Our Time to Ride is the new album by Chambers DesLauriers. It’s also the name of the next-to-last song on the album. It’s a statement of purpose for the album. It swings and the guitars chug along like they mean business. The layers of the guitars pile up with increasing power and intent. Like a freight train. It certainly is an apt metaphor for what this group is doing right now.
“Little Magic” Sam Taylor is a party. His enthusiasm is unabashed. If he loves something he is going to share it, and then you’re going to love it too. That’s just how it goes. This record, true to its name, catches Sam and his band playing a gig at the Rivoli in Toronto. From the opening count of the blistering “When I’m Down,” to the soulful set closer “Kiss Me One More Time,” the blues is in the house.
This month’s recommended listening by Brad Wheeler, music writer for the Globe and Mail Twitter: @bwheelerglobe
Blues on the Tube: The Ensemble! TV Show on Cable 14 (Hamilton) will feature the Spencer Mackenzie Band (David Hollingshead, Matt Burns, Justine Fischer) on Sat August 2: 2:30am / 9am and Sunday August 3 at 3am or live stream on cable14now.com. Hosted by Dave Rave and recorded at Clifford Brewing Co.
Angelique Francis plays the final Monday Blues show at Union Station on August 4, 5:30-7:30
Isy Aboagye is the
winner of this year’s
TBS Talent Search
Marriner’s latest recording project is Hear My Heart, with his current band Local Electric.
Mel Brown honoured: The late great Mel Brown will have a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker unveiling in Kitchener during the Kitchener Blues Festival on August 9, 2025.
This month’s recommended listening by Brant Zwicker, host/executive producer of At the Crossroads syndicated blues radio. Website: atcblues.ca
Charlie Musselwhite’s vocals haven’t sounded this robust and commanding in years. On Look Out Highway, the new album is mostly originals that adhere to tradition but have enough contemporary edge to keep it north of retro.
©2025 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.
