I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Roy Bim Forbes

Roy Forbes (born February 12, 1953 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia) is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter, whose music bears heavy influences from classic American genres of acoustic blues and traditional country. Formerly known as Bim, his childhood nickname, he began his musical career in Vancouver in 1971. Initially, he appeared as the opening act for such groups as Supertramp and Santana, but soon came to headline and sell out his own shows. Forbes has appeared as a headliner in most of Canada's major folk music festivals. In 1984, he toured in the US with fellow Canadian Ferron, with whom he performed a duet on the song "Proud Crowd/Pride Cried" for her album, Shadows on a Dime. In 1987, he began performing and recording as Roy Forbes. Forbes is known for his high soulful voice and percussive guitar playing. He is also a member of the supergroup UHF, together with Shari Ulrich and Bill Henderson. Songs written by Forbes have been recorded by Sylvia Tyson, Garnet Rogers, Valdy, and Susan Jacks. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

The SOME X 6 Band - The Hoodoo Shake - New Release Review

I've had the opportunity to listen to the newest effort, The Hoodoo Shake by The SOME X 6 Band. This Vancouver based band is made up of Brad Curtis on vocal and bass, Bart Dwyer on guitar and Gordon Cole on guitar. The 14 track release opens with the title track, The Hoodoo Shake, which has a straight up blues rock feel and ethereal slide work behind the vocals. Hey Stranger, another blues rock track has a pretty good hook for potential airplay and some tasty guitar riffing for the guitar guys. Forty Years gets a bit more grimy with some heavy drums and chorded sliding under lead guitar work. Jazzy Hippie takes a little bit of a different turn. It has organ under the band and an unusual melody which is attractive. It reminds me of something that I've heard but I can't put my finger on it exactly. In any case, this is a cool track. Breathless takes the next step away from the blues and into a modern era music with heavier overtones. Heavy bass lines and and monotone vocals with a driving beat and swirling lead guitars would certainly appeal to the garage crowd. Number is another track that is in this same vein. It doesn't sound the same as Breathless but is definitely from the same train of thought. It is a stretch from blues but well done none the less. This is an interesting recording, difficult to classify as blues but that may well interest a number of my readers wanting something with a bit more bite to their music.

  “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”
 

Tin Foil Hat - Scott Dunbar

Smashing out a beat with a rusty chain on a dirty old broiler pan and a suitcase kick drum, this one man show can upstage a full band, without a microphone. A busker on the street-corners and markets of Montréal, you’ll hear him blocks before you see him – whether acoustic guitar or accordion, the intensity and emotion of the voice and songs are as authentic as they come: earned and undeniably strong. Call it folk, blues, soul – it’s even sometimes catchy-as-pop — there’s something for everyone in this music – and it gets better the more times you hear it. There’s an idea behind this guy’s music, an old idea: a social purposefulness underlies Dunbar’s mission in music. Some stories need to be told, beauties need to be protected, social issues need discussing – exuberant joy and righteous anger must be released, and Dunbar is not afraid or ashamed to bring it to our attention. His performances are all about creating a bridge between people to have a good time while gathering around important issues. Since hitting the road hitchhiking three years ago holding a sign reading “A FOLKSINGER’S GOTTA SEE THE COUNTRY,” Dunbar has fast earned a fearsome reputation as a fan favorite at festivals and gigs all over. He himself recorded and produced two full length albums (2008′s An Awful Racket, 2009′s GET ANGRY ABOUT IT) of which he’s sold into the thousands of copies at gigs and on the street. It’s an ethical AND a family operation – the CD sleeves are handmade from recycled cloth by his mom. Youtube clips of his streetcorner performances, uploaded by passers-by (most notably a cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and his own “Tinfoil Hat”) have topped over a million hits since they first appeared in spring ’09. This, his third album – TWO YEARS TO LIVE, an appropriately ambitious 24-track, double CD odyssey was recorded in one week with BC luminary, Corwin Fox. The songs range from the intimate and personal “Tuning Fork” and “My Feathers” to enraged and political (“Ain’t Mama,” “Bullet Fee”) to bitingly ironic (“I’m Dick Cheney”). From the whimsical sweet romance of a bicycle ride (“Bicycles”) to the somber contemplative depths of “Fine,” Dunbar covers a lot of ground, and deserves a spot in any true chronicle of modern music. This album was designed as Dunbar’s proper big introduction to the world, and it seems he knows a thing or two about making a grand entrance. Just go ahead and try to dismiss it; this songwriter-performer is still just getting started…
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Dimples - Jason Buie

Vancouver based guitarist, singer and songwriter Jason Buie has been performing live since the age of sixteen. He has honed his skills over the last fourteen years playing throughout Canada, the U.S.A. and Japan. Along the way he has played and performed with such artists as blues legend Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, The Jeff Healey Band, John Mayall, The Powder Blues Band, Big Dave Mclean, Jimmy D. Lane, Wild T, Johnny Ferriera and Jerry Doucette. With the Release of his critically acclaimed CD “Urban Blues” his profile continues to grow. Jason's second C.D" "Live at The Blue Gator" was released in 2009. Jason did Spring and Fall European tour's in 2009 with great success.

