If you prefer variety in your music, then Circus Songs, the incredible latest disc from local singer/songwriter Michael Vallely is for you. Recently nominated for a Hamilton Music Award, the album deftly explores a lot of musical territory.
Though always grounded in the folk/roots tradition, the songs range from pop, Celtic, Country, a touch of Reggae and even a little bit of Rap. Michael handles it all with distinctive vocals, outstanding songwriting and a wonderfully twisted sense of humour.
Hamilton singer/songwriter Michael J. Birthelmer has released two of his classic albums on CD for the first time.
Zanibar has a wonderful tropical feel throughout most of the disc. This isn't your typical island dance music but an amazing fun sound with its roots in folk. The storytelling is just superb.
Your Number is a fabulous musical voyage featuring different elements such as jazz, pop, oriental sounds, psychedelic passages, and synthesizers.The songwriting is top notch here as well.
Michael co-horts this time out include Carl Horton, Michael Hickey & Paul Panchezak (of Trickbag), and many others.
To get one (or both) of these stunning CDs, you can contact Michael through his web site.
Round, the latest CD from Hamilton musician Christopher Clause, received quite a bit of fanfare at its release party on September 24, 2010 at the Westside Theatre.
The attention was definitely warranted. Most of the songs on the disc are catchy, high-energy pop rock (Surreal But Beautiful, Friday Smile, Under the Weather, more). They're in the cool spirit of the 60s without being derivative. Throughout the album, the sounds are peppered with fuzz, wailing guitars and other neat features. You can even hear some touches of classical, bluegrass and more.
Other great local musicians on the album include Bob Bryden (harmony/backing vocals), Michael Scott (drums), Spider Costello (drums, backing vocals), Lisa Winn (backing vocals) Amy King (backing vocals, engineering) and Bob Doidge on multiple instruments. On Tambourine Bruise Christopher's even joined by his two children Emma and Riley.
To top things off this recording is even available on vinyl! The record, CD or digital download can can be purchased at the Foot Records web site.
The singer/guitarist managed to recreate many of the powerful songs from the disc live at the Cd release party. Below are a few performances featuring songs from the new CD. Click here if you can't see them.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut, the recently reunited Hamilton duo (Chantal Chamberland and Cynthia Kerr), Open Mind released Over Oceans - a wonderful disc of reworked classics and new songs.
This is their first recording in 16 years. The title is an apt one as it was recorded across continents (Kerr is now based in Australia) using the latest technology.
The end result isn't cold and mechanical though. Each song has the great pop/folk sound the band was famous for in the 1990s. It runs the gamut from catchy (Why, Open Hands) to soft and sweet (Touch the Water, Wishful Thinking), and everything in between. There are even a few middle eastern and Spanish elements in the mix as well.
