New Harrison Kennedy CD: Soulscape

There's a good reason area Bluesman Harrison Kennedy's latest CD, Soulscape (from Electro-Fi Records) recently helped him win four Hamilton Music Awards: It's just that good!

With this astounding album, Harrison has successfully fused his soulful R&B sound with the country Blues.  This is Mississippi meets Motown!

The legendary musician works hard on this disc.  Not only does his dynamic voice sound as great as ever but he also deftly handles banjo, mandolin, harmonica, spoons, fife, percussion and more.

With Keith 'Happy' Lindsay on keys and Alec Fraser on percussion, the band is up to the task of helping Harrison fulfill this unique sound.  Justin Dunlop ably lends his bass and guitar talents to one track as well.

You can pick up this wonderful CD at his live shows, Picks N Sticks, or though the Electro-Fi website.  It can also be downloaded through eMusic or iTunes.

Video below courtesy of RandallStaffordCook



Blast from the Past: Harrison Kennedy CD-Shame the Devil

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, More CD Releases

---

Previous (Videos: Judi Rideout, Cindy Dell and Duane Rutter@Pine Street Gardens) - - - Next (News Roundup w Duane Rutter, Miles Davis Movie, Searchers, Adam Ostrosser)

Videos: Judi Rideout, Cindy Dell & Duane Rutter@Pine Street Gardens (August 23, 2013)

Click image above for more photos

---

Blast from the Past: Videos of Judi Rideout@Moonshine Cafe

Links: Judi Rideout, More Judi Stories, Cindy Dell, More Cindy Stories, Duane Rutter, More Duane Stories

---

Previous (2013 Hamilton Music Award Winners) - - - Next (New Harrison Kennedy CD)

2013 Hamilton Music Award Winners

The 2013 Hamilton  Music Awards were handed out on Saturday, November 16 (Industry) and Sunday, November 17 (main).  As always, it was an incredible celebration of the best music this city has to offer.  There was amazing music throughout the Hammer!

The big winners were Harrison Kennedy, who took home four trophies as well as a lifetime achievement award and hard rock band Monster Truck, who won seven awards.

Click here for the Spectator story

Here's a sampling of the winners!

• Blues Recording: Harrison Kennedy - Soulscape
  
  
  Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories, Video courtesy of PhotogAtTheSpec

• Folk/Traditional Recording: Dawn and Marra – Teaspoons and Tablespoons
• Roots Recording: Lee Harvey Osmond – The Folk Sinner
• Alt/Country Recording: JP Riemens & the Fabulous Barflies – No Filter
• Adult Alternative Recording: Cowlick – Night Vision
• Adult Contemporary Recording: Ian Thomas – Little Dreams
• Ethnic/World Recording of the Year: Yiannis Kapoulas – Mystic Journey
• Jazz Recording: Diana Panton
• Female Artist: Buckshot Bebee
• Male Artist: Harrison Kennedy
• New Artist/Group: Allotrope
• Mohawk College Artist Lifetime Achievement Award: Harrison Kennedy
• Instrumental Recording: Brad Cheeseman Group – Brad Cheesman Group
• Songwriter: Harrison Kennedy
• Female Vocalist: Diana Panton
• Male Vocalist: Harrison Kennedy
• Record: Monster Truck - Furiosity
  
  
  Links: Monster Truck, More Monster Truck Stories, Video courtesy of Monster Truck
  

Rising Star Winner: Ash to Ember

Industry Awards

• Artist Website: www.ilovemonstertruck.com
• Video of the Year: Saint Alvia - Mother’s Day
  
  
  Links: Saint Alvia, Video courtesy of Saint Alvia

• Best Album Artwork: Lee Harvey Osmond (The Folk Sinner)
• Record Label: Sonic Unyon Recording Company (Terra Lightfoot, Young Rival, Threat Signal)
• Music Retailer: Dr. Disc
• Major Concert Venue: Gage Park
• Live Club of the Year: This Ain’t Hollywood
• Musical Event (People’s Choice): Supercrawl
• Theatre: Pearl Company
• Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year: Jesse O’Brien (Smoke Wagon Blues Band/Andre Bisson)
• Special Instrumentalist: Yiannis Kapoulas
• Guitarist: Jeremy Widerman (Monster Truck)
• Drummer: Steve Kiely (Monster Truck)
• Bassist: Jon Harvey (Monster Truck)
• Local Group (People’s Choice): John Mamone
• Canadian Recording (People’s Choice): Monster Truck 

