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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Robert Maciag@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (Travelling Beer Bellies@Whistling Walrus)

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Andy Griffiths@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (Robert Maciag@Moonshine Cafe)

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Etta James Passes) - - - Next (Andy Griffith@Moonshine Cafe)

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (New Stingrays CD) - - - Next (Etta James Passes)