Dan McKinnon - The Cleaner - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Cleaner, from Dan McKinnon and it's quite good. Opening with blues rocker, Storm, McKinnon on guitar sets a great pace with scorching riffs and lead vocal, backed by Peter Eratostene on bass and Michael Carbone on drums. Walk That Aisle is another solid rocker with a driving bass line and distorted guitar. Slinky, 17 Years has a melodic radio feel with Albert King flavored guitar riffs. Rowdy romper, King Baby, has a swaggering ZZ Top kind of feel but with McKinnon's own signature riffs and vocal styling. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks is Junior Kimbrough flavored All Mine with it's distinct bass line, driving drum line and Kimbrough like guitar riffs. McKinnin takes a nice excursion on guitar on this 6 plus minute track giving it real bite. Very nice. Shuffle track, More Than Enough has a polished Robben Ford feel and McKinnon's guitar riffs are clean and definitive. Very nice. Ballad, Til You Come Around not only has a solid melody and vocals but sure tension and vital guitar riffs. Wrapping the release is Wowowow which also has that dirty, gritty Mississippi Hill Country sound. I really like this track, an excellent closer for a solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Blues Guitarist Dan McKinnon Releases New CD As Sharp As Possible

Blues Guitarist Dan McKinnon Releases New CD As Sharp As Possible November 19, 2013          Mixing equal parts musical scholar, businessman and tattooed rock n’ roll rebel, Toronto guitarist Dan McKinnon is not your average bluesman. While his music is rooted in blues styles ranging from traditional, country and electric, McKinnon has also publicly declared his love for glam rock, fusion, hard bop, and heavy metal. It is this mélange of musical influences that has created the sound that McKinnon is known for and presents on his new CD As Sharp As Possible. His self-titled debut E.P. was released in early 2012 to glowing reviews and widespread airplay across North America - including regular positions on the Roots Music Report charts. “Dan McKinnon is certainly ready for the spotlight. His debut EP shines a light on the wide spectrum of sounds he can create. From the slow and soulful to the edgy solos that really bite, the road ahead knows no limits.” (Blues Rock Review)    As Sharp As Possible is McKinnon’s first full length CD release and with the high expectations placed on him after the first release - it does not disappoint.  It is musically deep but accessible with sharp lyrics, massive riffs, searing solos and catchy hooks. No two songs sound alike, but there is a common thread weaving each story and song together to create a new and exciting experience for the listener. "On "A.S.A.P", I wanted to capture the sound of a band that played as if it had something to prove. The common characteristic the musicians I admire most have is that they are constantly striving to outdo themselves while never accepting the notion that "Good enough is good enough" or that certain musical conventions can't be broken or challenged. What was most important was capturing the fire and intensity of a group that is looking to push beyond their own limits, striving to be better than what they are….to be as sharp as possible”, says McKinnon.   Produced by JUNO Award winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer and recorded at Canterbury Studios, As Sharp As Possible features Dan McKinnon on guitar and vocals, Aaron Carter on bass and Jon Foster on drums. Each of the ten songs were written by McKinnon with topics that range from relationships, self-reflection and personal loss. From the heavy opening riffs on the first track “Ain’t Looking Back”, to the slow groove and soulful solos on “Killing Time”, and the forlorn lyrics and classic blues feel on “One Regret”, the combination of McKinnon’s voice and guitar playing, along with the solid foundation from the band, As Sharp As Possible will quickly become a favourite among blues fans all over.   “Dan McKinnon is one of the brightest new lights on the blues scene.  A well schooled guitarist, he adds just the right amount of jazz intuition to his searing blues playing. With a nice vocal tone, killer riffs and wicked guitar chops Dan McKinnon is a name you will be hearing a lot about in the coming months, years and decades”, says producer Jack de Keyzer.  Only in his thirties, McKinnon’s education, life experiences and talent will certainly ensure a long and healthy career in the blues genre.          www.danmckinnonmusic.com   "This disc delivers the goods with room to spare. The passion and fire in McKinnon’s playing is stepped up a notch here. He’s a veritable Riffzilla, throwing out of big, meaty, juicy hooks”. - John The Rock Doctor, Newcap Radio     "5 stars for ‘As Sharp As Possible’ A really big contender for this year’s Best Canadian Debut Blues Rock Album..."  - The Blues Underground Network     Tracklist:   Ain't Looking Back King of the Hill Lucky One Got It Bad Killing Time Heart Attack Perfect Ten The Recipe (feat. Jack de Keyzer) One Regret A Different Road

Dan McKinnon - As Sharp As Possible - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (November 19, 2013), As Sharp As Possible, from Dan McKinnon and it's a rockin blues riot! Opening with Ain't Looking Back, a strong blues rocker with hot drumming from Jon Foster, this 3 piece band plays with a lot of snarl. Aaron Carter plays with the intensity of Dusty Hill and Mc Kinnon uses his lead work as a flame thrower through hot dry timbers. King Of The Hill has a lot of swagger with a melodic edge a bit like Foghat. This is no slide guitar extravaganza so don't ask me why I say that but the music just has that sound. Very cool. Lucky One has a Chicago/jazz/Latin feel with a real nice touch by Foster. Clean, precise riffs paired with nasty dirty riffs make this a real interesting track. Got It Bad comes out of the gate like old Procol Harem (w/ Robin Trower) but with more of a groove. McKinnon takes no prisoners on his soloing clearing the way for vocal harmonies. Killing Time is a slow blues number with a lot of breathing space. McKinnon takes a couple of vocal bars but this track is all about the guitar as he shoots off riffs like ducks in a barrel. Nice! Heart Attack is a high speed rocker and the band is very tight. This is the radio track for sure capitalizing on it's catchy melody and raw attitude which is so popular right now, but also adding some jazz changes and smoking guitar riffs... oh yeah! Perfect Ten has a Buddy Guy like intro but turns into a standard 12 bar with a lot of pop appeal. Again, McKinnon steps up and lights up the strings. Boy can play! The Recipe is a cool jazz influenced instrumental track. McKinnon joined by Jack Deyzer let the guitars do all the talkin' on this Freddie King style track and it is certainly my personal favorite on the release. On One Regret, McKinnon falls back to a retro style of early rock and blues with blends of R&B and T-Bone Walker. Another track that could easily find mass airplay, this is a nicely constructed and executed tune. Wrapping the release is Different Road with a strong nod to Rollin' and Tumblin'. A straight up rocker with strong blues roots, McKinnon finishes the release in style with blistering guitar riffs. This is a cool release that should win McKinnon a lot of new fans.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Dan McKinnon : Self Titled - New EP Review

I have a new EP debut from Dan McKinnon, a talented Toronto native. McKinnon's new release has 4 strong tracks displaying his feel for the blues and his technical acuity on the guitar. Track one, Satisfied, takes an Albert King style attack at the blues with an unusual rhythm basis and plays some pretty tasty blues riffs as a highlight to the song. No question...man can play. Track 2, Blues For Brother Nelson is more in jumps style with that jazzy edge... think Gatemouth Brown. It's a strong track and gives McKinnon a great opportunity to lay down some strong grooves. Track 3, Bad Habit, is a slow blues with an "woman problem" story line. McMinnon uses the lower octave of his guitar neck to set the stage for some dynamic soloing on this cut. Probably the strongest track on the EP, Bad Habit shows some strong chops. The Ep finishes up with Some Kind OF Special, a rockin' blues which of course gives McKinnon a chance to play some hot licks on his guitar. Overall I think that this is a very good debut EP and I'm looking forward to hearing more from McKinnon as he develops further.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”