Jack de Keyzer Was Special Musical Guest of Jeff Healey,
at Healey's in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
Thurs. January 27, 2005
-- by Joe Curtis --
Jeff Healey's nightclub Healey's (what else?) in Toronto, has gained an international reputation as one of the finest blues clubs in the world. Many of the most renowned U.S. blues acts (James Cotton comes to mind, as well as the late A.C. Reed, and drummer Levon Helm's Barnburners, etc.), have performed on its great stage (well lit and spacious) since it opened for business only three years ago. One of the reasons for its enormous success is the fact that world-renowned guitarist Jeff Healey (actually 'Dr. Jeff' to be more precise, since he recently received an honorary doctorate) is co-owner of the club that bears his name - He also performs there every Thurs. night.
Through his decades of knowledge and expertise in blues and jazz, (as discerning music/record collector and artist), Jeff helps contact and book the best talent in the world to perform at Healey's. On Saturday afternoons, you'll find him there, playing trumpet in his lively jazz band, the Jazz Wizards. (No cover charge for that one). Jeff also showcases local up and coming bands on Wednesday nights, and helps give this burgeoning new talent their first chance playing in a quality club, (as does the Healey's Tues. night jam with free admission, hosted by singer Shannon Fayth). I'm sure Jeff remembers how it was when he first started playing guitar, and returns the favor to other artists starting out, now that he's got his own club.
Juno Award winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer was Jeff's special guest at Healey's on Thurs. Jan. 27, 2005. Healey's was packed that night with blues fans and guitar fans … so the best of both audiences was there to perform to. The energy in the air was electrifying, and the talent on stage was the same.
Jack de Keyzer is always a real crowd-pleaser and people person. He plays some of the finest blues, jazz influenced blues and rock 'n' roll around, whenever he's on stage -- from clubs to huge outdoor blues festivals. (Just before the Healey's gig, he played a successful 8-day date in Mexico; which in recent years has become a regular stop in his musical intinerary).
This night at Healey's, Jack was backed by the Healey house band, starring Jeff Healey on guitar. These two guitar virtuosos, de Keyzer and Healey, traded licks with each other like they were going 'outta' style. They seemed to be having lots of fun doing it, too! Jeff's regular drummer in the internationally acclaimed Jeff Healey Band, Al Webster, is part of the Healey house band too, and is one of the main reasons this band is so tight and in the groove. Webster's drumming this night was outstanding, as always.
Also on hand were the magical fingers of Dave Murphy playing keyboards. Murphy went wild in some solos and in some rousing lead vocals, too! Dave Murphy Band and Healey house band guitarist Dan Nordmeer, also contributed some amazing lead soloing and mouthwatering slide guitar this night, before, after and during the time de Keyzer was on stage. When Nordmeer joined de Keyzer on a few tunes, the blending of these two talented guitarists' creativity was really something to see!
Jeff's bass player for the Thurs. night sessions is Alec Fraser, who also happens to be de Keyzer's regular bassist. He's toured the world with de Keyzer as part of a blues band with Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith (formerly of the Muddy Waters Band) on drums (and sometimes out front on harp and vocals). Fraser's experience in the Chicago blues style is first hand and is indispensable to the high quality of blues that the Healey house band provides.
De Keyzer's repertoire ranged from upbeat rock 'n' roll like Chuck Berry's rousing "Little Queenie", to the equally stimulating de Keyzer originals, "Pleasure Is My Business" and the blistering "Rock 'Til We Drop" -- which the Healey/de Keyzer fans surely did this night! Murphy played some mean piano on this very cool de Keyzer original and others.
Jack also played some slow, right from the heart blues instrumentals that were a real joy to see and hear live! His ingenious jazz chords in some of these tunes were combined with inventive soloing that grasps the true essence of these songs. De Keyzer's vocals in the non-instrumentals, were something else, too!
The crème de la crème of this night at Healey's, (and anytime de Keyzer is performing on stage) - the 'main draw' as it were -- are the incredible lead guitar solos he churns out effortlessly on his black & white Fender Strat. These are the kind of solos that define 'star quality'. The depth and understanding of the blues and jazz that de Keyzer demonstrates in his solos, is the main reason that he has such a huge following that will come out to see him in any kind of weather. This is one of the two main reasons (along with Jeff Healey of course) that brought the fans to Healey's on this cold night in January. Another reason is Healey's superb and comfortable atmosphere, that can make it seem like a sunny day in July, when 'baby it's cold outside', literally! That in most respects can be said of the other fine blues and jazz clubs here in Toronto. Good live music has a way of washing away those nasty 'weather blues'.
The fans drank in every bluesy note that came from de Keyzer's imagination.
