Harrison Kennedy on Santa's Got Mojo 2 CD

Electro-Fi's latest Christmas compilation, Santa's Got Mojo 2 has many of the top blues acts in Canada layin' out some fantastic festive funkiness.

Hamilton's own blues legend, Harrison Kennedy, offers up Hot Cider Cinnamon, a soulful, haunting, beautiful Christmas song about holiday memories.

Harrison's joined by Fathead (they have 2 tracks on the disc), Chris Whiteley, Shakura S'aida, Julian Fauth, Fruteland Jackson, Morgan Davis and many more with their own wonderful, original songs.  No sappy, dull carols in the lot.  This CD is filled with soul, swing and funk.

To cap things off is an amazing bonus track with the late, great Mel Brown and the Homewreckers playing the classic Merry Christmas Baby.

You can purchase the CD at the Electro-Fi site or download it through iTunes or eMusic.

Below are a few videos of tracks from the CD



Links: Shakura S'Aida, More Shakura S'Aida Stories,  Video courtesy of the Electro-Fi



Links: Morgan Davis, Video courtesy of Calm Tom 6

Blast from the Past: Harrison Kennedy and Others@Hometown Christmas

Links: Harrison Kennedy, More Harrison Kennedy Stories

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News Roundup (Maple Blues Mag, Vanderheyden, Danny Michel)

Local

• Hamilton Blues and Roots Society Facebook Page
• Sept issue of Maple Blues (Kelly Jay, Billy Boy Arnold, Moonshine Cafe, Fathead)
  

World

• Podcasts: Blues Time 168, Roadhouse 393, Nothing But the Blues 207

Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Tom Wilson@Burlington Ribfest
• 2010: Tribute to Michael O'Brien@Corktown
• 2011: David Cavan Fraser@David's

Featured Videos


Links: Mark Vanderheyden, More Mark Vanderheyden stories, Video courtesy of Hamilton Guitar Association



Links: Danny Michel, video courtesy of KelpProduktions

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Rita Chiarelli, Alfie Smith and others on Blind Lemon's Top 20

Congratulations to Hamiltonians Alfie Smith and Rita Chiarelli for making the top 20 of the Blind Lemon Blues list of the best Canadian Blues albums of 2011. They were numbers 13 and 9 respectively.

Here are the complete results:

20 - Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne - An Old Rock On A Roll
19 - Bill Durst - The Great Willy Mammoth
18 - Sabrina Weeks - Tales From Lenny's Diner
17 - Bill Johnson - Still Blue
16 - Fathead - Where's The Blues Taking Me?
15 - Al Wood & the Woodsmen - Mood Swingin' Blues
14 - Lou DeAdder - Headlights
13 - Alfie Smith - Sometimes The Rain
12 - Treasa Levasseur - Broad
11 - 24th Street Wailers - Dirty Little Young 'uns
10 - BC Read - 1,000 Miles
09 - Rita Chiarelli - Music from The Big House
08 - David Gogo - Soul Bender
07 - Jesse Roper - The Roper Show
06 - Suzie Vinnick - Me n Mabel
05 - Colin James - Take it from The Top
04 - Matt Andersen - Coal Mining Bues
03 - MonkeyJunk - To Behold
02 - Jeff Healey Band - Live at Grossmans in 1994
01 - Harpdog Brown - Naturally

Strongman, Kennedy, Chiarelli and de Keyzer Among 2011 Maple Blues Award Nominess

Congratulations to all of the local talent that was nominated for the Maple Blues Awards. Hamilton Blues legend, Harrison Kennedy and hometown girl, Rita Chiarelli (who won the lifetime achievement trophy last year) received 3 nods each. Also Jack de Keyzer and Steve Strongman are up for best guitarist.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on January 16, 2012 at Koerner Hall in Toronto.

Good luck!

