The ‘So Low’ is a take off on ‘solo’. Calgary’s Tim Williams performs that way most of the time and decided it was time to record that way – all his previous discs had varying groups of accompanists, one had a full band. As one of our premier blues performers, such a project is not to be taken lightly – if superb country blues is your forte, get this one any way you can.
News
John’s Blues Picks Jan 2016 – Derek Miller
The NMAI is the National Museum of the American Indian and Mohawk bluesman Derek Miller’s contribution is an eye and ear opening survey of First Nations contributions to popular music.
January 2016 – Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt plays Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on March 15th and more…
John’s Blues Picks Dec 2015 – Reno Jack The Bear
A veteran of Toronto’s cow punk scene, Reno Jack has lately teamed up with Aitikokan’s blues woman Sunday Wilde. Her blues influence is apparent on this recent disc, with various styles from his lengthy performing history coming out as a very pleasing blend. Reno Jack plays bass and has a great, low voice, sometimes described as ‘barbed wire wrapped in velvet’.
John’s Blues Picks Dec 2015 – Les Copeland
Vernon, BC blues guitarist Les Copeland came to my attention with his earlier disc on Chicago’s Earwig label. Owner Michael Frank is a hands-on kind of guy, he plays harp very well and takes a major interest in the careers of the blues men he signs. His most important artist for some years was the legendary Delta veteran David “Honeyboy” Edwards.
John’s Blues Picks Dec 2015 – Jordan Officer
Montreal’s Jordan Officer found the inspiration for I’m Free, his last album in New York. This time he moved his young family to Los Angeles for a month. The album grew into a journey through the music styles that got him to this point.
John’s Blues Picks Dec 2015 – Dione Taylor
It’s been too long between albums for this Regina-born, Toronto-based singer. Her first disc Open Your Eyes was nominated for a Juno in 2004. Since then she’s been nominated for a Gemini Award for her performance of Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn To Freedom” with Oliver Jones at the Canadian Songwriter’s Gala (it’s on YouTube) and toured with David Clayton Thomas, and of course her appearance with the Women’s Blues Revue.
John’s Blues Picks Dec 2015 – Neil Young
In 1988, during a period of experimentation with different genres of music, Neil Young released an album called This Note’s For You, featuring Crazy Horse and a large horn section and some surprisingly bluesy songs. The album sold poorly and received poor reviews but he took the band on the road anyway and the latest release in his archive series is this two-disc set of recordings from that tour – playing the songs live has clearly made a world of difference.
December 2015 – Colin Linden
Colin Linden will perform at the Maple Blues Awards on January 18 at Koerner Hall
John’s Blues Picks Nov 2015 – Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin
Ottawa’s Wicked Grin took home last year’s MBA for New Artist, and the album Shame On Me has garnered several other awards as well. Murray Kinsley is the bandleader, vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter, hence the new special billing, I guess. Rod Williams plays harp, Leigh-Anne Stanton, bass & Liam Melville, drums and all the attention has been a major confidence builder.
