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Published December 27, 2012 in Loose Blues News, News

Coming Soon: The five-time Juno-winning Vancouver blues/roots guitarist and producer Steve Dawson  confirmed the news that he will be relocating to Toronto in the new year. Dawson helms label Black Hen Music and has produced the likes of Kelly Joe Phelps, The Sojourners and Jim Byrnes and is responsible for spearheading and bringing the award-winning Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project to Canada.

“We’ve decided to make a move to facilitate some more work, and just generally be in a bigger, more central location for a few years, to see how it goes. There are personal and business reasons. On a personal level I just want to be surrounded by a more thriving live music scene – with more venues, musicians, bands, and opportunities, and be able to tour out of a city where I don’t have to drive 12 hours to get to the next gig..”  Vancouver’s loss will be Torontos gain

Blues Underground Network Top 10: The Blues Underground Network (www.bluesunderground.com) recently named their Top Ten Canadian Blues Albums of 2012.  Lists were compiled in various categories ranging from Top US Blues Album to Top UK Blues Album from over 200 albums submitted.

Paul Reddick “Wishbone”
Steve Strongman “A Natural Fact”
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer “Checkered Past”
Ben Racine Band “One of a Kind”
Hillbilly Burlesque “Crazy Life”
Michael Jerome Brown “The Road is Dark”
Steve Kozak “Looking at Lucky”
Danny Marks “A Friend in the Blues”
James “Buddy” Rogers “My Guitar’s My Only Friend”
Ross Neilsen “The Shack Up Sessions”

In other categories, Al Lerman (Fathead) won Best Debut Album – Artist (Canada) for “Crowe River Blues” and Anthony Gomes won Best Blues/Rock Album (Canada) for “Up 2 Zero.”

 

R.I.P Eddie “Guitar” Burns: Legendary Detroit blues artist Eddie “Guitar” Burns died of heart failure on December 12, 2012. He was 84.  Born in Belzoni Mississippi in 1928 Burns career spanned seven decades, he was self-taught in harmonica and made his own first guitar.  In 1948 Burns relocated to Detroit where he eventually in terms of Detroit blues was deemed second only to John Lee Hooker in stature.

Billed at times over the years as “Big Daddy”, “Little Eddy” or “Big Ed”,  Eddie Burns was influenced by notable artists as Sonny Boy Williamson I and Big Bill Broonzy.  He met and befriended John Lee Hooker while playing with John T. Smith.  Eventually he and Smith sat in some sessions with Hooker playing harmonica.

Hooker recorded two of Burns original songs “Notoriety Woman” and “Papa’s Boogie” during those sessions.  A year later Burns was accompanying Hooker on more recordings … this time playing guitar.  In 2002 Burns was joined by his brother Chicago soul musician Jimmy Burns for his releason “Snake Eyes.”  Burns most recent recording was “Second Degree Burns” released when he was 77 years old.

– Christopher Darton, Brian Blain

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