Saturday, January 31, 2015

Steve Strongman and Jordan John Add Sparkle to Roly Platt's Tremendous Solo Album


Toronto harpmaster Roly Platt has been on the blues music scene for decades as an award-winning sideman.  For Inside Out, his tremendous first solo album, he's enlisted the help of Hamilton Blues superstar Steve Strongman and the fabulous soulman Jordan John from Oakville.

Roly showcases his artistic mastery of the harmonica in the many soulful and funky instrumentals, He also makes some great choices for instrumental covers (Over the Rainbow, I Got A Woman, Georgia on My Mind) and does justice them all.  There's also a couple of great vocal tracks (mostly featuring the aforementioned Mr. Strongman and Mr. John).

Together with John Tilden (Guitar), Russ Boswell (Bass) Al Cross (Drums) and Lance Anderson (Keys) the band create a powerful vibe. This is definitely a kick-ass team!

The album can be bought and downloaded through Roly's site or purchased through iTunes.



Video above courtesy of Roly Platt



Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast from the Past: Video of Roly Playing with Suzie Vinnick

Links: Roly Platt, More Roly Platt Stories, More Releases

Previous  (News Roundup w Pearly Jenkins, IBC Winners, Karli June, Johnny Mac Slater) - - - Next (New Russ Burns CD)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

News Roundup (Pearly Jenkins, IBC Winners, Karli June, Johnny Mac Slater)


News
Solo/Duo
Best Self-Produced CD: Altered Five Blues Band - Cryin’ Mercy (Grafton Blues Association)

Lee Oskar Harp Award: Nico Wayne Toussaint (Southern California Blues Society)


Featured Video

Previous (2015 Juno Nominations) - - - Next (Steve Strongman and Jordan John on Roly Platt CD)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

GOOD LUCK! Tons of Local Artists Nominated for 2015 Junos


Not only will the Junos be held in Hamilton this year but many Steeltown musicians are up for nods at the illustrious awards show.  Even the surrounding area is well-represented.

From the Hammer, we have Steve Strongman (Blues Album), Daniel Lanois (Instrumental Album), Diana Panton (Vocal Jazz Album) and Jeremy Fisher (Adult Alternative Album).  Bands with a few Hamilton members were also up for awards such as jacksoul (R and B/Soul Recording) plus Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Elliott BROOD, who are both in the running for Roots and Traditional Album: group.



Links: jacksoul, more jacksoul Stories, Video above courtesy of jacksoul



Links: Elliott BROOD, More Elliott BROOD Stories, Video above courtesy of Paper Bag 13

Other area nominees include Kitchener's Alysha Brilla (Adult Contemporary Album) and Dallas Green (aka City and Colour) for You+Me, his collaboration with P!nk. The latter is up for a Fans Choice and Group Juno awards.



Links: City and Colour, More City and Colour Stories, You+Me, Video above courtesy of You + Me

The 2015 Junos will be televised live on March 15, 2015.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.

Below are a few highlights:

BLUES ALBUM
ROOTS AND TRADITIONAL ALBUM: SOLO
ROOTS AND TRADITIONAL ALBUM: GROUP
ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
ADULT ALTERNATIVE
R and B/SOUL RECORDING
JUNO FAN CHOICE
GROUP
VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
COUNTRY ALBUM
ALBUM
ARTIST
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
SONGWRITER
JAZZ ALBUM: SOLO
JAZZ ALBUM: GROUP
ABORIGINAL ALBUM
Click here for the full list of nominees

Blast from the Past: Last Years' Winners

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories

Previous (Shea D Duo Earn Niagara Entrepreneur Award Nomination) - - - Next (News Roundup w Pearly Jenkins, IBC Winners, Karli June, Johnny Mac Slater)

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

St. Catharines Duo Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea Nominated for Entrepeneur Award


St. Catharines performers Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea (aka the Shea D Duo) were recently honoured with a nomination for the 2015 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Awards Awards.  This was in recognition of their incredible work with the Twilight Jazz series through the Mahtay Cafe.

They'll be competing with many other teams on February 20, 2015 at the Marriott Gateway on the Falls Hotel. GOOD LUCK!



Links: Carolyn Credico, Bob Shields, Mike Felice, Peter Shea, More Peter Shea Stories, Video above courtesy of Juliett Dunn



Links: Juliet Dunn, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Le Trio Parisisen, Video above courtesy of Peter Shea



Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn

Blast from the Past: News Roundup w Shea D Duo Video

Previous (Braithwaite and Whiteley Videos)

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Hamilton's Low Country Hill Debuts with an Exquisite, Atmospheric Sound


Low Country Hill, the new musical project from Hamilton's Paul Hogeterp, exploded on the scene with an exquisite album.  With an atmospheric soundscape, well-crafted lyrics, and Paul's striking vocals, the recording rises well above the usual, predictable alt-folk.

