Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends is a Remarkable Album

Mini-Review: Toronto's Johnny Max surrounds himself with oodles of talented artists from the Hamilton & Niagara areas for his latest remarkable album. Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends, is packed with a Blues sounds:  boogie-woogie, jazz, soul, funk, country-flavours, and more. This is all blended in to Johnny's trademark down to earth stylings and lyrics.

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music

Main Band

• Johnny Max - Lead Vocals, Producer
• Jim Casson - Drums & Percussion, Producer
• Mitch Lewis - Guitars
• Dylan Wickens - Guitars
• Steve Goldberger - Bass
• Bill Evans - Keyboards

Guests

• Neil Chapman - Guitar 
• Jay Burr - Tuba
• Quisha Wint - Vocals
• Suzie Vinnick - Vocals
• Wayne Deadder - Guitars & Vocals
• Russ Boswell - Bass
• Dave Dunlop - Trumpet
• Sabine Casson - Vocals 
• Nan McAneney  - Spoken Voice

Links: Johnny Max, More Johnny Max Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp, More Releases

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News Roundup (Radio Free Universe, AIFEC Jam, Jennifer Budd, Johnny Max)

Greater Hamilton Musician Rebrands as Hamilton Musician Media 

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News

Local

• Barber Shop Pocast w Radio Free Universe
  
  
  
  Links: Radio Free Universe, Video above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
  
  
• New Benjamin Dakota Rogers Album.

New Marz Garage Video Podcasts

• First 4 Episodes: John Ellison, Laura Cole, Crystal Journey, Alfie Smith
• Episode 5: An Instrument for Every Child Jam
  
  
  
  Links: An Instrument for Every Child, Video above courtesy of Marz Homes
  
  
• Episode 6: Jennifer Budd
  
  
  
  Links: Jennifer Budd, More Jennifer Budd Stories, Video above courtesy of Marz Homes
  

Canada

• Talkin' Blues Podcast w Johnny Max

World

• Country Music Award Nominees
• Americana Music Association Lifetime Honourees
• Scottish Folk Singer Becomes Success and Disappears for Decades (bottom of page)
• Passings: Jerry Heller (agent and Promoter)

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The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey

Trebleclef is resting up.  He'll be back soon

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Previous (Marz Garage Episodes: John Ellison, Laura Cole, Crystal Journey. Alfie Smith) - - - Next (Hanna Bech Debut EP)

News Roundup (Fred Eaglesmith, Jordan John, Johnny Max)

Local

• Spec story on It's Your Festival
• Inside Halton's article on Hayley Roscoe CD
• New musical based on Fred Eaglesmith songs
• News story on Liam McGlashon

World

• Muddy Waters w/Rolling Stones DVD
• More Jimi Hendrix reissues
• How listeners shape the evolution of music

Funny/Weird Stuff

• Mick Jagger: the Early Years
• Pearls Before Swine music cartoon
• Banjo New Yorker cartoon

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Strange Cargo@Cat N Fiddle
• 2010: Overplayers@Slainte
• 2011: Blues River Man Improv Videos

Featured Videos

Links: Jordan John, More Jordan John Stories, Video courtesy of BluesInBronte



Links: Johnny Max Band, More Johnny Max Stories, Video courtesy of TheLoinTavern

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News Roundup (Swick, Sinnicks, Local Videos)

Local

• View Magazine article on Tomi Swick
• The Johnny Max Band (including Jesse O'Brien) was awarded The Mississauga Arts Council Award (MARTY) for 'Established Performing Group of the Year'
• Sounds of the Hammer interview w/Steve Sinnicks

World

• Herb Reed, Founder of the Platters, passes
• Biographic comic strip of the Rolling Stones
• New Blues releases for June 2012
• Celtic Radio Podcasts
• Nothing But the Blues Podcast # 194

Funny Stuff

• 10 musicians that deserve their own ice cream flavours

Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Blues With a Feeling@Corktown (TNT Bluesmen, Wayne Janus, more)
• 2010: Big Rude Jake@Artword Artbar
• 2011: Bill Bourne@Brantford Station Gallery

Featured Videos

Links: Rita Chiarelli, More Rita Chiarelli Stories, Video courtesy of Han Stouten



Links: Boogie Infection, More Snow-Heel Slim Stories, Video courtesy of Steinberg321



Links: Bob Bryden, More Bob Bryden Stories, Video courtesy of ReignGhost

Johnny Max Band @ Royal Botanical Gardens (July 6, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Featuring Hamilton's Jesse O'Brien on keys.













Click here for more footage of the show and a review of the band's latest CD.

Links: Johnny Max Band, More Johnny Max Stories, Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories

Jesse O'Brien on Juno Nominated Johnny Max Band CD: It's a Long Road

As part of the Toronto area Johnny Max Band, Hamilton's own Jesse O'Brien added his usual flair to their newest CD, It's a Long Road.

As a result of the great job Johnny, Jesse and the gang did, the disc was nominated for both a 2011 Juno and Indie award. The lead off track, Daddy's Little Girl (co-written by Jesse) won the International Songwriting Competition (blues category).

All these accolades are well deserved as It's a Long Road is an incredible release. The band show great versatility - handling blues, funk, rock, R&B, soul and rock with tremendous talent. One song, they get you grooving and the next they have you basking in a slow number.

The CD is available at their live shows and as a download on iTunes.

Below is the promo video for the album.



These next videos are live performances of the songs from the CD at a recent Royal Botanical Gardens event. We'll be posting more footage from this show later.











Links: Johnny Max Band, More Johnny Max Stories, Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories


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