They are done without overdubs, using a loop station and a custom electric baritone ukulele.
They are done without overdubs, using a loop station and a custom electric baritone ukulele.
Manitoba Hal returns to the well of music that inspired him.
The songs on Back To The Well span his entire performing career and are standards that define who he is as a musician. Ragtime, Piedmont, Delta Blues, Folk and Tin Pan Alley styles all combine to make a playlist of mid-century American roots music presented in an intimate acoustic style
Manitoba Hal returns to the well of music that inspired him.
The songs on Back To The Well span his entire performing career and are standards that define who he is as a musician. Ragtime, Piedmont, Delta Blues, Folk and Tin Pan Alley styles all combine to make a playlist of mid-century American roots music presented in an intimate acoustic style that highlights his versatility, ease of delivery and confidence in the music. This is the work of a seasoned professional who has nothing to prove. And yet, walking between playful, sorrowful, joyful and novelty without skipping a beat, he seamlessly covers new ground in old familiar songs. credits released June 1, 2022
Recorded at Hal's Kitchen Shelburne Nova Scotia
Produced by Nicole Colbeck and Manitoba Hal
Artwork illustrated and designed by Hal Brolund
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Richland Woman Blues 3:310:00/3:31
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Freight Train 2:240:00/2:24
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Atlanta Moan 4:230:00/4:23
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0:00/2:25
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Wildflowers 3:140:00/3:14
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0:00/5:04
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Born With The Blues 3:190:00/3:19
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Grinnin In Your Face 2:500:00/2:50
“An excellent recording. Loving the brightness, seeming simplicity and great playing on it. It's a cure for the overkill of so much music. ” - Russ Musgrove
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
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. credits released October 15, 2019
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
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Wake Up Jake 1:340:00/1:34
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Paradise 2:130:00/2:13
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King of the World 5:410:00/5:41
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30 Odd Days 2:510:00/2:51
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Poulet Shack 2:490:00/2:49
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This Condition 3:320:00/3:32
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A Night Like This 2:470:00/2:47
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0:00/2:50
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Cost of the Blues 3:330:00/3:33
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Love Carries On 3:570:00/3:57
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Last Transmission 3:420:00/3:42
Nominated for Blues Album of the Year - Music Nova Scotia 2019
This collection of songs is about water. WATER is in just about every one of these songs. Water takes the role of cleansing, of baptism, of home, of escape and freedom. It is location, redemption, obstacle and hope. This album is defined by water and water is the unifying element in
Nominated for Blues Album of the Year - Music Nova Scotia 2019
This collection of songs is about water. WATER is in just about every one of these songs. Water takes the role of cleansing, of baptism, of home, of escape and freedom. It is location, redemption, obstacle and hope. This album is defined by water and water is the unifying element in this collection of songs. Blues IS in the water. credits released March 1, 2018
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
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Alligator 3:210:00/3:21
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My Dyin' Day 3:120:00/3:12
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0:00/2:59
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Peel Myself Away 3:130:00/3:13
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Paul Walked On 2:420:00/2:42
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Plenty Of Fish 2:470:00/2:47
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Saint Peter 3:030:00/3:03
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0:00/3:29
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0:00/3:02
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Blessed By Love 3:370:00/3:37
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
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
"(4 stars) Manitoba Hal Brolund brings a sturdy voice and a whole lot of ukulele dazzle to a song list stacked to the rafters with blues and folk staples on this double-disc “live” set from Belgium. The Winnipeg-bred uke whiz keeps his travel costs light, backing... more credits released January 13, 2017
Produced by Nicole Colbeck and Hal Brolund Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jeroen LaPeere
Cover photography by Jimmie Walgraeve Djiemie Photography
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0:00/2:12
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Way Down In The Hole 3:050:00/3:05
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Atlanta Moan 3:100:00/3:10
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Automobile 2:220:00/2:22
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Baby Please Don't Go 3:290:00/3:29
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Evangeline Blues 3:530:00/3:53
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0:00/4:59
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0:00/2:54
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Sweet Home Chicago 3:340:00/3:34
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St James Infirmary 5:320:00/5:32
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My Babe 2:370:00/2:37
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0:00/3:52
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Ain't No Grave 3:480:00/3:48
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Tastes Like Chicken 3:450:00/3:45
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High Fever 2:420:00/2:42
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They're Red Hot 3:380:00/3:38
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Built For Comfort 3:150:00/3:15
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0:00/2:42
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Key To The Highway 2:160:00/2:16
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Dig Me A Grave 5:320:00/5:32
Karen Morand - accordion and vocals
Leah Morise - vocals
Allison Brown - vocals
Alex Buchanan - organ, bass and vocals
Allan Crosby - drums, harmonica
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One Kind Favour 3:140:00/3:14
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Come To Me 3:480:00/3:48
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0:00/3:59
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Sweet Honeybee 2:330:00/2:33
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Ain't No Grave 3:250:00/3:25
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Wayfaring Stranger 3:140:00/3:14
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Daylight 2:510:00/2:51
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Chili In The Pot 3:470:00/3:47
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Evangeline Blues 3:250:00/3:25
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We Lose It All 3:380:00/3:38
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Mon Crayon 3:160:00/3:16
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They're Red Hot 2:440:00/2:44
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Dip Down 2:450:00/2:45
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0:00/2:48
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0:00/2:37
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A Night Like This 3:250:00/3:25
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All Day Breakfast 2:050:00/2:05
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Dock Street Shuffle 2:440:00/2:44
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The Bluesy Stuff 2:500:00/2:50
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Gopherville 3:050:00/3:05
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White Dog 3:370:00/3:37
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0:00/2:04
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Promised Land 3:050:00/3:05
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Wake Up Jake 1:540:00/1:54
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Sweet Summer Rain 3:430:00/3:43
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Beyond August 3:100:00/3:10
Devil on the Wall is a fairly short album, only nine tracks, but it proves the adage that good things come in small packages. Do yourself a favour and check this one out." - No Depression Review
Nine bullets of pure blues triggered by Manitoba Hal’s reunion with his resonator guitar fly with precision on his twelfth recording, “Devil On The Wall”. Every note is right on target as this ‘Ukulele Bluesman’ demonstrates his marksmanship on both four and six strings, as well as his artistry as a vocalist and songwriter.