There was loud applause after every tune, with eyes glued to the stage and Jack's every move on his 'six string lover', also known as Fender Strat. (It's also the name of his most recent Juno-winning blues CD, '6 String Lover', that's available along with his other great CD's at his awesome 'animated' web site, www.jackdekeyzer.com). Jack's is one of the best sites I've seen, with knobs on a guitar amp to turn, to get to various locations on his site, etc. The only other sites I've seen that blew me away like that in regards to being imaginatively created and animated like that, are B.B. King's and James 'Superharp' Cotton's.
Jeff Healey was performing his own ingenious solos and musical inventiveness along with Jack, as he does each and every time he's on stage (at Healey's or at venues around the world). This and the superb guest artists featured, is the main reason that this special Thursday evening -- and any Thurs. Special Guest Night at Healey's -- is a rare and wonderful concert experience of the best musical kind! Jeff's got a 'Live at Healey's Special Guest Night' CD for sale, that's critically acclaimed and a real must for any blues lover's collection.
Healey's
178 Bathurst St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
416-703-5882
Healey's email: inquiries@jeffhealeys.com
Healey's web site: www.jeffhealeys.com
Jack de Keyzer email: jackdekeyzer@rogers.com
Jack de Keyzer web site: www.jackdekeyzer.com
CD review - Wes 'the bluesman' Mackey - 'Second Chance'
-- by Joe Curtis --
Wes 'the bluesman' Mackey is a veteran blues guitarist who's originally from South Carolina; but who now calls Vancouver, B.C. his home. His most recent CD 'Second Chance', is a delightful showcase of this very talented bluesman's musical gift. Fellow Vancouver resident (and friend), piano man Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne, is featured on three of the very fine tunes on this CD - "Outskirts of Town; "Poor Boy" and "Sweet Music" -- which 'Second Chance' definitely is! Tom 'Powder Blues Band' Lavin is the special producer on another three tracks - "Lonely Man"; B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby" and the beautifully romantic "Solitary Midnight".
This relaxing, takes-the-blues-away CD opens with the hard drivin' "Lonely Man". It features an infectious beat, and Mackey's smooth, easy to take vocals. His version of B.B.'s "Rock Me Baby" rolls on out beautifully. His sweet lead guitar riffs are just as easy to take, as the walking bass lines and the pounding piano riffs interspersed here and there. This truly is a very fine rendition by a true blues master as Mackey definitely is. He's equally unassuming and friendly in real life - a very down to earth individual -- with class!
"Bluesman" is a soulful blues tune. Its arrangement makes it sound as if Marvin Gaye had turned to blues, and brought his romance and soulful feel along with him. Mackey sings the lead vocals on this heartwarming tune, while his backup singers, Candus Churchill, along with Saffron and Camille Henderson sweetly echo back "Blues man … please don't hit the road, again."
The pace picks up considerably with the energetic "Outskirts of Town". Mackey's version is wild and furious, but easy to take at the same time. His vocals are strong and full of purpose. This rendition of the familiar blues tune has enough urgency in Mackey's vocals to lead the listener to believe the story line is really happening to him. Mackey's ingenious and imaginatively created lead guitar soloing, is a real delight to the heartstrings to hear.
"Sweet Music" is sweet and wonderful all the way … Lyrics like "great to find someone to love" .. "mama .. mama; wow, oh … wow, oh" … sums up the story line in these stimulating vocals. Even though there's no background vocals in this one, Mackey's serene singing make it seem like there is .. like hearing them with the heart and imagination as well as the ears. Not to let us down, Mackey adds some deep and soulfully revealing lead guitar riffs that add peace to the romance in this wonderfully created tune. Mackey "plays it like a blues man should", in "Wham Bam" -- one of three originals on 'Second Chance' -- published by his own 'Mackfish Publishing'. (Makes me hungry for catfish right now, for some reason).
Ivory Joe Hunter's "Since I Met You Baby", is slow and sweet, with jazz influences that are melodic and equally sweet to hear. Mackey's vocals speak the universal blues truth when they sing, "I don't need nobody to tell my troubles to." (Not if you can play 'em 'out' and give the listener the same release, like Mackey and any true bluesman can!) The organ melody blends beautifully with the drums, in this very relaxed rendition of this well loved tune.
Sonny Terry and Brown McGhee's "Poor Boy" is given the master bluesman's treatment by Mackey. His vocals are thoroughly enjoyable and his storytelling ability declares in these 'smooth as silk' words, "I'm a poor boy, a long way from home." His soul cries out 'dem ol' sorrowful blues' in his imaginative guitar soloing as well, on this very fine rendition of this finely crafted composition.
"Solitary Midnight" is rousing and romantic, in a way that makes the heartstrings 'sail', on its beautiful melody -- with vocals to match! This is another Fisher original from Mackfish. (I love the title .. reminds me of 'Mack the Knife' and 'Kingfish'!) This one equals many Marvin Gaye and Luther Van Dross tunes for the romantic feelings it brings out.
