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Maple Blues Archive


John’s Blues Pick November 2017 – Jackie Shane

You may have seen the stories in the papers recently about this hugely important and influential performer active here in the 60’s and who then disappeared. Jackie Shane was a transgender star in an era when this was most unlikely, perhaps especially in 60’s Toronto. Appearing regularly at the Big Bop, the Brass Rail and the Saphire Tavern with dual trumpeter Frank Motley and his Motley Crew, Shane drew huge crowds.

November 2017 – Sue Foley

Sue Foley returns to the TBS Women’s Blues Revue

Loose Blues News – November 2017

TBS Talent Search Winner Dan McKinnon was just awarded the $2000 Amy Louie Grossman Music Scholarship at the 6th annual fund raiser on September 26.  His winning proposal outlined plans to support a new recording that will be released in 2018. He is pictured with Grossman`s owner Christina Louie and 2016 ALGMS recipient Raha Javanfar (Bad Luck Woman & Her Misfortunes) who hosted the evening which featured performances by The Happy Pals, Frankie Foo, The Porch Dog Choir, Robert Priest & The Great Big Face Band, Chloe Watkinson & Park Eddy, Jerome Godboo & Eric Schenkman, Neil Chapman w/ David Hines & Rob Grenway and 2017 ALGMS recipient, Dan McKinnon. $1400.00 was raised for the ALGMS fund. Photo by David Goldberg.

John’s Blues Pick November 2017 – Little Miss Higgins

My Home, My Heart arrives after a little bit of a hiatus from recording for Jolene ‘Little Miss’ Higgins, brought about by her new arrival and that new son is the subject of several of the songs here. It builds on the Bison Ranch Recording Sessions in that it uses a large group of players, different ones this time, and the new songs are very good indeed.

John’s Blues Pick November 2017 – Various Artists

In a first for this label, we get a fabulous collection of modern day harp performances from Electro-Fi’s back catalogue. In an era where it seems only guitar players get noticed, this collection is a welcome antidote. It’s also an indication of the breadth of traditional blues in the catalogue: from the opening solo live-in-the-studio flight of Paul Oscher on several harmonicas to the full out acrobatics of Mark Hummel’s “Harpoventilating”.

Top Blues – November 2017

This month’s recommended listening by John Valenteyn, host of John Valenteyn’s Blues on ciut.fm, 89.5 and CD reviewer for Maple Blues.

John’s Blues Pick October 2017 – Jason Buie

Jason Buie hails from Vancouver Island where he’s said to be one of its finest guitar players. He certainly plays very well here and puts that talent to very good use on some fine rocking blues originals on this, his third CD. Keyboard ace Dave Webb provides the other lead instrument with George Fenn on bass and John Hunter on drums.

John’s Blues Pick October 2017 – Morgan Davis

Our master of the less-is-more school of blues is back with a new collection. As you might be able to tell from the cover and the title, Morgan Davis’ latest reflects the life of a travelling bluesman. The title song opens, with Morgan singing of the motels he searches for on the road, it’s family-run operations that make him feel comfortable. It’s just him on guitar, the way he travels most often these days and it sounds like his cigar-box guitar at that.

John’s Blues Pick October 2017 – Rob Lutes

Veteran Montreal singer/songwriter Rob Lutes treats us to another fine collection of new ones. As it says in the press release, he is ‘situated at the intersection of blues, folk, Americana & contemporary singer/songwriter genres’. It’s a place he shares with people like Ray Bonneville & Thom Swift, both of whom use his songs.

October 2017 – Kellylee Evans

Kellylee Evans returns to the TBS Women’s Blues Revue

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