Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Out and About - Cold Weather Blues Fest
It was a chilly Friday Night and part of me (OK, most of me) wanted to stay in and listen to the always excellent blues show on French CBC radio, but I made my way out - after 9 (and this was an 8-11 event) so I knew I wouldn't hear a lot. The first place I headed was Castro's which I figured would be the anchor venue (it's Castro's owner who created the festival - albeit with a whole team!). They had an artist I had not heard of but was told later he was quite remarkable - playing exotic instruments. Anyway, at Castro's and at the next club they were both on so I just kept moving. Got to hear Paul Reddick then Mike Daley & Terry Wilkins. Everybody playing in the dark with pretty noisy crowds. This was not a festival savvy audience but hey, it's just the first year. These venues don't usually have live music and if there was, it would not be a listening crowd. Julian Fauth had a little more attention from his audience - he had Drew Austin on drums and Ken Yoshioka on harp. I was already glad I got out when Tracey, my photogtrapher friend told me the Weber Brothers were playing up the street at the Linsmore Tavern - I decided to check it out. An amazing band, and who's front and centre but Emily Burgess and her red ES-335 (the guitar I've always lusted after). I knew the Weber brothers story (coming on a pilgrimage to Canada to meet - and ultimately play with - their idol, Ronnie Hawkins.) You can tell these guys rehearse - everything so tight, harmonies, endings...but that's not what makes them great. Every song took the crowd to the "next level" great energy and dynamics as well as superb musicianship. They could have been mainstage headliners for that little blues festival - in fact there had been talk of bringing in a big name to the local theatre but I guess that was not to be...but it's only their first year. Next time, they should do like Winterfolk and bring in sound & lights to all the participating clubs, though. Maybe I'll get back for more tomorrow night but it will only be for somebody's last set.
See below for a taste of the Weber Brothers and a few instagram clips from Queen Street as well.
See below for a taste of the Weber Brothers and a few instagram clips from Queen Street as well.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Bharath at 2016 TBS Harmonica Workshop
This year's Harmonica Workshop had a packed house at a great venue, The Paintbox Bistro. Three very different harp players. Jerome talked about working on technique. "You're always going to sound like yourself but it helps to have a larger pallet of textures to choose from." Bharath was all about the feel - letting your breathing guide the melody and the sound. Carlos showed his mastery of the instrument - even doing a solo where he played in all 12 keys. Jerome's band with Shawn Kellerman was solid - Gary Craig on drums and, wait for it, no bass player. The second guitarist is Eric Shenkman - of the Spin Doctors. He was using an octave pedal (sounded better than my Boss Octave Pedal - must find out what he uses)
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Thelonius Hank does Elvis @castroslounge
via Instagram @brianblain
There's going to be a new blues festival in town - it's called the Cold Weather Bluesfest and I had dropped by Castros in the beaches to speak to the owner Anthony because he's organizing the festival. I had seen Thelonius Hank once before but Mike Daley was subbing on guitar. I couldn't resist asking for "Round Midnight" and sure enough he knew it. I've been working on that tune myself.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
@EricBibb & MJB @HUGHSROOM
via Instagram @brianblain
Everybody who was there will tell you this was one of the best blues shows of the year. Eric Bibb is a bona fide blues star and Michael Jerome Brown is no slouch either. Together it was quite special - and that was the best acoustic guitar sound I've ever heard at Hugh's (thank you, Ann). Had a chance to visit with MJB after the show and reminded him about an impromptu recording we did on the last day of the "Overqualified" sessions in Montreal. I had this chord change and we just jammed on it - he played slide and mandolin. He didn't remember doing it, so I've dug it up here and Michael, if you're reading this, take a listen...
I call it my Tai Chi Timer because it lasts exactly 10 minutes and has the perfect rhythm for my Tai Chi set which, when done at the correct speed, should last about ten minutes. So if I end before the music, I know I was rushing. The images are from a lovely walk with Harry Manx in a park on Saltspring Island.
