New Andy Griffiths CD: Mind on Other Things

Once again, local singer/songwriter Andy Griffiths, brings his great pop/folk/rock sound to a new disc.  Mind on Other Things is a great follow up to his previous CD, Looking at a Life ...

This time, the spirit's a lot higher.  Tunes like Gone Forever, Lost My Groove, and Garbage into Space, are incredibly catchy and animated.  Slower moments such as Your Style and Your Smile and We Sing For Your Love work extremely well as a beautful contrast to the more kinetic ones.

To end off the album, Andy's included two interesting, raw, bonus demo tracks.

A few of the accomplished musicians from the previous disc make a triumphant return. Frank Koren, Ray Farrugia, Lawrie Ingles and others add their magic touch.

There's some new blood is here as well.  Both Tomi Swick and Kim Koren add background vocals to a few tracks.  Jesse O'Brien tickles the ivories on 4 songs.  Mark Lalama even breaks out his accordion for wonderful The Fog Has Lifted.  There are too many other guests to mention but they all make this CD sound marvelous.

You can pick up this spectacular CD at Andy's live shows.

Below are a few live videos from a CD release show.







Blast From the Past: Andy Griffith's Looking at a Life...

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories, More CD Releases 

---

Previous (Tom Wilson aka Lee Harvey Osmond@Chapters) - - - Next (News Roundup w/John Ellison, Alex MacDougall and more)

The Heartbroken Souls YouTube Videos

Featuring Fred D Smith, Kim Lister and Maggie Ferguson

The group has since disbanded and started solo acts







Above videos courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers





Above two videos courtesy of 0000388

Blast from the Past: Fred D Smith and Friends@Artword

Links: Fred D Smith, More Fred D Smith Stories, Kim Lister, More Kim Lister Stories

------------------------------------------------

Previous (Martha's Trouble Kids CD) - - -  Next (New Amalgamated Muck CD)

Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove@Moonshine Cafe (Part 2) (January 21, 2012)

Andy Griffiths (guitar - centre, vocals on Hippy Hippy Shake), Matt King (bass, vocals & guitar on Tempted), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Edward M Cromwell (drums), Lawrie Ingles (keys, vocals on Little Sister), Andrew Croft (vocals on I Saw Her Standing There)





More Beatles Covers/News Stories



More Elvis Covers/Stories





More from this show

• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 1
• Robert Maciag
  

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove@Moonshine Cafe (Part 1) (January 21, 2012)

Andy Griffiths (vocals, guitar, bass on Instrumental), Matt King (bass, guitar on Instrumental), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Edward M Cromwell (drums), Lawrie Ingles (keys)













More from this show

• Andy Griffiths and the Lost Groove: Part 2
• Robert Maciag

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

New Andy Griffiths CD: Looking at a Life . . .

Local singer/songwriter Andy Griffiths manages to take the folk rock sound to modern heights on his latest CD, Looking at a Life . . .

Songs like the title track, Bare Bones, Don't Listen to Me, and many others are incredibly infectious. This high energy never overpowers the solid folk foundation of the tunes.

Andy's also enlisted some amazing local talent. Frank Koren plays guitar on most tracks and Russ Boswell performs bass on quite a few songs as well. Other guests include Ray Farrugia, Astrid Young, and more.

The disc is available at Andy's live shows.

Below is a performance of one of the songs from the album.



Click here for more from this show (including another song from Andy)

Links: Andy Griffiths, More Andy Griffiths Stories

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Jam w Wendell Ferguson, David Lum, the Ludgates and More) - - - Next (Sloppy Jalopy/Burnin' Ethyl@West Town) 

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

Local Monkees Tribute CD Fundraiser (First HBL Records Release)

The Hamilton Blues Lovers have decided to get into the music business. Our first release will be Monkeeing Around, a charity CD featuring the songs of the Monkees covered by local, talented musicians.

We caught up with the ever-elusive Hamilton Blues Lovers Inc. CEO, Lou, for an exclusive interview at his mansion.

“Our initial offering had to be special, so I immediately thought of doing a fundraising album,” he explained. “There are many worthy non-profit organizations around but I wanted to do something unique. Then I thought - What better cause than to help our poor politicians? Despite all their money, there's still one thing they can’t seem to afford - A CLUE. Heck, we'd just need to buy one for them and we're all set!”

As a result, Lou founded a new organization: the Democratic Understanding House - dedicated to buying a clue for our politicians. Then, after watching a parliamentary debate on TV, inspiration hit Lou like a flash - “MONKEES!”. He decided the disc would be a tribute to the classic band.

After intense negotiations with the Monkees' management (“The band were holding out for 2 buckets of chicken each,” Lou explained) he got their blessing, and searched for local musicians to help him.

A number of tracks have already been recorded:

• Monkees Theme by the Dharlings
• Last Train to Clarksville by Frank and Kim Koren
• Daydream Believer by Barry Mac and Lena Montecalvo
• (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone by Mark Vanderheyden
• I’m a Believer by Les Smith (Trickbag)

The CD will be available exclusively at Eatons, Consumers Distributing, and Luigi's House of Muffins 'N' Haggis.

