Maple Blues Online - Loose Blues News

Youthlink Ad BluesLINK Benefit: Danny Marks will emcee a special event Sunday April 13 from 3-7pm to support YouthLink’s programs for youth and their families across Toronto, including an inner city drop-in for street-involved youth. Headlining the event are The Gary Kendall Band (also of the Downchild Blues Band), Margaret Stowe’s S’Women In Blues featuring Carrie Chesnutt, Heather Morgan, Rachel Melas, Michelle Josef, Lucian Gray and a special guest appearance by comedian Glen Foster “That Canadian Guy.” Youthlink’s Scarborough Youth Drum Workshop will also do a special demonstration. Tickets for BluesLINK are $18 in advance or $20 at the door, and are available at 416-967-1773. All proceeds go to Youthlink to support youth and families throughout Toronto

Blues artists get new voice on Bravo!: "Rhythm, Roots and Soul" a new program will air on Bravo! Canada starting April 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm (Eastern). This series, a spin-off from Mako Funasaka's highly regarded series talkin' Blues, will profile R&B, Gospel, Soul and Roots musicians through their own words and music. The first 13 episodes will feature Lou Pride, Blind Boys of Alabama, Al Stewart, Uncle Earl, James Hunter, Reba Russell, Johnny Rawls, Eric Bibb, Ruthie Foster, Hot Toddy, Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick , Broken Joe and Harry Manx & Kevin Breit. For those of you in the vicinity of Peterborough and Toronto, Lou Pride, who is featured in the premier episode (April 4 2008), will be at the Red Dog Tavern in Peterborough on the evening that the series premiers on Bravo. Lou will also be at the Silver Dollar Room in Toronto on the next night on April 5th.

Steve Marriner has been added to the lineup for the TBS Harmonica Workshop at The Silver Dollar Room on April 12 at 2pm. Marinner is a multi-instrumentalist with harp as his first instrument and in a few short years since his debut as part of the J-W Jones band he has made a considerable reputation for himself internationally, due mostly to relentless touring with Harry Manx. Lee Oskar, a harmonica legend, will be there along with two of the heaviest harp players ever to emerge from this town, Michael Pickett and David Rotundo. A must-attend for anyone who wants to learn more about playing blues harp. The same crew (minus Marinner) will be performing a concert at Hugh's Room on April 1 and back at the Dollar on May 2nd, Mark Hummel presents his "Harp Blowout" with Jerry Portnoy and Rick Estrin and Rusty Zinn on guitar.

Mark Neveu celebrates his 50th: TBS board member Mark Neveu has been a tireless and always active supporter of the Canadian roots n blues scene. From 2001 to 2005 he co-owned Readers in Dunnville and presented well over 200 intimate concerts featuring a who's who from the blues world. He continues to present concerts all over southern Ontario and is now in his 4th year in assisting with the programming of the Welland Downtown Music Series. For the last few years he's also been working closely with Harrison Kennedy & Steve Strongman. To celebrate this special day & night, there will be a superb event taking place at Club Absinthe (233 King St E. / between Ferguson & Walnut) in Hamilton , it's going to be Mark's 50th Birthday Blues Bash and will feature many of his close musical friends including Harrison Kennedy, Johnny Max, Al Lerman, Jack de Keyzer, and many more will perform.

Groove Corporation nominated for Jack Richardson Music Award: Groove Corporation has received a nomination for the Jack Richardson Music Award for "fan favourite". The awards will be handed out at a ceremony at The Music Hall in London on Sunday, March 30th at 7:30 p.m. The Jack Richardson Music Awards are named in honour of legendary Canadian record producer Jack Richardson, a longtime resident of London, Ontario. Groove Corporation was also recently nominated for a London Music Award in the blues/r'n'b category. They won in 2007. Don’t forget to check them out at the Corktown Tavern in Hamilton Saturday, April 5th

Kitchener gives youth the blues: The Kitchener Blues Festival in co-operation with the Grand River Blues Society will be hosting the 2008 Youth Legacy Showcase on Sunday May 4, 2008 beginning at 1pm. This competition /showcase helps to develop youth talent in the blues genre and gives young artists an opportunity to grow and develop their skills and talent. To obtain an application on line, please visit www.grandriverblues.org http://www.grandriverblues.org. Applicants must be under 21 years of age as of May 4/08 or under. Can perform solo or as a group. Deadline for submission is May 4/08. The winner of the Challenge will be offered the opportunity to open the Main Stage at the Kitchener Blues Festival on August 9. In addition, the selected artist will have a song recorded in a studio (chosen and paid for by the Kitchener Blues Festival). Prizes will also be awarded to second and third place artists.

