Brian Blain CD Release Party - New Folk Blues - January 2, 2011 at Highway 61, Bayview Avenue,Toronto.

Brian Blain's got a new CD and he's on tour throughout Southern Ontario to promote its release.

Brian's been active on the Canadian music scene for more than 40 years. From electric jazz-blues bands, to alone-and-acoustic to duets or trios. He's done it all. 

Born in rural Quebec and now living and performing in Toronto, he plays a blend contemporary blues, folk and even a little jazz.
His song writing is second to none. But there's not too much of the "down and out because my girl just left me" or "If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all" style of blues. Instead you will here about "The Day Coke Saved the Blues" and "The Old Whaler's Confession" from his new CD, New Folk Blues or "Over Qualified for the Blues", "Saab Story", "High Tech Blues" or "No More Meetings" from his Northern Blues produced CD - Over Qualified for the Blues. Then there's "Entrepreneurial Blues" and "The T.V Shuffle" from his self produced CD, Who Paid You to Give Me the Blues. And he usually throws in a French language song as a tribute to his rural Quebec roots.

His oft mentioned moniker, "Colour Blind Blain" has apparently been replaced. At the recent Toronto Blues Society Blues Summit, Brian met a couple from out of the Country who had little knowledge of the blues. They wanted to know a little bit about what was going on in their hotel. Well apparently Brian took them under his wing and gave them a whirl wind tour of the Toronto Blues Scene. When they were done, they thanked him and told him that he was truly the "Ambassador" for the Blues. And if you know anything about Brian Blain, that moniker describes Brian to a Tee, the Blues Ambassador!

On January 22, 2011, Brian brought his guitar and a trio of Leonardo Valvassori on bass (who also recorded the new CD) and Malcolm Gould on drums, to Highway 61. This cosy upstairs blues bar features local craft beer and a Southern menu with BBQ ribs to die for. Around the room you'll find replica posters for old time blues shows featuring the likes of Robert Johnson, Albert King, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters and there were dated photos of "old black blues musicians' plying their trade on the streets, presumably in the southern states in the early part of the last century. There's a framed sign of a Janis Joplin quote that says "Audiences like their blues singers to be miserable". But that night, the blues singer was anything but miserable.

Most of the evening was devoted to the music of the new CD. Mixed in were songs from earlier CD's "Overqualified for the Blues" and "Who Paid You to Give Me the Blues". And then there was the Ray Charles classic "I Don't Need No Doctor" that got the already involved crowd right into it. By the end of the extended song, the entire population of the bar were singing back-up with the refrain, "I don't need no doctor".

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Shortly after the trio began their set, Ed Roth joined them on accordion, adding a unique addition to the sound of the evening. Then Bill Rymer joined them on harmonica for a few songs. A special guest, Liam from the UK (nobody seemed to know his last name) sat in on harmonica as well. While the harmonicas added a welcomed bluesy tone, it was unfortunate that there wasn't a microphone for the guest harp players. It would have added so much to the event.

Brian's new CD is a must buy for any blues fan. "New Folk Blues" is available by contacting him by email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or down loads are available at www.myspace.com/brianblain. You can also buy it from Brian the next time you catch his music live. Oh yea! Check out the inside CD photo. You’ll see Dawk's first CD photo credit.

Experiencing live music is a privilege. Get out this week and support your local blues events and remember to buy your CDs from the musicians.

© 2011 - All photos copyright Dawk McCarthy.

Photos are available for use with permission only. Copying or use of the images is not permitted without written permission. If you would like him to photograph your club or recording session, contact Dawk by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his web site at www.dawk.ca for more information as well as many blues and other photos.