Christopher Clause and Friends - Westside Theatre (September 24, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.







He is joined by Mark McIntyre (bass) and Michael Scott (drums)



The band is joined by Amy King (keys, vocals), Lisa Winn (vocals), Andrew Aldridge (guitar), Chris' wife Rose-Fraces on tambourine and their children Emma & Riley on Ukulele



Links: Christopher Clause - More Christopher Clause Stories

More of Christopher's Round CD Release Party

• Chris and Christa
• Bob Bryden
• Review + video footage
• Pictures of the show

New Christopher Clause CD: Round

Round, the latest CD from Hamilton musician Christopher Clause, received quite a bit of fanfare at its release party on September 24, 2010 at the Westside Theatre.

The attention was definitely warranted. Most of the songs on the disc are catchy, high-energy pop rock (Surreal But Beautiful, Friday Smile, Under the Weather, more). They're in the cool spirit of the 60s without being derivative. Throughout the album, the sounds are peppered with fuzz, wailing guitars and other neat features. You can even hear some touches of classical, bluegrass and more.

To end off the collection, Christopher brings us a few wonderful slow songs: Brilliant Treble, Beautiful Mile (dedicated to his late sister), and Love Can Change the World (featuring a choir full of talented local singers such as Chris and Christa, Lianne Cranfield, Kim Koren, Karen Johnson, Fred Magie, Fred D Smith, Kori Pop, and more).

Other great local musicians on the album include Bob Bryden (harmony/backing vocals), Michael Scott (drums), Spider Costello (drums, backing vocals), Lisa Winn (backing vocals) Amy King (backing vocals, engineering) and Bob Doidge on multiple instruments. On Tambourine Bruise Christopher's even joined by his two children Emma and Riley.

To top things off this recording is even available on vinyl! The record, CD or digital download can can be purchased at the Foot Records web site.

The singer/guitarist managed to recreate many of the powerful songs from the disc live at the Cd release party. Below are a few performances featuring songs from the new CD. Click here if you can't see them.

Personnel: Amy King (keys, vocals), Mark McIntyre (bass), (Lisa Winn (vocals), Christopher Clause (guitar, vocals, keys on Beautiful Mile), Michael Scott (drums), Andrew Aldridge (guitar), Bob Bryden (vocals on Surreal But Beautiful & Love Can Change the World)











Additional musicians for Love Can Change the World:Fred Magie, Fred D Smith, Lena Montecalvo, Chris and Christa, Lianne Cranfield, Karen Corinth, Frank Koren (guitar, right)

Click here for pictures of the show

Links: Christopher Clause - More Christopher Clause Stories

Bob Bryden and Friends @ Westside Theatre (September 24, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Calvin Roy (bass), Bob Bryden (vocals, acoustic guitar) Michael Allen Guild (drums), Dan Cummings (electric guitar), Chris and Christa (on Leopard Skin Cadillac)









This was the Christopher Clause CD Release Party. We'll be posting more footage from this show soon. Click here for Chris and Christa's opening performance.

Links: Bob Bryden, More Bob Bryden Stories

Chris, Christa and Friends @ Westside Theatre (September 24, 2010)

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Left to right: Steve Kennedy (bass), Michael Scott (drums), Christa (vocals), Chris (acoustic guitar), Frank Koren (electric guitar)







Bob Bryden joined them on guitar for a song.



Links: Chris and Christa - More Chris and Christa Stories

This was the Christopher Clause CD Release Party. We'll be posting more footage from this show soon.

Music Showcase@Ancaster Fair (September 23, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.





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Links: Shawn Trotter - More Shawn Trotter Stories

Click here for photos of the event

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Previous (Overplayers@Slainte) - - - Next (Chris and Christa@Westside Theatre)

The Overplayers@Slainte (September 17, 2010)

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Bonus videos from their June 24th performance at Slainte.





Click here for more video from this performance

Links: The Overplayers Site - More Overplayers Stories

Dawn Larsh and Marrakech Koren @ Studio at Hamilton Place

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The duo opened up for Kim Koren's CD Release Party. Click here for footage from that show (they also sang backup)

Click here for photos of the event.

