New Melissa Bel CD: Don't Forget to Breathe

Burlington songstress Melissa Bel has really outdone herself with the latest album: Don't Forget to Breath. She's packed 7 songs with a ton of emotion, power, soul, and much, much more.

While each tune is unmistakeably done in Melissa's style, the lady's kicked things up a notch. The songs sound more soulful than ever, especially on All the Wrong Things and Close to Perfect.  Coffee on My Jeans is probably the most commanding track she's ever recorded.  The whole disc has amazing modern pop-like production.

This wonderful CD can be purchased at her live shows and at her website.  It can also be download through iTunes and eMusic.

Videos below courtesy of Melissa Bel





Blast from the Past: Melissa Bel EP -  Distance

Links: Melissa Bel, More Melissa Bel Stories, More CD Releases

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New Killin' Time Band CD: One Set to Freedom

Hamilton's Killin' Time Band are known as a good time, party rockin' band.  Now you can take the fun with you thanks to their latest CD, One Set to Freedom.

These boys have a lot of weapons in their musical arsenal.  KTB break out the reggae, rock, country, and funk to create quite a lively disc. Highlights include the jazzy/funky Heavy, the slow country of Changing my Ways, and the Celtic joy of Don't Be Bitter.

A number of guests also join in on the fun - Members of the Salads and Lo-Fi along with Melissa Bel, Loretta Hale (J-Tones), Juno Award winner Rob Somerville, Mariachi Fuego, Troy Dowding, and others.

The CD is available at their live shows and through the band's website. It can also be downloaded through iTunes and eMusic.

Videos below courtesy of Killin' Time Band.





Links: Killin' Time Band, More CD Releases

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News Roundup (Mike Almas, John M Crawford, Clapton)

Local

• Two iTunes singles from Kathleen Edwards: I Make The Dough, It Must Have Been Love
• Melissa Bel iTunes single: All the Wrong Things
• Cactus fest plans move to Driving Park
• Dan Medakovic co-writes first single off of Tim Magwood's new album

Canada 

• Blues and Roots radio

World

• Passings: Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), Bobby Rogers (Miracles), Richard Street (Temptations)
• Poster of Al Pacino as Phil Spector
• Eric Clapton says he'll stop touring at 70
• Podcasts: SA Blues 180, Nothing But the Blues 233

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: New Tewlips CD 
• 2010: Videos by Michael Pickett, Fathead, and Pappy Johns Band
• 2011: Duane Rutter's 48-Hour Guitarathon 
• 2012: Davy Jones (Monkees) passes, Video by Psychedellicatessin, more

Featured Videos
  


Links: Mike Almas, More Mike Almas Stories, Video courtesy of Stephen Shelton



Links: John M Crawford, More John M Crawford Stories, Video courtesy of Stonecrafter01

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Previous (New Ensemble w/James Anthony, Al Lukas, Mary Simon & Barry Mac) - - - Next (Stompin' Tom Connors Passes)

Episodes of Ensemble Music TV Show on YouTube

Ensemble is a music-based TV show on Cable 14 Hamilton that features four singer/songwriters per episode.

The show runs on Saturdays at 10pm and Sundays at 9pm.  There is a new episode each month or so.  You can also watch the program online with their live feed if you are a Cogeco, Shaw, or Source Cable subscriber.

Recently, many of the episodes were placed on Cable 14's YouTube page.

Here's what they have so far . . .



Episode 1: Duane Rutter, Cindy Dell, Brennagh Burns, Les Smith (Trickbag)



 Episode 2: Dan Medakovic, Tiny Bill Cody, Kim Koren, Paul Langille



Episode 3: J.P. Riemens, Sue Sweetman (Barn Katz), Joe Clark, Steve Strongman



Episode 4: Steve Sinnicks, Melissa Bel, Mike Todd, Mo' Kauffey

We will be posting more episodes as they become available. . .

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Previous (Harrison Kennedy on Santa's Got Mojo 2) - - - Next (New Mike Allen CD)

News Roundup (Jackie Washington, Sinnicks, Tom Wilson)

Local

• Inside Halton article on Melissa Bel
• Sarah Harmer in Nov 2012 issue of Elle Canada
• Tom Wilson discusses the business of music
  

World

• Podcasts: Nothing But the Blues 217, Roots and Blues Hour 173
  

Funny/Weird

• Zeppelin related cartoon
• Lovin' Spoonful urban legends:
  - Original choice for the Monkees
  - Name is sexual slang
  - Name is slang for heroine

Blasts from the Past

• 2009: Performer of the Week: Chris White
• 2010: Michael Pickett@Artword Artbar
• 2011: Videos by Rae Billing, City and the Sea, and the Acoustics

Featured Videos

Links: Jackie Washington, More Jackie Washington Stories, Video courtesy of BravoFACT


 
Links: Steve Sinnicks, More Steve Sinnicks Stories, Video courtesy of Steve's YouTube Page

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Previous (Ben Caplan Wins Novia Scotia Entertainer of the Year) - - -  Next (Rob Szabo Wins CFMA for Strongman CD)