Mackey gets right back into the blues groove with "Second Chance" - the title tune -- as well as fine finale to this beautifully conceived and performed CD. It's another of the three uplifting 'outta the blues' originals, and is co-written by Mackey and Laura Fisher, (the 'Fish' in 'Macfish'). Mackey's feelings are vivid, as he sings out "Thank you … thank you, for the second chance at love", with another of his trademark smooth as silk (and easy to take) vocal deliveries. His Mississippi Delta blues leads on this modern blues masterpiece have the trademark of a true bluesman at work, as Mackey truly is! No wonder he's performed in Muddy Waters band and several others over the decades.
Like others of his rarified kind, (bassist Bob Stroger and drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith come to mind), Wes Mackey is at the top of his musical game; and is definitely the quintessential 'Bluesman'!!!!!!! He brings 'ya outta the blues' like a true bluesman (and true blues) should!
*** 5 Stars for this CD -- and one extra for Mackey himself!!!!!!! ***** A very cool CD, and well worth owning.
Laura Fisher, Wes Mackey's publicist and co-publisher of his tunes in Macfish Publishing, tells me Wes is currently working on his new CD, entitled 'Who Do Da Voodoo'. He's performed recently in New Orleans, LA; Memphis, TN; and a blues festival in South Carolina. Wes will be back in New Orleans in April-05, and will be appearing there at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. He hopes to have his new CD 'Who Do Da Voodoo' finished by then, so he can have copies of it available for sale.
Artist : Wes 'The Bluesman' Mackey
CD: 'Second Chance'
Label: Bluesline # BL02625
Wes Mackey email: bluesline@usa.net
Wes Mackey bio info: http://www.mymusicuniverse.com/artist_biography/artistid/139.aspx
CD ordering info: http://www.mymusicuniverse.com/album_details/artistid/139/albumid/119.aspx
Bio & Booking Info: Siegel Entertainment, Vancouver, B.C.: http://www.siegelent.com/Acts/Receptions/Wes%20Mackey/act.htm
** (A great info page with Wes Mackey's 'magic' blues playing in the background, while you read his extraordinary bio).
Julian Fauth & Chain Gang at Chicago's Diner, Toronto,
Fri. Feb. 25, 2005, and Easy & The Fifth every Saturday
-- by Joe Curtis --
Julian Fauth & Chain Gang are the full band version of the great solo and duo shows that Fauth and fellow bluesman/harp player Wayne Charles put on for audiences far and wide. Fauth is a Maple Blues-nominated piano player who's equally adept on 6-string guitar in the Robert Johnson school of authentic roots blues. Charles, his harp playing sidekick of several years, along with Fauth put on a blues show reminiscent of duos from the '20s in the U.S. deep south's Chitlin' circuit, juke joints and less favorable venues …. Brothels and jail cells come to mind - the like that many an unfortunate blues man of yore had the bad luck of encountering, like the celebrated Ledbelly and others.
However these days the blues (although seemingly on a decline in recent years) might be receiving a resurgence of a kind, among those in the know, who know where to go to see true old time blues played the way it's supposed to be played, gutbucket and all!
This past Friday evening, I had the good fortune to see these two well-respected (although young by blues standards -- ie: 91 year old Pinetop Perkins and others of the 80 plus and 90 plus year age bracket, like Honeyboy Edwards, Gatemouth Brown, etc.) perform a concert at Chicago's Diner, a small but enchanting blues club full of atmosphere and charm in Toronto's west end blues district. (There's also a Chicago's East these days too, that all the top blues talent perform at). The Fauth/Charles duo at times expands into a full band form, called Chain Gang - the name itself reminiscent of hard times 'n' trouble as Muddy Waters and others have so often accurately described it. However, these talented individuals including Sam Petite on upright bass and Michael Clifton on drums, take the blues away, 'til it surely comes back another day as the proverbial blues song goes. This is a natural state of affairs, among those who play it well, and live it well, as these artists certainly do!
Julian's piano riffs at Chicago's downtown, were fast and furious at times, leading the way and racing along with Charles' rousing harp tones and vocals. Occasionally Fauth took over the vocals, and it seemed as if Robert Johnson and others like him had a chance to sing once more in familiar surroundings they haunted and craved in the America of the 1920s and '30s. The atmosphere was right and the music was thoroughly appropriate to a laid back friendly blues club like Chicago's Diner. Petite's upright bass was pumpin' out its steady bottom end, and the energy from Clifton's drums helped keep this blues mixture smokin'!
The next evening as a duo, Fauth and Charles were scheduled to play Easy & the Fifth -- an elegant but comfortable and fun blues establishment thoroughly entrenched in Toronto's west-end dance club district. This is an area known for cabs stalled in packed traffic alongside other vehicles heading for the same good times.
