spectator story

NEW FEATURE! Blasts from the Past: John Ellison and others performing at Stewart Memorial Church, When Ellison was our Performer of the Week

Links: John Ellison, More John Ellison Stories

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

Previous (
Douglas Watson@Lancaster Smokehouse) - - - Next (Mo' Kauffey@Lancaster Smokehouse)

Friday, February 3, 2012

New Mark McNeil and Kris Rochard CD: Shiny Things and Other Distractions

Hamilton singer/songwriter Mark McNeil and Toronto's Kris Rochard (both formerly of the Lowest Lanes) have teamed up for an amazing CD, Shiny Things and Other Distractions.

Mark's usual roots/country sound is enhanced by Kris' more modern pop-like sensibilities. Her sultry voice is a great contrast to Mark's rougher vocals. This combination gives the disc an eclectic, energetic feel.

Shiny Things weaves in and out of genres with ease. We have the funkiness of the title track, the country sounds of Outlaw of Love and the softer feel of Sunny Days With You (a runner-up in the International Song of the Year competition).

The duo are joined by Les Smith (Trickbag) on harmonica and harmony vocals, Mark Volkov on sax, and Derek Evernden on additional guitar. Mark and Dan Medavoic produced the disc.

As an added bonus, the physical CD can be purchased in a distractingly shiny metal case or standard cardboard packaging - both of which can be purchased at their live shows. The album is also available as a download on their Bandcamp web page.

Click here for song samples

Links: Mark McNeil, More Mark McNeil stories

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

Previous (News Roundup w/Kathleen Edwards, Terra Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, more) - - - Next (Douglas Watson@Lancaster Smokehouse)

Rita Chiarelli, Alfie Smith and others on Blind Lemon's Top 20


Congratulations to Hamiltonians Alfie Smith and Rita Chiarelli for making the top 20 of the Blind Lemon Blues list of the best Canadian Blues albums of 2011. They were numbers 13 and 9 respectively.

Here are the complete results:

20 - Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll
19 - Bill Durst - The Great Willy Mammoth
18 - Sabrina Weeks - Tales From Lenny's Diner
17 - Bill Johnson - Still Blue
16 - Fathead - Where's The Blues Taking Me?
15 - Al Wood & the Woodsmen - Mood Swingin' Blues
14 - Lou DeAdder - Headlights
13 - Alfie Smith - Sometimes The Rain
12 - Treasa Levasseur - Broad
11 - 24th Street Wailers - Dirty Little Young 'uns
10 - BC Read - 1,000 Miles
09 - Rita Chiarelli - Music from The Big House
08 - David Gogo - Soul Bender
07 - Jesse Roper - The Roper Show
06 - Suzie Vinnick - Me n Mabel
05 - Colin James - Take it from The Top
04 - Matt Andersen - Coal Mining Bues
03 - MonkeyJunk - To Behold
02 - Jeff Healey Band - Live at Grossmans in 1994
01 - Harpdog Brown - Naturally