News Roundup (Melissa Bel, Rodeo Kings, Brock Zeman, Felicia McMinn)

Local

• New Melissa Bel Christmas Single
• Who will get into Hamilton's online Music Hall of Fame
• New Fred D Smith Facebook page
• Rodeo King re-release Kings and Queens with two new tracks
• View Magazine cover story on Blind Mule

Canada

• October 2012 Issue of Maple Blues Magazine (featuring Smoke Wagon Blues Band)

World

• Jerry Lee Lewis band member BB Cunningham Jr passes
• Classic Rock music releases November 2012
• 2013 Songwriter Hall of Fame nominees
• New Buddy Guy Autobiography
• Podcasts: Nothing But the Blues 213, Roadhouse 399, Roots and Blues 171

Blasts From the Past

• 2009: Chris Chambers@Beaver and Bulldog
• 2010: Sheesham and Lotus@Townsend
• 2011: Fry Truck@This Ain't Hollywood

Featured Videos





Links: Brock Zeman, More Brock Zeman Stories, Video courtesy of Dylan Drummer



Links: Felicia McMinn, More Felicia McMinn Stories, Video courtesy of 30Kristina

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New Melissa Bel EP: Distance

Local singer/songwriter Melissa Bel recently launched her latest EP, Distance. This astounding collection includes a remixed version of the title track (the original is from her last album, Brave) and five unreleased songs.

Melissa shows all sides of herself in this EP. She goes from blues rocker to smooth soul singer with ease. Throughout the trip, there's pop, jazz, funk and much more. You can also check out her sweet rendition of the classic Ain't No Sunshine.

The EP is available at her live shows and also as a download on iTunes and eMusic.

Below are a few live versions of songs from the EP.







All videos courtesy of Melissa Bel

Links: Melissa Bel More Melissa Bel Stories

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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

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Lots of Local YouTube Videos

Links - Jacob Moon - More Jacob Moon Stories - Buy this MP3 to help Haiti

Video courtesy of Jacob Moon

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Links: Melissa Bel - More Melissa Bel Stories - More Video from the Performance

Video courtesy of Mama Loves Music

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Links: Shelley Adams - More Shelley Adams Stories - More Video from the Performance

Video courtesy of Mama Loves Music

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Links: Tom Wilson - More Tom Wilson Stories
Video courtesy of High or Hurtin'

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Links: Nikki Loney

Video courtesy of Welcome Back Trotter

Improv Jam and Love Fest @ McMaster Children's Hospital (December 22, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.




More Louis Armstrong covers/stories






Links: Aalia Kesari - Andy Griffiths - Wright-Patterson Refugees - Melissa Bel - Burnin' Ethyl - Acoustics - View Photos

Click below to donate to Mac Kids



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New Melissa-Bel CD: Brave

Burlington's Melissa Bel has just released her 10-song album, Brave on iTunes.

Melissa's incredible, smooth voice is used to great effect as she travels through blues, pop, soul, rock, and folk with ease.

The disc is an expansion of her EP offered earlier this year. Many of the newer songs showcase a power in the young lady's voice that was only hinted at in the previous release.

NEW! A limited amount of physical CDs will be available at her shows. Songs from her EP that appear in this new disc have been remixed, remastered or even rerecorded for this release.

Click here to purchase on iTunes

More Melissa-Bel stories - More CD Releases

Christopher Charles Wins Old Powerhouse Songwriter Competition.

After many months and many performers, it was the soulful sounds of Christopher Charles that won the Old Powerhouse Songwriting Competition organized by D. Scott Malachi Greenidge.

The grand prize was $1,500 cash! Congratulations!

Melissa Bel took 2nd place and Alfie Smith came in 3rd. Great job guys!

News Roundup (Les Paul, Humour, TBS)

We are sad to report that guitar legend Les Paul passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Click here for the story.

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Comedy website Cracked.com recently posted a hilarious article about the early days of the blues.

Entitled, 7 Songs From Your Grandpa's Day That Would Make Eminem Blush, it humorously describes the sometimes violent and profane nature of the blues' earliest hits songs.

Please be warned that the article contains offensive language and mature situations.

Click here for the article.

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Unfortunately Hamilton's Alfie Smith and Burlington's Melissa Bel didn't win the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Finals on August 13.

That honour went to Toronto's catl. Congratulations!

New Melissa-Bel's EP

Earlier this year, Burlington's Melissa-Bel released her self titled CD EP.

There's a little bit of everything on this disc. Bluesier numbers such as Distance (co-written with Ray Lyell) and He'll Never be You share the spotlight with soulful pop-folk gems like We All Lose Our Way, I Hate to Say it and Tragedy in Disguise. Melissa ends this amazing collection with a smooth version of Smokey Robinson's You've Really Got a Hold On Me. Click here for some samples.

Toronto's Sean Ashby lends his guitar and Mark McIntyre plays bass on most song of the songs. Other guests include Danny Lockwood (Drums), Craig Lapsley (Drums), Jesse O'Brien (Piano) and Bill King (Piano), and more.

More Melissa-Bel stories - More CD Releases