Easy & the Fifth is an establishment Fauth and Charles have called home for a couple of years now. The atmosphere here is like that of an elegant speakeasy of the 1920s, complete with stained wood paneling and bar and comfortable, overstuffed couches. The elegant but inviting atmosphere is completed with paintings of schooners, etc. on the walls; that might have at one time hung in a gentleman's private club 100 years ago. Although these days fortunately, the ladies flock here too; attracted by the allure of Easy's luxurious and comfortable surroundings.
One of the highlights of Easy & the Fifth, is an antique grand piano, with a rare wrap-around piano bar three feet deep, encircling the sides and back of this monstrous keyboard. Guests sit around this piano bar, drink in hand, so they can be right up front, experiencing the rootsy blues Fauth and Charles entertain them with each and every week. With harp and keyboards in hand - along with vocals and a song selection that reflects these artists' thorough knowledge of the best early blues and boogie woogie around and their own dynamite originals -- ensures that the fans at Easy are always in for a treat of the best bluesy kind.
These talented individuals are an awards show unto themselves insofar as the high caliber of entertainment they put forth on stage. They're also at ease with the audience at every venue they perform at, as if they're playing for a group of friends they've known for years - which in some cases is absolutely true! Sometimes they have special guests drop in like long time friend and harp player David Rotundo - a rare treat these days, since Rotundo's often busy fronting his own impeccable Maple Blues Award-winning blues band, The Blue Canadians. www.davidrotundo.com
Fauth and Charles both have their own CD's out, and each is as entertaining as the other. Fauth's is called 'A World of Your Own', and is cram-packed full of Fauth originals - both rousing, upbeat and slow and insightful -- and thoroughly spectacular! Charles' is called 'Tombstone Bullets', as is his earlier band - and is loaded with good time harp playing that's original and catchy. However these CD's have become semi-collectors items, since their availability and initial small run in addition to their popularity among fans, has made them very hard to come by. This writer feels lucky to own a copy of each, so that when I'm not lucky enough to be out seeing Julian Fauth and Wayne Charles and sometimes Chain Gang perform, I can listen to a little of their bluesy virtuosity at home on my CD player.
Fauth has his own website where cyber visitors can see show schedules, look at photos of past performances, and also read some of Fauth's reminiscences of places he's performed as far away as Russia, and as exotic and adventuresome as the back road villages and towns of Cuba. Fauth has performed at every end of the spectrum on these journeys - from sitting in with local musicians in the open air under the stars, to packing the house in the major clubs.
Fauth's fine literary talents are on a par with his talents as a blues artist and composer. After reading his reminiscences of blues travels, this writer gets the impression that Fauth if not preoccupied with being an artist; could have a full time job as the Ernest Hemingway of blues journalists. His vast knowledge of the blues and his discerning taste in anything blues-related that he's watching, listening to and performing makes Fauth an outstanding and perceptive blues-minded individual. So, if you hear the names Julian Fauth, Wayne Charles or Chain Gang and happen to find out they're performing somewhere near you, be sure to go give a listen, and I'm sure you'll be hooked and be back for more.
Artists: Julian Fauth and Wayne Charles -- and Chain Gang (featuring Fauth & Charles)
Website: www.julianfauth.com
Email: Julian Fauth: julianfauth@aol.com
Email: Wayne Charles: bluesharpwayne@hotmail.com
Article: Julian Fauth in Cuba - by Julian Fauth: http://www.mnblues.com/review/2003/julianfauth-cuba-jf.html
CD Review: Julian Fauth - 'The World You Live In', by Gary Tate: http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2003/julianfauth-world-gt.html
Venues:
Chicago's Diner
335 Queen St. West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-977-2904
Website: www.chicagosdiner.ca
Easy & the Fifth
221 Richmond St. West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-979-3000
Ronnie Baker Brooks as Special Guest with Jeff Healey,
at Healey's, Toronto, Ont., Thurs. Feb. 24, 2005
-- by Joe Curtis --
Ronnie Baker Brooks was the extra special guest performer with guitarist Jeff Healey and the Healey's house band, at Jeff's blues club, Healey's in Toronto's west end, on Thurs. Feb. 24, 2005. Thursdays are always 'special guest nights' at Healey's. The Healey's house band itself, is a major draw to this weekly event, and its special guests make it that much more special - a Thursday night tradition for blues fans far and wide.
Brooks packed Healey's this evening, with major blues fans who braved a cold spell in Toronto, to catch some of the finest blues around. The crowd really dug Ronnie's guitar playing, and Jeff's, as well as the awesome slide playing and lead guitar riffs of Dan Nordmeer. One of the audience members mentioned to me that nowhere would you see three outstanding guitarists like that -- (Jeff, Ronnie and Dan) -- on one stage at the same time - I agree!
It was also mentioned to me what a great talent Ronnie is, just like his dad, blues guitar legend Lonnie Brooks. Ronnie had good things to say about his dad, which felt good to hear. One member of the audience shared some memories with me of Ronnie with his dad Lonnie and another brother, guitarist Wayne Baker Brooks performing live in Chicago on occasion - sounds like a dream night out with the blues muse! This night at Healey's seemed to have the very same feel to it.
