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BLUES
CD REVIEWS
MANITOBA HAL
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This Condition
- MHB |
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Winnipeg’s
Hal Brolund A.K.A. Manitoba Hal was first introduced to my
musical world at the second annual
Winterfolk Festival
a few weeks ago. Hal didn’t have a solo performance during the
festival but he had the opportunity to play in two ‘workshop’
groups with other players in what was billed as the “Acoustic
Delta Blues Guys and More” and “Masters of the Acoustic
6 String”. He just amazed me with his traditional style of
singin’, guitar playin’ and song writin’ talents. Festival
organizer Brain Gladstone has guaranteed me that Hal
will return next year with his own individual spot to shine in
the event. Over the years Hal has opened shows for
or played with a number of Blues artists like Kelly Joe
Phelps, Mose Scarlett, Big Dave McLean,
Ken Hamm, Amos Garrett and Tim Williams to
name a few. |
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I had the
great pleasure to get to talk to Hal about his performance and
he gave me a copy of his latest CD called ‘This
Condition’. Since then Hal and I have communicated on a
number of occasions regarding his life in music and this his
newest release. Hal described himself to me, as “I'm more of a
singer-songwriter in the Blues than a ‘Bluesman’”. All the
tunes on this CD were co-written or written by Hal except for
one. It’s just him and his instruments, a Taylor ‘Big Baby’
and Regal Dobro guitars. The recording starts off with a short
slide instrumental “Promises, Promises”. Hal’s voice
and fingerpickin’ take over in the heartfelt title song, “This
Condition”. The only standard presented is the 1951 Roy
Hawkins track “The Thrill Is Gone” made famous by
B.B. King in 1969 and Hal’s acoustic version is the
best I’ve heard since those dates. “A Night Like This”
is a story of a broken relationship. Another fine instrumental
“Beyond August” rings out next. “The Cost” is a
Canadiana ballad about a farmer and his fight over his land
with Ottawa. The Blues takes over again in the possible murder
of a girlfriend on “30 Odd Days” which is part of a
serial story he’s been writing. Some of Hal’s truths come out
on “The Other Side”. The third instrumental on the
album called “Gopherville” has Hal pullin’ at the
strings in memory of a piece of Canadian heritage. On the
final cut “Promised Land” Hal slides again on the first
song he wrote for slide guitar playing in 1991 and contains a
deep message. After listening to this incredible piece of
music I want to have Manitoba Hal’s entire recording output
and get to see him more often when possible. He has quickly
become one of my favourite Canadian musicians. |
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Man alive,
after looking at Hal website I learned that he’s quite the
busy musician. As well as playing a number of gigs he also
plans The Great Canadian Ukulele Expo, he plays an old
1955 Martin ukulele himself, and has a number of CDs out both
on guitar and ukulele where he plays Hawaiian songs as well as
the Blues. He is also the Artistic Director of the Trout
Forest Music Festival in Ear Falls, Ontario. Manitoba Hal
will be doing a short tour of Ontario in late March and early
April. Check out his website for a performance hopefully near
you. It will be a show you’ll not want to miss. I pray Toronto
will be included in his schedule, because you know who will be
there, his Ontario Pal. Eddy B
MP3 -
This Condition
Manitoba Hal’s website:
www.manitobahal.com |
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