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Brian Blain

Originally from the hills of rural Quebec, now based in Toronto, Brian "Colorblind" Blain has been performing his unique brand of slow-cooked, solid-groove folk blues for more than 40 years - soulful, thoughtful, always entertaining. His current release on NorthernBlues includes four tracks with Michael Jerome Browne and guest appearances by Harry Manx, Paul Reddick, members of Downchild and other Canadian blues luminaries.

Brian is the quintessential 21st century northern bluesman - a study in contradiction, starting with the title of his new album, "Overqualified For The Blues". His guitar style is as authentic and soulful as you will find in any blues - south, east, west or north - but his lyrics reveal a unique, contemporary point of view. His vocals do not sound like some old blues guy, yet he is an old blues guy, with 60 years of life experiences and 40 years writing and singing about them (on the same guitar). His lyrics are thoughtful but he's an entertainer at heart.

Brian has played all kinds of music from classical to rock but has come full circle to where he started, the folk blues. He has worked in just about every aspect of the music business on stage and behind the scenes as a recording artist, sideman, producer, manager, music writer/editor, publisher, director and tireless promoter of Canadian blues artists.

Ever since his 1973 recording, "The Story of the Magic Pick"(Good Noise/Polydor), Brian has been providing his wry commentary on the music scene. On this album, "Blues is Hurting" is Brian's take on the blues scene today and "One More Weasel" is a cynical swipe at the music industry from this otherwise mild-mannered Buddhist bluesman.

On "Hi-Tech Blues," a song about his trials and tribulations with computers, Brian is backed up by the rhythm section of Canada's premiere blues band, Downchild. West-coast blues phenom Harry Manx plays on the anthemic "Peace" and invited Brian to open for him on three Ontario tours. Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist Michael Jerome Browne is featured on four tracks including "No More Meetings"(surely the first blues song to rhyme "decorum" with "quorum").

Brian's biggest boosters have always been the musicians he's come to know both on stage and behind the scenes. It was bassman extraordinaire Victor Bateman who convinced him to demo some of his original tunes after they jammed together at Brian's 50th birthday party. This led to the 1999 release of his indie CD "Who Paid You To Give Me The Blues?" Now, as he approaches his 60th, Brian is determined to spend less time in front of a computer and more time playing guitar.

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"a brilliant writer incorporating everyday experiences and situations into his lighthearted blues songs...Brian Blain could put a smile on a gargoyle."

- Richard Bourcier, jazzreview.com

"...the kind of deceptively laid-back groove associated with Ali Farka Tour» (I kid you not)"

- Norman Darwen, Blues & Rhythm, UK

"master storyteller...It is refreshing to know of artists such as Brian Blain".

- Music City Blues Society, Nashville, TN

"...excellent guitar playing and (a) funny, wry, intelligent take on life.”

- Bruce Erskine, Halifax Chronicle Herald

"one of the wittiest songwriting pens on the Canadian blues scene."

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