Brooks' leads came out like scorching bursts of musical energy, and Jeff's leads were just as inspired. These two great maestros of guitar wizardry played off each other like two brothers throwing a ball back and forth to one another - a 'ball of musical energy' that is! Nordmeer supplied some of the amazing lead solos this night, and sometimes it was hard to tell whether it was Jeff or Dan playing some of these incredible guitar riffs. You had to really be there to see who was doing what, sometimes. Nordmeer however, played all the lead slide solos throughout this evening and they were just incredible to see. They provided just the right contrast to Jeff's amazing leads and Ronnie's wild lead guitar excursions to blues guitar heaven. The balance was perfect, with everyone in the band blending together as a unified team spirit, and it showed in the way they grooved together and enjoyed each others' time on stage. Brooks mentioned to the crowd that "We're just jammin'" - but it's the kind of 'jammin' that only players at the top of their game can do with one another on stage like that. That's another reason why Thursdays are so special at Healey's.
Nordmeer's bandmate Dave Murphy (who had a five year stint with another 'Ronnie' - legendary rockabilly icon and Arkansas native, Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, 'The Hawk' - from '87 -'92), played some high-energy electric piano solos with Brooks and Healey that were knockout all the way! His vocals on "Hear You Knockin'" were rousing, just like this Dave Edmunds blues/rock classic demands! When Murphy was soloing with Brooks, Healey and Nordmeer he threw in everything good that a piano player knows to get a crowd goin' - and in Murphy's case that was a helluva lot!
Brooks led the band through some of these musical acrobatics, making sure they all had their turn up at bat to show their expertise. There was some great drumming by Al Webster and Maple Blues Award-winning bassist Alec Fraser. Fraser's heavy-duty bass lines, were consistently strong and steady, and provided the much-needed Chicago blues-style foundation for Brooks and the rest to do their thing on stage the best they know how.
One thing Jeff knows how to do well (besides the obvious guitar, keyboards, trumpet, etc.), is how to tell a joke right off the cuff and get the audience laughing -- and occasionally laughing at themselves - which is sometimes the best kind of humor. Tonight was no exception!
Brooks' version of Willie Dixon's "Hootchie Cootchie Man", was full of energy and was just amazing to see performed live. His solos set the place on fire, as did Nordmeer's incredible slide guitar solos and Jeff's scorching leads. Jeff's rhythm playing provided the solid backbone of Baker's solos, that allowed him to soar with some incredible lead guitar riffs that were as good as it gets. The crowd was enthusiastic with their applause right up until the finale of this great night out at Healey's. Spending Thursday nights at Healey's special guest musical showcases with the Jeff Healey house band is a weekly Toronto tradition for the many who show up week after week to see the best performers in the world of blues do their thing the best they know how. With the incredible Healey's house band to back them up, and Jeff as their star guitarist, it all seems so easy … But we all know it isn't!
Venue: Healey's
Artist: Healey's House band, featuring guitarist Jeff Healey
Special Guest: Ronnie Baker Brooks
Healey's website: www.jeffhealeys.com
Ronnie Baker Brooks website: www.ronniebakerbrooks.com
Dave Murphy website: http://www.davemurphyband.com/
CD review - Downchild Blues Band - 'Come On In'
-- by Joe Curtis --
The Downchild Blues Band has recently released their brand new, Juno-nominated CD, 'Come On In'. This CD is Downchild's first original offering in seven years, and is an awesomely inspiring collection of new, original Donnie 'Mr. Downchild' Walsh http://www.mrdownchild.com/ compositions, so good they're too mind-boggling to contemplate! There's only one non-Walsh tune on this CD; "How Long", written by Jackson/Scott/Schmidt.
Every song on 'Come On In' is what any die-hard Downchild http://www.downchild.com/ fan could hope to hear altogether on one CD. It's obvious right from the start, that Canadian blues icon Donnie 'Mr. Downchild' Walsh, has put a lot of heart and soul into writing these blues tunes. He's also shown good taste in the top talent he's chosen to perform with in these extremely satisfying blues compositions.
