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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

New Lee Harvey Osmond CD: The Folk Sinner

The Folk Sinner, the incredible second disc from Tom Wilson's musical collective, Lee Harvey Osmond, is a welcome evolution from the debut.  This new CD has its own soul but is still centred in the psychedelic folk sounds of its predecessor.

The former Junkhouse frontman's voice has got some amazing grit and growl to it here.  Tom's vocals can go really low but can also be smooth when the song warrants it.

As always, many of the tunes defy categorization. Tom's poetic lyrics are joined by pieces of jazz, country, folk, psychedelic rock, and more.  The results are surprisingly artful and cohesive songs.

Lee Harvey Osmond was always more of a community than a band (With Wilson as the ringleader).  As a result, returning musicians such as Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse) and Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) are joined by special guests Paul Reddick, Margot Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), Andy Maize (Skydiggers), Colin Linden (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Hawsley Workman, Oh Susanna and more.

Highlights include a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's Oh Linda and Freedom, a song Tom originally penned for Colin James which has become a regular live number from Wilson's shows.

The CD is available in stores, at Tom Wilson's live performances and as a download on the Lee Harvey Osmond site (with two bonus tracks!) and  iTunes.

Below are a few tracks from the CD, courtesy of Tom Wilson.



You can stream the entire album below



Blast from the Past: Lee Harvey Osmond Live DVD

Links: Lee Harvey Osmond, More Lee Harvey Osmond Stories

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Run For The Hills@Artword Artbar (February 15, 2013)

Run for the Hills is Amy Di Nino (percussion/piano), Brandon General (guitar), Brennagh Burns (guitar, mandolin, kazoo), Cindy Dell (guitar, vioin), Les Smith (guitar, harmonica)












More Blind Willie McTell covers/stories

Blast from the Past:  Dharlings (w Cindy, Brennagh & Amy)@Moonshine Cafe

Links: Run for the Hills, More Cindy Dell Stories

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Local Musicians Nominated for Junos

Hamilton has once again had a strong showing at the Juno nominations, which just goes to prove how much world-class music is in the area.

Both Jack de Keyzer and Steve Strongman will be going head to head for Blues Album of the Year of the year along with Colin James (whose nominated disc includes songwriting from Hamilton's own Tom Wilson), Steve Hill, and Shakura S'Aida (her nominated CD features a performance from local blues legend Harrison Kennedy).



Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories Video courtesy of The Capital Voice



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories, Video courtesy of Brian Blain

Local singer/songwriter, Kathleen Edwards is up for two awards (Songwriter and Adult Alternative Album).



Links: Kathleen Edwards, More Kathleen Edwards Stories, Video courtesy of CBC Music 

Other area musicians up for Junos include Monster Truck, Diana Panton, Walk Off the Earth, and  The Arkells.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for everybody on the April 21 ceremony in Regina.

Click here for the Spectator Story

Click here for more of our Juno stories

Blast from the Past: De Keyzer and the Arkells Bring Home the Junos in 2010

Below are a few nomination highlights.

Blues Album
Roots & Traditional Album (Group)
Roots & Traditional Album (Solo)
  • Amelia Curran, Spectators
  • Annabelle Chvostek, Rise
  • Corb Lund, Cabin Fever
  • Old Man Luedecke, Tender Is The Night
  • Rose Cousins, We Have Made A Spark
Songwriter
  • Afie Jurvanen (Bahamas)
  • Arkells
  • Hannah Georgas
  • Kathleen Edwards (Hamilton)
  • Leonard Cohen
Country Album
  • Chad Brownlee, Love Me Or Leave Me
  • Dallas Smith, Jumped Right In
  • Dean Brody, Dirt
  • Emerson Drive, Roll
  • Johnny Reid, Fire It Up
Adult Alternative Album
  • Bahamas, Barchords
  • Kathleen Edwards, Voyageur
  • Royal Wood, We Were Born to Glory
  • Serena Ryder, Harmony
  • The Barr Brothers, The Barr Brothers
Juno Fan Choice Award
  • Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Céline Dion
  • Drake
  • Hedley
  • Justin Bieber
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Marianas Trench
  • Metric
  • Michael Bublé
  • Nickelback
Single
  • Billy Talent, "Viking Death March"
  • Carly Rae Jepsen, "Call Me Maybe"
  • Hedley, "Kiss You Inside Out"
  • Serena Ryder, "Stompa"
  • The Sheepdogs, "The Way It Is"
International Album
  • Maroon 5, Overexposed
  • Mumford & Sons, Babel
  • One Direction, Up All Night
  • Rod Stewart, Merry Christmas, Baby
  • Taylor Swift, Red
Album
  • Carly Rae Jepsen, Kiss
  • Céline Dion, Sans Attendre
  • Hedley, Storms
  • Justin Bieber, Believe
  • Marianas Trench, Ever After
Artist
  • Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Deadmau5
  • Johnny Reid
  • Justin Bieber
  • Leonard Cohen
Group
  • Billy Talent
  • Marianas Trench
  • Metric
  • Rush
  • The Sheepdogs
Breakthrough Group
  • Hey Ocean!
  • Monster Truck
  • The Pack a.d.
  • Walk Off the Earth
  • Yukon Blonde
Rock Album
  • Big Wreck, Albatross
  • Billy Talent, Dead Silence
  • Rush, Clockwork Angels
  • The Sheepdogs, The Sheepdogs
  • The Tragically Hip, Now For Plan A
Vocal Jazz Album
  • Carol Welsman, Journey
  • Diana Krall, Glad Rag Doll
  • Diana Panton, Christmas Kiss
  • Elizabeth Shepherd, Rewind
  • Emilie-Claire Barlow, Seule ce Soir
Aboriginal Album
  • BURNT-Project 1, The Black List
  • Crystal Shawanda, Just Like You
  • Don Amero, Heart On My Sleeve
  • Donny Parenteau, Bring It On
  • Janet Panic, Samples
Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee
  • k.d. Lang
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