In related news - After hearing Les Smith's work on the disc, the Monkees have decided to hire him as a replacement for Mike Nesmith, who won’t be part of their upcoming reunion tour. Good Luck Les!

Sample cover artwork provided by April Fulcilli.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Mark Vanderheyden@Pheasant Plucker) - - - Next (Hamilton Folk Club@Pheasant Plucker)

Design Hope CD Release Party @ This Ain't Hollywood (January 23, 2011) + Bonus Videos

Click here if you can't see the videos.



Links: Carter Lancaster - More Carter Lancaster Stories



Links: Annette Haas - More Annette Haas Stories



Left to right: Frank Koren - Fred Magie - Michael Scott (drums)- Christopher Clause

Click here for more Fred Magie stories

Links: CD Review & more videos - More Design Hope Stories - Donate - View Photos

-----

Bonus videos

New Design Hope CD: A Place in My Heart

Soul, jazz, folk, funk, pop, blues, instrumentals, slow songs, rockers . . .

There's something for everyone on A Place in My Heart, the 5th Design Hope Compilation CD. Money raised from the sale of the disc goes towards helping the homeless in Hamilton. A great cause an an amazing album.

Performers include City and the Sea, Kensington Prarie, Fred Magie, Annette Haas, Bob Doidge, Frank Koren, Carter Lancaster, Chris White, Karen Corinth, Mark LaForme, Sharon Musgrave, Danny Lockwood, NLX, Chantal Chamberland, Melissa Bel and Buckshot Bebee. Many of these musicians also play on each other's songs.

Christopher Clause and Amy King produce the album as well as back up a number of the main artists. Also helping out are Mark McIntyre, Colin Lapsley, Brian Griffith, Andrew Aldridge, and more.

Like all of the Design Hope collections, it's a great way to hear new songs from some of the best musicians the local scene has to offer. The CD can be purchased online.

Below are a few songs from the CD Release party at This Ain't Hollywood on January 23, 2011. Click here if you can't see the videos.







These last two video are performances of the songs from other shows.




Links: More Videos - More Design Hope Stories - Donate- View Photos

-------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Doug Feaver@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (More from the Design Hope Release Party)

Song Swap @ Moonshine Cafe

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Featuring, left to right:

Kim Koren, Frank Koren, Duane Rutter, Brennagh Burns on Stasis and Sometimes













Links: Duane Rutter - Brennagh Burns - Kim Koren - Frank Koren - More Kim Koren Stories - More Frank Koren Stories

New Christopher Clause CD: Round

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.

To end off the collection, Christopher brings us a few wonderful slow songs: Brilliant Treble, Beautiful Mile (dedicated to his late sister), and Love Can Change the World (featuring a choir full of talented local singers such as Chris and Christa, Lianne Cranfield, Kim Koren, Karen Johnson, Fred Magie, Fred D Smith, Kori Pop, 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.

Personnel: Amy King (keys, vocals), Mark McIntyre (bass), (Lisa Winn (vocals), Christopher Clause (guitar, vocals, keys on Beautiful Mile), Michael Scott (drums), Andrew Aldridge (guitar), Bob Bryden (vocals on Surreal But Beautiful & Love Can Change the World)











Additional musicians for Love Can Change the World:Fred Magie, Fred D Smith, Lena Montecalvo, Chris and Christa, Lianne Cranfield, Karen Corinth, Frank Koren (guitar, right)

Click here for pictures of the show

Links: Christopher Clause - More Christopher Clause Stories

Chris, Christa and Friends @ Westside Theatre (September 24, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Steve Kennedy (bass), Michael Scott (drums), Christa (vocals), Chris (acoustic guitar), Frank Koren (electric guitar)







Bob Bryden joined them on guitar for a song.



Links: Chris and Christa - More Chris and Christa Stories

This was the Christopher Clause CD Release Party. We'll be posting more footage from this show soon.

New Kim Koren CD + Release Party

Dundas singer/songwriter Kim Koren's new album, Raven Heart, is an amazing evolution of her previous work.

As always, the melodies are superb plus her voice is powerful and warm. In this collection though, she has increased the musical energy.

Not only can Kim really rock out (If There's a Way, She's Got) but she can also be wonderfully delicate (Where Are You Living Now and the lovely lullabye, Spiders and Snails). There is even a bit from a tape recording of herself at 5 years old singing Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Joining this talented musician are her husband Frank Koren (guitar), Mark McIntyre (bass), Danny Lockwood (drums), and Colin Lapsley (Wurlitzer). As well, the CD has appearances from Lisa Winn, Steve Strongman, and Amy King. Local rock legend Tom Wilson also lends a hand by co-writing the great title track.

The CD is available at her shows and through iTunes.

