Showing posts with label Groove Corporation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Groove Corporation. Show all posts

Monday, 22 July 2013

Alex MacDougall (Groove Corporation) Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing (on July 19) of Groove Corporation guitarist, Alex MacDougall. During his storied career, he worked with Crowbar, Harrison Kennedy, the Trailblazers, Ray Materick and many others.  He was also an accomplished painter.  Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Here is some of the online reaction:

His Groove Corporation bandmate, Lily Sazz

Due to the unexpected illness and death (on July 19th) of our long-time guitarist and friend, Alex MacDougall, we are taking a break from performing for a little while. We know that Alex would want us to continue with our band, and we plan for "the show to go on" as soon as we are able.

We thank you for your continued support for Groove Corporation, and the noteworthy career of Alex. His work as a producer, engineer, guitarist, and composer, touched the lives of many people.

As per Alex's wishes, no funeral service will take place. However, there are plans to have a musical tribute/memorial/celebration of life for and with the musical community, probably late summer or early fall.

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From Paul Panchezak (Trickbag)

Rest in peace my old and dear friend Alex MacDougall. Together with our band mates Kelly Jay, Richard Newell, Sonny Del Rio and Rick Waite, we spent something like five years together crossing the continent from Newfoundland to Vancouver and south to New Orleans. We shared many great musical adventures. It many ways it was the time of our lives with many memories that time will never erase.

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From, Lou, HBL Blogger

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to go from being a longtime fan of Alex to becoming a friend.  I will cherish his music, his art and my memories of him.

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Blast From the Past: Perfomer of the Week: Alex MacDougall




Video above courtesy of Shotjun Jilly

Links: Alex MacDougall, More Groove Corporation Stories

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Wednesday, 12 June 2013

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

Previous (Videos: Trickbag w/James Anthony@Fool and Flagon) - - - Next (News Roundup w/Jesse O'Brien, Steve Dall and a new Canadian Blues book)

Thursday, 21 June 2012

News Roundup (Awards, Wilson Family Forgery, Bill Bourne)

Local
Canada
World
Funny/Weird Stuff
Blasts From the Past
Featured Videos


Links: Wilson Family Forgery, More Wilson Family Forgery stories, Video courtesy of Wilson Family Forgery



Links: Bill Bourne, More Bill Bourne stories, Video courtesy of LoneyTunes

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Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Remembering the Trailblazers (Videos)

The Trailblazers were a rocking blues band formed in the 1990s. They released 2 cassettes (Fun Raisin', Live at Pop the Gator) and 1 CD (Master Plan).

Unfortunately, the group broke up a while back but three of the members (keyboardist Lily Sazz, original basist Kim Campagnaro, and guitarist Alex Macdougall) are now part of the fabulous funky group, Groove Corporation. Bassist Gerry Gregg has played with Steve Sinnicks, the Silver Hearts, and more.

Click here if you can't see the videos.





The bottom two were taken from a cassette. We apologize for the quality.





Links: Groove Corporation - More Groove Corporation Stories

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Musician, Producer, and Songwriter, Randall Cousins Passes

It is our sad duty to report that local musician, producer and songwriter, Randall Cousins passed away on Saturday January 15 after a brief battle with cancer.

A memorial in his honour of will be held on Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 2 pm at the Salvation Army Medowlands Community Church 187 Stone Church Rd Ancaster. Visitation with the family starts at 1 pm.

Our condolences to his friends and family.

Comments have started coming in to his Facebook page.

"He's now organizing songwriters in heaven to put out a CD for the universe....will be missed"
Jude Johnson

"Shocked and saddened to hear about Randall Cousins. Randall gave me my very first gig as a pro musician. I was a harpsichord major at Mac, and all I had was a red Telecaster and a DX7 on a borrowed restaurant tray stand. If it weren't for him, I don't know where I'd be right now. RIP Randall. May you come up with many more clever puns in music heaven."
Lily Sazz, Groove Corporation

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Saturday, 18 July 2009

Monday, 29 June 2009

Performer of the Week: Alex MacDougall (LX)

Alex MacDougall (aka LX) is a talented Hamilton blues veteran. During his career, he's played guitar with such luminaries as Crowbar, the Trailblazers, Harrison Kennedy and many others.

He also released an incredible instrumental solo album called LX.