New Brant Parker Blues Band CD: River of Broken Dreams

River of Broken Dreams, the latest CD from St. Catharines's own Brant Parker Blues Band is an amazing example of straight ahead, old fashion boogie blues.

Brant's voice has character whether he's funking it up with songs like Designated Down Time or crooning with slow jams such as Same Old Blues. His talented band backs him up with gusto on all the numbers. 

The group's joined by a number of incredible guest stars, including Hamilton's Jack de Keyzer, who produces and adds his his amazing guitar work to three  songs. Al Duffy plays bass on two tracks as well.

This wonderful disc is available at the band's live shows and can be downloaded through their bandcamp site.

Below is a video from one of the songs from the CD, courtesy of BluesGuy1



You can also stream the album below



Links: Brant Parker Blues Band, More Brant Parker StoriesMore CD Releases

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

2013 International Blues Challenge Winners and Finalists

Canadian musicians were in full force at the 29th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.  The finals were held February 1 and 2, 2013.  The world got to see what Canucks are capable of.

Steve Hill, from the Montreal Blues Society won for Self-Produced CD.

Two other Canadians performers were finalists as well: Graham Guest (Edmonton Blues Society) and Suzie Vinnick (Toronto Blues Society)

Congratulations to everybody!
 
The winner of the solo/duo category was Little G Weevil (Atlanta Blues Society).  The Suitcase Brothers (Barcelona Blues Society) took second place

In the Band competition The Selwyn Birchwood Band (Suncoast Blues Society) won top prize with Michael van Merwyk and Bluesoul (German Blues Network) in second place and Dan Treanor's Afrosippi Band w/ Erica Brown (Colorado Blues Society) in third.

Click here for more of our IBC stories.



Links: Steve Hill, Video courtesy of Tommylevesk



Links: Graham Guest, Video courtesy of Raoul and the Big Time



Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video courtesy of CBC Music

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

New Peter Tigchelaar CD: More Like Lightning

More Like Lightning, the newest album from local singer songwriter, Peter Tigchelaar, is like a journey within a CD.

With its pop-folk sound plus the lyrical allusions to blues and honkytonks there's an unmistakable sense of home.

Despite those homey roots, the sound does have a bit of a world flavour and offers the listener the feel of an exotic, warm-inviting cafe performance.  Ukelele, viola, glockenspiel, accordion, cellos and more add to the international atmosphere.

The spiritual lyrics also provide a journey that goes beyond the physical.  This disc will see your mind travelling outward and inward (occasionally at the same time).

More Like Lightning earned a Hamilton Music Award nomination last year for Religious Recording.

Peter's fellow travellers on the CD include Harrison Kennedy & Cheryl Tigchelaar (backing vocals), Ron Cole (accordion), James Hill & Mike Donnely (ukeleles), Andrew Tigchelaar (bass), Tone Valcic (percussion), and Anne Janelle (cello, viola & cello banjo).

The album is available through Peter's website as a psycical CD and download.

Below are a few live tracks of songs from the CD, courtesy of John Farr







Blast From the Past: Our Review of his Previous CD - Glorious Window

Links: Pete Tigchelaar - More Pete Tigchelaar Stories, More CD Releases

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