Omens of warning and signs of hope appear as Hal reveals the radiance hidden in the darkest of HOURS while reminding his fated fugitives, restless HEARTS, and lost travelers that even their brightest intentions can cast foreboding shadows. “Devil On The Wall” opens with it’s title track “.44”; an ominous tale of murder, escape and capture inspired by an urban myth about a dead body encased in the walls of an old hotel. The album’s drive follows the solid groove of Australian drummer Jonathon Barbagallo with, “Love Sign” a bold profession of love as yet unrequited. Penned by elusive bluesman Hi-Henry Brown, Hal includes “Titanic Blues”, a voice and resonator blues offering Captain Smith’s assurances for his unsinkable ship’s doomed passengers. Also included is the classic “Sweet Home Chicago” with Hal’s enthusiastic invitation to join him on a journey to the heart of the blues. “Smile” returns to the full electric blues sound with keys provided by the album’s producer, David Findlay and upright bass by T. B. Player. Hal creates a warm trio of voice, ukulele and resonator guitar on “Daylight” as the sun rises on a new day dawning the second half of the record. “Love Carries On” shares a daybreak departure taking to the unending road alone, leaving love behind. Manitoba Hal concludes "Devil On The Wall" with two songs about outlaws and outcasts; as lovers compare themselves with the heated passion of partners in crime in "Bonnie & Clyde", driving full throttle into reckless love. "Tom & Huck" is Hal's rambling resonator instrumental sailing the listener off to further mischievous adventures.
Tom Sawyer’s adventures accompanied Manitoba Hal on his writing retreat at an isolated solar powered cottage near Fort Coulange Quebec in October of 2012, where he crafted all nine songs on “Devil On The Wall”. His first guitar-based album since 2006’s “Come The Ruination”, Hal plays a one of a kind hand-built Arvey resonator built by Thunder Bay luthier Richard Harvey. Spending most of the last seven years performing mainly on ukulele, Hal’s love for the guitar never faded as he returned to it at home in Shelburne, Nova Scotia between his relentless tours across Canada, the U.K. and Australia. “Devil On The Wall” was recorded at Hal’s home studio and at David Findlay’s studio in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
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.44 2:010:00/2:01
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Love Sign 2:180:00/2:18
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Titanic Blues 2:450:00/2:45
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Sweet Home Chicago 3:130:00/3:13
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Smile 2:380:00/2:38
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Daylight 3:190:00/3:19
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Love Carries On 3:250:00/3:25
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Bonnie & Clyde 2:260:00/2:26
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Tom & Huck 3:050:00/3:05
“Manitoba Hal has created something wholly unique and idiosyncratic
“Manitoba Hal has created something wholly unique and idiosyncratic out of several elements that already existed. He’s not the first guitarist to switch over to ukulele. Nor is he the first musician to use looping pedals. And he’s certainly not the first guy to play the blues. But the way he approaches the combination of those elements, and mixes it with his own musical sensibilities, is just perfect. A tireless live performer, ambassador for the uke, and all-round great musician.” Peter Hodgson - Mix Magazine May 2012
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0:00/3:25
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Adelyn 3:320:00/3:32
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White Dog 3:370:00/3:37
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0:00/3:18
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Down in Pubnico 2:560:00/2:56
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Baby Please Don't Go 3:570:00/3:57
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Turn Out The Lights 3:270:00/3:27
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My Creole Belle 3:380:00/3:38
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Tastes Like Chicken 2:540:00/2:54
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Way Down in the Hole 3:140:00/3:14
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Keep On Singing 2:540:00/2:54
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Sixteen Tons 5:160:00/5:16
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0:00/2:06
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0:00/4:01
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The Thrill is Gone 4:450:00/4:45