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Click here for more about the Hamilton Music Awards 

---

Previous (New Andre Bisson CD)

New Andre Bisson CD: Bad Scene

Local bluesman Andre Bisson's latest CD, Bad Scene recently earned 7 Hamilton Music Awards - and with good reason!

Andre's usual tasty blend of blues, swing, R&B, and soul have received an extra shot of energy.  His voice is more powerful than ever and the hot band is right there with him.

The albums packed with incedible numbers: the hard drivin' Soul Survivor, the cool boogie of the title track, straight ahead blues rock (Wasting Time), slow soulful numbers (Ever Since You Went Away) and an excellent cover of Jimi Hendrix's Remember.

Rounding out this killer main band is Loretta Hale (Trumpet), Brad Cheeseman (Bass), Matt Burns (Drums/Tambourine) and Francis Smith (Sax).  Special guests include Jesse O'Brien, Darcy Hepner, Andrew King, Kevin Matthews.

This amazing album can be downloaded through  and iTunes and cdbaby (where you can also get a CD rip of it).

Videos below courtesy of Andre's YouTube Page







Blast from the Past: Andre Bisson CD-Till the Real Thing Comes Along

Links: Andre Bisson, More Andre Bisson stories, More CD Releases

---

Previous (News Roundup w Big Johnny Blue, Downbeat Reader's Poll, Scotty Campbell) - - - Next (2013 Hamilton Music Award Winners)

News Roundup (Big Johnny Blue, Downbeat Reader's Poll, Scotty Campbell)

Local

• Kevin's Barbershop podcast with Big Johnny Blue
  
  Links: Big Johnny Blue, More Big Johnny Blue Stories, Video courtesy of Kevin's Barbershop

---

World

• Passings: Crystal Lee (Joan Jett drummer), Mike O'Neill (piano for Beatles, Hendrix)

---

Downbeat Magazine Reader's Poll results 

Hall of Fame: Pat Metheny
Jazz Artist: Wayne Shorter
Jazz Album: Wayne Shorter Quartet, Without A Net
Historical Album: Miles Davis Quintet, Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2
Jazz Group: Wayne Shorter Quartet
Big Band: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis
Trombone: Trombone Shorty
Soprano Saxophone: Wayne Shorter
Alto Saxophone: Kenny Garrett
Tenor Saxophone: Sonny Rollins
Baritone Saxophone: Gary Smulyan
Clarinet: Anat Cohen
Flute: Hubert Laws
Piano: Keith Jarrett
Keyboard: Herbie Hancock
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco
Guitar: Pat Metheny
Bass: Christian McBride
Electric Bass: Stanley Clarke
Violin: Regina Carter
Drums: Jack DeJohnette
Vibes: Gary Burton
Percussion: Poncho Sanchez
Miscellaneous Instrument: Béla Fleck (banjo)
Female Vocalist: Diana Krall
Male Vocalist: Kurt Elling
Composer: Wayne Shorter
Arranger: Maria Schneider
Record Label: Blue Note
Blues Artist or Group: B.B. King
Blues Album: Dr. John, Locked Down
Beyond Artist or Group: Robert Glasper Experiment
Beyond Album: Donald Fagen, Sunken Condos 
 


Links: Wayne Shorter, Video courtesy of Tadeus Jazz

---

Funny/Weird Stuff

 

---

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Blues News Bites w/ videos from Jacob Moon, Lee Harvey Osmond & Canadian Heroes
• 2010: Videos - Michael Pickett@Artword Artbar
• 2011: Videos-JP Riemens@Brantford Station Gallery
• 2012: News Roundup w/Rita Chiarelli, Oakland Soul & Boon's House Jam

---

Featured Video


Links: Scotty Campbell, Video courtesy of EllePreece

---

---

Previous (Canadian Folk Music Award Winners) - - - Next (New Andre Bisson CD)

2013 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners

On November 10, 2013 in Calgary there was a wonderful celebration of the great roots music this country has to offer.  The Canadian Folk Music Awards were handed out to some very deserving musicians.

