Songs News: June 2011

Thursday, 30 June 2011

Cool YouTube Videos (Acoustic Rooster, Good Friday Jam, Black Rose)

Video courtesy of 6 String Junkie

Videos courtesy of Sam De Rosa

Links: Acoustic Rooster

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Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Remembering the Trailblazers (Videos)

The Trailblazers were a rocking blues band formed in the 1990s. They released 2 cassettes (Fun Raisin', Live at Pop the Gator) and 1 CD (Master Plan).

Unfortunately, the group broke up a while back but three of the members (keyboardist Lily Sazz, original basist Kim Campagnaro, and guitarist Alex Macdougall) are now part of the fabulous funky group, Groove Corporation. Bassist Gerry Gregg has played with Steve Sinnicks, the Silver Hearts, and more.

Click here if you can't see the videos.

The bottom two were taken from a cassette. We apologize for the quality.

Links: Groove Corporation - More Groove Corporation Stories

Monday, 27 June 2011

Jack De Keyzer Plays on John Mays (Fathead) Debut Solo CD: I Found a Love

Hamilton's Jack De Keyzer is one of many talented guests on I Found a Love, the debut CD of the fabulous Fathead frontman John Mays.

This incredible disc features John and his friends playing many rock, soul and R&B favourites such as Jesus is on the Mainline, People Sure Act Funny, and Jealous Guy.

Jack plays guitar on the funky Have Mercy Baby, a Dominoes cover. Also on the track are Muddy Waters drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Michael Fonfara (Downchild) on keys, and more.

John's Fathead bandmates Al Lerman and Teddy Leonard play throughout the disc as well. Also appearing are Denis Keldie, Alec Fraser, Lance Anderson, and Al Cross (Big Sugar).

The CD is available at finer music stores everywhere, at Fathead gigs, or can be ordered online.

Check out the promo video below.

Below is John Mays playing the title track with another band in 1994.

Links: Fathead, More Fathead Stories, Jack De Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories

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Previous (Blues River Man Videos) - - - Next (Trailblazers Videos)

Friday, 24 June 2011

Blues River Man (Improv Jam Videos)

Hamilton's Blues River Man (aka Mat Toronto) has been posting some footage of private improv instrumental jams with his buddies. Here are few of them:

Links: Blues River Man - His YouTube Page - More Mat Toronto Stories

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

Dawn and Marra Debut CD: never ask me why

Though still in their teens,

Dundas natives Dawn Larsh and Marra Koren have already proven themselves by winning 2010's Rising Star Competition at the Hamilton Music Awards. The duo have followed this up with an excellent debut CD never ask me why.

Dawn and Marra manage to create delightful music that is infectious and poppy without sacrificing the singer/songwriter quality of their work. Funk, soul, pop and rock are all blended expertly.

The disc also features backing by Marra's parents, Frank and Kim Koren along with Craig Lapsley and Amy King.

You can pick up a copy of the CD at their live shows and can download them on iTunes or CDbaby.

Below are a few songs from the album.

Links: Dawn and Marra , More Dawn and Marra Stories

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Previous (Jordan John@Sound of Music Fest) - - - Next (Blues River Man Videos)

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Jordan John and the Blues Angels@Burlington Sound of Music Festival (June 18, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Bonus Videos from Jordan John's YouTube site

Link: Blues Angels Site - More Jordan John Stories

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Previous (New Alfie Smith CD) - - - Next (New Dawn and Marra CD)

Monday, 20 June 2011

New Alfie Smith CD: Sometimes the Rain

On his latest CD, Sometimes the Rain, accomplished Hamilton musician Alfie Smith turns his focus toward more of a singer/songwriter sound. The result is a wonderful, emotional experience.

Make no mistake though - every song on this album has a blues soul to it. Both Two-tone Snake and Only Sin are unmistakable bluesy.

On top of that, Alfie's trademark booming voice adds a lot of emotion to the exquistely written tunes. An incredible new arrangement of Paul Simon's Graceland also shows off his skills.

Sometimes the Rain is mainly a solo affair with just Alfie and a guitar. Amy King joins him on piano for three tracks.

The disc is availale at his live shows, online at Busted Flat Records, and at Pick and Sticks.

Below are a few videos of songs from the album.

Links: Alfie Smith, More Alfie Smith Stories

Friday, 17 June 2011

Chad Pilon and Friends@Boon's House (June 11, 2011) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Click here for Part 1

Links: Chad's Band Autumn Vice - More Chad Pilon Stories - Valerie Beaulieu

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Previous (Chad Pilon@Boon's House, Part 1) - - - Next (New Alfie Smith CD)

Thursday, 16 June 2011

Chad Pilon@Boon's House (June 11, 2011) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Click here for Part 2

Links: Chad's Band Autumn Vice - More Chad Pilon Stories

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Previous (New Blackie and the Rodeo Kings CD) - - - Next (Chad Pilon@Boon's House, Part 2)

Wednesday, 15 June 2011

New Blackie and the Rodeo Kings CD

There were always three kings in Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, and Hamilton's own Tom Wilson). Recently, the trio decided to spice things up a little with a few queens.

Kings and Queens, the group's latest CD, is a collection of duets with the best female roots musicians around. Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Cassandra Wilson, Pam Tillis, Emmylou Harris, Holly Cole, Serena Ryder, and more add their royal vocals.

From soft, soulful ballads to toe tapping country and all points in between, the queens add a majestic touch to every song. This inspiring idea took three years to complete and it's definitely worth all the effort.

The disc is available at many music stores, online and as downloads on iTunes and eMusic.

Links: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - More BARK stories

Below are a few videos from the album.

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Previous (Vibe Songwriters Circle) - - - Next (Chad Pilon@Boon's House)

Vibe Songwriter's Circle@James Street Baptist Church (June 10, 2011) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Click here for Part 1

Links: Fred D Smith, Kori Pop, Christopher Clause

Monday, 13 June 2011

Vibe Songwriter's Circle@James Street Baptist Church (June 10, 2011) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Click here for Part 2

Links: Fred D Smith, Kori Pop, Christopher Clause

Saturday, 11 June 2011

Astrid Young & Friends@Brantford Station House (June 5, 2011) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Astrid Young (vocals), Matt King (guitar), Ray Farrugia (drums)

Bonus video from djmimage

Links: Astrid Young - More Astrid Young Stories

Click here for Part 1

Friday, 10 June 2011

Astrid Young & Friends@Brantford Station House (June 5, 2011), Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Astrid Young (vocals), Matt King (guitar), Ray Farrugia (drums)

Astrid and the band jam with Frank Koren prior to the show.

Matt and Ray join opening act Frank and Kim Koren

Above videos courtesy of Dflack1000

Links: Astrid Young - More Astrid Young Stories

Click here for Part 2

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Jack De Keyzer and Friends @ Blues With a Feeling (June 4, 2011)

This show was a fundraiser for scholarships in honour of the late legendary King Biscuit Boy.

Click here if you can't see the videos.

More from the Show

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories, More from Blues With A Feeling, More King Biscuit Boy Covers/Stories