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

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Videos: 1st Annual Hamilton Blues and Roots Festival

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories



Links: Terra Lightfoot, More Terra Lightfoot Stories



Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories



Links: Fry Truck, More Fry Truck Stories, Video courtesy of Fry Truck 

Click here for pictures of the festival 

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Steve Strongman and Harrison Kennedy Among Those Nominated for Maple Blues Awards

Two talented Hamilton players have a great chance at bringing some award hardware home. Local soul/blues legend Harrison Kennedy and  bluesman Steve Strongman have been nominated for the 16th annual Maple Blues Awards .

Strongman has the distinction of having the most (six) nominations for this year. Kennedy will be up for two awards.

The Maple Blues Awards are taking place at Koerner Hall (Toronto) on January 21, 2013. Voting  runs October 27-December 8, 2012. Click here to register to vote.

Entertainer Of The Year

• Colin James
• Matt Andersen
• MonkeyJunk
• Shakura S'Aida
• Steve Strongman

Electric Act Of The Year

• Anthony Gomes
• JW-Jones
• MonkeyJunk
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Strongman

Acoustic Act Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Michael Jerome Browne
• Ray Bonneville
• Steve Strongman
• Suzie Vinnick

Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Chuck Jackson
• Harrison Kennedy
• Matt Andersen
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Marriner

Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Dawn Tyler Watson
• Nanette Workman
• Shakura S'Aida
• Suzie Vinnick
• Treasa Levasseur

New Artist Or Group Of The Year

• Ben Racine
• Boogie Patrol
• Conor Gains Band
• Steve Kozak
• The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer

BB King International Artist Of The Year

• Tedeschi Trucks Band
• Michael Burks
• Dr. John
• Curtis Salgado
• Joe Louis Walker

Recording Of The Year

• Steve Strongman: A Natural Fact 
• The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer: Checkered Past (Independent)
• Shakura S'Aida: Time
• Treasa Levasseur: Broad
• Paul Reddick: Wishbone

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)

• Alec Fraser
• Michael Jerome Browne
• Danny Brooks
• Ellen McIlwaine
• Joe Murphy
• Ken Whiteley
• Michael Fonfara
• Stephen Barry
• Tom Lavin
• Matt Minglewood
• Brent Parkin
• Bob Walsh
• Jim Zeller
• Nannette Workman
• Theresa Malenfant
• John Dickie

Guitar Player Of The Year

• David Gogo
• Garrett Mason
• Kevin Breit
• Steve Strongman
• Teddy Leonard (Fathead)

Harmonica Player Of The Year

• Carlos del Junco
• David Hoerl (The Twisters)
• Guy Bélanger
• Paul Reddick
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year

• David Vest
• Julian Fauth
• Kenny "Blues Boss" WayneLance Anderson (Shakura S'Aida)
• Michael Fonfara (Downchild)

Horn Player Of The Year

• Al Lerman (Fathead)
• Chris Whiteley
• Frank Thiffault (Ben Racine)
• Jon Wong (The 24th Street Wailers)
• Pat Carey (Downchild)

Drummer Of The Year

• Bucky Berger (Fathead)
• Chris Nordquist (Jim Byrnes)
• Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Sam Harrisson (Paul Deslauriers)
• Tom Bona (Soulstack)

Bassist Of The Year

• Alec Fraser
• Gary Kendall (Downchild, David Vest)
• Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)
• Stephen Barry
• Terry Wilkins (Raoul and the Big Time)

Songwriter Of The Year

• Julian Fauth
• Paul Reddick
• Shakura S'Aida & Donna Grantis
• Steve Strongman
• Treasa Levasseur 

Blues Booster of the Year

• John Valenteyn (Toronto Blues Society)

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Maple Blues Winners

More from the Maple Blues Awards

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New Fraser/Daley CD: The Whole Fam Damily

When Hamilton son Mike Daley and Toronto's Alec Fraser join forces, they play high quality, old-fashioned, pre-war style blues. The talented duo are up to their old tricks on the second Fraser/Daley release, the Whole Fam Damily.