Below is a list of the nominees:

Entertainer Of The Year

• Jim Byrnes
• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
• Matt Andersen
• MonkeyJunk
• Shakura S'Aida

Electric Act Of The Year

• Bill Johnson
• David Gogo
• Keith Hallett & Garrett Mason
• MonkeyJunk
• Rita Chiarelli

Acoustic Act Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Harry Manx
• Matt Andersen
• Suzie Vinnick
• Tim Williams

Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Harrison Kennedy
• Jim Byrnes
• John Mays (Fathead)
• Matt Andersen
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Rita Chiarelli
• Robin Bank$
• Shakura S'Aida
• Suzie Vinnick
• Treasa Levasseur

New Artist Or Group Of The Year

• The 24th Street Wailers
• Douglas Watson R&B Revue
• Kat Danser
• Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce
• Tim Vaughn

Recording Of The Year

• Suzie Vinnick - Me 'n' Mabel
• Rita Chiarelli - Music From The Big House
• Bill Johnson - Still Blue
• Harry Manx & Kevin Breit - Strictly Whatever
• MonkeyJunk - To Behold

Blues With A Feeling Award (Lifetime Achievement)

• Alec Fraser
• Danny Brooks
• Ellen McIlwaine
• Joe Murphy
• Ken Whiteley
• Michael Fonfara
• Paul James
• Stephen Barry
• Tom Lavin

B.B. King International Artist Of The Year

• Bettye LaVette
• Duke Robillard
• Greg Allman
• JJ Grey & Mofro
• Tedeschi Trucks Band

Guitar Player Of The Year

• David Gogo
• Garrett Mason
• Jack de Keyzer
• Kevin Breit
• Steve Strongman

Harmonica Player Of The Year

• Carlos del Junco
• David "Hurricane" Hoerl (The Twisters)
• David Rotundo
• Roly Platt
• Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)

Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year

• Curley Bridges
• David Vest
• John Lee Sanders
• Julian Fauth
• Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne

Horn Player Of The Year

• Al Lerman (Fathead)
• Chris Murphy
• Chris Whiteley
• Pat Carey (Downchild)
• Neil Braithwaite (Blackburn)

Drummer Of The Year

• Al Cross (Jerome Godboo)
• Bucky Berger (Fathead)
• Geoff Arsenault (Morgan Davis)
• Matt Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Vince Maccarone (Johnny Max)

Bassist Of The Year

• Alan Duffy (Jack de Keyzer)
• Alec Fraser (Fraser/Daley)
• Gary Kendall (Downchild)
• Keith Picot (The Twisters)
• Omar Tunnoch (Fathead)

Songwriter Of The Year

• Bill Johnson
• Diteodoro/Marriner/Sobb (MonkeyJunk)
• Harrison Kennedy
• Harry Manx
• Suzie Vinnick

Jack de Keyzer and Garth Vogan Play on Latest Chris Murphy CD: Hotwired

London Ontario's Chris Murphy blows a mean sax and can sing up a storm. For his latest solo CD, Hotwired, he decided to bring in some extra big guns to add to the fun.

Waterdown's Garth Vogan slaps the bass throughout the CD. Also, local guitar legend Jack de Keyzer lends guitar solos to two songs: Something Else and Hold it Right There. As if that weren't enough, Teddy Leonard of Fathead plays guitar and Lance Anderson (who also produces) joins them on keys.

With all that amazing talent, you can't help but come out with a rockin' disc. Jazzy, swingin' instrumentals are joined by blues rockers and boogie woogie workouts. This is one feel-good disc!

The album is available at his live shows and as a download on iTunes, cdbaby and eMusic

Below is a live performance of a song from the CD.



Links: Chris Murphy, More Chris Murphy Stories, Jack de Keyzer, Garth Vogan

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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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Blues With a Feeling@Leander Boat Club (June 4, 2011) Part 2

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

• Part 1
• Jack De Keyzer Band
• Photos

Links: Danny Lockwood, Cameo Blues Band, Fathead, Jack de Keyzer, More from Blues With A Feeling

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Blues With a Feeling@Leander Boat Club (June 4, 2011) Part 1

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

• Part 2
• Jack De Keyzer Band
• Photos

Links: Danny Lockwood, Cameo Blues Band, Fathead, Jack de Keyzer, More from Blues With A Feeling

More from this show to come . . .

