Where you from HonkinonBobo? Fathead is a great Canadian band with strong ties to the Canadian Blues scene. Al Lerman is the harp player, and he is an excellent Sax player too. He's recieved many Maple Blues Awards both personally and with the band. They tour and play regularly. They have written many of their own tunes and Al used to do an introductory blues harp class at the Etobicoke school of the arts. A very stable player for sure with good musicology, he has produced many albums for other musicians as well. If they are in your area get out to see them. You'll see a great band.
Check out their My Space page. Both the band and Al have one. Have a good time listening, they've got a great sound. ---------- "Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
Here's a link to the "other" Canadian blues band. The Twisters from Vancouver. They will be at this years IBC. Big send off party on the 11th. Yee-haw!
Al still teaches his Introduction to Blues Harmonica course at Etobicoke School of the Arts, I took it 2 years ago and it was lots of fun and informative. It is offered through Toronto Schools Continuing Ed.
i`ve seen both the acts at the dutchie mason blues this past summer ,bought the fathead CD& had it autographed by all ,the twisters wre names the best dressed blues band of the weekend
Hey don't forget Garrett Mason, Colin James, Downchild Blues Band, Paul Reddick, Micheal Picket, Carlos del Junco...gosh, we're everywhere!! But Fathead and The Twisters sure do a great job of "gettin' it dun" ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2010 7:12 AM
Rick Davis, Too True, Rick Jeffries turn my ears on to the harp and King Biscuit Boy opened my eyes. He was a fantatstic player and a world force in blues music and was courted by many prominent bands. For those of you in the Southern Ontario area there is a small music shop called Looney Tunes on Brant Street in Burlington who deals in all recordings. The owner was able to find me some old KBB recordings with Ronnie Hawkins, Crowbar, Kelly Jay solo stuff and his own solo stuff. Lots of other stuff there too. (not related too or plugging this store. Just good information) They are all fantastic recordings and reminded me of days of my youth touring the local bars in the 70's. All good stuff for sure. Canadian Blues is strong, Strong enough to attract Mel Brown (RIP) develop the great Steve Strongman and many others and to give us the greats listed in jawbone's post above.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Curley Bridges. Google him and read a bit of history. I have been honoured to be considered a friend and occasional duo partner with Curley for several years now. The stuff this guys has done and seen could fill volumes. ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
jawbone, How's things man? and you are absolutely right about Curley. LilWilleB Minkey Junk placed high in last years IBC. Third place I do believe. Quite a honour. They are a great band for sure. Good call for more Canadian Blues talent.
Ya gotta love this forum. I posted a clip of a band I had recently discovered (not that they were anonymous, I just didn't know about them) called Fathead, hoping to turn OTHERS on to THEM....and, courtesy of our fellow bluesmen in the great white north, the thread is morphing into a veritable encyclopedia of the canadian blues scene...thereby turning ME on to all these other Canadian blues acts.
HOBobo, You gotta love this place is right.... bluemoose just turned me onto two that I didn't know anything about, Thanks bluemoose. Ken Hamm is fantastic roots and blues player. Kind of reminds me of this guy from Hamilton, http://www.myspace.com/alfiejohnsmith Not at all a harp player but an excellent act to see. Going to be at IBC this year too...Go Alfie !!!
This dude is hot.I first heard him on a cd with Harry Manx(Harry Manx and friends live at Glenn Gould Studios)his playing (on this cd) is cross'n over many barriers. This is what could find on the tube (that is bluesy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV7c1nm0kxU
