New Shawn O'Halloran CD: Jumpin' the Gun on Mardi Gras

The Hammer meets New Orleans is the best way to describe the latest wonderful disc from local bluesman, Shawn O'Halloran.

Usually seen playing great straight-ahead blues with the Stingrays, Shawn has stepped into the spotlight with some great Cajun-infused, jazzy tunes.  There's a lotta fun, a lotta soul, and a lotta funk!

Joining this party are Paul Panchezak of Trickbag (drums), Lindsay Harnett (guitar and uke), Neil Nickafor (bass), Ed Roth (accordion, keyboards), Leo Sullivan (sax), and Wayne Krawchuck (harmony vocals).  The whole package is ably produced by Michael J. Birthelmer.

You can catch this CD at the Stingrays shows or contact Shawn through the Stingrays site.

Below is the title track from the album.



Blast from the Past: Videos-Stingrays@Coach and Lantern

Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories, More CD Releases

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Michael J. Birthelmer's Zanzibar & Your Number Now on CD

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.

Michael is backed up dutifully by Bob Doidge, Ed Roth, Bill Dillon, Brian Griffith and others.  The background vocals by Ian Thomas, Dave Rave, and Jude Johnson are a real treat as well.

Video below courtesy of Ohanakamakame

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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.

The video below is a song from the CD.



Blast from the Past: Videos-Michael Birthelmer@Pine Street

Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories, More CD Releases 

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New Paul Langille CD: Pine and Locke

It's been a long while (over 10 years) since we've heard a new CD from  hometown boy Paul Langille.  Pine and Locke breaks that silence with great style.

On this impressive release, Paul uses his trademark growl but also goes beyond . You can experience the singer's range in the emotion of songs like Broken and Just a Broken Soul.  Then there's the blues power of Kind of Girl, the country style of Honky Tonk, the ragtime sounds of Home Sweet Home and more.  He can do it all!

The CD's title isn't the only nod to the singer/songwriter's steeltown roots.  Michael J. Birthelmer produced the disc at his Hamilton studio.  A bevy of area talent was also brought in to support Paul.  Members of Trickbag (Les Smith, Mike Hickey, Paul & Donna Panchezak) , Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation), Ed Roth, Brian Griffith, Lisa Winn, Jude Johnson, and others make wonderful contributions.  Paul also covers Playing to Win, a song by local musician Wayne Krawchuk (Banned From Heaven)

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

Below is a track from the disc.



Blast from the Past: Paul Langille@Brantford Station Gallery

Links: Paul Langille, More Paul Langille Stories, More CD Releases

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New Edgar Breau CD: Patches of Blue

One thing you won't find a lot of on Edgar Breau's latest CD, patches of blue is repetition. The local singer/songwriter covers a whole lot of ground in just 12 songs.

While mainly known as a member of the proto-punk/psych band, Simply Saucer, his solo endeavors are more on the rootsier side. Edgar explores all aspects of the genre: folk, country, blues, celtic, and much more. Every single song has a unique spirit.

Highlights include the trippy title track, the funky One Kind of Love, the wonderfully folky Dreams of Jack Kerouac, and the island sounds of Maria the Sea and the Sun.Joining Edgar in his musical explorations are Mike Trebilcock, Kyle Pacey, Bill Dillon, members of Trickbag (Michael Hickey, Paul Panchezak), Joe Clark, Brian Griffith, Ed Roth, Simply Saucer bassist Kevin Christoff, and Michael Birthelmer (who also produced).

The CD is available at his live shows as well as cdbaby and as downloads on eMusic, iTunes, and cdbaby.

Below is a video of the title track. Courtesy of Flying Inn Recordings.



Links: Edgar Breau, More Edgar Breau Stories

Michael Birthelmer and Friends@Locke Street Festival (September 10, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Ed Roth, Michael Birthelmer, Brian Griffith, Michael Hickey (Trickbag)









More from the festival:

• Burnin' Ethyl
• Harrison Kennedy
• Photos

Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories

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Michael Birthelmer and Friends@Pine Street Garden Concert Series (July 28, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: , Ed Roth, Brian Griffith, Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Michael Birthelmer, Michael Hickey (Trickbag)

Tom Warram opened, click here for that footage

Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories

Tom Warram@Pine Street Garden Concert Series (July 28, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.









Ed Roth joined in for a song



Tom was opening for Michael Birthelmer. We'll have footage of that show soon.

Link: Footage from the Pine Street Garden Concert Series

Michael Birthelmer and Friends@Pine Street Garden Concert Series (July 14, 2011) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Ed Roth, Michael Birthelmer, Jay Burr











Click here for part 1

Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories


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Michael Birthelmer and Friends@Pine Street Garden Concert Series (July 14, 2011) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Ed Roth, Michael Birthelmer, Jay Burr









More footage from this show to come later . . .

Bonus video courtesy of Focus Media 100



Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories


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Dave Rave & Friends @ Fenian Films (June 26, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Mark Foley, Dave Rave, Jack Pedler, Lauren Agnelli, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Rick Andrew, Ed Roth.













This was part of a CD Release Party. Click here for the review and more performances from this show.

Lauren Agnelli opened the show. Click here for her performance.

Links: Dave Rave Site - More Dave Rave Stories

Lauren Agnelli & Friends @ Fenian Films (June 26, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos

Lauren was opening for Dave Rave's CD Release Party. Click here to view footage from that show.

Guests include: Mark Foley (guitar), Dave Rave (bass, vocals), Jack Pedler (drums), Ed Roth (keys)














Links: Lauren's Site - More Lauren Agnelli Stories

New Dave Rave CD: Live With What You Know

Local music legend Dave Rave recently released his latest CD, Live With What You Know. It's a return to form for the ex-member of the Shakers and Teenage Head. After experimenting with jazz/lounge music for a while, he has come back to the catchy pop rock melodies from his earlier career.

There's a definite Beatles influence on a number of tracks, including the album opener, Anne-Marie and The Gardner Knows. Dave also mixes up hard rocking tunes like Rain Song, and All of the Love You Can Handle with slower songs such as Strong and Station Road. Overall, this collection is an amazing mixture of different rockin' pop sensibilities.

Dave brings a couple of his local musical buddies to join him on the disc. Mark Foley, Dave King, Jack Pedler (Teenage Head), and even his former Shakers bandmates Tim Gibbons and Rick Andrew lend their talents to this cool CD.

The disc is available online, at his shows and as an iTunes download.

Below are a few performances from CD release Party at Fenian Films on June 26, 2010. More from this show will be posted soon. Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Mark Foley, Dave Rave, Jack Pedler, Lauren Agnelli, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Rick Andrew, Ed Roth.













Links: Dave Rave Site - More Dave Rave Stories