It's low-key approach works well with the introspective, contemplative feel of the whole project.  The listener can explore the artistry of the many layers and textures contained within.  You'll definitely want multiple listens on this one.

Produced by Dave King and with appearance by the great Bill Dillon and Pat Sansone of Wilco, this album is essential to anyone who appreciates original, unique music.

You can pick up a physical CD at Low Country Hill's live shows or through the website,  It can also be downloaded using Bandcamp, iTunes, or eMusic.



Video above courtesy of Low Country Hill



Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Low Country Hill, More Low Country Hill Stories, More Releases

Previous (News Roundup w Brandon P General, Jocelyn Fairman. Bryce K Moore, Alberta Country Award Nominations) - - - Next (Braithwaite and Whiteley Videos)

Thursday, January 22, 2015

News Roundup (Brandon P General, Jocelyn Fairman. Bryce K Moore, Alberta Country Award Nominations)



News

Local

Canada
World

Recently Added


Our Venue List

Birthdays

Thursday, January 22
Saturday, January 24
Sunday, January 25
Monday, January 26
Tuesday, January 27
Wednesday, January 28
Thursday, January 29

Previous (Bettye LaVette and Walkervilles Videos) - - - Next (New Low Country Hill Album)

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

2015 Maple Blues Award Winners


Unfortunately, none of the local musicans nominated for 2014 Maple Blues Awards won at the ceremony on January 19, 2015 in Toronto.   On the plus side Tom Bona (who is part of Kitchener's Soulstack) took home Drummer of the Year honour for the second year in a row!



Links: SoulStack, More Soulstack Stories, Video above courtesy of Jon Knight

The big winner of the night was Montreal's Steve Hill who won all the awards he was nominated for (4).



Links: Steve Hill, More Steve Hill Stories, Video above courtesy of Livetoune

The only other multiple winner was Angel Forrest with two awards.



Links: Angel Forrest, Video above courtesy of Randall Stafford Cook

This was also the first year that the Cobalt Prize (sponsored by the Toronto Blues Society and Bluesman Paul Reddick) was awarded.  Digging Roots were the inaugural recipients of the $1,000 prize.

Below is a complete list of winners.

Previous (Area Artists on Blind Lemon Top 20 List)

Saturday, January 17, 2015

CONGRATS! Area Artists Shine in Blind Lemon Radio's Top 20 List


For the Canadian Blues community, Blind Lemon Blues Radio's Annual Top 20 Album List is a highlight of the year.  In January 2015, the results of public online voting were tallied and the favourites from 2014 were unveiled.

As always, many talented Blues musicians from our area were honoured.  Hamiltonians Andre Bisson (5), Jack de Keyzer (9) and Steve Strongman (15) all make appearances on the list.  Oshweken's Joel Johnson and Downchild (with members from the Niagara and Brant regions) earned the 17th and 18th spots respectively.

CONGRATULATIONS

Here is the full list as well as the honourable mentions
  1. The MacKenzie Blues Band: Slam! Bam!
  2. Bill Durst: Hard And Heavy
  3. Wicked Grin: Shame On Me
  4. Paul DesLauriers Band: Self Titled
  5. Andre Bisson: Bad Scene



    Links: More Andre Bisson stories, Video above courtesy of Andre Bisson

  6. Brian Cober: Austin Wired
  7. Steve Hill: Solo Recordings Vol 2
  8. Carolyn Fe Blues Collective: Bad Taboo
  9. Jack de Keyzer: VooDoo Boogie
  10. Angel Forrest: My Pleasure - Live Love
  11. 24th Street Wailers: Wicked
  12. MonkeyJunk: Tiger In Your Tank (Re-Issue)
  13. Sunday Wilde: He Digs Me
  14. Tim Bastmeyer and Jerome Tucker: Self Titled
  15. Steve Strongman: Let Me Prove It To You



    Links: More Steve Strongman stories, Video above courtesy of Tasha Heart
  16. Johnny Cox: Thin Blue Line
  17. Joel Johnson: Blues Joose Vol. 2
  18. Downchild: Can You Hear The Music



    Links: Downchild Blues Band, More Downchild Stories, Video above courtesy of Folk Roots and Blues Music

  19. Jerome Godboo: Sanctuary City
  20. JW Jones: Belmont Boulevard
Honourable Mentions
Blast from the Past: 2013 Winners


Previous (News Roundup w Dave Pomfret, Trish O'Neill, Leah Daniels, Scott Taplay) - - - Next (2014 Maple Blues Award Winners)