Honeydripper stops in Orangville: There will be co-presentation of Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival and Monday Night At The Movies. The night will feature a live blues performance in the theatre by Brian "Colorblind" Blain Here’s a synopsis of the film; It's 1950 and it's a make or break weekend for Tyrone Purvis (Danny Glover), the proprietor of the Honeydripper Lounge. Deep in debt, Tyrone is desperate to bring back the crowds that used to come to his place. He decides to lay off his long-time blues singer Bertha Mae, and announces that he's hired a famous guitar player, Guitar Sam, for a one night only gig in order to save the club. The Honeydripper lounge is all set to play its part in rock and blues history. There will be two shows on Monday April 7th 2008 at 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and available at Booklore For More info check out www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca

A new Voice in Town: Layla Zoe, a popular blues singer in British Columbia who made a big impression on Toronto blues fans with her barn-burning performance at The Women's Blues Revue, has recently made the big move to Toronto. Recent visits to TO have provided opportunities to play with Jeff Healey, the Downchild Blues Band and Danny Mark.. Her last two albums were self produced and independently released and made the top 20 blues album in Canada for 2006 and 2007 in a St. John's Newfoundland Radio Poll. Layla is now trying to raise funds to release her 4th album "Layla Zoe Live at Errington Hall." www.myspace.com/laylazoe

2008 Blues Awards: There are still plenty of good seats left for the 2008 Blues Music Awards on May 8 if you need a reason to go to Memphis. As of now, over 70 of the nominees have confirmed their attendance and they expect a few more. Table seating is sold out, but the $75 theater seats that remain are very close to the stage and have the added advantage of elevation. https://www.blues.org/tickets/bma.php

More to do in Memphis: On Friday, May 9th, Delta Groove Music continues the annual tradition of iGround Zero Blues Club located in the heart of historic downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi. The All-Star Blues Revue will be hosted by Bill Wax (XM Radio) and documented on film for an upcoming television special. You can expect to see an entire festival's worth of talent showcased during this event featuring The Mannish Boys, Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band, Phillip Walker, The Insomniacs, Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Jason Ricci & New Blood, Mike Zito, John Black and many more!

Roger Naber, founder of Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, and Delta Groove Records have teamed up to release "Command Performance," this live recording spotlights the Tommy Castro Band along with an all-star lineup that includes pianist, saxophonist, singer/songwriter Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, and Magic Dick, who is best known for his many years as harmonica man in the J. Geils Band.

- Joel Blain, Brian Blain, Derek Andrews, Tim DesIslets

There’s an other-worldly quality to Julian Fauth. His shy, diminutive presence seems diametrically opposed to the fact that he’s an incalculable force of nature – evidenced through a seemingly insatiable appetite for playing music on any given night, at any one of countless haunts. He’s clearly driven by an inner force clearly bigger than he is and years beyond his own. One look into the eyes of the young Julian, as pictured on the rear sleeve of his latest Electro-Fi release, gives one the sensation of a paranormal experience. One gets the distinct feeling that he shares his body with an old spirit from beyond. How else can one explain why he’s so driven to sing and play? How else can you explain his landmark writing ability – his historical grasp of the pre-war period integral to crafting originals that inject fresh blood into old school? When you consider his rather mystical, if not thoroughly enchanting, approach to performing, you can only conclude that Julian is utterly possessed by his muse – the results are beyond bewitching. The enthusiasm and vigor he brings to any stage is spellbinding and the fact that he can translate this – almost telekinetically – to the recording process, rejuvenating the pre-war piano blues category like few before him, is a source of joy for anyone who has climbed on board the Fauth bandwagon. While some musicians wear their influences somewhat casually on their sleeves – Julian’s seem positively hard-wired into his biological makeup.

