Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and eleven-time Grammy winner, plus this year’s recipient of the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award — presents her first new album in more than six years. The title comes from Raitt’s awareness that perceptions can alter in a flash, as reflected in recent world events.
Every Ronnie Earl release is met with near-religious fervour – and this is his 28th. The twelve tracks on the aptly-named Mercy Me begin with a robust, full-band workout on Muddy Waters’ “Blow Wind Blow”. Dave Limina’s rich wall of B3 is nicely ghosted by guest Anthony Geraci on piano while Diane Blue adds vocal support. Once referred to as ‘the Coltrane of the Guitar’, Earl and his band slip into John Coltrane’s “Alabama” like a pair of well-worn slippers
Highs & Lows is Bernard Allison’s declaration of euphoria at getting back to work. His voice and guitar are standouts, his joy palpable. His longtime collaborator, the legendary Jim Gaines, produced the album, and Allison wrote or co-wrote eight of the songs.
This month’s recommended listening by Brant Zwicker, host/executive producer of At the Crossroads syndicated blues radio. Website: atcblues.ca
Union Summer Market: With massive renovations and upgrades nearing completion, Union Station is working to create social spaces for travellers and a variety of communities. Toronto Blues Society will be a partner in presenting a series of free outdoor concerts on the north face of Union Station, in the shadow of the Royal York and offering a mix of food / beverage options with fine music talent. At press time the line up is still forming but noon-hour concerts followed by after-work sessions will fill the calendar, TBS enjoying the lunch sessions with “Blue Monday” artists drawn from Toronto’s deep reservoir of performers.
Edmonton’s Kat Danser will perform at the Maple Blues Awards June 20 at Koerner Hall
Angelique Francis Long River
When I sat down to write this review, it occurred to me: How do I describe someone that defies description?
Angelique Francis is a musical enigma. An old soul with a love and respect for the music, but an open mind with the power and passion to follow her own muse.
Debra Power I’m Not From Chicago
Anyone who has witnessed this red-headed fireball deliver her brand of the blues live can never forget her. And yes, with 2,618 kilometres between Calgary and Chicago, she’s not anywhere near the Windy City – yet her music can transport you instantly. A wicked piano-player, powerful vocalist and all-round nuclear explosion of a personality, Power is also a budding lyricist and capable songwriter – with only one non-original across ten songs.
This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music writer for the Globe and Mail Twitter: @bwheelerglobe
Memphis Calling: Congratulations to Bywater Call who who were just selected to represent the Grand River Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They rocked Stonewalls in Hamilton along with the Paul Coombs Band, Riley Michaels, Frank Cosentino, Garnetta & Dagroovmasters, Long Black Cadillacs and Jim Dan Dee for a memorable showcase of Southern Ontario blues talent.
©2022 Toronto Blues Society. Design by Janine Stoll Media.
TBS logo and WBR artwork by Barbara Klunder
The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
