Guy Belanger - Eldorado - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Eldorado, from Guy Belanger and it's pretty cool. Opening with instrumental, Carving The Wind, featuring Guy Belanger interweaving his harmonica work with Robert MacDonald on guitar over the bass work of Marc-Andre Drouin and Michael Dufour on drums. A pure Latin beat sets the tone for instrumental title track, Eldorado, with it's crisp rhythm and swaying feel. Belanger crafts a really nice melody and MacDonald shapes flowing guitar tones that almost sound like the wind. Very nice. A track with an overall blues feel and real tension, When Will I Know features Belanger on lead vocal and harmonica and Bob Stagg on b3, piano and Wurlitzer. This is a really sensitive track with a great radio sense. One of my favorite tracks on the release is light funky jazz rocker, Wicked with it's super bass line from Drouin, and Belanger on harmonica melody and including a real nice guitar solo by MacDonald. Another track with roots in the blues is Hummin' with some really nice blending between Eric Longsworth on cello and MacDonald on acoustic guitar and understated harmonica work by Belanger. With an almost Tower of Power (with no horns) feel, Ganga has you bobbing in no time and with harmonica lead, excellent guitar work by MacDonald, the addition of Paul Picard and the hard work of Drouin on bass. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Stillwater, an interesting, almost anthem track, with strong harmonica effects and a firm guitar, bass, drums underpinning. This is a smooth closer for a real interesting 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

Quebec's Masterful Harmonicist Guy Bélanger Set To Release Eldorado October 25

Quebec's Masterful Harmonicist   Guy Bélanger Set To Release Eldorado October 25

Bélanger's sixth solo album coming out via Bros Records

Quebec’s most sought-after harmonica player, Guy Bélanger is set to release his 6th solo album, Eldorado on October 25th on Bros Records. This long-awaited new release features a mix of original blues songs and instrumental gems that highlight his remarkable melodic touch. Eldorado is another demonstration of the top-notch chemistry Bélanger and his band can attain in studio. This brilliant assemblage of original songs also contains a few surprising covers, of note a delta blues version of Prince's “Sign 'O The Times” and a joyous rendition of Van Morrison’s “Bright Side of the Road”.  With a storied career that has spanned more than four decades, Bélanger has worked with some of Quebec’s biggest names in music and entertainment including, among others, Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, and Bob Walsh. He is a two-time Maple Blues Award winner and since 2003 has won 14 Lys Blues awards. Eldorado is Bélanger’s most ambitious album to date; the songs are powerfully emotive with twists at every turn. Eldorado is an invitation to the listener into Guy Bélanger’s musical universe through his marvellous songwriting and the top-notch harmonica playing.  The album and its themes are summed up concisely by Bélanger.  “Eldorado means (for me) “The Quest”. I love the road I ride, and the pitfalls only give me the courage to move forward…” guybelangermusic.com TRACK LIST 1.         CARVING THE WIND (3:17) 2.         BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD (5:22) 3.         ELDORADO (3:42) 4.         WHEN WILL I KNOW (6:14) 5.         WICKED (3:52) 6.         HUMMIN’ (5:09) 7.         GANGA (5:22) 8.         SIGN O’ THE TIMES (4:06) 9.         HOPE & FAITH (4:45) 10.       FOUR LITTLE WORDS 11.       STILLWATER (3:49)

Mister Goodfaith - Big Mistake - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Big Mistake, from Mister Goodfaith and it's a solid pop rocker rooted in the blues. Opening with Castaway, with it's cool melody and Nashville styling, Mister Goodfaith (aka physician Dr. Fabien Bonnefoy) shows a knowledge of songwriting and tight rhythms. With an emphasis on lead vocal and guitar solo turnarounds, Goodfaith keeps it light and tight. Break Up has a particularly cool hook with it's short guitar riff and harmonized refrain, simple by bluesy guitar soloing and tight drum work. I really like the loose, cavernous guitar tone on Wild Horses, compiled with it's sweet melody and single stroke drum rhythm. Never Again proves to be the strongest rocker with a driving guitar intro and radio ready melody. Goodfaith demonstrates over and over his ability to create interesting, well constructed tracks. Wrapping the release is title track, Big Mistake, another really nice track with a strong melody, tight guitar rhythms and clean drum work. A solid 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

 