Links: Dawn Larsh - More Dawn Larsh Stories - Marrakech Koren - More Marrakech Koren Stories

New Kim Koren CD + Release Party

Dundas singer/songwriter Kim Koren's new album, Raven Heart, is an amazing evolution of her previous work.

As always, the melodies are superb plus her voice is powerful and warm. In this collection though, she has increased the musical energy.

Not only can Kim really rock out (If There's a Way, She's Got) but she can also be wonderfully delicate (Where Are You Living Now and the lovely lullabye, Spiders and Snails). There is even a bit from a tape recording of herself at 5 years old singing Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Joining this talented musician are her husband Frank Koren (guitar), Mark McIntyre (bass), Danny Lockwood (drums), and Colin Lapsley (Wurlitzer). As well, the CD has appearances from Lisa Winn, Steve Strongman, and Amy King. Local rock legend Tom Wilson also lends a hand by co-writing the great title track.

The CD is available at her shows and through iTunes.

Links: Kim Koren Site - Frank Koren Site - More Kim Koren Stories - More Frank Koren Stories

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Paul Langille @ Brantford Station House (September 12, 2010) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.












Click here for Part 1

Click here for Paul's site

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Paul Langille @ Brantford Station House (September 12, 2010) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.











Click here for Part 2

Click here for Paul's site

Rick Kricket, Lena Montecalvo and David Crossley @ Plough and Harrow (September 11, 2010)

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Links: Rick Kricket - More Rick Kricket Stories - Lena Montecalvo - More Lena Montecalvo Stories - Deacons (Rick and David were members of this band)

Harrison Kennedy and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (September 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Brian Griffith (guitar), Sean O'Grady (drums), Harrison Kennedy (vocals), Colin Lapsley (bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)









Links: Harrison Kennedy - More Harrison Kennedy Stories

More Locke Street Festival Videos

• John Mays
• Matthew Barber

Click here for photos of the event

New Rita Chiarelli CD: Sweet Paradise

Hamilton-born blues goddess Rita Chiarelli recently unleashed her latest rockin' CD, Sweet Paradise.

On this album, the guitarslinger shows off her soulful voice and incredible musicianship. Her talent is showcased on slower songs (Rest My Bones, Home) and upbeat tunes (French Kiss, Going Down to New Orleans). Rita even throws in some cool jazz licks (If It Was Love, Back to Blue), and country sounds (Cowboy's Lullabye).

The CD is available at her shows, various music stores and online shops.

Links: Rita Chiarelli - More Rita Chiarelli Stories - Listen to Samples of the CD

Below are a few YouTube videos with songs from the album. Click here if you can't see them.







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Matthew Barber and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (Sept. 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Band features Jesse O'Brien on keys









Links: Matthew Barber - Jesse O'Brien - More Jesse O'Brien Stories

More Locke Street Festival Videos

• John Mays
• Harrison Kennedy

Click here for photos of the event

John Mays and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (September 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Brian Griffith (guitar - last two videos), Mark LaForme (guitar), Sean O'Grady (drums) John Mays (Fathead)(Vocals), Colin Lapsley (Bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)











More Locke Street Festival Videos

• Matthew Barber
• Harrison Kennedy

Click here for photos of the event

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Local YouTube Videos (Russ Wilson, Bernie Moffat, Chairmen of the Board)

Russ Wilson



Click here if you can't see it.

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Bernie Moffatt



Click here if you can't see it.

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Chairmen of the Board (Harrison Kennedy was in this band)



Click here if you can't see it.

Groove Corporation @ Burlington Ribfest (September 4, 2010)

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Links: Groove Corporation - More Groove Corporation Stories

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New JP Riemens CD: Dirty Sunset

Local singer/songwriter J.P. Riemens recently celebrated his brand new CD: Dirty Sunset. Even after many releases, JP has managed to bring fresh new ideas to his sound.

While still in the country vein, the disc manages to seamlessly incorporate folk, rock, a touch of blues, a bit of jazz and more. On top of everything else, JP's incredible lyrics add depth to whole proceedings.

