Hamilton Blues Lovers: 2011

Saturday, December 17, 2011

12 Videos of Christmas 2011: 1-4

PLEASE NOTE: ONE OF THE VIDEOS HAS BEEN REMOVED

Links: More video from this show, Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush Stories

Links: More Videos from this show, Wendell Ferguson, More Wendell Ferguson Stories

Links: More Video From This Show, Kelly Jay, More Crowbar Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, More Chuck Berry Covers/Stories

Click here for videos: 5-8
Click here for videos 9-12

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Smoke Wagon Blues Band@Plough and Harrow (December 10, 2011) Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Bonus videos from their CD, Low Down Righteous Blues

Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories

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Previous (Smoke Wagon Blues Band@Plough and Harrow, Part 1) - - - Next (12 Videos of Christmas)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Smoke Wagon Blues Band@Plough and Harrow (December 10, 2011) Part 1

More Bill Withers Covers/Stories

Click here for Part 2

Bonus video of singer Corey Lueck with the James Anthony Band courtesy of TV Cogeco Ontario

Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Shawn Brush and Friends@Nines Brick Bar (December 7, 2011) Part 2

Shawn Brush (guitar, vocals) Eric Bower (Jericho)(bass) and Bongo Bob

Click here for Part 1

Links: Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush Stories

Friday, December 9, 2011

Shawn Brush@Nines Brick Bar (December 7, 2011) Part 1

More Neil Young covers/stories

Click here for Part 2

Bonus Videos

Above video courtesy of Ronny Wiskin

Above video courtesy of The Krooked Cowboy

Links: Shawn Brush, More Shawn Brush Stories

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ginger St. James YouTube Videos

Above video courtesy of the Tone Bear, More Elvis Covers/Stories

Above video courtesy of TV Cogeco Ontario

More Alice Cooper Covers/Stories

Above videos courtesy of Mama Loves Music 50, More Dolly Parton Covers/Stories

Links: Ginger St. James - More Ginger St. James Stories

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Previous (Matthew de Zoete@Artword Artbar) - - - Next (Shawn Brush@Nines Brick Bar)

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Matthew de Zoete and Friends@Artword Artbar (December 3, 2011)

First three videos courtesy of Quadrillium

Bonus videos below courtesy of zmtieman

Click here for Matthew de Zoete's site.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Canadian Folk Music Awards Winners

The Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Below is a list of the winners. Congratulations everyone!

Traditional Album of the Year

Genticorum - Nagez Rameurs

Contemporary Album of the Year

Bruce Cockburn - Small Source of Comfort

Children’s Album of the Year

Benoît Archambault - Les pourquoi

Traditional Singer of the Year

Dave Gunning

Contemporary Singer of the Year

Suzie Vinnick

Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year

Jayme Stone

Instrumental Group of the Year

The Creaking Tree String Quartet

English Songwriter of the Year

Lynn Miles

French Songwriter of the Year

Alexandre Poulin

Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year

Vince Fontaine

Vocal Group of the Year

Good Lovelies

Ensemble of the Year

Genticorum

Solo Artist of the Year

Bruce Cockburn

World Solo Artist of the Year

Kiran Ahluwalia

World Group of the Year

Minor Empire

New/Emerging Artist of the Year

Dave Gunning

Producer of the Year

Mark Howard & David Travers-Smith (The Wailin' Jennys)

Pushing the Boundaries

Geoff Berner

Young Performer of the Year

Molly Thomason

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Previous (New Ariana Gillis CD) - - - Next (Matthew de Zoete@Artword Artbar)

Friday, December 2, 2011

New Ariana Gillis CD: Forget Me Not

One thing that stands out on local singer/songwriter Ariana Gillis's latest CD, Forget Me Not, is the power in her vocals. It's a voice that deserves to be heard and almost screams out, "just because I'm young and can play infectious music doesn't mean I'm a pop star".