Martin Goyette - Big Beets - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Big Beets, from Martin Goyette, and it's got pure soulful style. Opening with a cool guitar intro courtesy of Jim Bland,  singer, songwriter and harp player, Martin Goyette,  pounces on St. John Morning Blues, like my assistant on a muffin. With an interesting New Orleans style, driven by Jarrod Atkins on bass and really spiced up by the stumble drumming of Louis-Etienne Drouin this is a way nice opener. Night Out flashes a R&B style and Goyette's vocals are nicely suited. Stylistic guitar playing by Bland gives the track balance. Very cool. I really like the undertone of Rolling with it's ominous bass line and punctual key work by Chris Trauchner. I've only heard on guy who successfully pulls off vocals like this and it's Joe Cocker. Very nice. Fusion track, As Long As We're In Town, has a great bass line, accented by Trauchner on keys and tight drum work of Drouin. MaryPier Guilbeault and Goyette blend vocals nicely making this one of my favorites on the release. Goyette shows off his harp skills nicely over a great walking bass line on That's The Way She Does It and Trauchner's piano work is tops. I like the laid back guitar approach on No More Room and Goyette's powerful growl pitted with the angelic backing vocals of Guilbeault are terrific. Wrapping the release is Unwind, a really hot with smoky lead vocals and rich backing vocals. The ever present bass line of Atkinson, total melody, soulful guitar playing by Bland and cool harp work by Goyette makes this a great closer for a quietly excellent 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

QUEBEC BLUES ARTISTS SWEEP MAPLE BLUES AWARDS

QUEBEC BLUES ARTISTS SWEEP MAPLE BLUES AWARDS The Paul DesLauriers Band and Angel Forrest win multiple awards The fast-paced performance rich gala featured a moving memorial tribute to the late John Mays (Fathead), Brian Cober and past Blues With A Feeling Award Winner Bob Walsh (January 23, 2017) Toronto, ON – Canadian blues artists from coast-to-coast were honoured by their peers at the 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards gala in Toronto last night as a crowd of blues lovers gathered to celebrate Canadian blues at Koerner Hall.   Quebec blues artists swept the awards with honours going to trio The Paul DesLauriers Band who won Entertainer of the Year, Electric Act of the Year, Drummer of the Year for Sam Harrisson, and Bassist of the Year for Greg Morency. Blues belter Angel Forrest took home three awards including Female Vocalist of the Year, Recording/Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. The Blues With A Feeling Award for lifetime achievement was awarded to Stephen Barry, who has been a fixture on the Quebec blues scene for over 40 years. Montreal-based Frankie Thiffault of Ben Racine Band took home the hardware for Horn Player of the Year.   British Columbia blues artists were well recognized with awards going to David Gogo for Guitarist of the Year, Harpdog Brown for Harmonica Player of the Year and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne for Piano or Keyboard Player of the Year. Other winners at the sold-out gala event were Manitoba’s Big Dave McLean for Acoustic Act of the Year, Ontario’s 17-year old newcomer Spencer MacKenzie for New Artist or Group of the Year, New Brunswick’s Matt Andersen for Male Vocalist of the Year, and Joe Bonamassa for International Artist of the Year. Edmonton’s Cam Hayden, a long-time broadcaster on CKUA and co-founder of the Edmonton Blues Festival was presented with the Blues Booster of the Year award, a very special Maple Blues Award honouring outstanding contribution to the Canadian blues music industry.   In addition to the Maple Blues Awards, the third annual Cobalt Prize Contemporary Blues Composition Award was handed out last night to Ann Vriend for her song “All That I Can”, with runners up Michael Kaeshammer for his song “Sweet Grace" and The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer for their song "Father's Son”. A cash prize of $1000 was presented to Vriend with second and third place winners each receiving $250, courtesy of the benefactor The Unicorn Project.   Hosted by Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk, the 20th annual Maple Blues Awards included outstanding performances from nominees past and present, including Calgary’s Tim Williams, Toronto’s Sugar Brown and Shakura S’Aida, British Columbia’s Michael Kaeshammer and the evening’s big winners, The Paul DesLauriers Band along with the awards gala house band, The Maple Blues Band.   Winners of the 20th Annual Maple Blues Awards     ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR The Paul DesLauriers Band   ELECTRIC ACT OF THE YEAR The Paul DesLauriers Band   ACOUSTIC ACT OF THE YEAR Big Dave McLean   MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Matt Andersen FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR Angel Forrest   NEW ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR Spencer MacKenzie RECORDING/PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Angel's 11 (Morningstar) Artist: Angel Forrest. Producers: Angel Forrest and Denis Coulombe BLUES WITH A FEELING (Lifetime Achievement) Stephen Barry   B.B. KING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Joe Bonamassa   GUITARIST OF THE YEAR   David Gogo   HARMONICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR Harpdog Brown   PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne   HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR Frankie Thiffault   DRUMMER OF THE YEAR Sam Harrisson    BASSIST OF THE YEARGreg Morency   SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR Angel Forrest & Denis Coulombe   BLUES BOOSTER OF THE YEAR Cam Hayden