The big winners were the Good Lovelies and Jaron Freeman-Fox with two awards each. Congratulations to everyone!



Links: Good Lovelies, More Good Lovelies Stories, Video courtesy of the Good Lovelies



Links: Jaron Freeman-Fox, More Jaron Freeman-Fox Stories, Video courtesy of Humple Empire


Here is a complete list of winners.

• Vocal Group of the Year: Good Lovelies
• New/Emerging Artist: Mo Kenney
• Pushing The Boundaries: Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• English Songwriter: David Francey
• French Songwriter: Dany Placard  
• Aboriginal Songwriter: Nancy Mike  
• World Solo Artist: Jorge Miguel
• World Group: Jaffa Road  
• Traditional Album: Seinn (Mary Jane Lamond & Wendy MacIsaac)
• Traditional Singer: Pharis Romero
• Contemporary Album: Valleyheart (Justin Rutledge) 
• Contemporary Singer: Ian Sherwood 
• Instrumental Group: Jaron Freeman-­Fox & The Opposite of Everything
• Instrumental Solo Artist: Chrissy Crowley 
• Ensemble: Good Lovelies
• Solo Artist: Lynn Miles
• Young Performer: Kierah
• Children’s Album: Helen Austin (Always Be A Unicorn)
• Producer: David Travers-­Smith (Ruth Moody & Jaron Freeman-­Fox and The Opposite of Everything)
• Unsung Hero: Mitch Podolak
• Innovator: Daniel Lapp  

Click here for about the Folk Awards

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

---

Previous (News Roundup w Pete Van Dyk, Azalea, Mike Lynch, Bob Bryden) - - - Next (Remembrance Day Videos) - - - Next (News Roundup w Big Johnny Blue, Downbeat Reader's Poll, Scotty Campbell)

Videos: Workshop@Festival of Friends (August 11, 2013) Part 2 (Mark McNeil, Doug Feaver, Alex Leggett)

Click above for more pictures

---

Links: Mark McNeil, More Mark McNeil stories



Link: Alex Leggett, More Alex Leggett Stories



Links: Doug Feaver, More Doug Feaver Stories

Also backing them up are Sarah Beatty, Liam Titcomb, and Brent Titcomb

Click here for part 1

Bonus video of Alex Leggett, courtesy of his YouTube page



Blast from the Past: Bring Strings Workshop w Mark McNeil & Friends

---

Previous (Videos: Festival of Friends Workshop w/Sarah Beatty, Liam Titcomb and Brent Titcomb) - - - Next (Remembrance Day Videos w/Sonny Del Rio, Fred Eaglesmith and more)

Videos: Workshop@Festival of Friends (August 11, 2013) Part 1 (Sarah Beatty, Liam & Brent Titcomb)

Click above for more pictures

---

Links: Sarah Beatty, More Sarah Beatty Stories



Links: Liam Titcomb



Links: Brent Titcomb, More Brent Titcomb Stories

Also backing them up are Mark McNeil and Alex Leggett

Click here for Part 2

Bonus video of Liam below, courtesy of Nettwerk Music



Blast from the Past: Sarah Beatty CD-Black Gramophone

---

Previous (News Roundup w Tom Wilson, Spec Readers' Choice Awards, Lou Reed, Blues Blast Awards, Rick and the Krickets, more) - - - Next (Videos: Festival of Friends Workshop w/Mark McNeil, Alex Leggett and Doug Feaver)

News Roundup (Spec Awards, Blues Blast Awards, Tom Wilson, Lou Reed, Krickets)

Local

• Kevin's Barbershop Podcast with Tom and Thompson Wilson



Links: Tom Wilson, More Tom Wilson Stories, Harlan Pepper, More Harlan Pepper Stories, Video courtesy of Kevin's Barbershop Podcast

