Search - Downchild Blues Band :: Matter of Time: The Downchild Collection

Some Are More Famous, Nobody Does It Better!

John McKinna | Key Largo, Florida United States | 03/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Caught Downchild in Key Largo on the last gig of their winter 2001 tour of the Florida Keys. I hadn't seen Donnie Walsh and his great blues/jazz band since about 1982 in Toronto. First caught them in 1971 or so when they played my high school in London, Ontario. Fantastic to see them still in the game and cooking fit to set the building on fire. Donnie Walsh demonstrated his mastery of blues harmonica and guitar throughout the set--no surprise there. Everyone else in the band displayed formidable chops and a real appreciation of ensemble playing--even with all the virtuoso soloing and fills, no-one stepped on anyone else, ever. Special surprise at this gig was the appearance of guest alto saxophonist Richie Cole--well known in the jazz world for his Phil Woods/Charlie Parker-influenced playing. One of the evening's high points was Richie's solo spot, where he took the band down low and demonstrated a simply breathtaking alto technique. Close your eyes and you'd have sworn it was Charlie Parker himself up there, spiraling off on the upper intervals of the chords at warp speed. Just a great treat to watch from ten feet away. Sadly, Donnie's brother Hock, with whom he founded Downchild some thirty-plus years ago, passed away this past year. He's greatly missed, but the band goes on under Donnie's leadership, its power and enthusiasm intact. Suffice to say that there is a very good reason the Blues Brothers (Dan Akroyd and John Belushi in character, in case you didn't know) covered so many of this great Canadian blues band's original tunes: they're superb. Check out "Flip, Flop, and Fly", "Everything I Need (Almost)" and "Shotgun Blues" for starters. Then listen on from there. This fairly definitive collection of Downchild's best is thoroughly deserving of inclusion in anyone's music library, whether your tastes run from blues to jazz to rock 'n' roll. Get A MATTER OF TIME: THE DOWNCHILD COLLECTION--it's well worth the price of admission."

Party in a Jewl Case

Pitz | chicago, il. USA | 05/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First heard of these guys years ago when the Blues Bros. put out "Briefcase full of Blues", finally got around to checking them out and couldn't be happier. It's easy to see where Aykroyd in particular being a Canadian was enthused with these guys. The Downchild songs are among the best they covered. If you like Houserockers in general buy this it delivers."