Jason was born and raised in Victoria, BC. As an adolescent he explored the roots of American Blues along with other forms of music that spawned from it. Growing up in an artistic home, Jason had the freedom to explore his passion and talent. He would empty his pockets regularly to purchase blues recordings. He idolized such pioneers as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, The Three Kings: Freddie, Albert, and B.B., Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix and others. His love for the blues really blossomed when he witnessed Albert Collins in concert at fifteen years old. “I worked at the local grocery store and I borrowed one the older guy’s id. to get into the show. Albert was amazing; there will never be anyone like him.” From that point on Buie was hooked. Jason has taken his influences and sculpted them into a style of his own. His music remains a well-seasoned gumbo of blues, funk, rock and soul with influences that originate in the Southern States and inner cities of America. Jason’s from the heart vocals and fiery guitar work combined with a charismatic stage presence have caused listeners and critics to take notice. His passion and honesty always comes thru in his live shows.
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My Babe - Cousin Harley

Cousin Harley is the rocking hillbilly persona of Paul Pigat, an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Cousin Harley has a hard-earned reputation for delivering everything from hot rod rockabilly to foot stomping vintage country and western swing. ....

From classic honky tonk and cow punk tinged rippers, to a helping of western swing and classic jump blues, Cousin Harley plays in the old tradition—slugging it out hot and heavy in the trenches of the live music
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Groove - Steve Kozak

Steve Kozak was born in Vancouver BC Canada in 1956 and since the mid eighties has been a mainstay on the Vancouver scene as a guitarist, band leader, singer, songwriter, and tireless cheerleader and promoter of Blues and Roots music. Backed by some of Vancouver’s top musicians, Steve has built a reputation as one of the premier Blues acts in western Canada.

Steve began playing guitar and singing at age sixteen and took to the Blues like a duck to water. His passion for the Blues flourished after meeting and hanging out for a few memorable nights with the legendary Muddy Waters in May of 1977. Muddy encouraged Steve and set him straight on a few things. After that Steve was ‘on a mission’-- his musical future as a Bluesman was sealed.

Throughout his career Steve has shared the stage, and played with many Blues greats including; Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Duskin, Sonny Rhodes, Eddie ‘The Chief’ Clearwater, ‘Ice Pick’ James Harman, Duke Robillard, Rod Piazza, Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel, Lee Oskar, Nick Curran, Big Joe Louis, ‘The Shuffle King’ Tom Holland, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne, The Twisters, and Rockabilly guitar legend Evan Johns.
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The Good Ol' Days - Brandon Isaak

This young red haired guitar player has monster tone and technique. He moved from his home town of Whitehorse, Yukon to Vancouver, BC in 1999, where he joined the Twisters. He has shared the stage with many great blues artists, including Taj Mahal, Lil' Ed and the blues imperials, Robin Ford, Jeff Healy, Canned Heat, Zora Young, Big Dave Mclean, Rusty Zinn just to name a few. Most recently, Brandon returned from a 2 month European tour, where he played along side Joe Louis Walker, Willie Hayes and Ken Faltonson, on numerous festivals and TV shows. Brandon Played guitar on the 2006 Juno award winning album "let it loose" with Kenny "Blues Boss"Wayne, and appears on 11 albums with many different artists. When he plays, he travels to a different time and space and you can hear it as well as see it.
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Still Blue - Bill Johnson New release review - Tour Info

I just got this one today and I really like it. I mean I really like it! This is a well composed rockin blues party. You gotta imagine I listen to a lot of music and a lot of it just plays in the background. This one made me stop and listen. It isn't the next SRV but it is damn great fun!

British Columbia Blues Artist Bill Johnson Nominated for Western Canadian Blues Recording of the Year

Momentum continues to build for Victoria, BC blues artist Bill Johnson's recent recording Still Blue. Described as his breakout CD, Still Blue has been getting great reviews from critics and fans as well as extensive radio airplay across Canada. On June 30, 2011 BreakOut West announced The 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards Nominees including Still Blue for Blues Recording of the Year. A full list of nominees can be found at www.musicnwt.ca.

The Blues Underground Network selected Still Blue as one of the top picks for July 2011, including a five-star review by John Vermilyea.
www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com

"I am forty six years old, I believe all you need is love, and I'm still blue."
- Bill Johnson

Upcoming Performances:

August 13
The Saltair City Limits Blues Bash w/ The Twisters

The Saltair Pub
10519 Knight Road
Chemainus, BC
$45.00 includes BBQ dinner

August 26
Nanaimo Blues Festival
Maffeo-Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo, BC
www.nanaimobluesfestival.com