Pages

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

New Dawn and Marra CD: Teaspoons and Tablespoons

Local indie folk duo Dawn and Marra have delightfully expanded their impressive sound with the latest disc, Teaspoons and Tablespoons.

The kick-off track, Wicked Little Girl,  is a powerful, funky call to arms signaling that the ladies are back and better than before.

Everything is enchanced: the harmonies are richer, the lyrics are more complex, and you can hear different musical influences throughout the album.

The ladies enlisted the help of members from the incredible band, Said The Whale and they do a bang-up job.

The CD is available at their live shows and as a download through their Their Bandcamp page, iTunes, and eMusic.

Below are videos from the album, courtesy of Dawn and Marra






Blast From the Past: Dawn and Marra CD: Never Ask Me Why

Links: Dawn and Marra , More Dawn and Marra Stories, More CD Releases

Previous (News Roundup w Podcasts, Kimberley Wetmore and Douglas Watson) - - - Next (News Roundup w/Chuck Jackson, Marty Allen, Slim Whitman)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New Melissa Bel CD: Don't Forget to Breathe

Burlington songstress Melissa Bel has really outdone herself with the latest album: Don't Forget to Breath. She's packed 7 songs with a ton of emotion, power, soul, and much, much more.

While each tune is unmistakeably done in Melissa's style, the lady's kicked things up a notch. The songs sound more soulful than ever, especially on All the Wrong Things and Close to Perfect.  Coffee on My Jeans is probably the most commanding track she's ever recorded.  The whole disc has amazing modern pop-like production.

This wonderful CD can be purchased at her live shows and at her website.  It can also be download through iTunes and eMusic.

Videos below courtesy of Melissa Bel





Blast from the Past: Melissa Bel EP -  Distance

Links: Melissa BelMore Melissa Bel Stories, More CD Releases

Previous (News Roundup w/Jesse O'Brien, Steve Dall and a new Canadian Blues book) - - - Next (Videos: 1st Annual Hamilton Blues & Roots Fest)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

New Paul Langille CD: Pine and Locke

It's been a long while (over 10 years) since we've heard a new CD from  hometown boy Paul LangillePine and Locke breaks that silence with great style.

On this impressive release, Paul uses his trademark growl but also goes beyond . You can experience the singer's range in the emotion of songs like Broken and Just a Broken Soul.  Then there's the blues power of Kind of Girl, the country style of Honky Tonk, the ragtime sounds of Home Sweet Home and more.  He can do it all!

The CD's title isn't the only nod to the singer/songwriter's steeltown roots.  Michael J. Birthelmer produced the disc at his Hamilton studio.  A bevy of area talent was also brought in to support Paul.  Members of Trickbag (Les Smith, Mike Hickey, Paul & Donna Panchezak) , Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation), Ed Roth, Brian Griffith, Lisa Winn, Jude Johnson, and others make wonderful contributions.  Paul also covers Playing to Win, a song by local musician Wayne Krawchuk (Banned From Heaven)

The marvellous CD is available at his live shows and as a download on iTunes.

Below is a track from the disc.



Blast from the Past: Paul Langille@Brantford Station Gallery

Links: Paul Langille, More Paul Langille Stories, More CD Releases

Previous (Videos: Trickbag w/James Anthony@Fool and Flagon) - - - Next (News Roundup w/Jesse O'Brien, Steve Dall and a new Canadian Blues book)

New John and Sheila Ludgate CD: Northern Soul

Northern Soul, the new CD by Burlington's John and Sheila Ludgate, will take its lucky listeners on a magical journey.

Musical travels take you back and forth to the 60s and the era of peace and love.  Stops in between celebrate Canada, reveal heartbreaks, and even give you a chuckle.

Powerful lyrics guide the listener though the myriad of locations and emotions the songs conjure up. Everything is backed by wonderful musicianship.

John and Sheila have once again enlisted their talented sons (all members of Beautiful Nothing) to help them prepare this journey.  Anthony (who also produces) and Luke play guitar plus Shane offers drums, percussion and string arrangements.  Joining the family is the sublime David Lum, whose slide guitar, acoustic guitar, and mandolin can be heard on a number of tracks.

To explore this CD, you can pick it up at any of their live shows or contact them through their website.  It's also available as a download through iTunes.

Below is a video from the CD.



Blast From the Bast: John and Sheila's CD: Running Through the Innocent Years

Links: John and Sheila LudgateMore John and Sheila StoriesMore CD Releases

Previous (News Roundup w/King Biscuit Boy, Terra Lightfoot, Jackie Washington) - - - Next (Videos: Trickbag w/James Anthony@Fool and Flagon)

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

New Sue Leonard EP: Leonardville

As soon as you hear Sue Leonard's voice on her new EP, Leonardville (from Race Records), you know the lady means business.  This Hamilton-born singer/songwriter can rock you as well as soothe you.

Everything starts with an incredible bang thanks to Bye Baby, the high-energy opening track.  What follows is a wonderful mix of pop, rock and soul.  After Sue is done shaking your body, she soothes your soul with two beautiful lighter tunes (Quietude and Angel).

On most of the tracks, the singer is expertly backed by Bill Dillon on guitars and bass, Dave King on Drums, and Georgie Fab (Ronnie and the Rockets) on guitar.  Jesse O'Brien plays piano on a track as well.  The whole gang do a superb job.

The EP is available to download on her website.

Video of the opening track below.



Links: Sue Leonard, More CD Releases 

Previous (Michael Pickett/Mike Branton/Mighty Duck Blues Band@The Duck) - - - Next (News Roundup w/King Biscuit Boy, Terra Lightfoot, Jackie Washington)

Monday, June 3, 2013

Kathleen Edwards on John Denver Tribute

Kathleen Edwards was a great choice to perform All of My Memories for The Music Is You - a Tribute to John Denver.  The local singer/songwriter does an incredible job using her amazing voice and guitar work to put her own spin on such a classic tune.

She holds her own beside great covers by Dave Matthews, Train, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Mary Charin Carpenter and others.

Here is the track listing.

Leaving on a Jet Plane - My Morning Jacket
Take Me to Tomorrow - Dave Matthews
All of My Memories - Kathleen Edwards
Prisoners - J Mascis and Sharon Van Etten
Sunshine on My Shoulders - Train
Back Home Again - Old Crow Medicine Show
This Old Guitar - Lucinda Williams
Some Days Are Diamonds - Amos Lee
Rocky Mountain High - Allen Stone
Annie's Song - Brett Dennen and Milow
Looking For Space - Evan Dando
Take Me Home, Country Roads - Brandi Carlile and Emmylou Harris
The Eagle and the Hawk - Blind Pilot
I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Darcy Farrow - Josh Ritter and Barnstar!
Wooden Indian - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

The CD is available at many music stores and as a download on iTunes and eMusic.

Blast From the Past: Kathleen Edwards and Stan Rogers on Top Canadian Singers List

Videos below courtesy of John Denver Archives.



Links: Kathleen Edwards, More Kathleen Edwards Stories



Links: Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, More Emmylou Harris Stories



Link: Lucinda Williams

Links: More John Denver stories/covers, More CD Releases 

Previous (News Roundup w/Burnin' Ethyl, Zacharay Aasman, Chris Chambers) - - - Next (Michael Pickett/Mike Branton/Mighty Duck Blues Band@The Duck)