When you think of the blues in Canada, one artist is always mentioned first - Downchild. Almost 40 years since their formation, this Canadian institution are still at the top of their game - taking home this years Maple Blues Award for Entertainer of the Year.
Founded by brothers Donnie and Hock Walsh, Downchild were the inspiration for fellow Torontonian Dan Ackroyd to create The Blues Brothers. The Downchild sound was all over the Blues Brothers multi-million selling soundtrack album, "Briefcase Full of Blues", including covers of the Donnie Walsh originial, "Almost", and their trademark arrangements of "Shotgun Blues" and "Flip Flop & Fly".
Today Downchild's live shows still sizzle with jump blues, original songwriting and arrangements, with Donnie's guitar and harmonica work dueling with singer and harmonica player Chuck Jackson, keyboardist Michael Fonfara, bassist Gary Kendall and their trademark horns.
Live at the Palais Royale was recorded without overdubs or pitch correction, and is a testament to the skill of musical execution by these incredible musicians. A five panel premium digipak package, a Toronto release event at Healey's on March 2nd, a subsequent Canadian tour, advertising on classic rock and talk radio stations, print advertising in weeklies, online promotions, street posters, and full media servicing and publicity campaign from Linus in house publicity in addition to Richard Flohil & Associates, make this a special release event.
Downchild is one of those musical rarities for which there's virtually no difference between the studio recording experience and the live event. The Toronto blues band, now in its fourth decade, has always been a no-tricks outfit.
'LIVE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE' - Reviews
“Live at the Palais Royale” by Downchild is a very serious contender for album of the year.”
- Gordon Baxter – Blues in Britain 10/10 Stars
“This is not only a good cd but also a testament to the careers of its participants. Catch them when they do tour or plan to see them while on your next vacation. You'll be glad you did.”
- Richard Ludmerer Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
"An old dancehall joint kicks again with the tone and spirit of a live album that captures a professional band doing nothing less than performing exactly right. By the time Downchild gets to 'When I Say Jump', a palm-held audience asks only "How high?”
- Brad Wheeler - The Globe and Mail
"The danceable jump blues from Canada's blues band, Downchild, is so impressive it's sure to have you out looking for their CDs." - Tim Holek - Blues on Stage
"There aren't enough positive adjectives in the dictionary for me to describe my feelings about experiencing these guys live..." - John Hollinger, Winnipeg Jazz Festival
“Downchild has a virtual lock on Canadian blues hierarchy."
- Dan Whitlock - Blues Revue
“There's not a wasted moment in this entire 11-song set. Solos are blissfully precise, colourful and explosive in turn. This is the classic take it to your grave testament of one of the greatest blues bands in the world. Period”
- Gregg Quill, The Toronto Star, March 2007 4/4 Stars
“Proof positive that Downchild remains one of the best roadhouse bands around. The all original set reminds us that Donnie Walsh is one of the genre's best writers. (Live at the Palais Royale) tear(s) up the joint with an energy level that never lets go."
- Mike Regenstreif, The Montreal Gazette, March 29, 2007 4/4 Stars
"Take a tight band that has been together for years, add material they know well, and the motivation of a heady blues audience, and you get a show that really cooks. Is this the best band you never heard of? Maybe. But given its history and influence, perhaps it's the best band you SHOULD HAVE heard of."
- Vintage Guitar Magazine
'LIVE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE' - Maple Blues Awards
Downchild has snagged a leading eight nominations for the Maple Blues Awards, including Entertainer, Electric Act and Recording of the Year. The Toronto Blues Society is honouring the finest in Canadian Blues. They have nominated 'Downchild - Live at the Palais Royale' (Producer Donnie Walsh) for the Maple Blues Award, Recording of the Year. Blues fans can cast their votes online at www.mapleblues.ca. Voting will begin on November 4, 2007 until midnight December 8, 2007. The winners will be announced at the annual Maple Blues Awards gala in Toronto on Monday, January 21, 2008. Recognize outstanding achievement in Canadian Blues, Vote Downchild! Click to Download Press Release
'LIVE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE' - 4 stars / 4
So why all the razzle dazzle and hoopla over the release of a Downchild live album, especially since it's not the first? The answer is self-evident. Before a hometown crowd, fans who know every nuance in the shape and flow of these timeless, loping shuffles and crisp, pounding beats, front man Don Walsh and his buddies - singer Chuck Jackson, bassist Gary Kendall, pianist Michael Fonfara, saxophonist Pat Carey and drummer Michael Fitzpatrick - had no choice last fall but to crank things up.
They have made this collection of trademark Walsh compositions a bigger, better and more electrifying experience than anything their well-served admirers could have imagined. More power to them for having pulled it off with such finesse. There's not a wasted moment in this entire 11-song set. Solos are blissfully precise, colourful and explosive in turn. And Jackson has never been in better voice.
No overdubs, no after-the-fact studio electrickery, no second thoughts - Downchild nailed it in one. This is the classic take-to-your-grave testament of one of the greatest blues bands in the world. Period.
Top track: "It's Been So Long," a punch that will leave you breathless.
- Greg Quill - The Toronto Star
'LIVE AT THE PALAIS ROYALE' - 4 stars / 4
After 38 years on the Canadian blues scene, and despite deaths and
personnel changes that have left leader, guitarist and songwriter Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh as the band’s last original member, this exciting
live set recorded in Toronto last November is proof positive that
Downchild remains one of the best roadhouse bands around. And the
all-original set list, with songs taken from throughout Downchild’s
history, reminds us that Walsh is one of the genre’s best writers.
Walsh, singer Chuck Jackson, pianist Michael Fonfara and their tight
rhythm and horn sections tear up the joint with an energy level that
never lets go; whether on swinging tunes like When I Say Jump or on
intense, soulful ballads like I’ve Been a Fool.
- Mike Regenstreif - The Montreal Gazette
Todd Littlefield
Diesel Management
(613) 741-9242
todd [at] dieselentertainment [dot] com
Canada
Catherine Fawcett
Linus Entertainment
(905) 278-8883 ext. 234
catherine [at] linusent [dot] ca
Richard Flohil
Richard Flohil & Associates
(416) 351-1323
rflohil [at] sympatico [dot] ca
USA
Mark Pucci
Mark Pucci Media
(770) 804-9555
mpmedia [at] bellsouth [dot] net
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