Links: Kim Koren Site - Frank Koren Site - More Kim Koren Stories - More Frank Koren Stories

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous (Paul Langille@Brantford Station House) - - - Next (Dawn & Marra@Studio at Hamilton Place)

Bring Strings Workshop@Festival of Friends (August 8, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos








Links: Mark McNeil, Dan Walsh, Frank Koren, Kim Koren, Steven Elmo Murphy, Alfie Smith
More Festival of Friends 2010 Footage:

• Songs Jackie Washington Would Like (Mark McNeil, Steve Sinnicks, Mo Kauffey, Trickbag, Sonny Del Rio)
• Loving or Leaving (Kim Koren, Les Smith, Terra Lightfoot)
• Friday Main Stage (Richie Havens, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dr. John)
• Saturday Stage 3 (Caretakers, Tia McGraff, Shawn Trotter, Darrelle London, Carly & Mark)
• Looney Tunes (Darelle London, Mo Kauffey, Steve Sinnicks, Mark McNeil)
• Hit the Road (Alfie Smith, Carly & Mark, Terra Lightfoot, Kim Koren)
• Favourites (Stumbleweed, Tia McGraff, Gabriel Ayala,
• Blues You Can Use (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Sonny Del Rio)
• You Say "Seltic", I Say "Celtic" (Steve Sinnicks, Shawn Trotter, Gabriel Ayala)
• My Roots Are Showing (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Duane Rutter, Sonny Del Rio)

Hit the Road Workshop @ Festival of Friends (Aug 7, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos









Links: Alfie Smith - Carly and Mark - Kim Koren - Frank Koren - Terra Lightfoot
More Festival of Friends 2010 Footage:

• Songs Jackie Washington Would Like (Mark McNeil, Steve Sinnicks, Mo Kauffey, Trickbag, Sonny Del Rio)
• Loving or Leaving (Kim Koren, Les Smith, Terra Lightfoot)
• Friday Main Stage (Richie Havens, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dr. John)
• Saturday Stage 3 (Caretakers, Tia McGraff, Shawn Trotter, Darrelle London, Carly & Mark)
• Looney Tunes (Darelle London, Mo Kauffey, Steve Sinnicks, Mark McNeil)
• Favourites (Stumbleweed, Tia McGraff, Gabriel Ayala,
• Blues You Can Use (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Sonny Del Rio)
• You Say "Seltic", I Say "Celtic" (Steve Sinnicks, Shawn Trotter, Gabriel Ayala)
• Bring Strings (Mark McNeil, Alfie Smith, Steven Elmo Murphy, Dan Walsh, Kim Koren)
• My Roots Are Showing (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Duane Rutter, Sonny Del Rio)
  

Loving or Leaving Workshop @ Festival of Friends (Aug 6, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.







Links: Kim Koren - Frank Koren - Les Smith (Trickbag) - Terra Lightfoot

More Festival of Friends 2010 Footage:

• Songs Jackie Washington Would Like (Mark McNeil, Steve Sinnicks, Mo Kauffey, Trickbag, Sonny Del Rio)
• Friday Main Stage (Richie Havens, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dr. John)
• Saturday Stage 3 (Caretakers, Tia McGraff, Shawn Trotter, Darrelle London, Carly & Mark)
• Looney Tunes (Darelle London, Mo Kauffey, Steve Sinnicks, Mark McNeil)
• Hit the Road (Alfie Smith, Carly & Mark, Terra Lightfoot, Kim Koren)
• Favourites (Stumbleweed, Tia McGraff, Gabriel Ayala,
• Blues You Can Use (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Sonny Del Rio)
• You Say "Seltic", I Say "Celtic" (Steve Sinnicks, Shawn Trotter, Gabriel Ayala)
• Bring Strings (Mark McNeil, Alfie Smith, Steven Elmo Murphy, Dan Walsh, Kim Koren)
• My Roots Are Showing (Trickbag, Mo Kauffey, Duane Rutter, Sonny Del Rio)
  

Frank Koren and Marco Varella@West End Pub (May 23, 2010)

Marco Varella is a Brazilian student taking a class at McMaster U. He joined Frank and Kim Koren's Open Mic.







Marco is playing a nose flute in the performance below.



Links: Frank Koren - More Frank Koren Stories

Blues News Bites (Medakovic, Kirby, Dawn Larsh)

Local

• Mississippi Kings are Now Called City and the Sea
• View Magazine: Lee Harvey Osmond Cover Story, Hamilton Music Notes -Wilson Family Forgery/Blues With a Feeling 

World

• Podcasts: SA Roots and Blues #118, Murphy's Saloon #181, Nothing But the Blues #88, Roadhouse#274 
• Door Members to Tour with Voice Behind Rock Star Movie
• Mick Jagger Speaks Out For Legalized Drugs
• Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone picked as best song of all time
• Joe Bonamassa's supergroup (featuring Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham) is now called Black Country Communion 

Featured Videos

Dan Medakovic: Karma's Gonna Get You


Kirby: Where to Begin


Broken by Dawn Larsh and Frank Koren

Barry Mac and the One Eye'd Jacks @ This Ain't Hollywood (March 5, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Mike Blackborow (guitar, vocals on T for Texas), Barry Mac (guitar, vocals), Spider Costello (drums, vocals on Dead Flowers), Lena Montecalvo (harmony vocals, lead vocals on Tennessee Waltz ), Frank Koren (bass), and Greg Brisco (keys)













Click Links for More Stories: Barry Mac, Spider Costello, Lena Montecalvo, Frank Koren, Greg Brisco