Showing posts with label Rita Chiarelli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rita Chiarelli. Show all posts

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

Rita Chiarelli's Music From the Big House DVD/Blu-Ray

Music from the Big House, the revealing documentary by acclaimed Canadian director, Bruce McDonald and starring Hamilton's Rita Chiarelli, is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

The film follows the Canadian Blues Queen as she plans a concert at Louisiana's infamous Angola Prison.  Rather than just perform there, the blueswoman enlists the help of the prisoners to play and write songs for the show.

With Rita's name attached to the project, you know the songs will be amazing.  You can read about it in our review of the soundtrack.

Beyond the incredible music, the documentary tells an inspiring story of redemption and forgiveness.  The inmates use the power of music to change their lives around. Their mutual love of performing bonds them to Rita and each other.

Artistically filmed in black and white, the movie is stunningly beautiful while still revealing the harshness of prison life.  The spotlight fluctuates between Rita, the inmates and the facility.

There are also some great extras such as more great live music, deleted scenes and a music video.

The film is available through many regular and online shops as well as though the documentary's site.

Blast From the Past: Rita Chiarelli CD, Sweet Paradise

Videos below courtesy of Cache Film





Links: Rita ChiarelliMore Rita Chiarelli Stories, More DVD Releases

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Tuesday, 9 April 2013

Rita Chiarelli to Receive Italian Heritage Award

Canada's Goddess of the Blues Rita Chiarelli will soon be increasing her list of accolades (which already include Juno nominations).  The Hamilton singer/songwriter will receive the Festitalia Italian Heritage Award of Distinction for Arts, Culture and Entertainment on June 6, 2013 at Michelangelo’s.

Click here for the full story on the 2013 awards.

According to the organization's web site, the honour "recognizes the leadership of men, women and youth of Italian ancestry or Italian affiliation who contribute to the development and well-being of others and the overall improvement of the community."

Rita has definitely made many outstanding achievements in her field.  Complimenti (congratulations).

In a related story, the veteran blues queen was recently featured in a story about "Italian Folk Music Today" from PRIMO magazineClick here to view the article.

Video below courtesy of Rita Chiarelli



 Blast from the Past: Rita Chiarelli CD: Sweet Paradise

Links: Rita Chiarelli, More Rita Chiarelli Stories
 

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Friday, 19 October 2012

View Magazine Readers' Choice Awards 2012

The readers of View Magazine have spoken and they've chosen the best Hamilton and the area have to offer.

Here are the music-related highlights below
The order goes:
Gold
Silver
Bronze (if applicable)



FREE EVENT
Festival of Friends
Supercrawl
Locke Street Festival

FESTIVAL
Festival of Friends
Greenbelt Harvest Picnic
Winona Peach Festival

RADIO STATION
102.9 K-LITE
Y108

RADIO PERSONALITY
Sunni Genesco (K-LITE)
Ric Taylor (CFMU)

INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL
Hidden Pony
Sonic Unyon

BAND
Arkells
Walk Off the Earth
Monster Truck

BAND WEBSITE
Monster Truck
Brian Melo
Jeremy Fischer

ALBUM ARTWORK
Walk Off the Earth

COOLEST INSTRUMENT TO PLAY
Guitar
Drum

RECORDING PRODUCER
Nick Bladona
Daniel Lanois

RECORDING STUDIO
Jukasa
Catherine North

REHEARSAL SPACE
Rock Parlour
Lou's Music

FEMALE ARTIST
Rita Chiarelli
Sharon Musgrave
Terra Lightfoot

MALE ARTIST
Jeremy Fischer
Matt Paxton
Luke Doucet

COVER BAND
Crimps
Practically Hip
Eggmen

BAND MOST LIKELY TO MAKE IT BIG
Skynet
Harlan Pepper

LIVE VENUE
Stonewalls
This Ain't Hollywood
Casbah

OPEN STAGE
Lazy Flamingo
Carrigan Arms

COUNTRY BAR
Wellington
Dirty Dogs
Galley Pump

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
Long & McQuade
Mountain Music
Pongetti

NEW MUSIC STORE
HMV
Cheapies

USED MUSIC STORE
Dr. Disc
Beat Goes On

Click here for the full list.

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Wednesday, 1 February 2012

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

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Etta James Passes (+ Local Reaction)


Unfortunatley, the Blues world lost one of its giants on Friday January 20, 2012.
The legendary Etta James passed away at 73, after a battle with leukemia. Our condolences to her friends, family and all countless fans across the world.

Click here for the CBC story.