As always, Ariana shows great talent with incredible catchy melodies but on this offering, both her lyrics and vocals seem to have more of an extra edge to them. It's a very welcome change. There's more of a roots element here as well.

Her softer vocal side is also on display on songs such as John and the Monster and Oh the World.

The CD is available at her live shows, on Maple Music, and as a download on iTunes and cdbaby.

Below are live performances of songs from the album.

Videos courtesy of Ariana Gillis.

Links: Ariana Gillis, More Ariana Gillis Stories

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Previous (Cool YouTube Videos) - - - Next (Canadian Folk Music Award Winners)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cool YouTube Videos (Mike Almas, Blues River Man, Sheesham and Lotus))

Above video courtesy of 1swtgl.

Above two videos courtesy of Blues River Man.

Above two videos courtesy of WoodyPoint69

Links: Mike Almas, Blues River Man, Sheesham and Lotus

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Previous (New Melissa Bel EP) - - - Next (New Ariana Gillis CD)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

New Melissa Bel EP: Distance

Local singer/songwriter Melissa Bel recently launched her latest EP, Distance. This astounding collection includes a remixed version of the title track (the original is from her last album, Brave) and five unreleased songs.

Melissa shows all sides of herself in this EP. She goes from blues rocker to smooth soul singer with ease. Throughout the trip, there's pop, jazz, funk and much more. You can also check out her sweet rendition of the classic Ain't No Sunshine.

The EP is available at her live shows and also as a download on iTunes and eMusic.

Below are a few live versions of songs from the EP.

All videos courtesy of Melissa Bel

Links: Melissa Bel More Melissa Bel Stories

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Previous (Banned From Heaven@Coach and Lantern) - - - Next (You Tube Videos from Mike Almas, Blues River Man, Sheesham and Lotus)

Monday, November 28, 2011

Banned From Heaven@Coach and Lantern (November 26, 2011)

Carol Greene guest vocals on Son of a Preacher Man

More Dusty Springfield covers/stories

More David Wilcox Covers/Stories

More Elvis Covers/Stories

Links: Banned From Heaven - More Banned From Heaven Stories

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Previous (Ian Thomas Videos) - - - Next (New Melissa Bel EP)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Ian Thomas YouTube Videos

Above two videos courtesy of Quadrillium

Video courtesy of Mr. Murray Pound

Above three videos courtesy of Mojo Filter 02

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Previous (Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay & Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse) - - - Next (Banned From Heaven@Coach and Lantern)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sonny Del Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More from this show:

Links: Kelly Jay, More Crowbar Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Kelly Jay and Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More from this show:

Part 1: Trickbag
Part 3: Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag
Photos

Links: Kelly Jay, More Crowbar Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories

Phil Kott (Powerhouse) Passes

It is with sadness that we inform you that Powerhouse guitarist Phil Kott (second from left in picture) passed away on Monday, November 21, 2011. He will be missed.

From the Powerhouse web site.

"It is with our deepest regret that the Powerhouse band would like to confirm the passing of our friend, our brother, our guitarist, Phil Kott. One of the founding members of the band, he has been battling advanced lung cancer since early spring, and surrounded by family and friends, Phil passed away peacefully on the evening of November 21, 2011."

Our condolences to his friends and family.

Links: Powerhouse, More Powerhouse Stories

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Previous (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse) - - - Next (Kelly Jay/Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse (November 19, 2011)

More Sonny Boy Williamson II Covers/Stories

More from this show:

Part 2: Kelly Jay with Trickbag
Part 3: Sonny Del-Rio, Kelly Jay and Trickbag
Photos

Links: Trickbag - More Trickbag Stories

Hamilton Music Award Winners

The Hamilton Music Awards were handed out on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Big winners included the Dinner Belles (New Artist, Alt-Country, Piano - Greg Brisco), Rita Chiarelli (Female Artist, Blues), and Jeremy Fisher (Male Artist, Songwriter) Congratulations to everyone.