The one and only James 'Superharp' Cotton, http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/ is featured on one of these tracks. Another of the very special guest artists on 'Come On In' is renowned guitarist/jazz trumpet player, Dr. Jeff Healey http://www.jeffhealey.com/ (who's recently been bestowed an honorary doctorate degree). World-respected drummer Pentti 'Whitey' Glan (ex-Lou Reed/Alice Cooper/Johnny Winter/Mandala) http://home.cogeco.ca/~mansion1/penttiglan.html is also featured on 'Come On In'; as is his old band mate, keyboard player/music producer Mike Fonfara (Downchild; ex-Lou Reed/Electric Flag). http://www.iridescentmusic.ca/fonf.html
Chuck Jackson http://www.chuckjackson.com/ sings most of the vocals on this CD, and plays some mighty fine harp, too! Pat Carey's 'hot' sax playing http://www.iridescentmusic.ca/patcarey.html, along with Gary Kendall's in-the- pocket bass grooves http://www.garykendall.com/ ; and Mike Fitzpatrick's inspired drumming, helps make this CD a real winner from beginning to end. http://www.downchild.com/whoswho.htm
Last (but also 'first'), is Donnie 'Mr. Downchild' Walsh himself - the co-founder (along with his late brother, vocalist Hock Walsh) of this most prestigious of all Canadian blues bands. Walsh's input is that of 'blues father', 'protector', 'originator' - holding together, preserving and performing all that is good in blues. If Canadian blues has a 'root' to its existence, it could easily be attributed to this man.
'Mr. Downchild' rocks, and his newest CD, 'Come On In', rocks with him, as does the rest of this fine blues band; along with its very special and highly talented roster of gifted musical guests. This is the first Downchild CD to ever feature any special guests - let alone this many all on one CD! Drummer Glan has known Walsh since they were both teenagers in grade 9 in high school together. Strange as it seems, these two Canadian music legends have never performed together until this CD recording happened - unusual, especially considering their musical paths have crossed countless times over the decades since they first met.
From the moment the explosive title track "Come On In" invites the listener to "Come on in out of the blues", the rhythms and rhymes are fast-paced, scorching party blues all the way! Walsh's blinding slide playing on "Come On In" is out of this world good! Fitzpatrick's drumming rocks, as does Fonfara's boogie-woogie piano playing and Jackson's invitation to "Come on in where the music's 'hot'" -- and hot it surely is! The horn section on this tune, is a solid wall of brass 'nuclear' fusion!
Kendall's bass playing jumps out at the listener on "Scars" -- a languishing, medium tempo blues tune, where Jackson's vocals bellow out, "I've got scars, nobody can see -- scars that are haunting me!" This premise must surely be the rock bed foundation of all that is blues. Jackson's vocals are rousing on "Don't Leave It Too Long", as is his incredible harp playing. Walsh's harp playing is amazing here too; and is accentuated by legendary guitarist Jeff Healey's blues leads that 'zing on the six string'. Thoroughly melding this fine, bluesy mixture are Fonfara's upbeat and soulfully inspired organ riffs; along with Kendall's pounding bass riffs and Fitzpatrick's unrelenting talent on the drums.
Iconic harp king James Cotton, is featured on "Sad, Sad Day", (another Donnie Wash original). Cotton's harp playing throughout this tune, is a 'classic in its own time'. At some points, he sounds like a harp orchestra, due to his full, fat harp tones that are in a 'magical, musical realm' all their own. Jim Casson's laid back precision drumming helps give this tune the zest it possesses. http://www.jimcasson.com/ (Casson was Downchild's drummer when this Sept. 1999 recording was made. All the other tunes on this magnificent CD were recorded in Aug. 2004 at Metalworks).
As an aside, Mr. Cotton once mentioned to this writer, that years earlier he taught 'Mr. Downchild' Walsh to play harp. This goes a long way in explaining why Donnie is such a fine harp player today - (He started with the best, and just went up from there!). Cotton also mentioned this same evening (at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern in 2002), that he himself was taught harp by the one and only Sonny Boy Williamson II as a boy of nine - inspired initially by listening to Sonny Boy's King Biscuit radio program.
Jackson's mind blowing vocals belt out "There's a blues band there", in the song of the same name. This tune also features Fonfara's rousing and melodic piano riffs. Walsh plays some mouthwatering harp on this tune, as does Jackson. Tom (Powder Blues Band) Lavin plays a scorching guitar solo on this tune, that's just amazing. Kendall's rousing bass lines and Fitzpatrick's steady, driving drumming are the 'gas' that motorizes this extremely powerful 'blues engine'. http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2001/powderblues-th.html
http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2001/powderbluesband-live-th.html
"Jump Right Up" opens with some heavy-duty boogie-woogie piano riffs, supplied by Gene Taylor of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, http://www.fabulousthunderbirds.com/ . His rapid-fire piano melodies are good for the soul. Jackson's vocals wailing out, "Gonna make ya jump right up", "Don't it make ya jump", are some of the finest gut-wrenching vocals this writer has ever heard. Both Walsh's and Jackson's harp playing is just incredible to hear on this song!
The pace slows down with "Tonight I Want To Dance With You". Jackson earnestly sings this message out, while Dr. Jeff Healey cries out his own musical plea on lead guitar. Peter Jeffrey's flugel horn accompaniment echoes the same sentiment, as do Fonfara's deeply moving organ harmonies. Kendall's mournful bass lines are made more vivid by Fitzpatrick's insightful drumming.
Pentti 'Whitey' Glan supplies the funky drumming on "Now You're Hooked"; which also features Fonfara's funky, melodic organ riffs, along with Downchild's strong, forceful brass section. Jackson's vocals sum up things nicely with, "You never should have looked, but you did, and now you're hooked." Droppin' Like Flies" features Fonfara's tranquilly introspective organ riffs and Jackson's mournful vocals which declare, "All my friends are droppin' like flies."
"How Long" is the only non-Walsh tune. It was written by Jackson, along with bassist Shane Scott and guitarist Pete Schmidt http://www.peteschmidt.com/ who have their own band, Blues Approved. They're also sidemen with Canadian harp player David Rotundo http://www.davidrotundo.com/ . "How Long" is an upbeat blues winner that's guaranteed to get the dance floor movin' 'n' groovin'! Guitarist David Gogo's solo in the middle of this rousing tune, is breathtaking! http://www.davidgogo.com/ The only thing better than this, is to see Gogo perform live! Fitzpatrick's drumming captures the spirit of this song with taste and finesse, and really grooves with Fonfara's organ riffs. Carey's sax solo on "How Long" is 'not long enough' for this writer! Walsh's guitar soloing in various parts of this tune is absolutely captivatingly.
Whitey's drumming is right in the groove, in "A Garden In Her Front Yard". Donnie's harp playing is absolutely hypnotizing in this tune, and his lead vocals are so reminiscent of his late brother Hock's in vocal tone, that they're nostalgic and refreshing to hear. Taylor goes wild on piano in this 'garden', as do Gogo's powerful lead guitar riffs.
"Cotton In My Ears" is a tasteful slow blues instrumental tribute to the one and only James 'Super Harp' Cotton. Mr. Downchild's harp playing excels throughout this very fine composition. Overdubbing has allowed Walsh's talent on guitar to complement his harp playing to the utmost!
"Cruisin'", the finale to this extremely entertaining CD, is a soulful blues instrumental. Fonfara excels on keyboards on this one, as does the phenomenal 'wall of brass' supplied by Carey on tenor, alto and baritone sax; along with Jeffrey's energetic trumpet melodies. Glan plays his soul out on drums in "Cruisin'", in a very happy-go-lucky and knowledgeable way - that's a given, considering the decades he's performed off and on with fellow Mandala member, vocalist George 'Mr. Soul' Olliver, http://www.ericknelson.net/GO/index.htm - another perennial favorite in any venue he's featured in. ** That includes a feature spot in Chuck Jackson's always outstanding Southside Shuffle Blues Fest, happening again this coming Sept. 2005 in Port Credit, Ontario, (and now in its 7th Annual incarnation). http://www.southsideshuffle.com/schedule.htm
All in all, the Downchild Blues Band's most recent CD, 'Come On In', is one of the finest they've ever recorded. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves rousing, hard driving blues at its very best - along with a few slow blues tunes that'll captivate the listener's interest and keep it that way!
Artist: Downchild Blues Band
CD: 'Come On In'
Year: 2004
Label: Independent # DMCD 014
Web site: http://www.downchild.com
Email: dcbb@hotmail.com
'Kid Bastien Forever' 2nd Annual New Orleans Jazz Party
Sat. Feb. 5, 2005
-- by Joe Curtis --
The Second Annual 'Kid Bastien Forever' New Orleans Jazz Party, was celebrated in a big way at Grossman's Tavern, http://www.grossmanstavern.com in Toronto, Canada for two thoroughly musical days and nights, Fri. and Sat. Feb. 5-6, 2005, http://www.happypals.ca/Events/KBForever05.htm . In a fun way, it kept the memory alive of trumpet player extraordinaire, Kid Bastien, whose upbeat jazz band the Happy Pals, http://www.happypals.ca/default.htm played the weekly Saturday jazz matinee at Grossman's to devoted fans for well over 25 years -- until Bastien's unexpected passing away Feb. 8, 2003. The Happy Pals continue this popular jazz matinee tradition at Grossman's every Saturday afternoon, where there's never a cover charge (except on a few rare occasions).
For two years in a row, respected New Orleans trumpet player Gregg Stafford has been special guest at this Bastien tribute. Stafford performs frequently at New Orleans' revered music shrine, Preservation Hall, with his group, 'Gregg Stafford and His Preservation Hall Band', http://www.wwoz.org/cgi-bin/events2/events_search.pl?title=9466 . There's a great photo on the Happy Pals web site, of the Kid Bastien band performing at Preservation Hall in the 1970s, with Jim Jones (ex- Van Morrison/Luke & the Apostles) on upright bass. http://www.happypals.ca/Kid.htm
Kid Bastien's old friend and musical collaborator, clarinet player Kjeld Brandt from Denmark was the other special guest for these two days and nights of musical revelry. During Bastien's Scandinavian tour a few years back, he recorded and performed with Brandt's band, 'New Orleans Delight', http://www.jazzreview.com/cdreview.cfm?ID=3212 . The musical favor was returned, when Brandt appeared with the Happy Pals and trumpet player Stafford for this second annual music event. Brandt's clarinet solos with the Happy Pals brought the sounds and imagery of New Orleans alive, with upbeat tunes that have a real Mardi Gras feel to them.
Stafford sometimes brought the volume way down on his muted trumpet solos. These solos awed the crowd with notes so quiet and sustained, they could only be created by a true trumpet genius as Stafford is. Other times he took charge, with some all-out horn blowing and really let it rip! These extremely boisterous trumpet solos were delivered with gusto and imagination. The Happy Pals, inspired by Stafford's energy and enthusiasm, backed him all the way on these wild, imaginative musical journeys. They gave it all they had, and it showed. The audience reciprocated with unrestrained applause and calls for 'more' - helping to make this special occasion even more so!
The finale of this matinee portion of Saturday's show featured an old-fashioned New Orleans-style parade, led by Miss Noonie (Kid Bastien's long-time friend), parasol in hand, along with many other parasol-carrying enthusiasts in the audience - following each other single file around Grossman's atmospheric surroundings. Stafford and many of the Happy Pals, along with harp player Steven C. Barr, joined in this parade, marching along while performing "When the Saints Go Marching In" in true New Orleans fashion.
The evening's performance, (which followed a two-hour dinner break for the band), was equally as exilirating. One of its special guests was the previously mentioned harp player Steven C. Barr.
http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/stevenc-jt.html
http://www.mnblues.com/cdreview/2002/stevenc-blackcat-jt.html
http://users.interlinks.net/stevenc/
who's a veteran blues and jazz performer as well as musical historian/collector. Barr has been around the Toronto music scene for decades, and sat in with this phenomenal bunch of talented individuals for a few memorable tunes. For this writer, Barr's time on stage was the true highlight of the show.
Barr sang a few songs with the style and tone of great New Orleans jazz parlor singers of yesteryear. He easily captured the mood and atmosphere of smoky clubs and juke joints of a by-gone era, with the expertise of an individual who has lived through and played through those years with style and grace. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942, (on South Michigan Ave., near what was later to become Chess Studios) and being nurtured in such a musically profuse environment; Barr seems to radiate his deep musical influences to the audience in a truly 'magical' way. His harp playing was on cue and inspirational this evening at Grossman's. He was backed by the fabulous jazzy rhythms and harmonies of the Happy Pals along with the talents of Stafford and Brandt.
There were a couple of instances towards the end of this remarkably entertaining evening, where Stafford's and Brandt's spectacular solos were added to with flair by Barr's harp riffs that were subtle and insightful. In these instances, Barr's harp playing input added to the body of these solos in an imaginative and insightful way.
Other highlights included Roberta Tevlin's barrelhouse piano solos that were added to by the energetic banjo rhythms of Hannah Krapivinsky. Patrick Tevlin's lively horn solos and wooden 'clapper' percussion were also a real crowd pleaser. There were also several incredible solos by other 'Happy Pals', including the fabulous Toby Hughes on sax and Phil Carney on upright bass.
All in all, this very special 'Second Annual Kid Bastien New Orleans Jazz Party' tribute concert, was a great success for everybody in attendance -- band and audience alike. It's great that Kid Bastien's memory and musical legacy are continuing to be kept alive in such a light-hearted, upbeat way. This musical magic and mirth continues every Saturday afternoon at Grossman's weekly jazz matinee starting at 4 p.m., with the Happy Pals and all their very 'happy' longtime fans of all ages.
Listen to live, streamed, authentic New Orleans jazz and blues broadcasts on the internet at New Orleans #1 jazz and blues station, WWOZ, (Gregg Stafford's "favorite radio station"), at: http://www.wwoz.org/live_broadcast_stream_wm.html
Listen to 'Bob Walker's Jukebox Gold' archived on the internet. Rare 1950s and 1960s New Orleans radio shows and songs to choose from -- doo wop, blues, early R&B, jazz and rock 'n' roll -- just as New Orleans residents originally listened to these incredible broadcasts decades ago -- are available to listen to now, courtesy of the Lagniappe Broadcast Network, at: http://www.lagniappe.la/whoshotwalker.asp ** One of my favorite broadcasts in this series is called 'The Jokers' -- a late 1950s Louisiana doo wop/early R&B group featuring keyboard player Richie Ladner. These days Ladner performs with New Orleans sax great Johnny Pennino. He's featured with Pennino, as well as drummer Freddy Staehle (ex-Dr. John band) and vocalist/harp player
Chuck Jackson (of Downchild Blues Band fame, http://www.downchild.com/ ) in his own CD, 'Chuck Jackson & Johnny Pennino, Live On Bourbon St.', (recorded live at the Jazz Parlor in New Orleans in Dec. 2003).