John Mays and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (September 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Brian Griffith (guitar - last two videos), Mark LaForme (guitar), Sean O'Grady (drums) John Mays (Fathead)(Vocals), Colin Lapsley (Bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)











More Locke Street Festival Videos

• Matthew Barber
• Harrison Kennedy

Click here for photos of the event

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Carolina Blue: A Tribute to Michael O'Brien @ Corktown (August 29, 2010) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.

John Till (Janis Joplin)(guitar left, vocals on Buried Alive in the Blues), John Mays (Fathead)(vocals, 1st 3 songs), Danny Lockwood (drums), Nick Nickafor (bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)









The band was later joined by Steve Strongman (guitar) and Harrison Kennedy (vocals)





Links: Michael O'Brien - Jesse O'Brien - More Jesse O'Brien Stories
Click here for Part 2 - Click here for Part 3

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Cool Visitors to Hamilton/Burlington

We don't have any live footage for this week so here are a few unreleased gems from performers who visited our fair region.

Click here if you can't see the videos.

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Links: Fathead - More footage from this performance

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Links: Pappy Johns Blues Band - More footage from this performance

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Links: Michael Pickett - More footage from this performance

Blues Guitar Explosion @ McIntyre Theatre - December 4, 2009 (Full Band, Electric)

The main band consisted of: Steve Strongman (guitar), Dave King (drums), Colin Lapsley (bass) and Jesse O'Brien (keyboards)

Click here for Part 1 (Acoustic set)

If you can't see the videos below, click here

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Teddy Leonard (Fathead) joins the band on vocals and guitar



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Paul Deslauriers does the same



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Brian Griffith lends his guitar as Steve Strongman sings



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Everyone joins in for a final, instrumental jam



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More stories: Steve Strongman, Brian Griffith, Colin Lapsley, Jesse O'Brien

Blues Guitar Explosion @ McIntyre Theatre - December 4, 2009 (Acoustic Set)

Left to right: Paul Deslauriers, Steve Strongman, Teddy Leonard (Fathead)

Click here for Part 2

If you can't see the videos below, click here







Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Jack de Keyzer Produces and Plays on New CD by The Blazers: Red Hot

Toronto blues band, The Blazers have enlisted local guitar slinger, Jack deKeyzer to produce their debut CD, Red Hot.

Jack also joins in the fun by playing the axe on five tunes.

Al Lerman of Fathead also performs on the disc.

Click here to listen to few of the tunes.

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

Fathead - Burlington Ribfest (Sept. 5, 2009)

They even gave us a song from their soon to be released CD.





More Rolling Stones covers/stories

Maple Blues Revue Features Canadian Blues All-Stars

The Maple Blues Revue has released it's debut CD, Live at the Twisted Pines.

This amazing collection of musicians includes performers from Downchild (Chuck Jackson, Gary Kendall, Pat Carey), Fathead (Al Lerman, John Mays, Teddy Leonard), Whitely Brothers and more.

Click here for more information.

Click here to purchase through PayPal.

Click here or below to view a video performance.

More CD Releases



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News Roundup (Jacob Moon, Maple Blues Awards, Free Sax Lessons)

According to singer/songwriter Jacob Moon's news page, Rush singer Geddy Lee has sent him a message praising his latest YouTube offering.

The online video has Moon performing Subdivisions live on the rooftop of the Staircase Theatre.

"The guys have all seen this and think it's terrific. Kudos to Jacob and best of luck to him. Great voice!! Best - Geddy"

Click below or here to view the video.




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Unfortunately, no local performers won at the 12th Annual Maple Blues Awards on January 19.

On the plus side, the late Jeff Healey was the biggest winner with his album Mess of Blues winning 4 awards (Entertainer, Electric Artist, Recording, Guitarist).

Other winners included Harry Manx, Paul Reddick, John Mays (Fathead), and more.

Click here for full story.

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Our friend, Neil Sharpe (left), a local boy and contributing editor for the Sax on the Web, has shown us a cool free link. He worked on some of the content.

"It takes the reader from basic theory all the way to the recording studio," he says, "and includes features such as a brief history of blues and the sax, free solo transcripts, special effects, and recommended resources."

Click here for the free stuff.

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