Kitchener's Richard Garvey Creates Pleasant, Inviting Album

Where Fools Gather, the latest album from Kitchener's Richard Garvey strikes a pleasant balance between good-time, friendly folk and ethereal, graceful, artistic numbers.  There's definitely something for everyone here.

Always well-written, the recording has an organic, welcoming feel that invites the listener to get lost in the moment.  Whether's it's dancing to the great banjo/mandolin/fiddle playing or hearing Richard's sometimes ghostly vocals spirit you away, every song will affect you.

Richard has a lot of stunning help from his friends.  They include Julia Narveson, Buck Thompson, Dan Henshall, Dave Soehner, Laura Dyck, Rachel Bruch, Eric Johnson-Scherger, Kate Romain, Richard Driedger, Dan Belgue, Josef Bell, and Jess Spencer.  Backing vocals by Celidh Barker, Laura Ashfield, Marina Marina, and Bill Howard.

Physical CD's are available at his wonderful live shows and through his Bandcamp page (you can download it there too).



Video above courtesy of Richard Garvey

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EXTRA MINI-REVIEWS!

Some recordings escape our radar, so occasionally we'll be catching up with some mini-reviews!

Richard's 2014 release, Happy Go Lucky (Go F%$k Yourself) is a mostly light hearted EP that'll get your toes  a' tapping.  It's available through Bandcamp.

Video above courtesy of Richard Garvey

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2013's EP, Listen, features Richard with a sparse sound that will enchant you with it's beautiful simplicity. His amazing voice is at its most expressive here.  The recording's available through Bandcamp.



Video above courtesy of Dave Pike

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Links: Richard Garvey, More Releases

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Dan Belgue Debut Album: Tall Tales and Dusty Trails

Waterloo singer/songwriter Dan Belgue makes a superb solo debut with his album Tall Tales and Dusty Trails. Its has an old fashioned, banjo-pickin', laid back, live-off-the floor feel.

You'll be tappin' your feet and groovin' to the uptempo tunes and basking in the glow of the lighter songs.  Either way, Dan's vocals will impress and the band's skill will blow you away.

That amazing group includes members of the Ever Lovin' Jug Band as well as Dave Rozell Soehner (mandolin/lap steel),Tim Pike (pump organ) and Laura Ashfield (harmony vocals).  They back up Dan perfectly.

You can download this incredible album at his Bandcamp Page



Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers



Video above courtesy of Dan Belgue

Links: Dan Belgue, More Dan Belgue Stories, More Releases

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New Vaudevillian Album: Beedle Am Bam

If you love pre-war blues,  you should definitely check out Beedle Am Bam the latest album from Kitchener's The Vaudevillian (aka Brendan J Stephens).  He and his co-horts have created amazing original tunes in the 1920s era style with a bit of a modern spin.

With a gritty, raw, almost punk-like approach, Brendan shouts and growls with gusto while backed by great old-time sounds such as kazoo, a resonator guitar, washboard (courtesy of Willow Walker) and much more.

There's also a team of fabulous banjo players such as Dan Belgue, Willie Ames, Joey Bell, Minnie Hart (also fiddle), Michelle Horel, Buck Thompson, and Bill Howard (also piano).

Together, they have created some wonderful ragtime music with some muscle and dirt in its soul.  The kind that sounds like it came from the speakeasies from the wrong side of the tracks.

You can download this must-have album from his Bandcamp page.







Videos above courtesy of Brendan J. Stephens

Links: The Vaudevillian, More Vaudevillian Stories, More CD Releases

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