John and the Sisters by Kevin Breit and John Dickie

01 Feb

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Kevin Breit and his band, The Sisters Euclid are fixtures on the Toronto music scene. John Dickie has been around the city for three decades and joins Breit for this album. The product of this musical marriage is a band called John and the Sisters.

Kevin Breit is internationally known as one of the busiest studio guitarists at the moment. He is "guitarist of choice" for Blue Note recording stars Norah Jones and Cassandra Wilson. He’s recorded with a legion of popular acts including K.D. Lang, Janis Ian, Holly Cole, Celine Dion and the remarkably successful touring group Quartette.

Be prepared to hear a ton of fresh original pieces composed by Kevin Breit, John Dickie, Ian Desouza, Gary Taylor and Rob Gusevs. Blues songstress, Suzie Vinnick, appears as a guest and is heard on three tracks including Breit’s Only One. A host of fine horn players guest on the album including trumpeter David Travers-Smith who was nominated for a Maple Blues Award as producer of the successful Jubilee session starring Harry Manx and Kevin Breit.

At times, John and the Sisters brings memories of some favorites from the sixties, specifically John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and the Kinks. The Sisters deliver the same excitement as those revered groups of yesteryear. The final track is a 50 second tune that is reminiscent of the Nihilist Spasm Band of forty years ago.

While there are a few very short novelty pieces on the 17 track CD, the overall effect is stunning. After three auditions, this reviewer placed a star next to six songs. The disk will appeal to both rockers and blues fans. John and the Sisters will be on the shelves April 20, 2004.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Kevin Breit and John Dickie
CD Title: John and the Sisters
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2004
Record Label: NorthernBlues Music
Tracks: Too Damn Big; Only One; Big Bomb; Treat Her Right; Gun; Bad Machine; L,A; And We Touched; Pralene; Faithful; A Better Way; Son Of a Gun; Money Changes Everything; Good Day; Penguin Walk; Love To Stay, Gotta Go; Hocktaves.
Musicians: Kevin Breit (guitar, vocal); Ian Desouza (bass); Rob Gusevs (keyboards); Gary Taylor (drums, percussion, vocal); Special Guest: John Dickie (vocal, harmonica).
Label Website: http://www.northernblues.com
Rating: Four Stars