On this disc, you'll find great toe-tappers (Roosevelt's Dancehall, This Girl Don't Cry) and slow, sweet songs (All Grown Up, Six Feet Under).

The amazing Brian Griffith lends his talented guitar-work to the CD. He's joined by Carrie Ashworth on bass, Danny Lockwood on drums, Eric Bouchet on keys, and Michael Fonfara on Hammond organ.

The disc is currently available at his shows.

To commemorate the new release, JP performed with Brian Griffith at the Cat N Fiddle on September 2, 2010. Below are a few videos - the first is a song from the new album.

Click here if you can't see the videos.









Links: JP Riemens - More JP Riemens Stories

New Sarah Harmer CD: Oh Little Fire

Juno nominated, Burlington singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer recently released her latest wonderful CD, Oh Little Fire.

While the music is more on the poppy side (including some really catchy hooks!), there's still an element of folkiness to the disc. She even includes some country elements, especially on the track Silverado.

Her amazing voice is in top form and the songwriting is superb.

Sarah is also backed up by great musicians and even enlisted the help of Neko Case and Metric's Jimmy Shaw to handle some vocal duties.

Please note that the iTunes version of the album includes 2 acoustic versions, a bonus track and artist commentary.

Below are a few live videos (courtesy of MoNoHair) of Sarah performing songs from the album.







Links: Sarah Harmer - More Sarah Harmer Stories

Carolina Blue: A Tribute to Michael O'Brien @ Corktown (August 29, 2010) Part 3

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Steve Strongman (guitar), Jack deKeyzer (guitar, vocals), Danny Lockwood (drums), Nick Nickafor (bass), Jesse O'Brien(keys)



Later on they were joined by John Till (Janis Joplin) (guitar, left), Sonny Del Rio (sax)





Then Harrison Kennedy (vocals) joined in for a few numbers.





Links: Michael O'Brien - Jesse O'Brien - More Jesse O'Brien Stories - Jack deKeyzer - More Jack deKeyzer Stories

Click for Part 1 - Click here for Part 2

Carolina Blue: A Tribute to Michael O'Brien @ Corktown (August 29, 2010) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

John Till (Janis Joplin) (guitar left on 1st four songs), Jack deKeyzer (guitar, vocals on 1st 4 songs), Danny Lockwood (drums), Nick Nickafor (bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys, vocals on Watching the River Flow), Steve Strongman (guitar on Watching the River Flow)












Links: Michael O'Brien - Jesse O'Brien - More Jesse O'Brien Stories - Jack deKeyzer - More Jack deKeyzer Stories
Click for Part 1 - Click here for Part 3

Carolina Blue: A Tribute to Michael O'Brien @ Corktown (August 29, 2010) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

John Till (Janis Joplin)(guitar left, vocals on Buried Alive in the Blues), John Mays (Fathead)(vocals, 1st 3 songs), Danny Lockwood (drums), Nick Nickafor (bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)









The band was later joined by Steve Strongman (guitar) and Harrison Kennedy (vocals)





Links: Michael O'Brien - Jesse O'Brien - More Jesse O'Brien Stories
Click here for Part 2 - Click here for Part 3

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Cool Fool by Doug Carter Explores Local Music Scene

Depending on your age, Cool Fool: Blues Rockin' in the Hammer by bassist Doug Carter, will be either a wonderful trip down memory lane or an entertaining history lesson. This amazing memoir chronicles Doug's days as a bassist for numerous Hamilton (mainly blues) bands from the sixties onward.

The author's writing style is very loose and informal, which definitely fits a book about the blues. It's an easy, fun read. Peppered with many unique photos, the memoir is a great experience.

Doug's co-star for this book would have to be the late King Biscuit Boy, his longtime friend and musical partner as they both struggle with making a living in the music industry. The memoir also doubles as a look at the local blues legend's early days.

Along the way, the writer touches on his encounters with many local music makers such as Harrison Kennedy, the Stingrays, Guitar Mikey, Jack DeKeyzer, and many more. Doug starts the book off with a wonderful story about an encounter with the legendary Muddy Waters.

This book is a must have for all local music fans, no matter what your age.


Below is a video promoting the book. Click here if you can't see it.