I'm doing a bunch of research for a magazine, and my topic is 'Arts and Culture in Canada,' which is exceedingly broad. My solution is to research things that interest me under that awning. Obviously, I love the blues, and was wondering if any of you have any recommended reading, testimonies, ideas, or stories to tell.
The first name that comes to mind for me when I think about Canadian blues is Carlos Del Junco, but I haven't been able to find much literature about him.
---------- Check out my music at http://bmeyerson11.bandcamp.com/
I've just recently stumbled across Paul Reddick, a Canadian singer, harp-player, and (in my opinion, brilliant) song-writer. Very distinctive and original blues and americana
His occasional collaborator Colin Linden is also worth checking out
I get to hang out at local jams with the Harpdog. He's tried out my little Electro amp last couple times. Gave it the thumbs up. ---------- MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2012 12:26 PM
Carlos del Junco is a great player, no doubt about it but is he a blues player? He plays great music but does not focus on blues. I may be wrong,I have not heard all of his recorded music but in my opinion he is in the same category as Howard Levy.
The late, great harp player King Biscuit Boy (Richard Newell) was from Canada.
Anybody here heard of harmonica player Al Lerman from Canada? I've have not heard him play live yet but his recordings playing with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith has impressed me.
Last Edited by on Jun 22, 2012 11:35 AM
Carlos is really not that interested in blues, per se. I would classify him as more World Music. Lately, some of his live shows broadcast over Canadian radio and German Radio have been making the rounds of the music trading community, who post live concerts and share them with each other, as long as nothing included has been commercially released.
I heard a concert he did in Germany in May, 2012, broadcast on a German PBS type radio station, playing with his touring guitarist and a pick up German bass player. Amazing music - even the few blues tunes were twisted and morphed through a world music/Theolonius Monk sensibility and the result is totally original.
I sure hope he finds his World Music audience - like what Peter Gabriel did in the 90's. ---------- The Iceman
Al Lerman is a heck of a harp player, sax player and, I was surprised, a real good guitar player. He is keeping pretty busy doing a solo act. He is, I believe, the founding member of "Fathead". You may want to check out Roly Plat as well. ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Regarding Carlos, I think that he is most definitely a blues harmonica player. He's also other things. He doesn't just have to be one thing, and given that he DOES have blues songs in his live sets, I think he still qualifies as a blues player (and, might I add, one of the most unique and agile blues players out there).
gamblershand: Paul Reddick is amazing -- thanks for the intro. That is some great songwriting (something that is missing from much of the contemporary blues).
---------- Check out my music at http://bmeyerson11.bandcamp.com/
Hey tf10 - Have you checked into the Native Canadians and their take on the blues? Another avenue? ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Thanks for posting that. I'd heard of The Down Child Blues Band but wasn't familiar with them. That is some crazy good piano right there. On the, "Excuse me I have this piano I just decided to sell"," side of the dial.
Jane was one purty lady as well. If I'd been aware I most likely would have stayed in Canada longer than I did, tracked her down, been rejected on the spot, and become a stalker.
Really sorry to see she passed so early. A great loss.
BTW, the truly great Richard "KIng Biscuit Boy" Newell has been mentioned but I'm really surprised not to have seen Crowbar put forth.
I saw them once at The Whiskey in 1970 or thereabouts after having run into one of the guys in this shop I was working at which was just down the street. At one point during the show Kelly Jay came from behind the piano, lifted the guitar player onto his shoulders. Then he picked up the bass player and sat him on his thighs with the guys legs wrapped backwards around his back. Then the guitar player, in mid-solo, flung himself upside down while Kelly stalked around the stage with both guys hanging off of him...and I swear nobody missed a note! ---------- LSC
Last Edited by on Jun 26, 2012 4:08 PM
@I like my DownChild with Jane Vasey and Hock along with ...
Donnie Walsh was instrumental in the founding of the "Jane Vasey Memorial Scholarship" fund at Brandon University. The fund was co-founded by Vasey's late parents (Dorothy and Ross) and Downchild Blues Band in 1983 to sponsor keyboards students in the Brandon University (alma mater of Vasey) school of music. Each year 2 scholarships in the amount of $2,500.00 have been awarded. The fund has grown to the amount of $80,000.00. Downchild continues to fund scholarships through benefit performances. The benefit amount is doubled thanks to a special program sponsored by the Government of Manitoba.
Hey tf10 - Here's a topic for you!! How much influence did Donnie Walsh and Downchild have on the formation of "The Blues Brothers". Some believe that Curtis Salgato influenced John Belushi but since Dan Akaroyd was childhood friends with the Walsh brothers and he claims that they were the motivation...how about some deep, investigative reporting?? Clear this up once and for all!! ;-) ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
I forgot to mention one of my current favourite duos, also out of Toronto, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whitley. Diana is a great vocalist and Chris is a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, trumpet and top notch harmonica. The promo video linked above gives a flavour of what they do together. They also are educators, participating in the Blues in Schools program and Black History Month (Feb. in Canada) programming. They have quite a few YT performance videos if you want to hear some full songs.
Oh, and Chris's brother, Ken Whitley, is an acoustic folk and blues singer/song writer of some renown as well. Chris is accompanying on harp on this original folk number. ----------
Last Edited by on Jun 27, 2012 8:28 AM
