For his 14th solo effort Beppe Gambetta reveals himself to be not simply a master guitarist but also a songwriter of great feeling and maturity. Singing in three languages (English, Italian, Genovese), Beppe unveils four songs about his family and hometown of Genova, his life on the road, the fathers of the music that inspired him and the love of his life. Theses and some great instrumentals make this Beppe’s best album yet.

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I first heard Laura Smith (then known as Susie Smith) in London, Ontario

It was back in the mid-seventies at Smale’s Pace Coffeehouse and Laura was not only singing but waitressing at the club as well. I can’t tell you what she was singing that night, but it was probably something from the traditional repertoire. What I do remember is that she delivered the songs with a ton of conviction. No fooling around, she took hold of the song and delivered it directly to everyone in the audience.

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Bet On Love, the fifth record from two-time Juno Award winners, Pharis and Jason Romero, is a modern folk ode to the reciprocal relationships between place, people and time.  The new album shines with life, reflecting a deep sense of love and community. Their unique world gently offers up tone and song, bound together in music of transcendent beauty.

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Essential Jackie Washington on CD & DVD!

Jackie Washington’s music was rooted in the popular quartets and swinging big bands of the 1930s and 40s. Here for the first time a 22-track album of unreleased Washington recordings spanning a twenty-year period. Along with Jackie are musical contributions from Colin Linden, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Mose Scarlett, Chris Whiteley, Graham Townsend, Reg Schwager and Ken Whiteley.

Along with the 22 song CD Is the DVD I Want to Be Happy: The Jackie Washington Story, a documentary produced and directed by Ari A. Cohen that tells the life story of this astounding, then 86-year old jazz singer, guitarist, storyteller and personality

More info here