Female Artist of the Year: Rita Chiarelli

Male Artist of the Year: Jeremy Fisher

Local Group of the Year (People’s Choice): Live How You Live

New Artist of the Year: Dinner Belles

Roots Recording: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Kings & Queens

Alternative Country Recording: Dinner Belles, West Simcoe County

Folk Recording: Scott Orr, Where I Live And What I Lived For

Blues: Rita Chiarelli, Music From The Big House

R&B/Soul: Chris Jackson, Action

Religious: Jamie Barnes, Wilderness

Songwriter: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Female Vocalist: Rosanna Riverso

Male Vocalist: Jon Harvey, Monster Truck

Piano/Keyboard: Greg Brisco, Dinner Belles

Special Instrumentalist: Yiannis Kapoulas

Guitarist: Luke Doucet, Whitehorse

Drummer: Chris Sindrey, Aerith

Bassist: Sean McNab, Creepshow

Canadian Recording of the Year (People’s Choice): Finger Eleven, Life Turns Electric

Record of the Year: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Lifetime Achievement: Ian Thomas

Lifetime Achievement (Industry): Kim Cooke

Alternative Indie Rock: Dark Mean, Dark Mean

Rock Recording: Monster Truck, The Brown EP

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Previous (Chris Cracknell/Steve Didemus/Dave Gould@Winking Judge) - - - Next (Trickbag@Buddy's Roadhouse)

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Chris Cracknell, Steve Didemus and Dave Gould@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the Steve Didemus Fundraiser.

Monica Knott on backing vocals on first two videos.

Below are two performances from Dave's solo set

More footage from this Fundraiser

Links: Chris Cracknell, Dave Gould, Steve Didemus, More Chris Cracknell Stories, More Steve Didemus Stories, More Dave Gould Stories

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Previous (Tiny Bill Cody@Winking Judge) - - - Next (Hamilton Music Award Winners)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tiny Bill Cody@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the Steve Didemus Fundraiser. More footage to come.

More footage from this Fundraiser

Links: Tiny Bill Cody - More Tiny Bill Cody Stories

Pip@Winking Judge (November 17, 2011)

This was part of the steve Didemus Fundraiser. More footage to come.

More Glen Campbell Covers/Stories

More footage from this Fundraiser

Links: Pip, More Pip Stories,

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Mary Simon and Tone Valcic@Corktown (November 14, 2011)

This was the first of the weekly Americana Mondays series.

Click here for Michelle Titian's set (w both Mary and Tone)

Links: Mary Simon, Tone Valcic, More Mary Simon Stories, More Tone Valcic Stories

Monday, November 14, 2011

Cool YouTube Videos (Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea)

Above two videos courtesy of Rae Billing

Above two videos courtesy of ImageGallery205

Above video courtesy of Ange3rd

Links: Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Steelworker's Waltz CD Release Party@This Ain't Hollywood (Nov 7, 2011)

Last video courtesy of steingberg321.

Click here for a CD Review and more videos from the show

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, EdgarBreau, Martin Verall

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Previous (New Steelworker's Waltz CD) - - - Next (Videos by Rae Billing, Acoustics, City and the Sea)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

New Steelworker's Waltz Fundraising CD is Pure Hamilton

The new compilation disc, Steelworker's Waltz, is as hardcore Hamilton as it comes. It has amazing Hamilton musicians singing songs about blue collar work on a CD in support of striking steelworkers. This album just bleeds steel.

There are 15 unreleased and/or recently recorded songs from the talented performers in our beloved steeltown. There's poetry, rap, folk, country, blues and much more in this collection - something for everyone!

The CD is available to purchase at Pick N Sticks, Dr. Disc, Cheapies and many other locations across Hamilton. You can also contact boxostudio@gmail.com to request a copy. All monies raised goes towards helping the Local Steelworkers 1005.