@Sugarbrownblues @tobluessociety hump day @jazzbistroTO
via Instagram @brianblain
Sugar Brown is an artist I've admired for a while. He was pretty rough around the edges when I first heard him but I always thought he was "official" (as Professor Piano used to say). I was a little shy to come down and see him at the Bistro because I had sat in with him a couple of times recently and the last time I have to say that I was not "in the pocket" like I usually pride myself. In fact I had bugged Michelle Josef, his drummer, to get me a shot playing bass with Sugar and had even said to Sugar himself that not many people would be able to follow him but that I was one who could. Well, WRONG! Maybe I was just having too much fun. Anyway he was a real gentleman about it (I kidded with him that he was a "scholar and a gentleman" because he is actually a college professor with a PhD.)
Monday, January 18, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
@24thstreetwail @TObluessociety Hump Day Blues @jazzbistroTO @sugarbrownblues next wed
via Instagram @brianblain
The Jazz Bistro blues series (Hump Day) kicked off its 2016 season with the 24th Street Wailers and that band continues to grow since I heard them when they were just starting out. Their new guitar player, Mark Doucet, has that official Texas sound and fits in very well. I had been quite knocked out by the guitar player that joined after Emily Burgess. He was American – I forget his name (Elliot??) but I remember telling him that he had a really distinctive sound and that nobody around here sounded like that. Mark is more of a "Classic" player, and that works great for the band.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Doin the Rounds in December
The holidays are approaching and I even heard a Christmas song tonight at the Tranzac where I dropped in to see Bob Cohen, David Woodhead and Doug Wilde (aka 3-Ring Circus). I was with my old buddy Allan Fraser and we both got up and did a couple of tunes. I couldn't resist pulling out an old chestnut of mine that I recorded in 1972 - Don't Forget Your Mother - because Bob Segarini was in the house and had just performed a heartfelt Stormy Monday Blues and I remembered when he pulled me aside at the Black Swan when I was newly arrived in Toronto and told me how that song had been a bit of a soundtrack to a rather stormy chapter in his life. We were both recording at André Perry's Studio (the original one in downtown Montreal) where Bob had a "meeting of the eyes" with one of the girls who was singing back-up for me, the beautiful Laurel Massé who was part of Manhattan Transfer at the time. It turned out to be a meeting of more than the eyes as they tucked themselves away in the small booth that overlooked the studio and kicked off a long, intense bi-coastal love affair. All while they listened to take after take of "Don't Forget Your Mother" being put together. Bob says that song still drifts into his consciousness once in a while - so Bob, here's a link if you want to hear the full production. Anyway, I did perform it at the Tranzac - though I fumbled some words - and we all had a wonderful trip down memory lane. Quentin Meek, a great recording engineer from those days in Montreal was also in the house and did a couple of tunes on...wait for it...autoharp! There were many great musicians in the house - I met Fergus Hambleton for the first time and Ed Roth and Franki Hart and a new friend - a great fiddler called Tom Hamilton (I hope I've got that right) who sat in with me when I played the Vino Rosso "salon" last Saturday. See a clip of Allan performing Northumberland Straits" below:
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
On Blues Nicknames
I think I have a new blues moniker (as if I didn't have enough already). Joel was calling me "Two Lane" Blain - a reflection of my driving style, I guess. It has a good ring. When I was starting out in music (50 years ago) The Kreklo brothers used to call me "Nappy". When I was a little kid, my father called me "Butch." Other kids called me "Bucky. "When I got into the blues I picked up the nickname "Colorblind". "Buddha of the Blues" was a short-lived moniker. Now Stringbuster is my new "brand" - it'm my ambient electronic persona. Watch this space for upcoming podcasts and vlog posts.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Matt Andersen Talks Road Gold
Quote of the day from Matt Andersen: "I believe I’m in an industry that you get out of it what you put into it."
How true it is.
Matt Andersen Talks Road Gold
How true it is.
Matt Andersen Talks Road Gold