December 28, 2016

Key to the Highway 
2016-12-28
The Wailin’ Walker Band
Carlos del Junco Band
The Boppin’ Blues Band
Selected British Blues highlights
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Okay, it’s been over a decade since I had to do this, but it is not the first time. You will not be hearing any Americans on this show; we heard enough from them on Election Day.  It is good to be back with you after my recovery from a minor surgery and non-medical complications caused me to miss four shows, so my thanks go out to Gil, Jim and the Razzberry for covering in my absence.
I must admit to not being fully in gear for this show; I have put together a very solid musical show for you, especially the three sets of Canadian artists, but I was unable to put together the profiles you are used to seeing here.  Instead we have the biographies from their websites which I normally use, along with liner notes, to construct my own work.  I would like to point out the highlighted mention of KKUP in about the middle of the section on The Boppin’ Blues Band.  It is not often (as in never before) that my research brings it all back home. 
Early in the 90s I acquired the three Canadian albums you will hear today.  My recollection of them all was positive and when I gave them each another spin I found their styles to be perfectly complementary for today.  The English half of the show is a cheat in that I took it from an airing about a year and a half ago when we covered the years 1964 to 1969 in our two and a half year British Blues study.  I had ordered a CD box set to occupy that time but it never showed up.  Oh well, enjoy anyway.
And I hope you all enjoyed or are still enjoying your holiday traditions.
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Al “Wailin” Walker was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada and is well known for his infectious brand of Rockin’ Rhythm and Blues. His stunning electric guitar solos and commanding vocals have been thrilling large crowds for more than 4 decades.

The first recording of Wailin Walker was with his band The Houserockers in 1978. Since then, three outstanding rock n' blues recordings of the Wailin Walker Band, "The Devil Made Me Play It", "Buzzsaw Boogie" and "Crazy at Night", have been released. The "Devil Made Me Play It", released under Double Trouble in Amsterdam, climbed to the top of the blues charts in the Netherlands, Spain and Australia.

Walker has played with and been personally mentored by many great artists such as Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton and Otis Rush.

As leader, guitarist and singer of the Wailin Walker Band, Walker has shared the stage with Johnny Winter, George Thorogood and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few. He continues to work with a tight rhythm section... that keeps dance floors packed....
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Carlos del Junco (born May 17, 1958[when?] Havana) is a Cuban-Canadian harmonica musician.
Mr. del Junco immigrated with his family when he was one year old. He started to play the harmonica at 14 years old. He graduated from college with honours at the Ontario College of Art majoring in sculpture.
He specializes in playing the ten hole diatonic harmonica. He was taught to play chromatically by using an "overblow" technique taught to him by Howard Levy, a jazz virtuoso.
In the 1980s, Mr. del Junco performed with many bands including Latin/Reggae/R&B band "Eyelevel", "Ontario College of Art Swing Band" with Bill Grove and for six years with the rhythm and blues group "The Buzz Upshaw Band".
In 1990, he formed a blues/jazz/fusion band, "The Delcomos" with Kevin Cooke. He also has recorded with Marcel Aymar, Cassandra Vasik, Oliver Schroer, and Holly Cole.
In 1993, he won two gold medals at the Hohner World Harmonica Championship held in Trossingen, Germany. He was judged world's best in both the diatonic blues category and the diatonic jazz category. In November of that year he released his first CD with Bill Kinnear (musician).
He is currently signed with Toronto's NorthernBlues Music.
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Born in 1965 in Newport, Vermont into a musical family with an English mother and a French-Canadian father, Mike Goudreau picked up his first guitar at age 14 and hasn't stopped playing since. His early influences included the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and later, Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Powder Blues and Downchild - to name a few. Such diverse interests help to explain why Mike is comfortable in so many musical genres, especially jazz and blues.
Since 2007, Mike's songs have been heard on hundreds of network TV shows such as NCIS Los Angeles (CBS), Gotham (FOX) , the TV movie North Pole (Hallmark Channel), The Fosters (ABC Family) , Defiance (FX), Hung (HBO), Auction Kings (Discovery), Oddities (Discovery), Memphis Beat (TNT), Friday Night Lights (ABC), Let's Make A Deal (CBS), Scoundrels (ABC) , Justified (FX) , George Lopez Show (TBS), Dirty Sexy Money (ABC ), Army Wives (Lifetime) , Kath & Kim (NBC) and Everybody Hates Chris (CW), just to name a few.
Mike’s original song ‘’ Look For The Sunshine ‘’ was featured in the Hollywood film ‘’West End”. Mike’s song ‘’ Miss Wonderful ‘’ was featured in the trailer for the French film ‘’Love Is In The Air’’, and another of his compositions was used in the TV movie ‘’Bonnie & Clyde’’ on HBO.
 
