Vintage Blend
Vintage Blend is a collection of Manitoba Hal songs reimagined and rearranged for cigar box guitar, ukulele and slide guitar. These newly recorded songs from the earliest stage of Manitoba Hal's career combine his rich, signature songwriting style with the clear and uncomplicated tone of homemade, "front porch" instruments.
The album begins with Manitoba Hal's first ukulele, a 1955 Martin soprano. His grandfather gave it to him on the condition that he learn to play it. He did and it changed everything. A little folk, a little blues and a little rock n' roll… this album showcases Manitoba Hal's varied songwriting and musical styles.
released October 15, 2019
credits
Manitoba Hal - lead vocals, ukulele, cigar box guitar, slide guitar, cigar box bass
Geoff Arsenault - junk percussion
Support Vocals (arranged by Nicole Colbeck)
Jessica Jürgenliemk
Kathleen Glauser
Merrie Howe
Chett Buchanan
Nigel D'Eon
Nicole Colbeck
All songs © Hal Brolund except This Condition and 30 Odd Days by Hal Brolund/Stephen Johns (SOCAN)
Produced by Nicole Colbeck/Hal Brolund
Recorded by Jay Pilzer at Maritimes Music Studio
Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada
Photography by Lisa Buchanan
Design concept by Nicole Colbeck
Graphic Layout by Hal Brolund
BLUES IS IN THE WATER
All songs by Hal Brolund except;
My Dyin Day by Hal Brolund and Joanne Stacey
Paul Walked On by Pat Melanson
Manitoba Hal:
Ukulele, Resonator Guitar, Cigar Box Guitar
Tim Williams:
Octave Mandolin, Mandolin, 12 String Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Weisenborn guitar, Backup Vocals
Kevin Belzner: Drums
Kit Johnson: Upright Bass
Shaye Zadravec and Syndey Zadravec: Backup Vocals
Produced by Tim Williams
Engineered by Steve Gerard at Bette Jane Studio Calgary, Alberta
Mastered by Dave Horrocks at Infinite Wave Mastering, Calgary, Alberta
Photography by Lisa Buchanan
Graphic design by Hal Brolund
LIVE IN GHENT
The two-disc set Live In Ghent was recorded in April 2016 at Missy Sippy Blues & Roots Club while on a tour stop in Belgium. The result is a fascinating combination of masterful musicianship, enthusiastic audience and a night to remember.
Covering classic blues songs by Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Mississippi John Hurt and more. Manitoba Hal also performs several original songs and a cover of a popular Tom Waits song.
"Yep, this is what college coffeehouses were all about in the late 60s. Hal is a growler, playing and singing the blues solo with his ukulele. The proper mix for passing the hat as you passed a joint. A charming pro that holds his own against time and tide in fine style, it's easy to say this is as good as white boy blues gets (and with few exceptions, that's pretty accurate). If you aren't too cool for school or too hip for the room, you'll dig this as much as his fans in Belgium did when this live two cd recording was made. Check it out."
MidwestRecord.com Jan 12, 2017
Dancing In The Moonlight - 2015
Down In The Kitchen - 2014
Devil On The Wall - 2013
Flirting With Mermaids - 2012
Huckster - 2010
Little Box of Sadness - 2008
Ukulele Bluesman - 2007
OUT OF PRINT RELEASES
Worn Out Shoes - 2008
Come The Ruination - 2006
Resonator - 2005
This Condition - 2004
Lou Ow! - with The Incombustible Men - 2003
Kick At The Stones - 2002
When Hal Freezes Over - 1999
Flatland Cafe - 1997