When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the world locked down, our working musicians lost their main source of income when the venues shut down and all the tours were cancelled. Some tried ‘busking’ on facebook, some sequestered themselves home to write in anticipation of new projects to come, while others just shut down completely to wait out the storm.
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) 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.
This month’s recommended listening by Brant Zwicker, host/executive producer of At the Crossroads syndicated blues radio. Website: atcblues.ca
Talkin’ Blues: Mako Funasaka has posted the 300th episode of the Talkin’ Blues Podcast featuring an interview with American guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter and producer Steve Vai
RIP Harpdog Brown 1962 – 2022
This month’s recommended listening by Terry Parsons, host of The Blind Lemon Blues on CHMR 93.5fm in St. John’s NL
Pioneering Canadian blueswomen honoured: On December 17, Canada’s “First Lady of the Blues,” Salome Bey was posthumously inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. Jackie Richardson, who was chosen to honour Salome was herself just invested into the Order of Canada for “…distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.” Both women have been an inspiration to a whole new generation of young female singers who are making their mark on the Canadian (and international) blues scene.
Grammy Nominations: Congratulations to the nominees
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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.