Mike's produced 18 Albums ( 1994-2016)
In the early 90s Mike formed the Boppin Blues Band. Taking its name (and some of its style) from Vancouver's Powder Blues Band, the BBB blew into the Canadian music scene with an independently CD - Sold Out (1994) with 10 songs running the gamut from solid Chicago blues to jazz influenced 40s & 50s swing/jump/shuffle and a few country and gospel tunes thrown in for good measure. It showcases superb guitar work and vocals from Mike with a great back line of drums, bass, piano, horns and harp. Upon hearing it, Andy 'Blues Boy" Grigg of Real Blues Magazine called them one of the most talented bands in Canada.
I Dig My Job (1996) featured mostly original tunes including a couple en français, which was unique. Real Blues Magazine continued its love affair with the band rating it as one of the 5 best blues CDs in Canada that year and named them as Best Group in Eastern Canada for 1996-97. They were also nominated as Best New Artist at Canada's Maple Blues Awards in 1997. A California radio station (KKUP FM) placed I Dig My Job in the Top 25 Blues CDs for that year!
Happy Go Lucky (1999) with 9 of 13 songs originals. More accolades: Real Blues Magazine called it one of the 5 best CDs of the Year and named the Boppin Blues Band as Best Swing Band and Best Unsigned Band in Canada. It was also nominated by Maple Blues for Best Album.
Stardust Memories (2000) , Mike indulged his passion for his other favorite musical genre - jazz - when he released Stardust Memories , a compilation of 14 classics including Route 66, The Lady is a Tramp, and Don't Get Around Much Anymore.
Nous avions rendez-vous (2001),  Mike received a Research and Creation Grant from the Quebec Arts Council and produced ''Nous avions rendez-vous'', on the Montreal based Bros label ... 12 original blues tunes all sung in French! They were invited to the " Francofolies " in Montreal as well as a live recording captured by CBC's " Silence On Jazz " broadcast coast to coast.
Thank You Louis (2002), a tribute to the great Louis Armstrong. It was, and still is, very popular in Quebec garnering him numerous interviews with Radio-Canada, CBC Radio/TV and sell-out live shows.
My Favorite Time (2004) of the Year is a sweet, personalized collection of original and classic Christmas tunes featuring silky smooth vocals, great horns, clarinet, piano, cello and jazzy guitar work guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit .
The Grass Ain't Greener (2006), Mike moved away from the big band style that characterized the Boppin Blues Band. The Mike Goudreau Band stripped down to guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and some great wailing harp and slide guitar from Harmonica Zeke. You get a great mix of rockin, swingin, up-tempo blues - 8 of the 12 songs are originals!!
Boppin 15 (2007) 15 cuts with 11 originals and 4 covers. Over the years some of the band members have changed but this album, as with all the previous, still boasts some of the best rhythm and brass musicians in Quebec along with some very special guests including Peter Brown on piano, Didier Dumoutier on accordian and the great Harmonica Zeke on harmonica.
Blues Et Cetera (2009), rich with 15 new original songs. The works include various styles and grooves such as reggae, singer/songwriter, rock, country and world music influences as well as Texas, Chicago, funk and swing blues for which Goudreau has been renowned for the past 17 years. Mike's 11th album:
Look For The Sunshine (2010): 17 tracks featuring 12 brand new original songs and 5 jazz classics, not to mention one song in French, ''La Gentille Fille'', co-written with Michel Aubin. Whether it's a Sinatra-style crooner, groovy instrumental, dreamy bossa-nova, romantic ballad, New Orleans-style Dixieland or a finger snappin' blues, everyone from the most particular connaisseur to the jazz newbie will be enchanted with this eclectic mix of jazz.