Jordan Officer - I'm Free - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, I'm Free, from Jordan Officer and it's terrific! Opening with At Least I've Got The Blues, a cool walking, Thrill Is Gone like track, Officer talks his lyrics, not unlike one of my all time favorites, Roy Buchanan, and lets his guitar do the talking. His guitar knows exactly what to do with beautiful tone and unquestionable phrasing. Excellent! A Night Of Fun, is up next with a carnival kind of feel. Tony Mason on drums and Jeff Hill on bass balance out this track. With a cool light jazzy touch this is a bright player. Title track, I'm Free, is a nice slow T-Bone Walker style track with beautifully articulate guitar work. Charley Drayton on drums and Andy Hess just sit tight in the pocket as Officer shows how it is done. Brilliant! When We Were Just Two is a cool retro track with a Bo Diddley beat. Loose guitar work and rhythmic backing make this a cool track. I'm All Alone had a cool Roy Head like vamp with a minimalist backing allowing the guitar riffs to breathe easy. Stylistic rather than pyrotechnics rule this track. Very nice! Jackie's Tune is a slow bluesy instrumental. This track really has feeling with well thought out riffs and runs. Although not the most dynamic track on the release, it may be my favorite just due to it's overall mastery. Excellent! Two Will Do is a bebop track featuring Officer and Mason on a tight jam. Officer does sing a few bars but it's the slick fretboard mastery that really makes this track hum! Life Just Showed Me is exclusively electric guitar and vocal. A simply strong track with solid vocals and rich blues riffs. On classic, Ain't Nobody's Business, Officer slows it down a bit and does some of his best stylized vocals on the release. His masterful guitar accompaniment along with the drumming of Tony Mason show a true appreciation for the original track and also his personal interpretation of a well known classic. Very nice! Wrapping the release is one of those western tracks that I always look for. Hang 'Em High sticks rhythmically to a western line but Officer gives it a real modern bluesy spin. I like his spontaneity and insight. This is a truly unique release and one I feel deserves strong recognition.

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! - click Here Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

 

Marjo

Marjolène Morin (born 2 August 1953 in Montreal, Quebec), professionally known as Marjo, is a Quebec singer-songwriter. After singing in two musicals of François Guy, Marjo joined the band Corbeau in 1979, two years after the group was started by Pierre Harel. Her solo career began shortly after Corbeau disbanded with the theme song for the film La Femme de l'hôtel which earned a Genie Award for Best Original Song in 1985. In 1986, her debut album Celle qui va sold more than 250 000 copies.




  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 favorite band!

That Hypnotizin' Boogie - David Wilcox

David Wilcox (born July 13, 1949 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian rock musician.
Montreal native, David (Karl William) Wilcox drew inspiration from musician Elvis Presley at the early age of six. Wilcox soon picked up the guitar and began playing, having his first live performance (to a room of ex-convicts) at fourteen years old.

In 1970, Wilcox replaced Amos Garrett in Ian & Sylvia Tyson’s band, Great Speckled Bird, playing backup for acts such as Anne Murray, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich. In 1973, after two records, Wilcox left the band to go solo and never looked back.

Wilcox's first band, David Wilcox and the Teddy Bears, hit local stages as a flashy character with an oversized waxed moustache, a baggy suit and a flower in his lapel. His debut album, Out of the Woods came out in 1977. Out of the Woods produced his three top hits, "Do the Bearcat", "Bad Apple", and "That Hypnotizin’ Boogie". Wilcox signed with Capitol Records in 1982, re-releasing Out of the Woods, which became Wilcox’s first album to reach gold status.