Here is the track listing
1. If Not You? - Bill Mahoney
2. 10,000 Degrees - Martin Verall w/Mike Williams (bass)
3. 1005 Anthem - Tim Gibbons
4. Pretty Good Life - Sam Squid
5. Melting Pot - Ray Materick
6. Tougher Now - "Busker" Al Barubek
7. Strength - Brad Hails (Killin' Time Band)
8. All Together Now - Mac-N-Awe
9. Rustbelt Lullaby - Stephen Foster (Crawlin' Kingsnakes)(Simply Saucer)
10. Angles With Bloody Knees - Lori Yates w/Shawn Brush (pedal steel)
11. The Debt - Steve Sinnicks
12. Blue-Green - Kevin Barber
13. Old Steeltown - Edgar Breau (Simply Saucer) with Les Smith (Trickbag)(harmonica)
14. The Colour of Steel - Shawn Brush
15. Oh Hamilton - The Hamilton Kid w/Brendan Russell (keyboards)

Below are a few videos from the CD release party. We'll be posting more footage of that soon.

Last video courtesy of steinberg321

Click here for more footage of the event

Links: Steve Sinnicks, Al Barubek, Tim Gibbons, Edgar Breau, Martin Verall

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Previous (JP Riemens@Station House) - - - Next (More Steelworker's Waltz CD Release Party)

Monday, November 7, 2011

JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

Friday, November 4, 2011

JP Riemens@Brantford Station House (October 30, 2011) Part 1

Click here for Part 2

Links: JP Riemens, More JP Riemens Stories

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hamilton Music Award Nominations

The Hamilton Music Award Nominations were recently released. Below is a list of the nominees. Good luck everyone. The awards will be given on Sunday November 20 at the McIntyre Theatre.

Female Artist of the Year

Male Artist of the Year

New Artist/Group of the Year

Dawn & Marra
Dinner Belles
James Hoffman
Brandon Pacheco
Riddim Riders

Pop Recording of the Year

Andrew Victoria – Andrew Victoria
Robin Benedict – Ride Of My Life
Andrea Godin – Andrea
Brian Melo – The Truth
Brandon Pacheco – Broke Up

Roots Recording of the Year

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - Kings and Queens
Jeremy Fisher – Flood
Dave Gould – Truck For Sale
Matt Paxton – How The Land Lies
Whitehorse – Whitehorse

Alternative Country Recording of the Year

Dinner Belles – West Simcoe County
Sarah Blackwood – Wasting Time
Rachel Heart – Rachel Heart
JP Riemens & the Barflies – Dirty Sunset
The Vanishers – Hagersville Dance Party

Folk Recording of the Year

Amberley B. – Paper Dolls
Dawn & Marra – Never Ask Me Why
James Hoffman – The Union
Brian Meecham – On Blue Water
Scott Orr – Where I Live And What I Lived For

World Recording of the Year

Yiannis Kapoulas – Yiannis Kapoulas
Yitka Karlik – Diplomatic Dream
Riddim Riders – Riddim Riders

Alternative/Indie Rock Recording of the Year

2x The Mono – Art Rock and Science Fiction
The Creepshow – They All Fall Down
Dark Mean – Dark Mean
Justin Sawicki – Nothing For No One
Martin Verrall – Spears of Fate

Blues Recording of the Year

Rita Chiarelli – Music From The Big House Soundtrack
Nicole Christian – Run, Rabbit Run
Famous Framus Band – On Mortal Love
Alfie Smith – Sometimes The Rain
Susan Wylde – In The Light

R&B/Soul Recording of the Year

Kojo ‘Easy’ Damptey – Songs
Chris Jackson – Action
Sharon Musgrave – Outflow

Religious Recording of the Year

Jamie Barnes – Wilderness
Eagles – Your Kingdom Come
Rosanna Riverso – Let There Be Peace

Songwriter of the Year

Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Greenspan/Matt Didemus (Junior Boys)
James Hoffman
Brian Melo
Tom Wilson

Female Vocalist of the Year

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
Brian Melo
Mike Rajczak (Riddim Riders)
Alfie Smith
Tom Wilson