Dancing Shoes (2011), Mike with organist Lorrie Goodman form '' The Goodmen Band '' with drummer Stéphane Jetté . The album features a great mix of Blues, Funk, Southern Soul, New Orleans and Jazzy original material which was well received by blues media and fans alike. Please visit www.thegoodmenband.com to know more.
Live At The Haskell Opera House (2011). Recorded live at this one of kind venue which was inaugurated in 1903, the Haskell Opera House is situated on the border of Mike 's hometown of Stanstead, Quebec and Derby-Line Vermont. Mike with his long time cronies play a mix of Jazz standards as well as a few blues favorites and some original compositions.
20 Years Of Bop & Blues ( 2012 ) with Mike Goudreau & The Boppin Blues Band: The album features 13 new original songs ranging from swinging to funky, from New Orleans to blues-rock, with some southern soul & gospel thrown in for good measure! This latest Boppin’ offering features Mike Goudreau on vocals and guitar, Jonathan Boudreau on bass, Jean-François Bégin on drums, David Élias on tenor and baritone sax, Serge Arsenault on trombone, and Maxime St-Pierre on trumpet. The BBB is joined by guests Lorrie Goodman on B3 organ, and special guest Pierre Lacocque, of the Chicago band Mississippi Heat, on harmonica.
Time For Messin’ Around (2013) – a 15th album for Mike Goudreau, comprising 11 songs with 8 new compositions and 3 covers from the Eastern Townships blues and jazzman. For the occasion, Goudreau is accompanied by long-time cronies Jonathan-Guillaume Boudreau on bass, Jean-François Bégin on drums, and the saxophonist David Élias on one song. Also appearing as special guest is Pascal “Per’’ Veillette, a very unique and talented harmonicist who brings a particular exotic flair with his participation on two songs. This is a “party” vibe album, with the first track that sets the tone immediately, right on to the last one. A few funk rhythms, Texas shuffle, country blues, blues rock, Southern rock vibes that’ll make you want to dance your blues away! Also a sizzling authentic and soulful slow blues sung “en Français”, which has been one of Mike’s trademarks for the past 20 years and counting.
T.G.I.F. (2014) - His 16th album, “T.G.I.F.” (Thank God It’s Friday), comprising 12 new compositions from the Eastern Townships blues and jazzman. For the occasion, Goudreau sings, plays bass, guitars and 6-string banjo, as well as being the composer and writer on all 12 tracks. He’s accompanied by long-time cronies, brilliant saxophonist Dany Roy (Garou, Bet.e & Stef, Susie Arioli), Maxime St Pierre on trumpet (Michel Cusson, Alain Caron, Pagliaro ), Serge Arsenault on trombone, Stéphane Jetté on drums and the fleet-fingered Nino Fabi on keyboards.
Je reste accroché (2015) - Mike Goudreau presents his 17th album : « Je reste accroché », featuring 12 new original songs, 11 of which are sung in French ! With « Je reste accroché », you'll discover a good-timing mix of contemporary Blues and traditional Blues with diverse influences : Chicago Blues, Swing, Jazz, Rock, R&B, Country and even Reggae !
Sweet Blues (2016) Mike Goudreau & The Boppin Band present their 6th release ( This being Mike's 18th album since 1993 ) . Now in their 25th year of performing and recording their brand of blues, this album features a dynamic mix of Swing, Rock, Soul , Gospel and Jazzy Blues that they have become we'll known for with accolades from their peers as well as blues media and aficionados ! 12 brand new original songs, all written and sung by guitarist Mike Goudreau who's accompanied by an all star band featuring the stellar horns of tenor saxophonist Dany Roy and trumpet player and arranger Maxime St-Pierre. Also on board is legendary bassist Norman Lachapelle, pianist John Sadowy, drummer Alain Bourgeois, bass trombonist Olivier Lizotte, organist and co- songwriter Lorrie Goodman and keyboardist Steve Soucy. Recorded and mixed by one of Canada's top recording engineers Dany Legendre and mastered by Steve Corrao in Nashville, Tennessee, this album will keep blues fans swinging and snapping their fingers from track one to twelve ! Get ready to Bop Till You Drop ! 
 