Currently, he plays the axe for the funk/R&B band Groove Corporation, whose recent CD, Record Prophets, will get you on boogieing on the dance floor.

On top of everything, he's also an oil painter.

Links: MySpace (solo), Blog, Garageband.com, More Groove Corporation Stories

Jackie Washington Gets Front Page Treatment


On the Monday, June 29, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator, the late Jackie Washington received the recognition he deserved. His life and career was the front page story.

Washington passed away Saturday June 27.

Graham Rockingham's touching article (no longer available) included a description of his final moments, Jackie's biography, highlights from his career, and quotes from important Hamilton figures such as Lincoln Alexander, Sheila Copps, and more.


More media stories about Jackie: CHML - London Free Press

The legend's passing has also been felt on the Internet as many musicians and fans have posted their thoughts on different web sites.

Here is a sampling:

Mark McNeil (Spectator Reporter)
"I've never known anyone who had more of a positive outlook on life and so genuinely loved being around people. He was a pleasure to spend time with and he was a treasure of information about the jazz world and local history. We all learned by his example and our lives were enriched by his musicianship."

Alfie Smith
"The world seemed a little brighter with Jackie Washington in it. Your music and the joy you brought to so many people will always live on. I feel lucky to have known you. Rest in peace my friend."

John Crawford (Strange Cargo)
"I am devastated, I just found out that the great Jackie Washington of Hamilton Ontario died yesterday. My heart goes out to the Washington Family. I was deeply moved by Jackie's music and he influenced my music for the better. Thanks Jackie and God bless you.!!!!!!!!"

Fix Our Word (Charity)
"Jackie Washington, a cultural icon who spread joy through his music for more than 80 years, has died. He was funny, sweet and unique."

Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation)
"A Hamilton icon gone. Jackie Washington's memory will live on. Special mention to all of his dear friends who helped him in his final years."

All our Jackie Washington stories.

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Links: Jackie Washington, More Jackie Washington Stories

Sunday, 5 April 2009

New Groove Corporation CD: Record Prophets

On April 4th, Groove Corporation released their debut CD, Record Prophets at an amazing party at the Corktown.

This is a CD to play and boogie. Their funk, soul, R&B sound is infectious and will have you dancing.

Consisting mainly of cover tunes (Jungle Boogie, James Brown's Cold Sweat, a swing version of KISS's Detroit Rock City, and more) - the collection also has three incredible originals by the band.

The CD is currently available through their web site and will soon be offered at CD Baby.

Click here for the View Magazine story (near the bottom)

More CD Releases

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Previous (News Roundup) - - - Next (Performer of the Week: Jerry Johnson) 

Wednesday, 1 April 2009

Justin Timberlake Recruits Local Musicians For Blues CD

Pop Superstar Justin Timberlake certainly knows where to find great blues musicians. He'll be working with some Hamilton talent for his new blues CD.

In a move that stunned the music world, Timberlake has turned his back on pop/dance music. "I'm sick of all the repetitive, cookie cutter, shallow, repetitive s#!+," he said.

"I've been feeling down for a while now, " he added, "I didn't want the fame, the prestige, the riches, the groupies - so becoming a blues musician seemed to be the best choice."

A Google search landed him at this very blog where he discovered the great talent that Hamilton and Burlington had to offer.

To record his new CD, he recruited guitarist James Anthony. "This is a dream come true!" James said enthusiastically, "I have all his CDs, including his stuff with N Sync - not to mention all the posters on my wall!"

James is joined by Dale Park on drums (returning to drumming just for this project), Michael Hickey (Trickbag) on bass, and Lou Campanella (TNT Bluesmen, Hammertones) on harp . Also in the band are Justin's rumoured love interest, Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation) on keyboards and Loretta Hale (Andre & the J-Tones) on trumpet (who some say is also seeing the pop star).

This amazing band has already recorded two songs: "Britney Done Left Me"and "Wardrobe Malfunction Blues".

As a transition from his old style to his new one, Justin has decided to re-record his mega-hit SexyBack as a folky blues song with the help of Alfie Smith.

"I sing that song in the shower all the time!" Alfie exclaimed, "It'll be a privilege to finally record it."

The album will be rushed into production soon to prevent illegal downloading. It should be out in late April. "Fools will think this is impossible," Justin explains, "But they'll see I can sing the blues with the best of them."

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