Shakey Trill

Shakey Trill strips down the blues to its glorious essence. This eponymous debut album is the product of a duo from Saugeen Shores, Ontario — guitarist Mike “Shakey” MacDonald and harmonica player Tyler Pantlin, who was influenced by the trill of Muddy Waters’ harp blowers. As Pantlin says of this acoustic release, “There are no bells and whistles; [it’s] completely naked and unfiltered.”  Their aim was to create an album that stayed true to the core of the genre, with no excess or over-production.

AV (Ann Vriend) – Everybody Matters

AV (Ann Vriend) is not a conventional blues artist. Over the course of a career discography now totalling seven albums, the Edmonton-based singer/songwriter has incorporated soul, folk and blues stylings in her work. It has been pleasing to see her accepted into the Canadian blues community though, as evidenced by her two Cobalt Music Prize wins at the Maple Blues Awards, acknowledging her songwriting talent.

Terry Whalen and Friends – There Ain’t Nothing in this World

Terry Whalen and Friends  There Ain’t Nothing in this World

Probably the only good thing to come out of the pandemic is the growing list of albums where artists team up remotely. It is an indication of just how strong the Canadian blues village is. 

Eddie 9v – Little Black Flies

Eddie 9v   Little Black Flie

The opening of the liner notes for this album reads; “The best blues records feel like a party going off in your speakers.” This is a completely accurate summation of this album

Colin James Open Road

Colin James  Open Road  True North Records

It’s reassuring, if not beyond pride-swelling, to watch a true Canadian talent getting better and better at their craft with each successive release. And, as popular as his Little Big Band was to so many, this writer never felt that James has ever truly maximized his definitive guitar talents, as readily identified by once-mentor, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Yet, here’s another strong release that moves him ever closer to doing so. 

Denis Parker – Country Blue

Denis Parker  Country Blue

Blues fans in St. John’s, Newfoundland are well aware of Denis Parker. He has been a cornerstone of the local blues scene ever since he arrived in the city of legends back in the early 70’s, bringing blues to the rock. With a pedigree that includes his work with Panama Limited, and their recording done at the legendary Abbey Road Studios,  

David Vest – Live In Calgary

David Vest   Live In Calgary Cordova Bay Records

Picking up where Gary Kendall’s review of Vest’s Live at Hermann’s left off, Live In Calgary continues to celebrate the venerable blues pianist’s joy of playing live. Armed with his long-time band (Tom Bowler, guitar; Ryan Tandy, bass; Damian Graham, drums) , with longtime Portland, Oregon blues guitarist, Peter Dammann, sitting in, Vest & Co. lay down their love for piano-based blues on fans at the 2019 Calgary International Blues Festival.

Charlie A’Court & Witchitaw – When Country Gets the Blues

The latest release from ECMA award winning singer / songwriter Charlie A’Court sees the Atlantic Canadian blues powerhouse teaming up with country rocker outlaws “Witchitaw” for a brand-new Live album, but it is more than just a one-off live album. They have joined forces to create an exciting new touring show that will cover all three Atlantic provinces in the wake of the album’s release.

September 2021 – Colin Linden

Long based in Nashville, Colin Linden is recognised as a true renaissance man of roots music and the blues. As well as his solo recording career, he is a member of Canadian roots supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (alongside Tom Wilson and Stephen Fearing) and an in-demand guitarist, producer, and music director for other artists.

September 2021 – Sue Foley

Prolific blues guitarist and singer/songwriter Sue Foley has at times been undervalued over the course of a career now spanning over 30 years and 15 albums. It was gratifying, then, to observe her 2018 album The Ice Queen fare so well. Arguably her strongest yet, it earned a Juno nomination, and helped her win another Maple Blues Award as Best Guitar Player and take home the coveted Best Traditional Female (Koko Taylor Award)” at the 2020 Blues Music Awards in Memphis.