LITTLE BOX OF SADNESSHal BrolundIndie8-out-of-10If you are a blues fan in the Yorkton area you likely recall Hal Brolund. He used to be better known as Manitoba Hal, and performed at the Painted Hand Casino back in the day they offered blues nights.
Well, Hal has since moved to the East Coast, dropped the 'Manitoba' for obvious reasons, and has also found a new love, the ukulele. Yes I said the ukulele. For most of us the small stringed instrument conjures memories of school, where the ukelele was used as a sort of primer to the guitar.
In terms of musicians who play the ukulele professionally, well there was Tiny Tim and the Hawaiian star Don Ho, but generally we think of it as something of a novelty instrument.
Well listen to Little Box of Sadness and you find out a couple of things rather quickly. To begin with Brolund takes the music he plays with the ukulele pretty darn seriously.
And, secondly, the ukulele works nicely for the sort of roots blues music Brolund performs. I suppose that should be obvious when you consider the music is generally a music of the common people, and the ukulele would be an affordable, easily carried instrument.
The CD has eight songs, six by Brolund, including the best of the bunch Call of Angels, and the fun Line & Pole.
Built 4 Comfort by the great Willie Dixon is also included, as is the traditional Somebody On Your Bond.
This is a real solid, enjoyable roots blues CD, played with an instrument not often thought of, giving it something of a unique feel.
Definitely worth checking out to add to one's CD collection.Check it out at www.manitobahal.com- CALVIN DANIELS
VIPER AT THE VIRGIN'S FEETAllison BrownIndie9-out-of-10Bluegrass seems at times to be a lost form of country music. Well from the opening strains of Viper at the Virgin's Feet you learn it's alive and well, and in good hands with Allison Brown.
All the Birds opens the CD and it's simply a great folk/bluegrass penned by Brown, who has her hand in writing five of the songs here, as well as arranging a few of the traditional songs among the 12m including In My Time of Dying and Calling My Children.
I also like The Nice Guy and When Will I Wake Up by this talented lady.
For a bit of different element, Brown also offers up her rendition of the country classic Pancho & Lefty. It's a nice addition to the mix here.
Mr. Valentine's Dead by Kevin Quain is a great cut here too.
Brown has achieved a good mix of music here, giving us something new, something familiar, and then the traditional material which has Brown's own twists.
Overall this is a truly amazing bluegrass disk. I look forward to hearing this lady live. It should be a true treat. Mark it as a must have.
Check it out at www.allisonbrown.ca- CALVIN DANIELS
Past reviews are archived online at http://calmardan.blogspot.com/