Wilcox's second album My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble, released in 1983, featured "Downtown Came Uptown" and "Riverboat Fantasy". It was his second straight gold record and another series of tours followed.

Wilcox became popular among students on the college concert scene in the 1980s, for his guitar skill, humorous lyrics and quirky vocal styling.
Wilcox at a concert in Spencerville, Ontario in 2006

Motivated by the success of his tour and two gold records, Wilcox went back into the studio in 1984 to record Bad Reputation. A year later he released The Best of David Wilcox, his first compilation album, as a hit-inspired collection of his songs. It was also the debut album for "Blood Money" and "When You Mistreat Her".

Later that year, Wilcox was honoured with the COCA (the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities) for Entertainer of the Year award (1985) (Biography, 2007).

Wilcox’s next album to be released was yet another compilation of previously recorded successes and was part of Capitol Records' series Over 60 Minutes with...

In the late 1980s, Wilcox moved away from his past raw live-in-the-studio approach, to a more produced synthesizer and drum program modern rock sound. The album Breakfast at the Circus (1987) featured "Layin' Pipe","The Song He Never Wrote", sounding like a Wilcox tribute to his excessive side. After more tours, he returned with 1989's The Natural Edge. It featured the title track, "The Natural Edge", the sweet anthemic pop of "Lay Down in Your Arms", "Ivory Tower", "Pop Out World", and the leadoff track "Still Life".

It was not until some years later, in 1993, when Wilcox came out with his next album, a box set titled, The Collected Works 1977-1993. It featured live versions of "That Hypnotizin' Boogie" and "Trip Out Tonight". It also featured unreleased material such as "Needle in a Haystack" and "The Groove".

Thirteen Songs, released in 1996, featured acoustic-based music played with a small band, playing sax-and-organ jazz "Rainy Night Saloon", country storytelling "Shotgun City" and deep blues "Three Past Midnight". "God Is On a Bender" is considered one of Wilcox's best songs. Wilcox released Greatest Hits Too in 1997, with much of the album being produced by Wilcox.

Wilcox's record producer released him in 1997 due to slumping sales. In 2002 he was able to pick up a contract with Edmonton-based Stony Plain Records, and he produced the album Rhythm of Love which featured "Play That Guitar Rag", "Easy Like Rain" and "Rattlesnakin' Daddy". In 2003 Wilcox released Rockin' the Boogie: The Best of Blues and Boogie, featuring many of his best known work. In 2007, Wilcox released Boy in the Boat
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”

Someday Baby Blues - Hoodoo Man

Hoodoo Man is a blues & roots, one-man-band, based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. What started as a side project for Montreal, bass stalwart, Mike Reilly, has now become an energetic live act that mixes classic blues and originals that pay tribute to the early blues legends. He sings, plays guitar, drums, and rack harp simultaneously, evoking a trio from days gone by. A lively performance, not to be missed!
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”

Sugar - Richard Carr

Historically, the blues has been a vocal musical form. Field hollers soared across the cotton and tobacco fields of the southern United States long before the first guitar god plugged in his amp. The first blues records focused on singers. Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, and Ethel Waters made their mark with their voices. Even instrumental virtuoso Blind Lemon Jefferson sold records, on the strength of his voice and the content of his lyrics. Richard Carr continues the tradition of the blues singer. Carr grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, not generally regarded as a hot bed of the blues. During summers on the Alabama Gulf Coast he spent many Sundays listening to the all- day gospel music radio broadcasts. Richard Carr didn't plan on becoming a blues singer. His earliest influence was classical Latin choral music at the local convent school. Although his first love was the drum, Richard's godfather decided the guitar made less noise and Richard soon began taking lessons at a nearby Baptist Church. There he was exposed to the depth and beauty of gospel music, much as generations of southern blues and soul singers have been. Gospel was soon followed by exposure to jazz and swing. Richard's original ambition was to be a crooner like Dean Martin or Tony Bennett. This influence is apparent as Carr's debut album focuses on his clear, clean vocals and story- telling skills as a songwriter. Despite these early influences Carr isn't new to the blues. After playing with a number of groups during his teens, Richard was absent from the music business for several years. In the mid nineties he resumed his professional musical career while living in Boston, Massachusetts. Since 1996 he has been a working musician in Quebec's surprisingly busy blues scene. Over the past few years gigs have been become more steadily frequent and at increasingly larger venues including some of Canada's most prestigious blues clubs and festivals. Carr's original songs feel old, in a good way. They evoke images of Fred Astaire or Cab Calloway out on the town for a night of big cars, bright lights, flashy suits and glamour. From the instrumental guitar bounce of "Top Swing" to the title cut "Tell Everybody" Richard Carr's songs follow the best of blues traditions. The songs have purpose and meaning. Best of all, his songs tell stories
“Like” Bman’s Facebook page. I use Facebook to spread the word about my blog (Now with translation in over 50 languages). I will not hit you with 50 posts a day. I will not relay senseless nonsense. I use it only to draw attention to some of the key posts on my blog each day. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings!
Live Trio; Richard Carr guitar-vocal - Barr Nameth drums - Rene Gignac bass. Studio Band; Richard Carr guitar-vocal - Gabriel Lajoie bass - Kevin Mark bass. Nicky Estor drums. Vinz piano-hamond b3 - Francois Thiffault sax. Special Guest : Nico Wayne Toussaint harmonica
- click Here