Reaction has already hit Twitter and Facebook. Here are what a few local musicians are saying:

Susan Wylde: "A true inspiration for this blues woman. She won 6 Grammies, opened for the Rolling Stones and let go of a heroin addiction. I recorded her tune At Last on my recent CD as a tribute to Etta - listening to her was the main reason I got into the blues."

Astrid Young: "... what a voice, what an incredible life. I had the pleasure of seeing her on many occasions, both jazz and blues Etta. both awesome, and wildly influential for me. Thanks for all that awesomeness ... let's all 'pitch a wang dang doodle' in her honor tonight"

Rita Chiarelli
: "Etta James…how I loved her! I remember when I was first turned on to her and her music… many years ago…I was still finding my voice so to speak…so a live recording …Etta with dyed blond hair and her arm in ‘tenser’ bandage…she looked wild! I put the LP on the turntable and listened to every vocal ‘lick’….it was magic…Thank you Etta… you were one of the very best …you inspired all who heard you…we owe you a lot and your voice, your music will be cherished and live forever….…rest in peace Etta…you deserve it…with love and respect…"

Denis Keldie: R.I.P. Etta -- the greatest singer I ever played with, back in 1986, when she was truly at the top of her game.

Lori Yates
: RIP Miss Etta! You made the world a better place!


Links: Etta James, More Etta James Covers/Stories

Monday, 21 November 2011

Hamilton Music Award Winners


The Hamilton Music Awards were handed out on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Big winners included the Dinner Belles (New Artist, Alt-Country, Piano - Greg Brisco), Rita Chiarelli (Female Artist, Blues), and Jeremy Fisher (Male Artist, Songwriter) Congratulations to everyone.

Female Artist of the Year: Rita Chiarelli

Male Artist of the Year: Jeremy Fisher

Local Group of the Year (People’s Choice): Live How You Live

New Artist of the Year: Dinner Belles

Roots Recording: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Kings & Queens

Alternative Country Recording: Dinner Belles, West Simcoe County

Folk Recording: Scott Orr, Where I Live And What I Lived For

Blues: Rita Chiarelli, Music From The Big House

R&B/Soul: Chris Jackson, Action

Religious: Jamie Barnes, Wilderness

Songwriter: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Female Vocalist: Rosanna Riverso

Male Vocalist: Jon Harvey, Monster Truck

Piano/Keyboard: Greg Brisco, Dinner Belles

Special Instrumentalist: Yiannis Kapoulas

Guitarist: Luke Doucet, Whitehorse

Drummer: Chris Sindrey, Aerith

Bassist: Sean McNab, Creepshow

Canadian Recording of the Year (People’s Choice): Finger Eleven, Life Turns Electric

Record of the Year: Jeremy Fisher, Flood

Lifetime Achievement: Ian Thomas

Lifetime Achievement (Industry): Kim Cooke

Alternative Indie Rock: Dark Mean, Dark Mean

Rock Recording: Monster Truck, The Brown EP

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Thursday, 27 October 2011

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
Male Vocalist Of The Year
  • Harrison Kennedy
  • Jim Byrnes
  • John Mays (Fathead)
  • Matt Andersen
  • Steve Marriner (MonkeyJunk)
Female Vocalist Of The Year
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
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

Friday, 29 April 2011

New Rita Chiarelli Soundtrack/Live CD: Music From the Big House

Hamilton Blues legend, Rita Chiarelli recently released the soundtrack to her Bruce McDonald-helmed Music From the Big House documentary.

In the film, Rita takes musicians incarcerated in the infamous Angola Maximum Security Prison in Louisiana and preps them to play a concert with her.

The results of that hard work are on display in the soundtrack and it sounds like her efforts were well worth it. Rita and the prisoners play some raw, old fashioned, soulful blues that hit you on an emotional level. You can really feel the blues in these mens' voices during the concert. The gospel numbers are especially emotive. We even get a glimpse of their acapella rehearsing on a few of the tracks.

Also, the CD starts and ends with musical scores by Christopher Gulick.

The disc is available at music stores, Maple Music, and as a download on iTunes.

Links: Rita Chiarelli - More Rita Chiarelli Stories

Below is the trailer for the film.


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Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Rita Chiarelli and King Biscuit Boy Honoured at Maple Blues Awards

Local musician Rita Chiarelli and Hamilton's own late, great King Biscuit Boy were honoured for their entire body of work at the Maple Blues Awards on January 17, 2011. Both received lifetime achievement awards for their legendary careers. Congratulations.

