New Edgar Breau CD: Patches of Blue

One thing you won't find a lot of on Edgar Breau's latest CD, patches of blue is repetition. The local singer/songwriter covers a whole lot of ground in just 12 songs.

While mainly known as a member of the proto-punk/psych band, Simply Saucer, his solo endeavors are more on the rootsier side. Edgar explores all aspects of the genre: folk, country, blues, celtic, and much more. Every single song has a unique spirit.

Highlights include the trippy title track, the funky One Kind of Love, the wonderfully folky Dreams of Jack Kerouac, and the island sounds of Maria the Sea and the Sun.Joining Edgar in his musical explorations are Mike Trebilcock, Kyle Pacey, Bill Dillon, members of Trickbag (Michael Hickey, Paul Panchezak), Joe Clark, Brian Griffith, Ed Roth, Simply Saucer bassist Kevin Christoff, and Michael Birthelmer (who also produced).

The CD is available at his live shows as well as cdbaby and as downloads on eMusic, iTunes, and cdbaby.

Below is a video of the title track. Courtesy of Flying Inn Recordings.



Links: Edgar Breau, More Edgar Breau Stories

Travelling Beer Bellies@Whistling Walrus (January 28, 2012)

All videos courtest of BARProductions.







More Doors Covers/Stories







Links: Travelling Beer Bellies, More TBB Stories

New Cootes Leland (Tim Gibbons) CD: Trail of Smoke

Local musical legend Tim Gibbons has been reborn as Cootes Leland on his latest CD Trail of Smoke (his first for Latent Recordings).

There is a reinvention of sorts happening here as he goes for a harder rocking approach than his last few releases. Don't worry - The beautiful, lyrical, softer spirit is evident on many of the tracks as well. Country, Blues, Folk and Roots all find a home on the album.

Gibbons' excellent voice, guitar playing and banjo pickin' are all in good form. The amazing backing band really matches his enthusiasm and talent.

Longtime fans of the singer/songwriter will recognize a few songs which have been reworked (Medicine Girl, Ride the Blinds, Top Hat and more) with renewed energy.

The CD is available at his live shows and as a download on his web site, iTunes and eMusic (At the moment, there seems to be a problem with the downloads from iTunes and eMusic).

Below is a track from the CD.



Links: Tim Gibbons - More Tim Gibbons Stories

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Robert Maciag@Moonshine Cafe (January 21, 2012)

Robert was playing at the Andy Griffiths CD Release Party.

More from this show

• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 1
• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 2

News Roundup (Mark McNeil, Neil Young, Kathleen Edwards)

Hamilton and Area

• Hamilton Blues Lovers: Just finished reading Willie Dixon's autobiography, I Am The Blues. I highly recommend it.
• Check out new Mark McNeil/Kris Rochard CD

Canada

• Neil Young to record new album with Crazy Horse

World

• Former B. B. King bassist Melvin Lee Green Passes
• 10 memorable bands that released only 1 album
• Group trying to start an International Blues Day
• Upcoming Springsteen album (new single out now)
• Johnny Otis passes

Weird/Funny Stuff

• Cartoon about old Rockers
• Cross-section of a tree that can be played like a record
• Figure our your Blues name

Featured Video

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Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove@Moonshine Cafe (Part 2) (January 21, 2012)

Andy Griffiths (guitar - centre, vocals on Hippy Hippy Shake), Matt King (bass, vocals & guitar on Tempted), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Edward M Cromwell (drums), Lawrie Ingles (keys, vocals on Little Sister), Andrew Croft (vocals on I Saw Her Standing There)





More Beatles Covers/News Stories



More Elvis Covers/Stories





More from this show

• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 1
• Robert Maciag

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove@Moonshine Cafe (Part 1) (January 21, 2012)

Andy Griffiths (vocals, guitar, bass on Instrumental), Matt King (bass, guitar on Instrumental), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Edward M Cromwell (drums), Lawrie Ingles (keys)













More from this show

• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 2
• Robert Maciag

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

New Harrison Kennedy CD: Shame the Devil

Harrison Kennedy's unmistakable mix of soul and old-fashioned country blues continues on his latest CD, Shame the Devil (from Electro-Fi records).

The disc's sound is as authentic as blues can be. You can feel the emotion and soul both in the music and the lyrics.

Harrison's heartfelt voice and passionate musicanship is displayed on every singe track. There's the soft, tender You Don't Know Me, the banjo-riffic Hound and Rabbit, and the danceable Music to My Ears.

Joining Harrison is Keith 'Happy' Lindsay (Keyboards, accordian, percussion), Alec Fraser (Bass), and Matt King (Electric guitar)

The CD is available at his wonderful live shows and as a download on iTunes or eMusic.

Below are a few live performances of songs from the CD.



Above video courtesy of Electro-Fi Records



Above video courtesy of Canal Bank Shuffle

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories

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Etta James Passes (+ Local Reaction)

Unfortunatley, the Blues world lost one of its giants on Friday January 20, 2012.
The legendary Etta James passed away at 73, after a battle with leukemia. Our condolences to her friends, family and all countless fans across the world.

Click here for the CBC story.

Reaction has already hit Twitter and Facebook. Here are what a few local musicians are saying:

Susan Wylde: "A true inspiration for this blues woman. She won 6 Grammies, opened for the Rolling Stones and let go of a heroin addiction. I recorded her tune At Last on my recent CD as a tribute to Etta - listening to her was the main reason I got into the blues."