Travelin' Bone - Dale Boyle

Dale Boyle is a Gaspé born, Montreal-based award-winning folk, country, and blues singer-songwriter. He has been called “One of the best to emerge from north of the border” (AmericanaHomeplace.com) and “an accomplished musician, a fine singer, and an exceptionally thoughtful, meticulous songwriter" (CanadianBlues.ca).

Dale's songs tap into a number of subject areas, from the out-of-work miner to the First World War veteran; the local bartender to the small town painter.

He is an International Narrative Song Competition Winner; Lys Blues Songwriter of the Year award Winner; Two-time Lys Blues Folk/Blues Artist of the Year award Winner; International Songwriting Competition and USA Songwriting Competition finalist.

Dale has appeared in the CBC ENJEUX documentary film Le Mystère Coffin and his music has been included in the Learning Landscapes online journal and the audio version of Daniel Levitin’s best selling book, The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature.

His live performances reflect a casual demeanour, sense of humour, and storytelling approach also found on his solo acoustic recordings: In My Rearview Mirror: A Story From a Small Gaspé Town (2004) and his most recent, Small Town van Gogh (2007), which reached number 15 on the Euro Americana Chart.

Dale is also the founder of Song Routes (SongRoutes.com), an online magazine that explores the art of songwriting through feature interviews with established songwriters, producers, authors, etc.

Dale's PhD research at McGill University explores the role that music can play in teaching across academic disciplines and Dale teaches the McGill Education course, "Music Listening for Education."
“Like” Bman and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Going Down Slow - Justin Saladino

Justin Saladino is a 16 year old blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from Montreal, Quebec. Growing up in a musical family, guitars were never too far from reach. It was no coincidence that Justin would start a love affair with the guitar. Eager to learn he started taking lessons from his uncle. By the age of 9 he was showing an amazing ability in playing songs by artists like: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Buddy Guy and Santana. Now he is a fusion of all these artists making his identity and style. Justin has played over 50 shows with ex-band members Matthew Passalacqua and Adam Passalacqua of “Runaway Slide” receiving a substantial praise from the blues community here in Quebec and among other fellow musicians and critics. He has shared stages and jammed on numerous occasions with artists like Paul Deslaurier, Jim Zellers, Ronnie Baker Brook, Steve Marriner, Angel Forest, Mike Deway, Trevor Finlay , Lalya Zoe, Carl Tremblay, Jimmy James and Guy Belanger. In 2007 he won 2nd place at the 1ière Concours Prix Etoiles Galaxie de Radio-Canada at the Tremblant International Blues Festival. In 2008 he received the Lys Blues award for “Upcoming Band of the Year’’ Group Revelation at the 5th edition of the Gala Lys Blues. Also Justin had the honor of participating in Montreal’s Telethon of the Stars in 2007 and 2008. He has made other TV appearances on “M pour Musique” and on “Fan Club” (VRAC TV). CHOM-FM radio host Randy Renaud of the “Black Cat Alley” interviewed Justin on the topic of kids playing blues. In a 2009 High School band competition “Can Your School Rock’’ Justin demonstrated his talents astounding his audience. Godin Guitars then awarded a Godin Summit CT to Justin for earning the title of “Best Guitarist”. Recently he received 3rd place at the 5th edition of the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix 2010 in the blues/rock category.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE