8 • POSTED ON October 24, 2005 Ottawa Blues This Week Posted by mcollins
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CONGRATULATIONS ...SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK... LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK...SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON...LOCALS THIS WEEK...AND MORE!
CONGRATULATIONS ...SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK... LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK...SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON...LOCALS THIS WEEK...AND MORE!
CONGRATULATIONS ... ********************************************************* ... to Rick Fines, who just returned from Alabama where he won a blues competition. Sweet Gum Bottom Blues is a competition for acoustic blues artists. What’s the twist? The prizes are awarded by a vote of the audience. Blues artists from across the US and Canada auditioned to play. These artists offered a full range of music, both old style and contemporary, finger style and slide, for guitar and harp, with intricate melodies and driving rhythms.
Rick is currently recording his latest collection of original songs for the upcoming CD “Solar Powered”. Indeed this is how it’s being done – alone in his cabin north of Peterborough, it’s an off-the-grid production!
Rick has been granted some monies from the Ontario Arts Council to conduct songwriting residencies at a number of Ontario schools this season. Week-long and 2-week-long workshops will take place in schools in Peterborough, Bancroft, Owen Sound, and other communities.
Suzie Vinnick and Rick are working on a recording together and will perform gigs in the coming months. Look for them in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve at the National Arts Centre! _www.rickfines.com_ (http://www.rickfines.com) ********************************************************* SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK ********************************************************* Michael Pickett Tucson’s Roadhouse, 2440 Bank Street Thursday, October 27 @ 7:30 pm
In the Spring of 2000, Michael revealed yet another layer of his seemingly endless reservoir of musical talents. His deep love of roots/blues music compelled him to pick up his Gibson guitar after a 30+ year hiatus. With focus and diligence, this musical transition transformed him into a formidable guitarist on the six-string, twelve-string, and National Steel Duolian. With exceptional award winning rack harmonica skills and remarkable vocals, he delivers performances that are charged with electricity and filled with passion, authenticity, substance, and a unique style. Whether putting his own spin on obscure tunes of legendary icons such as Robert Johnson, Sticks McGhee, Bukka White, Mississippi John Hurt or respectfully re-interpreting the music of Tom Waits, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, or showcasing his own extraordinary eclectic material, Michael reveals a profound understanding of where this music comes from and why it stands the test of time. He’s been known to share a story or two about some of the legends who have visited his life over the past three decades. It’s no small wonder that his audiences repeatedly respond with standing ovations and demands for an encore. _www.michaelpickett.com_ (http://www.michaelpickett.com) ********************************************************* Johnny Rawls Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street Thursday, October 27
Johnny Rawls has blossomed into one of the top talents in soul blues today. He apprenticed as a sideman with Lynn White, Little Johnny Taylor, Z. Z. Hill and O. V. Wright, before forming the soulful duo of Rawls & Luckett, then breaking out into his own solo career. His work has earned him ‘Living Blues’ Awards and he’s released recordings on the acclaimed JSP label. Johnny Rawls most recent recording is on Top Cat; it’s called “No Boundries” and promises to take his career to yet another level. One of the finest producers in the business,he has also worked on recordings by Lonnie Shields, Willie Edwards, Chris Beard, Deitra Farr and Percy Strother. (Thanks to Gary Kendall, The Silver Dollar Room, Toronto, for this info.) ********************************************************* David Rotundo Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street Friday, October 28
At the beginning of the month, David survived vehicle malfunctions while touring northern Ontario and Quebec – ask him to tell you all about it when he plays the Rainbow at the end of this month. _www.davidrotundo.com_ (http://www.davidrotundo.com) ********************************************************* LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK ********************************************************* Big Soul Project NAC 4th Stage, 53 Elgin Street Saturday, October 29 @ 8 pm; tickets $10
The CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the National Arts Centre are pleased to present Big Soul Project. The Ottawa gospel choir is becoming well-known for its fresh, upbeat brand of gospel music and infectious on-stage energy that has audiences dancing in the aisles.
Big Soul Project fuses the vocal energy of its 50-member group with the charismatic direction of Michael MacDonald and the smooth R&B grooves of its backup band. Established in 1997 as the Ottawa Community Gospel Choir, Big Soul Project has grown from its original 12 members to its present size. The seven-piece R&B band is made up of a piano player, two guitarists, a drummer and three horn players. The choir’s repertoire ranges from R&B and soul to pop and traditional spirituals.
In December 2004, the choir opened for gospel legends, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and issued their debut CD, “Big Soul Project”. “We are proud to be a community choir; there are no auditions”, says musical director Mike MacDonald. “The magic of Big Soul Project is people rediscovering their voice with tremendous passion. We sing our hearts out.”
Tickets are $10, and are available in person at the NAC Box Office or Ticketmaster. ********************************************************* SPECIAL EVENTS COMING SOON ********************************************************* David Clayton-Thomas with Roxanne Potvin opening Centrepointe Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Drive Friday, November 4 @ 8:30 pm; tickets $40/50
The new David Clayton-Thomas show has incorporated the 11-piece ‘Bruce Cassidy’s Hotfoot Orchestra’ and merged it with the Clayton-Thomas ‘book’ which includes all of David’s hits with Blood, Sweat and Tears, as well as songs from “Aurora” and his solo albums.
The new show will be rooted in the unique musical style that has become his trademark. The addition of more horns and percussion instruments brings new power and freshness to the classic Clayton-Thomas tunes like ‘Spinning Wheel’ and allows Cassidy to expand the instrumentation on ‘And When I Die’, ‘God Bless The Child’ and ‘You Make Me So Very Happy’. The new show will also prove invaluable in the development of new songs; David’s compositions with Cassidy’s arrangements will be tried out on the concert stage and will form the cornerstone of the next David Clayton-Thomas album.
Bruce Cassidy is a daring and gifted musician ... he toured the world with BS&T in the 80s and has spent the last 20 years in Africa where he absorbed ‘ township’ rhythms and ‘world’ music influences into his eclectic musical vocabulary. Cassidy has been instrumental in the development of the EVI ... an electronic valve instrument that serves as a controller for digital samplers, his virtuoso use of the instrument is nothing short of brilliant ... and he’s a fine jazz soloist on conventional trumpet.
The legendary Clayton-Thomas voice, the timeless songs, the brilliant arrangements, the incredible musicianship ... this is a show not to be missed.
With traditional blues guitar chops and jazz infused vocals, opening act Roxanne Potvin has earned recognition from musicians and blues fans alike, establishing herself as one of the most promising talents carrying on the blues tradition. _www.centrepointetheatre.com_ (http://www.centrepointetheatre.com) ********************************************************* Ball & Chain CD release Bayou, 1077 Bank Street Saturday, November 12 @ 9 pm; tickets $8 at the door
From Michael Ball & Jody Benjamin: Ball and Chain have done it again! We have another live recording only this time, it was recorded with an audience and a band! Bring your dancin’ shoes for an evening of Old Time Country Dance Music. We can’t wait to hear what you think of the new CD. See you there! _www.ballandchain.ca_ (http://www.ballandchain.ca) ********************************************************* Elyssa Mahoney Trio with Pat Carey & Michael Fonfara Louisiannie’s Seafood & Cajun Cookin’, 1518 Main Street, Stittsville Friday, November 18 @ 8 pm
Elyssa Mahoney appears en trio, with Downchild Blues Band members Pat Carey (sax) and Michael Fonfara (keyboards). _www.elyssamahoney.ca_ (http://www.elyssamahoney.ca) ********************************************************* Johnny Winter Opening - David Gogo Capital Music Hall, 200 Rideau Street Saturday, December 10 @ 8 pm; tickets - $36.50 advance
Since his first appearance on the pages of Rolling Stone in 1968, Johnny Winter has epitomized the fiery and flamboyant rock and roll guitar hero. The multi Grammy-nominated guitarist will be joined by Canada’s own guitar slinger David Gogo, for a highly anticipated performance.
One of the most influential guitarist of our time, Johnny Winter carries on the Texas tradition of a long line of guitarist from T-Bone Walker to Freddy King. He brought a raw, contemporary edge to the blues with his powerful guitar playing and raspy vocals on hits like ‘Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo’, ‘Still Alive and Well’ and his sizzling interpretation of Bob Dylan’s ‘Highway 61 Revisited’. His mainstream success lead Johnny to reunite with blues great, Muddy Waters and he helped revive Muddy’s career with a string of Grammy Award winning albums including the comeback album “Hard Again”, “I’m Ready” and “Muddy ‘Mississippi’ Waters Live” in 1979. Winter went on to influence many young guitarist including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Nanaimo, BC native, David Gogo, who had the pleasure of performing with and meeting his hero, Winter, for the first time at a sold out show they did together last year in Toronto and is excited about reuniting with Winter. _www.johnnywinter.net_ (http://www.johnnywinter.net) _www.davidgogo.com_ (http://www.davidgogo.com) ********************************************************* WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE RADIO ********************************************************* On CKCU-FM 93.1 The “Mighty 93.1” _www.ckcufm.com_ (http://www.ckcufm.com) Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region CKCU’s 30th Anniversary Funding Drive: That time of year has come around once again. From October 21 to November 6, CKCU will be calling on you to help keep its airwaves flowing for another year. Start saving that coffee money and be ready to ‘dial & donate’ and help them reach the goal of $100 093.10. Or, you can donate online now using the secure online pledge form at _www.ckcufm.com/donate.html_ (http://www.ckcufm.com/donate.html)
Sundays: 9-11 pm Black and Blues with John Tackaberry The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second hour there is a blues calendar, a run down of events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “ down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final half hour of the program.
Wednesdays: 9-11 pm In A Mellow Tone with Ron Sweetman Jazz from every era & every style - from 1917 To 2003. Each program features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label. This week, October 26 - New York in the 'Twenties: Recordings made in the Big Apple in the twenties by Bennett’s Swamplanders, Blue Ribbon Syncopators, Cotton Club Orchestra, Get Happy Band, Gulf Coast Seven, Charlie Johnson, Thomas Morris, Musical Stevedores, Savoy Bearcats, Cecil & Lloyd Scott and Joe Steele. Next week, November 2 - Listen Before You Buy: The cream of the crop of recent jazz and blues issues – by Noah Bammerman, James Carter, Tony D, Steve Heckman, h. Meurkens, Moutin Reunion, Dave Peck, Bernard Primeau, Mike Rud, Vince Sereni, Turning Point, Uptown Quintet, Mort Weiss and Denny Zeitlin.
On CHUO 89.1 FM Sundays: 9-11 am The Sunday Juke Joint celebrates the legendary performers of the blues and features current artists that keep this tradition-rich music interesting and vital. Hosted by Ted.S, tune in for your dose of the best in Blues.
On CHEZ106 FM Sundays: 6-7 pm House of Blues Hour The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues, features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on stations across the continent for over ten years.
LOCALS THIS WEEK ********************************************************* Tuesday, October 25 Brian Downey’s Big Band @ the Bayou Wednesday, October 26 Wicked Guitar Brothers host the Open Stage @ the Bayou Friday, October 28 The Crowd @ Tucson’s Roadhouse The FunKtion Hallowe’en Show @ the Bayou Saturday, October 29 Barrelhouse @ Tucson’s Roadhouse Blue Skies Festival Fundraiser @ the Bayou Sunday, October 30 Jarhead’s Jug o Jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm
