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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Previous (John McKinley Recieves Mel Brown Award) - - - Next (Freedom Train & Dave Rave@Waterdown Ribfest)

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

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

The Stingrays Debut CD: Hoodoo Man

Good rockin' Blues with no muss, no fuss is the best way to describe Hoodoo Man, the debut CD from local boys, the Stingrays.

The band tear into such timeless classics as My Babe, I Can't Be Satisfied, Key to the Highway, Dust My Broom, and many more. They have the energy and skills to do justice to these tantalizing tunes.

It's no wonder the guys can do an amazing job - members of the group have played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, and the Platters. You can hear all that experience throughout the disc (which is expertly produced by local veteran Michael J. Birthelmer)

You can pick up a copy at their live shows (they play the Coach and Lantern every Saturday afternoon).

Below is a video of one of the tracks from the CD. Check this blog for some live footage later on.



Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays 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

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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Previous (Mark Jungers@Moonshine Cafe) - - - Next (Michael Birthelmer@Pine Street, Part 2)

Pine Street Garden Concert Series (June 30, 2011) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.







More Louis Armstrong covers/stories



Links: Michael Birthelmer, Jude Johnson, Randal Hill, Brian Griffith, Lori Yates, Carl Horton

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Previous (Pine Street Garden Concert, Part 1) - - - Next (Waterhorse@Rebel's Rock)

Pine Street Garden Concert Series (June 30, 2011) Part 1

Click here if you can't see the videos.











Links: Michael Birthelmer, Jude Johnson, Randal Hill, Brian Griffith, Carl HortonClick here for Part 2, Click here for pictures

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Romance in the Hammer

In Honor of Valentine's day, here's some unreleased romantic music from the archives:

Click here if you can't see the videos



Links: More from this show - Kim Lister - More Kim Lister Stories

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Links: More from this show - Tewlips - More Tewlips Stories

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Sorry about the dark video



Links: More from this show - Trickbag - More Trickbag Stories

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As a bonus, here are some previously released videos



Links: More from this show - James Anthony - More James Anthony Stories

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Links: More from this show - Dave Rave - More Dave Rave Stories - More Beatles Covers/News Stories




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Links: More from this show - Karen Corinth - More Karen Corinth Stories

Haiti Fundraiser @ Lincoln Alexander Centre (Jan. 24, 2010) Part 1

Click here for Part 2, Click here for Part 3

Click here if you can't see the videos




Links: Harlan Pepper - More Harlan Pepper Stories
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Link: Smalltown Get Up

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Left to right: Michael Birthelmer, Lori Yates, John Johnson, Jude Johnson, Randall Hill. More Michael Birthelmer Stories - More Jude Johnson Stories

Click below to donate.

New Kim Lister CD: Can You Imagine?

Hamilton singer/songwriter Kim Lister's new CD, Can You Imagine? is filled with catchy songs, incredible vocals, and a lot of variety.

From the country sounds of Be My Baby Tonight, the blues boogie of Trouble, to the tender rhythms of Orphan and Same Old Me, this disc has a lot to offer. Pop, jazz, folk, country, rock and more keep the album fresh and unique.

Kim is backed up by Michael Birthelmer, who plays guitar on most tracka and co-produces the CD. Trickbag's Paul Panchezak (drums) and Michael Hickey (bass) also lend a hand on many tunes. Other guests include Ed Roth (organ), Frank Koren (guitar), Jesse O'Brien (keyboards), Joe Clark (mandolin), Alfie Smith (guitar), and others.

Below are a few videos from Kim's CD release party at This Ain't Hollywood on October 22, 2009. Click here if you can't see them.







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Locke Street Festival - Sept. 12, 2009 (Part 2)

Quick Links: Alfie Smith@ The Locke Street Fest - Part 1

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Gord Lewis Band: Left to right: Brian Griffith, Gord Lewis (Teenage Head), Jack Pedler (Teenage Head), Anyone know the name of the singer and bassist?

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Hamilton Tigers: Left to right: Michael Birthelmer, Ed Roth (Shakers), Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Rick Taylor, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Brian Griffith

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Dave Rave and Friends: Left to right: Mark Foley, Ed Roth (Shakers), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse), Dave Rave (Shakers), Rick Andrews (Shakers), More Beatles Covers/News Stories

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Left to Right: Jesse O'Brien , Anybody know the drummers, Terry Wilkens, Joel Guenther, Brian Griffith

Locke Street Festival - Sept. 12, 2009 - Part 1

Quick Links: Alfie Smith@ The Locke Street Fest - Part 2 -



Gord Lewis Band: Left to right: Brian Griffith, Gord Lewis (Teenage Head), Jack Pedler (Teenage Head), Anyone know the name of the singer and bassist?

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Hamilton Tigers: Left to right: Michael Birthelmer, Ed Roth (Shakers), Paul Panchezak (Trickbag), Rick Taylor, Michael Hickey (Trickbag), Brian Griffith

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Dave Rave and Friends: Left to right: Mark Foley, Ed Roth (Shakers), Ray Farrugia (Junkhouse), Dave Rave (Shakers), Rick Andrews (Shakers)

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Left to Right: Jesse O'Brien , Anybody know the drummer? Terry Wilkens, Joel Guenther, Brian Griffith

Links: Jesse O'Brien, More Jesse O'Brien Stories, More Louis Jordan covers/stories