Don't mistake this for a covers album of traditional songs though. These guys take the roots and use it to cook up 12 hot, brand new helpings. You can hear the off-the-floor magic in every song.

Mike's great vocals and exceptional guitar skills are on full display here. So are Alec's bass work and occasional lead vocals.

You can pick up the CD at their live shows or through their web-site. It's also available as a download through their site, eMusic and iTunes.

Below are a few songs from the CD. Videos courtesy of FDTV







Blast from the Past: Review of Fraser/Daley's previous CD and videos from the Casbah

Links: Fraser/Daley, More Mike Daley Stories, More Alec Fraser Stories-------------------------------------------
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New Steve Strongman Acoustic CD: A Natural Fact

Steve Strongman is known around the world for his high powered, high energy electric guitar sound.  For his latest CD, A Natural Fact, this Hamilton boy's decided to show that he's equally adept with an acoustic guitar.

This ain't no collection of slow, introspective, ballads though.  The stripped down feel allows his great voice to show off it's energy and power (especially on Haven't Seen It Yet and The Mood).  Plus, the boogie he's always had is still here.

Steve also takes advantage of the acoustic format to explore some older blues vibes on a few numbers (while still maintaining a foot in the present). You can hear this from the quasi-gospel sound of I Forgot, to the jazzy, old-timey Full of You, and the rawness of Just One Thing

Though a few tunes are just Steve and his guitar (as well as harmonica), he had a few musical pals to keep him company:  Jesse O'Brien, Alec Fraser, Rob Szabo (who also produced the CD), Dave King, and Suzie Vinnick (who duets with him on Leaving).

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

Below are live performances of songs from the CD. Courtesy of IndieEyes





Blast From the Past: Steve Strongman Playing Acoustic at Slainte 

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

New Mike Daley Covers CD: One Till Two

Hamilton son Mike Daley's latest CD, From One Till Two, Vintage Jazz, Ragtime and Blues is an incredible collection of covers. You can practically hear the history in every note.

Mike does an amazing job with these jazzy pre-war numbers (such as Dinah, Rocking Chair, Jitterbug Waltz). Though he maintains the feel of the originals there is a modern polish to them. His guitar work and vocals are in great form here.

This is mainly a one man show as Mike handles guitar, bass, banjo and more. Jill Daley does join him on violin for the title track though. His frequent musical partner Alec Fraser helped mix the songs.

You can download the tracks on iTunes and eMusic.

Below are a few songs from the album courtesy of Mike's YouTube Page.







Links: Mike Daley, More Mike Daley 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

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Steve Strongman Wins Guitarist of the Year at Maple Blues Awards

Congratulations to Hamilton's Steve Strongman, who won the Guitarist of the Year award at the 15th annual Maple Blues Awards. They were handed out January 16, 2012. Other winners inlcuded MonkeyJunk (3 awards), Matt Andersen (3 awards), Suzie Vinnick (2 awards), and more.

Here are the talented winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR

MonkeyJunk

ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Matt Andersen

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

To Behold, MonkeyJunk

BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement)

Paul James

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Gregg Allman

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Steve Strongman

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Carlos del Junco

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

Matt Sobb ( MonkeyJunk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR

Alec Fraser

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Suzie Vinnick

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR

Liz Sykes

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Cool You Tube Videos (Sarah Harmer, Fraser/Daley, Rosei Flores/Lori Yates)

Above video courtesy of Quadrillium



Above video courtesy of neek49



Above video courtesy of tambourini





Above videos courtesy of Quadrillium

Links: Sarah Harmer, Fraser/Daley, Rosie Flores, Lori Yates

New Susan Wylde CD: In the Light

Local vocalist/pianist Susan Wylde has released great CDs in the jazz/pop vein. Now with her latest collection, In the Light, she is delving more into her bluesey side. Thanks to the talent of Susan and her band, you can tell it's a side worth exploring.

The disc has high energy, soulful, infectious, funky music. The opening track, One Real Man, gets things off to a swinging start. Other highlights include Lovely Push-Up Bra (an old-timey, jazzy piece dedicated to the late Jeff Healey), the emotional Turn Me On, and the boogie woogie soul of the title track.