---

Spectator's Readers' Choice Awards

All lists are Platinum, Gold, Silver

• Festival: Super Crawl, Winona Peach Festival, Locke Street Festival
• Live Entertainment Facility: Hamilton Place, Copps Coliseum, Theatre Aquarius
• Concert Venue: Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place, This Ain't Hollywood
• Live Jazz Club: Augusta House, Cat'N'Fiddle, Stonewalls 
• Live Music Bar/Lounge: Casbah, Slainte, Stonewalls
• Music School: Academy of Performing Arts, Suzuki School of Music, Picks & Sticks 
• Recording Studio: Grant Avenue, Hive, Sound Cave
• Music Instrument Store: Long & McQuade, Mountain Music, Payne Music
• Record/CD Store: Cheapies, Beat Goes On, Dr. Disc 
• Local Artists: Julia Veenstra, Kathryn Smith, Tom Wilson 

---

  Canada 

• Oct 2013 issue of Maple Blues w/Jerome Godboo, MonkeyJunk & more

---

  World

• James Cotton to receive Governor's award in Misissippi
• Lou Reed Passes
• Passings: Peter Haycock (Climax Blues Band), Fiddler Jim Shumate, Gypie Mayo (Yardbirds, Dr. Feelgood), Bobby Parker

---

 Blues Blast Award Winners

• Contemporary Blues Album: Shaun Murphy – Ask For The Moon
• Traditional Blues Album: The Cash Box Kings – Black Toppin'
• Blues Rock Album: Albert Castiglia – Living The Dream
• Soul Blues Album: Curtis Salgado – Soul Shot
• New Artist Debut Release: Southern Hospitality – Easy Livin'
• Song of the Year: Cee Cee James & Rob "Slideboy" Andrews – "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues"
• Female Blues Artist of the Year: Shaun Murphy
• Male Blues Artist of the Year: Doug MacLeod
• Blues Band of the Year: Tedeschi Trucks Band
• Sean Costello Rising Star Award: Doug Deming

---

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: News + Videos by Lee Harvey Osmond, Kim Koren and Jacob Moon
• 2010: Videos from Busted Flat Anniversary Show w Duane Rutter, Lynn jackson, Jay Semko (Northern Pikes), more
• 2011: Videos - JP Riemens@Brantford Station Gallery
• 2012: News + Videos of Brett Brohman and Crawlin' Kingsnakes

---

Featured Videos

Links: Rick and the Krickets, More Rick and the Krickets Stories, Video courtesy of SimVid2



Links: Lou Reed, More Lou Reed Stories, Video courtesy of Raufschunaiden

---

---

Previous (New Daddy Long Legs CD) - - - Next (Videos: Festival of Friends Workshop w/Sarah Beatty, Liam Titcomb and Brent Titcomb)

New Daddy Long Legs CD: The Devil's in the Details

With tons of Boogie Blues and hard drinkin' songs, the latest disc from Waterloo's Daddy Long Legs, Devil's in the Details (from Busted Flat Records) is the perfect musical party platter.

This is no-nonsense, rattle the roof, electric blues rock meant to get ya dancin'.  Blazing guitars, fiery harp playing and dynamic vocals are the order of the day here.

There are also a few wonderful detours such as the acoustic Dug My Own Grave, Lonely (a beautiful ballad) and a bit of cool zydeco on Borrowed Time.

This rockin' CD is available at their explosive live shows and through the Busted Flat website.  It can also be downloaded  through Busted Flat and iTunes.

Video below courtesy of Dave Sloan



Video below courtesy of Sound Distillery



Links: Daddy Long Legs, More Daddy Long Legs Stories, More CD Releases

---

Previous (Videos: Workshop@Festival of Friends w D'arcy Wickham, Steve Sinnicks, Darrelle London, David Knopfler, Ken Whiteley) - - - Next (News Roundup w Tom Wilson, Spec Readers' Choice Awards, Lou Reed, Blues Blast Awards, Rick and the Krickets, more)