Astrid Young: "... what a voice, what an incredible life. I had the pleasure of seeing her on many occasions, both jazz and blues Etta. both awesome, and wildly influential for me. Thanks for all that awesomeness ... let's all 'pitch a wang dang doodle' in her honor tonight"

Rita Chiarelli: "Etta James…how I loved her! I remember when I was first turned on to her and her music… many years ago…I was still finding my voice so to speak…so a live recording …Etta with dyed blond hair and her arm in ‘tenser’ bandage…she looked wild! I put the LP on the turntable and listened to every vocal ‘lick’….it was magic…Thank you Etta… you were one of the very best …you inspired all who heard you…we owe you a lot and your voice, your music will be cherished and live forever….…rest in peace Etta…you deserve it…with love and respect…"

Denis Keldie: R.I.P. Etta -- the greatest singer I ever played with, back in 1986, when she was truly at the top of her game.

Lori Yates: RIP Miss Etta! You made the world a better place!


Links: Etta James, More Etta James Covers/Stories

The Stingrays with Lance Kiernan@Coach and Lantern (January 14, 2012)

The Stingrays singer/harp player Willie Leigh was under the weather that night so Lance Kiernan ably filled in (guitar, left)





More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories





Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories
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The Stingrays Debut CD: Hoodoo Man

Good rockin' Blues with no muss, no fuss is the best way to describe Hoodoo Man, the debut CD from local boys, the Stingrays.

The band tear into such timeless classics as My Babe, I Can't Be Satisfied, Key to the Highway, Dust My Broom, and many more. They have the energy and skills to do justice to these tantalizing tunes.

It's no wonder the guys can do an amazing job - members of the group have played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, and the Platters. You can hear all that experience throughout the disc (which is expertly produced by local veteran Michael J. Birthelmer)

You can pick up a copy at their live shows (they play the Coach and Lantern every Saturday afternoon).

Below is a video of one of the tracks from the CD. Check this blog for some live footage later on.



Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories

News Roundup (Strongman, Plain Steel, Van Sickle)

Hamilton and Area

• Spec story on Strongman's win
• Preview the upcoming Plain Steel CD
• Old Movie Palace to become Music Venue

Southern Ontario

• Duane Rutter Twitter: Here is a link where you can learn more about why I am playing guitar for 50 hrs straight this Feb 3rd at Fred Eaglesmiths Robot Cafe in Port Dover. plz consider supporting my cause either online or come on down. Peace and Good Wishes! http://www.camptrillium.com/

World

• Texas Boogie-Woogie King Omar Shariff, R.I.P.

Funny Stuff

• Cat Stevens cartoon

 Featured Video


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We Got Blues with Sonny Del Rio@Boon's House (January 13, 2012)

More Louis Jordan covers/stories



Above videos courtesy of SamDeRosa55

Links: We Got Blues, Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories

Bonus videos below courtesy of vonlafatette

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Steve Strongman Wins Guitarist of the Year at Maple Blues Awards

Congratulations to Hamilton's Steve Strongman, who won the Guitarist of the Year award at the 15th annual Maple Blues Awards. They were handed out January 16, 2012. Other winners inlcuded MonkeyJunk (3 awards), Matt Andersen (3 awards), Suzie Vinnick (2 awards), and more.

Here are the talented winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

MonkeyJunk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

To Behold, MonkeyJunk

BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)

Paul James

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Gregg Allman

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Steve Strongman

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Carlos del Junco

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Matt Sobb ( MonkeyJunk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR

Alec Fraser

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

Liz Sykes

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Bluesers@Moonshine Cafe (January 5, 2012)

More Willie Dixon covers/stories



Bonus videos



Above video courtesy of Helen and Matt



Above video courtesy of mlt1944

Links: Bluesers, More Bluesers Stories

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News Roundup (Jacob Moon, Fred Eaglesmith, Doors, more)

This will be a new feature (similar to our old Blues News Bites) where every Wednesday night, we'll review the local, national and international music news. We'll also include a weekly featured video.

Hamilton and Area

• Jacob Moon January 2012 newsletter
• Kathleen Edwards on cover of jan 2012 Stomp and Stammer
• Jacob Moon: Band & Break (download MP3 and donate to Haiti)

Southern Ontario

• Stream Fred Eaglesmith's 6 Volts album in it's entirety
• Toronto musician funds album with Canadian Tire money

World

• Blues artists that died in 2011
• Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Weston passes
• Doors to release 1st new track in decades

Funny Stuff

• Australian man fends off croc with guitar

Featured Video

Open Mic@Second Cup (Burlington)(January 5, 2012)

Links: David Lum - More David Lum Stories



Links: Jericho , More Jericho Stories





Links: John and Sheila Ludgate, More John and Sheila Stories




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Kevin MacLean Band@Whistling Walrus, Part 2

Click here for Part 1

Bonus Videos



Above video courtesy of TheRealDannyBuzanko



Above video courtesy of idlecode

Links: Kevin MacLean Band, More Kevin MacLean Stories

Kevin MacLean Band@Whistling Walrus, Part 1

More George Michael Covers/Stories








Links: Kevin MacLean Band, More Kevin MacLean Stories

Drew Smith and Friends@The Casbah (December 16, 2011)

This was the release party for Drew's new CD, The Secret Languages.

Matt Montour (keyboards), Drew Smith (guitar, vocals), Max Wray (drums), John Smith (Young Rival) (bass), Ben Somer (guitar)

Click here for Kirby, the opening act

Bonus Track from Drew's YouTube Page



Click here for Drew's site

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Kirby@The Casbah (December 16, 2011)

Kirby was opening for Drew Smith's CD Release Party.













Click here for Drew Smith's performance

Links: Kirby, More Kirby Stories