Susan also lends her amazing, expressive voice to such classics as Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, Georgia on My Mind, The Thrill is Gone, and At Last.

Accompanying her on the disc is a treasuer trove of Canadian Blues talent. There's local guitarist, Jack deKeyzer (who also co-produces), Jerome Godboo, Paul Reddick, Alec Fraser, Denis Keldie, and many more.

The CD is available at her live shows and also as a disc or download at CDbaby.

Click here for Susan's web page

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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Jack De Keyzer Plays on Harmonica Shah CD: Live at the Cove

Once again, Detroit Bluesman Harmonica Shah has enlisted the help of local guitar master Jack de Keyzer. This time, the two talent musicians join forces on the CD, Live at the Cove.

You can definitely hear why Shah has teamed up with Jack quite a few times. He does an amazing job playing the axe for the CD's raw, down and dirty blues sound. There's a lot of boogie, funk, and some old-fashioned soul. The band handles it all with panache.

The duo are backed by Canadians Alec Fraser (bass) and Al Cross (drums)

The disc is available in stores and as an iTunes download.

Below is a video from the show.



Links - Harmonica Shah - More Harmonica Shah Stories - Jack de Keyzer - More Jack de Keyzer Stories

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Fraser/Daley @ Casbah (January 9, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.











More Robert Johnson covers/stories



More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories

This was part of their CD release Party. Click here for a review of the disc and more live performances from the show.

Links: Fraser/Daley - Alec Fraser - Mike Daley

New Fraser/Daley CD

Former Hamiltonian Mike Daley (Uncle Violet), and Alec Fraser (Jeff Healey, Jack deKeyzer, Mel Brown) have teamed up as Fraser/Daley to create a superb self-titled CD of high energy folk blues.

The duo works extremely well together. Both have distinctive vocals that mesh perfectly when they harmonize. Daley is a talented guitarist and Alec is rightfully renowned for his bass playing.

You'll definitely be tapping your toes and clapping your hands to these great examples of traditional country blues. Alec and Mike put their great spin on old classics like Bad Luck Blues, Welcom Table, Keep It Clean, more and also work their magic on original numbers like 140 on the 401, Homesick Daddy, Turn This Rig Around, etc.

The CD is available at their shows and as a download at their web site.

Below are a few videos from their CD Release Party at the Casbah, featuring songs from the new disc.











We'll be posting more from this show later. . .

Links: Fraser/Daley - Alec Fraser - Mike Daley
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Jack De Keyzer, Jerome Godboo and Friends@Stonewalls (November 21, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Jack De Keyzer (guitar), Rick Donaldson (drums), Jerome Godboo (harmonica), Alec Fraser (bass)











Links: Jerome Godboo - Jack De Keyzer - More Jack De Keyzer Stories

Jack de Keyzer on New Harmonica Shah CD: If All You Have is a Hammer

Talented bluesman Harmonica Shah may be from Detroit but he knows exactly where to find great blues players.

Hamilton's own Jack deKeyzer plays guitar on his latest CD, If All You Have is a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail.

Joining Shah and DeKeyzer are Canadians Alec Fraser (Jeff Healey, Jerome Godboo) on Bass and Al Cross (Big Sugar, Jerome Godboo) on drums. Juno award winner, Julian Fauth also lends occasional piano to the disc.

Most of the same group teamed up for Shah's previous CD, Listen At Me Good as well.

If All You Have . . . is good old fashioned blues in the style of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters with a bit of soul. DeKeyzer's guitar prowess is evident on all tracks. There's booty shaking boogie and some amazing slower numbers too.

The CD is available online, including as an e-music download.

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack De Keyzer Stories, More CD Releases

New Steve Strongman CD: Blues in Colour

Local blues musician, Steve Strongman has released his latest CD, "Blues In Colour".

The disc includes Alec Fraser on bass and Dave King on Drums. It features catchy hooks, acoustic ballads and a cover of Freddie King's Across the Water.

"I am really proud of this CD and can't wait for you to hear it," Strongman said.

Click here for the View Magazine story.

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories, More CD Releases

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