Hot Toddy, Atlantic Canada’s premier acoustic folk/blues ensemble return to their roots with the release of their 7th independent album “TRIO”. Comprised of Dutch Mason award winner Joel LeBlanc on electric guitar, harmonica and vocals, 2008 ECMA and Maple Blues award winner, Thom Swift, acoustic guitar, dobro and vocals and 2008 ECMA award winner Tom Easley acoustic bass and vocals, the group offers another incredibly diverse musical journey with this release.
Known for their unique musical stylings and their innovative, improvisation filled live performances, Hot Toddy certainly capture these trademark qualities on this new Cd.
Each member contributes 4 tunes to the albums’ mix of musical treasures, which include 6 instrumentals. The titles included range from Easley’s haunting Black Hen and the Old Crow and Swift’s classic composition Far From Home to LeBlanc’s playful harmonica driven Spaceman. Great instrumental pieces include Leblanc’ s Legal, and Wonderfuel, the first a wonderful romp in 19/8 inspired by Ali Farka Toure and Juan Martin, and the second written as a duet for LeBlanc and world class bagpiper Andy Rogers. Easley plays tribute to Acoustic Bass great Charlie Haden and another long time musical friend with his piece Charlie and Swift brings the trio back to their blues roots with Memphis Moment inspired by time the group spent in Memphis in 2007.
Hot Toddy has always had the good fortune of working with producers who pull the best out of each of them. “TRIO” was recorded by Charles Austin at Echo Chamber Studio, Halifax. This album, like their previous releases, highlights the group’s musical prowess and their abilities to take themselves to new places. Swift, the consummate singer/ songwriter of the group shows his growing dexterity contributing three potent instrumentals to the mix. Bassist Easley reveals his new strengths as a songwriter with 3 gripping lyrical pieces and LeBlanc continues to push conventional boundaries and challenge both his bandmates and listeners alike with his exceptional contributions.
“TRIO” is classic Hot Toddy – original and innovative, comforting and challenging all at once. This release continues to show that something great can keep getting better and better.
Hello Toddy Oddies - Hope your tour is going well. I'm going to start forwarding your site to people. It looks like you only have four friends...I Like your funny pictures! Iris
