The Hamilton Blues Lovers is 11 years old today (November 29, 2019).
A word from Lou, our blogger:
With the hustle and bustle of last year's 10th anniversary celebration, it was nice to have a more laid back year of music and fun!. Looking forward to another year of great local music! I'd like to thank my wife Linda for all her hard work and support for the site. I LOVE YOU!
Soon, the Canadian Folk world will be showcasing their talent at the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards ceremony. A number of local artists recently received nomination and hopefully, they'll be bring home some hardware.
Hamilton-born singer/songwriter Ben Caplan is in the running in three categories: English Songwriter of the Year, World Solo Artist of the Year and Producer of the Year.
New Horizonis the 11th superb album by local Bluesman Famous Framusbut it's also the first as a duo with his wife, Betty Bomb. Together they've made a dark, hypnotic and raw disc.
The duo pack a lot of punch into their incredible sound. Famous' voice just bleeds emotion as the lyrics lead the listeners into the darker themes of heartache, abandonment and pain. His menacing, gritty guitar work accentuates the intensity. Betty's fearsome drumming punctures through the sound to make itself heard. There's also a bit of positivity and hope mixed in, especially in the couples only duet on the album, Blue Betty.
This unforgettable album can be picked up at their stunning shows or at Dr Disc in Hamilton. It's also available through Apple Music.
The 2019 Hamilton SpectatorReaders' Choice Awardswere recently unveiled. The special supplemental section featured the best that Hammertown has to offer, including our wonderful music community.
It's taken twenty years but Crybabyhas been resurrected like a Phoenix and is now blazing a musical trail with reborn energy. Paintings, the incredible debut album was released to much international fanfare in the mid 90s. Sadly, they broke up after only four years together but now they're back in action!
Hamilton songstress Rae Billingrecently revived her critically acclaimed alt-country band, A while back, the reformed group unleashed Still, a remarkable new album that'll help cement its well-deserved legacy as one of the most spectacular country bands on the scene.
Rae's expressive voice is in full force here, backed by a beautiful, rich sonic landscape. There's a lot for the listener to explore and lose themselves in.
Along with original members, Rae (guitar, vocals) Steve Koch (guitar) and Lucky Pete Lambert(drums) the gang is now joined by Andrew Aldridge (guitar), Greg Brisco (piano, rhodes, organ) and Scott Bell (bass). James Henry plays on bass on two songs.
Today (Tuesday, November 12, 2019) Hamilton blues/jazz legend Jackie Washington would have been 100 years old. We here at HBL would like to celebrate this incredible musician.
Below (and at the top of the page) are paintings created by family friend Casey Parsons.
A word from Lou, our blogger.
I had the honour of meeting Jackie Washington while I was volunteering for the Winter Festival of Friends. Back then, I was just getting into Jazz and we had a wonderful conversation about that. We bumped into each other on a few more occasions and he always had a laugh and a smile for me. I'll always treasure my time with him.
Our blogger Lou (in his babyface days) on the left with Jackie. Pic courtesy of the Spectator's Free Press
We asked for more comments and stories from the public. We will post more as we get them. Here are a few:
I remember running the streets downtown with a pretty wild group of young teens in the late 70s - early 80’s. We would often get into minor dust ups with Jackson Square security and or chased around and roughed by a couple of Hamilton Police Officers know as “Starsky and Hutch". There was one man who could tame this pack of punks with a wave of his hand, his soft voice and a song.
Jackie Washington was more often than not, on a nice day, sitting on a Gore park bench with his guitar in hand and he would settle us down with a story or a song or both. I knew him as only Uncle Jack back then as he may have been distantly related to some of the kids because the Washington family was one of the larger ones in town. We all called him Uncle Jack and we treated him with the respect he deserved.
Only years later when I became a musician myself and part of the music scene in Hamilton did I put two and two together and realize what a giant of a man Uncle Jack really was!
Jason R. Stewart
He came to my school back in 1987 (when I was in Grade 8). He played the ENTIRE day to small groups of students (in rotation) where he played music and shared humorous, yet informative stories. This happened all those years ago, yet the memories of him playing had a profound effect on this little 14 year old! I was introduced to sounds I had not discovered until that day, and influenced me to create my own songs about life (and with a touch of humour!). It's amazing what moments from childhood stick out more than others.
Paul Hill
I turned 60 in 2006. I was having a birthday party up in Elfrida and Jack de Keyzer and his band was the band I booked for the party. Jackie contacted and asked if he could attend. If course, I said yes! He told me he had never heard Jack play live! He came. Jackie thoroughly enjoyed himself and had a long chat with Jack.
Ted Willey
I have many memories of this great man. Honoured to have worked with him over the years. A joyful spirit that brought happiness to everyone. He is truly missed!
Eudene Luther
Remembering him today for his beauty in all its manifestations and, most especially, for his passion for music and the guitar that he passed on to Brian (Griffith). Forever in our hearts.
The 2020 Maple Blues Awards nominee list is jam packed with local artists. Hopefully, a number of them will bring home the hardware at the ceremony on February 3, 2020 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.
You can help them out by voting online - open from November 1st, 2019 at 12:01am through December 1st, 2019 at 11:59pm. Click here to vote.
Other area nominees include Downchild Blues Band(including remembers from Brantford and Niagara) for Entertainer of the Year as well as group memberGary Kendallfor Bassist of the Year. Matchedash Parish (featuring Kitchener's Matt Weidingerand local bassmanMark McIntyre) are up for New Artist of the Year. Tom Bona(from Waterloo band Soulstack) is in the running for drummer of the Year.
Strange Weather, the debut full-length album from Hamilton's Matty Simpsonwill grab you, shake you, and take you on a wild ride you'll never forget. From its opening salvo of classic rock meets alternative (Come Upstairs) to the rootsy beauty of the closing number (Headlights on the Horizon), each song demand your attention.
Matty's made quite the opening statement to kick off his recording career. The guitar wails and the vocals punch through to make themselves known. Most of the tunes are hard rockin', infectious and powerful. The slower tunes also show off his incredible versatility.
Justine Fischer (bass, keys) and Matt Burns (drums, percussion) round out the trio that made that deliver this musical manifesto. They do an amazing job of adding to the incredible sound of the piece. All three produced the disc as well, along with Jeff Ciraolo and Andrew Aldridge.
