Gossip

So you've been to the works and love the music. Well, here's your chance to see and hear what we've got on our playlist.

Pilgrim – Eric Clapton

Pilgrim, his first studio album of new songs since Journeyman, reflects all these facets in his most ambitious, and certainly darkest solo project. Its title isn't casual: These are elliptical meditations on the ravages of time, as preoccupied with matters of the spirit as affairs of the heart. "My Father's Eyes" opens the song cycle with allusions to the traumatic death of toddler son Conor (the inspiration for '92's poignant "Tears In Heaven"), while the title song adopts the fevered, falsetto vocal style of Curtis Mayfield to riveting effect. Coproducer Simon Climie sculpts electronic orchestrations and favors clipped synth rhythms, while Clapton himself largely eschews his once dominant, climactic electric solos for restrained but potent acoustic filigree, staccato riffs, and fluid rhythm work, letting loose with a rougher, more biting edge on the squalling "She's Gone."

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Even When – Amanda Rheaume Band

In six richly arranged tracks, the band’s latest EP Even When presents an evolution, both lyrically and sonically, from Amanda’s debut EP Unravelling. This energetic recording ranges from the impassioned single “Even When They’re Green” to the edgy “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” to the adventurous and infectious grooves of “Overdue” and “The Story”. Tracked at Pebble Studios and mastered at Metal Works by Nick Blagona (Deep Purple, Rush, Tea Party, The Police), Even When combines rock, pop and the occasional funk influences, into a powerful fusion of sophisticated grooves.

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Valhalla – Danny Michel

Danny is back with a new effort that is on par or better than his previous work. Probably his best since fibsville, an excellent choice was made bringing in Joao Carvalho to co-produce the album. If you've seen Danny live in the last year and a half, you'll know most of these songs.

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Live! – Ricky Paquette

Blues guitar phenom Ricky Paquette, recorded live at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Ricky's second Preservation Music release, at the age of 15, displays the magical showmanship and excitement of this guitar virtuoso captured live.

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Show Me What You Got – Trevor Finlay

THE TREVOR FINLAY BAND combines the styles of rockabilly, blues, rock and funk to create their own blend of high-energy music that leaves audiences dancing, sweating and screaming for more.

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New Used Car – Sue Foley

Powerhouse singer/songwriter/guitarist SUE FOLEY has solidified her place as one of the leading lights of the contemporary blues scene. Her first new studio work in four years, NEW USED CAR is the most accomplished and accessible album of her career, featuring Sue's smooth purr-to-growl vocal style wrapped around original songs, punctuated by her high velocity, shiver-inducing lead guitar work. Foley co-produced the release with Corey Macfadyen and wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tunes on the disc.

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Going Up - Steve Marriner

Blues harmonica player-vocalist Steve Marriner has appeared often on stage with Gulf Islands musician Harry Manx, so it's fitting that the Ottawa native makes his recording debut on Manx's label, Dog My Cat Records.

Going Up contains nine Marriner originals and three covers, all in the rock-blues format. Shake It Upside Down does just that with Garrett Mason's guitar, Geoff Daye's organ and Tom Bona's drums driving the sound.

Marriner plays funky blues harp on the shuffling Plaything, and on the New Orleans-like title track. Guest Sue Foley joins the band for five tracks, including a rare turn on acoustic guitar for El Encuentro. This is a solid effort from all involved.

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