Downchild Live At The Palais Royale CD

Closing in on the end of their fourth decade as a Toronto jump-blues institution, and consisting entirely of men who are at or beyond retirement age, Downchild continue to make music that crackles with energy and joy. Founding member and guitarist Donnie Walsh wrote most of the songs on this powerful 11-track live set, which includes such fan favorites as "(I Got Everything I Need) Almost" (which features a particularly impressive guitar solo from Walsh and a great, swinging horn chart) and the rollicking "It's Been So Long," along with the slightly less compelling spoken word excursion "I've Been a Fool" and a fine slide guitar showcase titled "It's a Matter of Time." The album closes with a brilliant instrumental, a Walsh original titled "Soaring," on which Walsh and Chuck Jackson duel on harmonica and which also features pianist and organist Michael Fonfara. When it's running at full tilt, it becomes clear what makes Downchild such an impressive band: it's the lack of any weak spot in the lineup. Jackson has a rich, chesty voice and a jubilant delivery that belies his careful attention to pitch and phrasing; the horn section is sharp and punchy (and often joined on its melodic passages by Walsh's guitar); and the rhythm section drives everything from below with solidity and power. None of this would matter if the songs weren't worth hearing, but they're remarkably consistent in quality. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

It's just a little over 39 years since Downchild emerged from Toronto's gritty Grossman's Tavern. It's been a long journey, marked with good times and hard times, triumph and tragedy, a lot of laughs and a few tears - and, through it all, an amazing amount of great music. The band is the brainchild of songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player Donnie Walsh, who's known as "Mr. Downchild" (after a classic blues song by the late Sonny Boy Williamson). Donnie Walsh started Downchild with his brother, the late Rick "The Hock" Walsh, in summer of 1969, and in the years since the band has played close to 7,500 gigs in arenas, concert halls, clubs, coffee houses, and cornfields, not to mention the occasional prison. They play barbecues, rib-fests, corporate gigs, weddings, and funerals, and for a decade in the '70s and '80s, the band played some 300 shows a year. Three decades of continual cross-Canada touring kept the band busy, and at the same time Downchild continued to turn out hit albums - almost all of which are still available. One of the earlier albums, "Straight Up," later helped inspire a friend, Dan Ackroyd, to create The Blues Brothers and a multi-million selling album, "Briefcase Full of Blues." And that Blues Brothers album contains two classics by the original "blues brothers" from Toronto, "Almost" and "Shotgun Blues." Their latest album, "Live at the Palais Royale" was recorded at the historic Toronto lakefront dancehall before a sold-out crowd without overdubs or pitch correction, "Live at the Palais Royale" showcases what an exciting performing act Downchild continues to be, delivering a jump blues extravaganza. "Live at the Palais Royale" continues to generate extensive media acclaim and radio airplay around the world, leading the pack with eight nominations for the 11th Annual Maple Blues Awards, including entertainer, electric act and recording of the year. The Maple Blues Awards are Canada’s national blues awards program. **Other Downchild albums available on CDBaby:So Far (1977)

Downchild Blues Band: Chuck Jackson (vocals); Donnie "Mr. Downchild" Walsh (guitar); Pat Carey (saxophone); Peter Jeffrey (trumpet); Michael Fonfara (keyboards); Gary Kendall (bass guitar); Mike Fitzpatrick (drums).Dirty Linen (p.77) - "[LIVE] finds Downchild with a lineup that's been consistent for 10 years or more, and it runs like a well-oiled machine. Chuck Jackson's got a booming voice that never flags..."
Living Blues (p.67) - "Downchild keeps the set rolling and the crowd engaged with massive doses of swinging, horn drenched rhythms..."