The Niagara Rhythm Section has been performing every Saturday night since 2003 at The Anchorage Inn in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. Steve Goldberger on bass and vocals, Dave Norris on drums, Penner MacKay on percussion (all verteran musicians originally hailing from Toronto) and Herb Nelson on keyboards are the core of the band with several rotating guitar players filling out the mix. (Steve Grisbrook, Ed Kopala and others)

This is the second volume of a series of live recordings featuring Niagara Music Award winners, The Niagara Rhythm Section, Canada’s hottest back-up band and their weekly guests.

Each week they invite a different Canadian artist to be their guest and the put on an unrehearsed two-hour show of live improvised music. Their guests have included both well-known Canadian name artists as well as some of the most in demand studio musicians in the country. They come from far and wide to spend a night with these stellar musicians and groove on the wonderful vibe.

Some of the guests artists over the years have been: Chuck Jackson, Tony Springer, Carlos Del Junco, Lance Anderson, Denis Keldie, Johnny Max, Gayle Ackroyd, Mark Lalama, John Dickie, Steve Grisbrook, John Mays, Al Lerman, Danny Marks, Jerome Godboo, Neil Chapman, Whiskey Jack, Tom Leighton & Conrad Kipping, Blair Packham, and many more amazing talents.

Most weeks, bandleader and record producer, Steve Goldberger will lug his 16 track mobile recording rig down to the club and record the show. Produced and mixed later at his “Hitsville NOTL/Shed Studios, these CD’s are a result of these efforts and capture some of the amazing moments and great improvised jams.

Live at the Anchorage 2.0 features 12 tracks a variety of styles and artists.

• Chuck Jackson lead does a great reggae version of Bob Marley’s, “No Woman No Cry”.
• Lance Anderson does Professor Longhair’s “Back to New Orleans”
• Mark Rutherford does a swampy version of Ellington’s, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
• Tony Springer sings an soulful version of Albert King’s, “I Play the Blues for You”
• Gayle Ackroyd does a heartfelt version of Etta James’, “I’d Rather Go Blind”
• Mark Lalama does a great medley of Randy Newman’s, “You Can Leave Your Hat On” combined with Billy Preston’s, “Nothin’ From Nothin” and “Will it go Round in Circles”
• John Dickie rocks out on the classic, “Long Tall Sally”
• Paul Martin and Martin Aucoin tear up the joint with the Stones’, “Sympathy for the Devil”
• Bob McNiven does a great bluegrass tune, “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You”
• Suzanne Hyatt funks the house with the classic, “Standing on Shaky Ground”
• And Steve Goldberger sings a couple heart-felt tunes including Tom Waites’, “The Heart of Saturday Night” and the Fringe Locals’ signature tune, “Come From the Heart” written by Susanna Hall and Richard Leigh

Joining in the CD Release celebrations this week we welcome our special guest, Chuck Jackson. (www.chuckjackson.com )

You probably know him as the lead singer for the Downchild Blues Band. However, it was when he joined the Cameo Blues Band in 1978 that he really began to shape the distinctive rhythm and blues style that he has injected into many projects. Armed with a hot blues harmonica, Chuck was a "hired gun" on soundtracks of the internationally acclaimed Canadian TV production of "Night Heat" and on the 80's biggest hit "Miami Vice". Chuck served his apprenticeships with Bo Diddley, James Cotton, British R&B star Georgie Fame as well as jam sessions with "The Blues Brothers"; John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.

In 1990 Chuck became the front man of the legendary Downchild Blues Band appearing on JUNO nominated albums Good Times Guaranteed, Come On In and on Lucky 13. Four time nominee and winner of the Maple Blues Award's Male Vocalist of the Year in 2000.  In 2002 Chuck was honored by the Toronto Blues Society with the prestigious  Blues With A Feeling Award for his contribution to Canadian Blues.

Chuck always puts on an amazing show and he draws a big crowd, so get there early if you want a good seat!

The Anchorage,  186 Ricardo St. Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-2141
Saturday night  9:45ish - no cover