On The Beat

Blues Summit

BLUES SUMMIT: This time of year, many of us are singing the winter blues. If you happen to be a fan of blues music, though, comfort is at hand in the form of the annual Toronto Blues Summit. This festival features 20 of the country's best blues artists performing in four downtown clubs, on Jan. 15 and 16. The clubs involved are THE SILVER DOLLAR, HEALEY'S, CHICAGO'S, and MONARCH'S (in the Delta Chelsea), while the acts include the brilliant singer/songwriter PAUL REDDICK, fast-rising young singing star ROXANNE POTVIN and guitar ace JIMMY BOWSKILL. The genre-stretching JOHN AND HIS SISTERS (featuring sideman to the stars KEVIN BREIT), Ottawa's J-W JONES, local duo ANDERSON/SLOSKI, RAOUL AND THE BIG TIME and the world music-influenced guitarist ADAM SOLOMON are also highly recommended. The festival runs concurrently with the Blues Summit 11 conference at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. For more details, check out www.torontobluessociety.com

J.P. RIEMENS: This Hamilton-area producer is co-owner of the famed GRANT AVENUE STUDIO, the place where ace producer DANIEL LANOIS learned his craft. Riemens is also an accomplished and prolific singer/songwriter who has released a series of solo albums. He'll launch the latest, Blue Martini, here with a Jan. 27 gig at Mitzi's Sister in Parkdale. The cozy confines of the club should prove ideal, as Riemens' work features an attractively mellow voice and laidback vibe. Texan swing, country, folk and rock influences are discernible on Blue Martini. The disc is released on the Songhammer label (www.songhammer.com), home of EDGAR BREAU's fine recent album. Make sure you get there early for excellent opening act HEATHER MORGAN.

ISIS: The brainchild of Toronto producer/composer ELLIOT ZEITOUNE, ISIS has just released an independent release of genuine international quality. It skillfully blends classical, opera and new age elements. Young lyric soprano SABRINA PAOLELLA is featured extensively, giving the compositions an ethereal feel. Zeitoune and Paolella have adapted and arranged Italian lyrics from CACCINI and BELLINI and music from CHOPIN, as well as contributing original lyrics and melodies. The resulting disc is sure to appeal to those enjoying the works of such artists as SARAH BRIGHTMAN, ENYA and ENIGMA. Check out www.ktpmusic.com for further information.

NEW RELEASES: The most fun album we've received in quite a while is the Univeral Music soundtrack to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the new WES ANDERSON flick starring the always wonderful BILL MURRAY. Sadly, Bill doesn't sing here (remember his cover of "More Than This" in Lost In Translation?), but there's some great stuff here. A couple of original DAVID BOWIE classics are featured, alongside bizarre Portuguese folk-styled covers of Bowie hits by SEU JORGE. Throw in cuts from DEVO, IGGY's "Search And Destroy," SCOTT WALKER, JOAN BAEZ and THE ZOMBIES, and you have a fab collection that works even if you haven't seen the movie.

UPCOMING: One of the most impressive albums of 2004 came from American singer/songwriter JOSH RITTER, with his Hello Starling disc. His January 29th gig at The Rivoli promises to be a highlight on the concert calendar this month. Jazz bassist CHRIS TARRY is a founding member of the acclaimed group METALWOOD. He is now touring Canada in support of his new solo disc, Project 33, and this includes three Toronto dates. He is at Humber College for a noon concert on Feb. 9, and is in at Queen Street jazz haunt The Rex on Feb. 10 and 11. Tarry's ace band includes Metalwood pianist, BRAD TURNER. A strong double bill at The Horseshoe on Jan. 15th features two of the city's best Brit-accented bands, STIRLING and MEMORY BANK. On the rowdy roots rock/alt-country front, check out BOBBY BARE JR., in at Lee's Palace on Jan. 24. Canada's leading pop-punk band, SUM 41, have added a second show at The Docks, set for Feb. 4.

Publication Date: 2005-01-16
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4832