David Rotundo Band So Much Trouble Dreams We Share
The harp-blowing Canadian singer David Rotundo is associated with a happy kind of blues. His music jumps and jives, shakes and rattles, and almost always rolls. Maybe his smiled mood has something to do with wintering in Mexico, which is something he does.
Dione Taylor Spirits in the Water Matay Records
On an album of shimmering gospel and swampy Americana sounds, the chanteuse Dione Taylor has got those restless dropped-G blues. Take, for example, the existential questioning of Where I Belong, in which the Regina-born, church-raised singer is runnin’ and searchin’ and has to “keep on movin’.”
On the acoustic-slide-driven Down the Bloodline, the song’s protagonist is “runnin’ and runnin’ down the line.”
There’s a chugging, clapping Slim Harpo groove to Workin’. Taylor sings about cookin’, cleanin’ and “always dancin’ for the man.”
This month’s recommended listening by Greg Torrington, programmer of Stingray’s blues channels.
Something in the Water? What do Dione Taylor, Brian Blain and Michael Schatte have in common? They’re all releasing new CDs this month and all three of them have a strong focus on water. Dione Taylor’s new album is called Spirits in the Water, Brian Blain’s first single from his new album is “The Water Song” and “Water In the Kettle” is the opening cut from Michael Schatte’s new album. All three releases will be premiered on TBS channels and socials this month (see “Mark Your Calendar” for details).
The Toronto Blues Society’s virtual workshop series is back with a Harmonica Workshop this month! The workshop is hosted by guitarist & harmonica player Sugar Brown aka Ken Kawashima. Harmonica masters joining Sugar Brown at the workshop are Bharath Rajakumar, Dave Mowat, and Ken Yoshioka!
The Toronto Blues Society is proud to launch a new series which will include special live interviews with some Blues pioneers. The Blackburn father & son is interviewed by music journalist Nicholas (Nick) Jennings on August 27th.
TBS Presents Cootes Paradise Video Premier streamed on June 18th at 5pm on The Toronto Blues Society Facebook Page. Shot at Hugh’s Room Live and drawn from their soon to be released album “Downstream”, the live version of “The First Time”, the video premier was followed by a virtual interview of the band by DJ Ken Wallis.
TBS celebrates its 35th Anniversary as part of the National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts #CanadaPerforms, Road to Canada Day on Monday, June 15, 7pm. Concert presented in association with Music by the Bay Live.
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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.