Over the past two decades, Mike has performed at some of the most prestigious Jazz & Blues Festivals in Canada including 10 times at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, (9 times at the Tremblant International Festival de Blues, 7 appearances at the Edmundston Jazz and Blues Festival, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Rimouski, 3 times at the Maximum Blues de Carleton, Fredericton's Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Saint John Jazz Festival and Festival by the Sea. In September of 2008 Mike was invited to the '' Playing With Fire '' Blues Festival in Omaha Nebraska accompanied by members of Chicago's ''Mississippi Heat '' and had raving reviews for their performance. When asked why he plays both jazz and blues Mike replies: "I get bored doing just one type of music. I love jazz for its beautiful melodies, chords, and improvisation. I love blues for its energy, soul and milking its three-chord structure. I enjoy playing rock 'n roll too. But no matter what music I play it has to SWING!"
 
 
What some of the blues media have to say about Mike Goudreau:
''Listening to his music it almost seems he is searching for the musical Holy Grail but in actuality he is the musical Holy Grail. He is already there – but he just doesn’t let up on his drive to do more, write better songs, record more, play live more.'' - Sandy Graham - Cashbox Canada
“Du Mike Goudreau en français, cela représente pour moi un style en soi ou la qualité à tous les niveaux s'avère toujours indédiable ! Bonne écoute !” Pierre Jobin - Québec Audio & Vidéo
“Aussi bon en spectacle que sur disque, Mike Goudreau saura vous faire apprécier un blues savoureux avec un son différent grâce à une excellente section de cuivres. Une fois qu’on commence à écouter du Mike Goudreau, on ne peut plus arrêter, vous aussi direz comme moi, JE RESTE ACCROCHÉ et j’aime ça !” Pierre Lamontagne - Le Net Blues
''Je reste accroché'' , vous propose non pas un remède à la morosité ambiante, mais LE remède miracle pour non seulement effacer vos soucis mais faire briller le soleil dans vos yeux, tant il est rempli de bonnes choses, joué non seulement avec le coeur mais aussi avec l'âme.” Arol Rouchon - BCR La Revue, France
 “Un titre approprié d’album, puisqu’effectivement on reste accroché par ce blues qui rock et swing en français et qui nous parle de la vraie vie. Ce prolifique auteur-compositeur-guitariste et producteur estrien nous offre un beau mélange de blues contemporain et traditionnel avec des influences : Blues, Swing, Jazz, Rock, R & B, Country et même Reggae. -” Marie-Josée Boucher - Info-Culture.biz
“Mike Goudreau a encore trouvé le moyen de nous surprendre et de nous convaincre qu'il est un indispensable membre de la famille blues du Québec. Il a accompli le tour de force de présenter un album tout en français sans tomber dans les clichés, sans faire folklorique et en gardant l'intérêt de l'auditeur par la variété des styles comme des thèmes abordés. Oui, moi aussi ' Je reste accroché'” Michel Dubois - RUE D'AUTEUIL, CKRL 89.1 Québec
“ Well, if Mike Goudreau and his boys were looking for the sunshine with their new album, they certainly found it! Lay the sunscreen heavy ‘cause this one is a real scorcher!” Dan Behrman, Producer/Host, Espace Musique / Radio-Canada
 I love Mike's easy going, confident approach to music. Backed by sympathetic players, that approach results in a cool effortless swing whatever the groove. He shows his 'big picture' love and understanding of the blues in his guitar playing and songwriting. I'm happy to help spread the word by playing his music on CBC Radio's Saturday Night Blues and on Galaxie. " Holger Petersen 
"A hearty vocalist and effective guitarist who plays snarling, tightly wound leads...A highly enjoyable set. Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue Magazine, USA, Dec/Jan 2008 "Goudreau plays lead guitar with the tone and taste of greats like Otis Rush and Albert King, and writes compelling, original songs". Jeremy Loome, Edmonton Sun
"Quality Canadian blues...solid and unpretentious...swings with snappy sincerity and crisp energy” Hal Horowitz, Blues Revue Magazine, USA Oct/Nov 2006 Issue
 “Undiluted blues from one of the purest players on the Canadian scene” Al Kirkcaldy, CFFF 92.7 FM, Peterborough, ON “
 … A rockin’, rompin’, stompin’ good time….solid, creamy, tight and tasty licks executed with precision and class” Billie Lucas, CHLY 101.7 FM, Nanaimo BC
“Goudreau is a natural. He leads a great band with exciting original songs that dare you to sit still” John Valenteyn, Maple Blues, Toronto Blues Society
 " The Grass Ain't Greener " est un de ces albums racés qui font figure de référence dans une carrière, aussi riche et chargée soit elle ! Fred Delforge, zicazic.com, France
 
FOR INFO/BOOKINGS contact : Mike Goudreau – tel. : 819-876-2109 195 Passenger Stanstead Qc J0B 3E2 Info@mikegoudreau.com or mikegoudreau@hotmail.com Web sites : http://www.mikegoudreau.com or http://www.myspace.com/mikegoudreauband and the French website at : http://www.mikegoudreau.ca
 
The Various bands :

Mike Goudreau Band ( Blues )

Mike Goudreau has returned to more stripped-down blues with this band. On the CD - “The Grass Ain’t Greener” you'll hear a solid backline of artists who have obviously played together for a long time and it shows. This show is a bit more Blues/Rock than The Boppin' Blues Band show but every bit as authentic in their aproach of the Blues. This band varies from 4 to 5 musicians

Mike Goudreau & Boppin Blues Band ( Blues )

Mike Goudreau was rocked from the cradle by the voices of Nat King Cole,. Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles. As a musician, he travelled the requisite roads of classic rock and country music, and moulded his style in the wake of Albert King and Kenny Burrell, whose traces can be felt to this day.