All of which goes a long way towards explaining why Julian is catching fire of late. His first official recording from September ’05 – Songs of Vice and Sorrow, drew rave reviews from a diverse range of publications including Downbeat, Blues in Britain, The Record, Blues Revue, AMG and the Globe. All drew the same conclusion: that here was a fascinating individual destined for greatness, threatening to update an old-school genre with a vitality rarely witnessed. The fact that you can catch his act – locally – on any given night, gives the rest of us a serious leg up on what the rest of the world can only read about. And if Julian is but a diamond in the rough at his comparably young age, his new release – Ramblin’ Son – proves just how must lustre can accrue from a habitual state of polishing.

How did a bluesman like Julian come about, exactly? The German-born Julian moved to Kitchener-Waterloo with his family at an early age. When he was 6, he recalls his radio-journalist father bringing home records for the family to hear. One that stuck – forever – in his head was “The Golden Blues Hour”, which featured Big Bill Broonzy, Buddy Guy and Mississippi John Hurt as well as songs by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Span. These created a lifelong jukebox in his head. Listening to radio programs with his mother in the kitchen, permanently etched other voices into his head – key-pounders like Memphis Slim, Leroy Carr and Big Maceo – enhancing his mental library with repetitive delight. When an aunt willed the family a piano, the die was pretty much cast. His father encouraged a 7-year old Julian to jam with the friends he’d bring by the house as his mother supported him as only a mother can. As his circle of players widened, so did his confidence, ultimately earning the endorsement of Mel Brown after a local jam session took him beyond the confines of school fund raisers and family dinners that had brought him this far. A chance meeting with an equally impressed Henry Townsend in Chicago added the encouragement and support he needed as he gravitating towards Toronto’s enlarged musical fraternity, making the move in ’96.

Quickly falling under the spell of Kensington Market’s neighbourhood bar scenes, he would become fast friends and musical compadres with the likes of David Rotundo and others, leading to building sturdy relationships with various bar owners (Baldwin Street Restaurant, L’Arte, Kiwi Kick) who, appreciating Julian’s crowd-gathering potential, would soon sign him up for weekly shows – even purchasing the all-essential piano in some cases. Over the next few years, Julian built up an ever-burgeoning following, much to the appreciation of his hosts. As he honed his lively craft, the news would travel in all the right directions as Julian’s potential became realized. And as has been said, while some people like to work – for Julian, performing is his work. Tours to Russia with David and to Cuba, provided Julian with an enhanced perspective, underscoring what was already a lifelong ambition to make a real contribution. And, as Julian’s position as a permanent fixture on the Toronto music scene has progressed into a more aggressive role on the world stage, his fans couldn’t be happier.

This new Electro-Fi release – Ramblin’ Son – plays out as it should, the next evolutionary stage of a promising talent. His organic approach to the pre-war school of barrelhouse and beyond gains momentum with a greater participation of talented players – notably Drew Jurecka on violin, adding tension to such instant classics as “Hopeless Love Affair” and “East Toronto Nervous Breakdown” while guitarists Donné Roberts and Jason Danley shine on exceptional tracks like the jazzy “Done Got Over That” and “Man on the Box”, respectively. Paul Reddick, Rotundo and Wayne Charles provide harp support while rotating bassists, Alec Fraser, James Thompson and Sam Petite do their best, with drummer Bob Vespaziani’s help, to keep the rhythm at floor level. Fourteen originals grace the new disc with complementary covers of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Fats Waller, Guitar Slim and the Carter Family’s “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”. Julian’s material includes the usual food groups: prostitution, gambling, doomed love, bad parenting, moonshine and all manner of human excess– yet, as always, he delivers the most excessive of bad human behaviour with a joyful energy and positive tone no matter how mournful the eventual scenario – serving to remind us that none of us are actually beyond hope. That’s the kind of guy you want watching your back and taking the hits for you. And, for anyone who’s met Julian and watched him perform his heart out through his pulverized digits and slightly possessed vocals, you know he’d do it for you. No matter who he eventually turns out to be.

- Eric Thom

The release of Julian’s “Ramblin’ Son” on Electro-Fi Records will be celebrated with a special CD release party at Healey’s on Friday, April 18^th, with Harrison Kennedy will opening and the promise of special guests. “Ramblin’ Son” sees its U.S. release on May 20^th.

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