Ottawa's Monkey Junk, who played last year's Blues With a Feeling gala, were the big winners with 3 awards (electric act, harmonica, drums).

Milton's Shrimp Daddy also won best new artist.

Frequent Hamilton visitor, John Mays (Fathead) received the best male vocalist award.

Legendary Canadian Blues band, Downchild (featuring another frequent guest to the city, Chuck Jackson) won Best Recording for their CD, I Need a Hat.

See below for the full list of winners.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR
ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
John Mays (Fathead)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shakura S’Aida

NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Shrimp Daddy

RECORDING OF THE YEAR

Downchild / I Need A Hat / Linus
Producer – Don Walsh

BLUES WITH A FEELING
(Lifetime Achievement)
Rita Chiarelli

BB KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Garrett Mason

HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steve Marriner (Monkey Junk)

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Julian Fauth

HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Whiteley

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matt Sobb (Monkey Junk)

BASSIST OF THE YEAR Keith Picot

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Paul Reddick & Colin Linden

BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR
Gord MacAulay
SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
King Biscuit Boy

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Tuesday, 14 September 2010

New Rita Chiarelli CD: Sweet Paradise

Hamilton-born blues goddess Rita Chiarelli recently unleashed her latest rockin' CD, Sweet Paradise.

On this album, the guitarslinger shows off her soulful voice and incredible musicianship. Her talent is showcased on slower songs (Rest My Bones, Home) and upbeat tunes (French Kiss, Going Down to New Orleans). Rita even throws in some cool jazz licks (If It Was Love, Back to Blue), and country sounds (Cowboy's Lullabye).

The CD is available at her shows, various music stores and online shops.

Links: Rita Chiarelli - More Rita Chiarelli Stories - Listen to Samples of the CD

Below are a few YouTube videos with songs from the album. Click here if you can't see them.







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Friday, 13 March 2009

News Roundup (Kingsnakes, Kathleen Edwards, Rita Chiarelli)

After a few years apart, the roots rock band, Crawlin' Kingsnakes have quite a few things to share on their blog.

They have released a limited edition (100 copies only) live CD, Rockin' the Casbah. It features a live 2004 reunion concert.

The band is planning to release a brand new studio album, The Lost Years, in the summer

Duke Foster is now their new bass player.



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The 8th annual Indie Awards were handed out on March 8.

Local songstress Kathleen Edwards (left) won for best Folk Artist.

Fred Eaglesmith was also nominated for the award.

Daddy Long Legs won for Best Blues Artist

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Hamilton Blues Legend Rita Chiarelli recently sent out a message to her fans. In it, she mentions her thoughts about 2008 and her plans for the future (including working on new album).

The full message from Rita:

Hello folks,

I’m writing to you from a hotel room in Vienna, Austria...every once in a while I like to share with you some great events...

First ..Let me say that 2008 was a “very good year”....2 nominations for ‘uptown goes downtown’ and another award for ‘cuore...the Italian sessions’..Some very cool gigs...2 tours of Europe....

2009 is looking even better....great festivals coming this summer, to some of these I’ll be bringing my seven piece band... I call it”the big blues band”...

3 nights with the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony...

A return to Thunder Bay for a concert with the Thunder Bay symphony...
...
For all upcoming concerts please check out: www.ritachiarelli.com

And...hey, I have finally booked studio time to record a new all original album....more on this later....

But getting back to where I am sitting at the moment...in Vienna....in two days I will perform an acoustic blues concert behind “the historic walls of Mozart’s house”!! This is part of ‘spring time blues in Vienna’..

Now I figure there has got to be some great inspiration at Amadeus’ house...where he wrote many great operas...(’le nozze di Figaro’)...and where he died....

So there you have it...an update will come when I get back to Canada...oh, I’m having some footage taken...so if I don’t look too tired, bloated, homesick, weary, I‘ll have it posted...

‘til soon....Rita

Links: Rita ChiarelliMore Rita Chiarelli Stories

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Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Local Bands on Top 20 Blues Albums List

Local musicians David Rotundo and Rita Chiarelli were on the -->The Blind Lemon Top 20 Canadian Blues Albums of 2008 List. Congratulations!

The Blind Lemon Blues radio show, runs on CHMR in Newfoundland. The list was a result of online polling.

A special celebrating the list aired on
Monday, January 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm Eastern Time.

Other nominees included Carlos Del Junco, Wild T, Jeff Healey, Harry Manx, Paul Reddick, and more.

Click here for complete list.

Links: Rita ChiarelliMore Rita Chiarelli Stories

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