From his very first contacts with blues, he started the Boppin' Blues Band, with his crony Richard Bergeron. Featuring a great 3 piece horn section that gives this band a Jazzy,R & B sound that leaves audiences wanting more. The band has performed on television, in all sorts of festivals and special events, on hundreds of stages big and small, and has earned many titles and distinctions. Mike Goudreau Lays claim to five albums with the Boppin' Blues Band.

With those albums containing many original pieces, Mike Goudreau and the Boppin' Blues Band have demonstrated the multiple voices of blues, proving it can also be sung in French! Check out clips from all 5 albums on the music page
This band varies from 6 to 8 musicians.

Mike Goudreau & Friends ( Jazz Band )

Mike Goudreau & Friends presents the '' Great American Songbook '' , featuring songs made famous by Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel torme, Duke Ellington, Carlos Antonio Jobim just to name a few. This band varies from 3 to 8 musicians.

Mike Goudreau & Friends also presents : ''Thank You Louis ! '' a tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong.Check out songs from the album '' Thank You Louis ! '' on the music page.
This band varies from 4 to 8 musicians.

Mike Goudreau ( Classic Rock )

For the past 20 years this band has wowed audiences with a repertoire that keeps them on the dance floor from start to finish. They cover a wide variety of Classic Rock hits with a repertoire of over 500 songs from beloved artists as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, C.C.R. , Doobie Brothers, The Doors, Bob Seger, George Thorogood, Santana, Chuck Berry and much more.
This group available for Corporate functions, Festivals and private parties.
The band varies from 3 to 7 musicians.

Mike Goudreau ( Acoustic Solo/Duo/Trio)

Mike Goudreau also presents a Solo/Duo/Trio acoustic show with a variety of styles ranging from Jazz, Blues and Folk Rock available for Festivals, small venues, restaurants, cafe's , corporate events and private parties.
Available solo, duo or trio ( with upright bass ,harmonicist, piano
or sax )
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Since it is still relatively new, I thought I’d mention that KKUP is now streaming on the internet and, while it is still in a developing stage, we have been putting out the word.  I’m not all of that good with high-tech stuff, but it seems pretty easy to access.  If you go to our website at KKUP.org you will see on the home page a strip of options immediately above the pictures of the musicians the next to the last option being LISTEN ONLINE.  By clicking this, it brings up a choice of desktop or mobile.  I can only speak for the desktop but after maybe a minute I was receiving a crystal clear feed.  As already mentioned, this is still a work in progress and we are currently limited to a finite number of listeners at any one time.  I mention this so you will be aware to turn off the application when you are not actually listening.  (I put the player in my favorites bar for the easiest of access.)  Now we can reach our listeners in Los Gatos and Palo Alto, even my family in Canada.  Let your friends elsewhere know they can now listen to your favorite station, and while they have the home page open they can check out our schedule.
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Pretty Girls Everywhere
Gasoline Annie
Dawn ‘til Dusk
Outlaw Blues
I Feel Fine
While You’re Down There
Tryin’ to Find My Baby
Buzzsaw
   The Wailin’ Walker Band   30min
Water
   Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band
She Said Yeah
   The Rolling Stones
Let Me Love You Baby
   The Savoy Brown Blues Band
Catfish Blues
   The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Remington Ride
   Chicken Shack
Go On Home
   Dave Berry
Driva Man
   Manfred Mann (with Jack Bruce)
The Cat
   Zoot Money
Every Day I Have the Blues
   Alexis Korner (featuring Herbie Goins)   25min
B Thing Intro
Just Your Fool
Forty-Four
Quiet Whiskey
B Thing Outro
   The Carlos del Junco Band   19min
Watch and Chain
   The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
Buy You a Diamond Ring
   Dave and Jo Ann Kelly
Cat’s Squirrel
   Cream
Jailhouse Rock
   The Jeff Beck Group (featuring Rod Stewart)
Hellhound on My Trail
Fighting for Madge
   Fleetwood Mac
I Tried
   The Aynsley Dunber Retaliation
Don’t Gimme No Lip
   Dave Berry
Sweet Wine
   Cream
Sabre Dance
   Love Sculpture   30min
Happy Go Lucky Blues
Bad John
Come Home Baby
Way Down South
Love This Rhythm
Swingin’ and Grinnin’
Country Cabin Hideaway
Swingne to Peine
Jumpin’ the Blues
   The Boppin’ Blues Band   30min
All Your Love
You Don’t Love Me
Snowy Wood
   John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Change Your Low Down Ways
   The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
Shake ‘em on Down
   The Savoy Brown Blues Band   19min
Key to the Highway
   The Carlos del Junco Band  6min