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year

Brandon Bliss (Monster Truck)
Greg Brisco (Dinner Belles)
Amy King – (Alfie Smith, Dawn & Marra)
Jesse O’Brien (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Justin Sawicki)
Christabel Pinto (Rosanna Riverso)

Special Instrumentalist of the Year

Loretta Hale (Justin Sawicki)
Yiannis Kapoulas
Randell Neudorf (2x the Mono)
Melanie Pothier (Dinner Belles)
Clint Rice (Martin Verrall)

Guitarist of the Year

Luke Doucet – Whitehorse
Brian Griffith (JP Riemens, Sharon Musgrave)
Yiannis Kapoulas
Alfie Smith
Jeremy Widerman (Monster Truck)

Drummer of the Year

Dave Gould – (solo, Nicole Christian, Famous Framus)
Peter Grimmer (Sharon Musgrave)
Steve Kiely (Monster Truck)
Danny Lockwood (JP Riemens)
Chris Sindrey (Aerith)

Bassist of the Year

Carrie Ashworth (JP Riemens)
Richard Bailey (Riddim Riders)
Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
Sean McNab (The Creepshow)
Mike Williams – Martin Verrall

Record of the Year

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings – Kings and Queens
Dinner Belles – West Simcoe County
Finger 11 – Life Turns Electric
Jeremy Fisher – Flood
Junior Boys – It’s All True

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award

Ian Thomas

Rock Recording of the Year

Finger 11 – Life Turns Electric
Gruve – Out Of Nowhere
Live How You Live – Blue Collar Love
Monster Truck – The Brown EP
Perennials - Red

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Previous (Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl@West Town) - - - Next (JP Riemens@Station House)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl Halloween Party@West Town (October 29, 2011)

Click here for pictures

Links: Burnin' Ethyl, More Burnin' Ethyl Stories, Sloppy Jalopy, More Sloppy Jalopy Stories

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Previous (New Andy Griffiths CD) - - - Next (Hamilton Music Award Nominations)

New Andy Griffiths CD: Looking at a Life . . .

Local singer/songwriter Andy Griffiths manages to take the folk rock sound to modern heights on his latest CD, Looking at a Life . . .

Songs like the title track, Bare Bones, Don't Listen to Me, and many others are incredibly infectious. This high energy never overpowers the solid folk foundation of the tunes.

Andy's also enlisted some amazing local talent. Frank Koren plays guitar on most tracks and Russ Boswell performs bass on quite a few songs as well. Other guests include Ray Farrugia, Astrid Young, and more.

The disc is available at Andy's live shows.

Below is a performance of one of the songs from the album.

Click here for more from this show (including another song from Andy)

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

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Previous (Jam w Wendell Ferguson, David Lum, the Ludgates and More) - - - Next (Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl@West Town)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Private Jam (October 22, 2011), Part 2

More from this show:

Wendell Ferguson: Part 1, Part 2
Jam: Part 1, 1 song by Andy Griffiths + CD Review

Links: Wendell Ferguson, John and Sheila Ludgate, Angela McKay, David Lum

Private Jam (October 22, 2011), Part 1

More from this show:

Wendell Ferguson: Part 1, Part 2
Jam: Part 2, 1 song by Andy Griffiths + CD Review

Links: Wendell Ferguson, John and Sheila Ludgate, Andy Griffiths, Jericho, Angela McKay

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Strongman, Kennedy, Chiarelli and de Keyzer Among 2011 Maple Blues Award Nominess

Congratulations to all of the local talent that was nominated for the Maple Blues Awards. Hamilton Blues legend, Harrison Kennedy and hometown girl, Rita Chiarelli (who won the lifetime achievement trophy last year) received 3 nods each. Also Jack de Keyzer and Steve Strongman are up for best guitarist.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on January 16, 2012 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Good luck!

Below is a list of the nominees:

Entertainer Of The Year