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Manitoba Hal

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    • Made By Hal
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2022 Demo Sessions

2022 Demo Sessions

Manitoba Hal

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Demo Sessions for promotional release 2022. These recordings represent "live-off-the-floor" demos featuring songs that will be re-recorded for official release at a later date

They are done without overdubs, using a loop station and a custom electric baritone ukulele.
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    Be Careful What You Ask For 2:58
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Back To The Well by Manitoba Hal

Back To The Well

Manitoba Hal

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Back To The Well

Manitoba Hal
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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 3:31
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    Freight Train 2:24
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    Atlanta Moan 4:23
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    By The Light Of The Silvery Moon 2:25
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    Wildflowers 3:14
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    Hello Aloha! How Are You? 5:04
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    Born With The Blues 3:19
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    Grinnin In Your Face 2:50
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“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

— Facebook

Vintage Blend by Manitoba Hal

Vintage Blend

Manitoba Hal

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Vintage Blend

Manitoba Hal
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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 1:34
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    Paradise 2:13
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    King of the World 5:41
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    30 Odd Days 2:51
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    Poulet Shack 2:49
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    This Condition 3:32
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    A Night Like This 2:47
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    1000 Miles of Blacktop 2:50
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    Cost of the Blues 3:33
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    Love Carries On 3:57
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    Last Transmission 3:42
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Blues Is In The Water by Manitoba Hal

Blues Is In The Water

Manitoba Hal

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Blues Is In The Water

Manitoba Hal
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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 3:21
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    My Dyin' Day 3:12
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    Papa Gâteau (Made Of Money) 2:59
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    Peel Myself Away 3:13
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    Paul Walked On 2:42
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    Plenty Of Fish 2:47
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    Saint Peter 3:03
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    Hope Of A Brighter Day 3:29
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    When Leadbelly Walked The River 3:02
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    Blessed By Love 3:37
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Live in Ghent by Manitoba Hal

Live in Ghent

Manitoba Hal

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Live in Ghent

Manitoba Hal
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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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    Way Down In The Hole 3:05
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    Atlanta Moan 3:10
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    Automobile 2:22
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    Baby Please Don't Go 3:29
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    Evangeline Blues 3:53
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    Dancing In The Moonlight 4:59
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    Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me 2:54
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    Sweet Home Chicago 3:34
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    St James Infirmary 5:32
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    My Babe 2:37
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    Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women 3:52
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    Ain't No Grave 3:48
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    Tastes Like Chicken 3:45
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    High Fever 2:42
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    They're Red Hot 3:38
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    Built For Comfort 3:15
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    You Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond 2:42
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    Key To The Highway 2:16
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    Dig Me A Grave 5:32
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Dancing In The Moonlight

Dancing In The Moonlight

Manitoba Hal

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In Dancing In The Moonlight Manitoba Hal is conjuring love and redemption either directly by calling to his lover or through the use of ancient magic. From the very first notes of One Kind Favour through the redemption of a sunrise in Daylight, the recording carries the listener through a tortured night full of voodoo spells and love notes. It
In Dancing In The Moonlight Manitoba Hal is conjuring love and redemption either directly by calling to his lover or through the use of ancient magic. From the very first notes of One Kind Favour through the redemption of a sunrise in Daylight, the recording carries the listener through a tortured night full of voodoo spells and love notes. It features Manitoba Hal on some sizzling slide ukulele along with a cast of supporting musicians.

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 3:14
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    Come To Me 3:48
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    Dancing In The Moonlight 3:59
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    Sweet Honeybee 2:33
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    Ain't No Grave 3:25
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    Wayfaring Stranger 3:14
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    Daylight 2:51
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Down In The Kitchen

Down In The Kitchen

Manitoba Hal

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    Chili In The Pot 3:47
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    Evangeline Blues 3:25
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    We Lose It All 3:38
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    Mon Crayon 3:16
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    They're Red Hot 2:44
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    Dip Down 2:45
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    Come On In My Kitchen 2:48
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    A Thousand Miles of Blacktop 2:37
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    A Night Like This 3:25
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    All Day Breakfast 2:05
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    Dock Street Shuffle 2:44
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    The Bluesy Stuff 2:50
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    Gopherville 3:05
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    White Dog 3:37
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    Incredible Bread Washing Machine 2:04
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    Promised Land 3:05
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    Wake Up Jake 1:54
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    Beyond August 3:10
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Devil On The Wall

Devil On The Wall

Manitoba Hal

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"Devil on the Wall is a very bluesy album. A couple of fine covers of blues standards appear amongst the rollicking original tunes. Manitoba Hal may have set his ukelele aside for much of the album, but there is no denying that the man knows his way around a blues guitar. With a sweetly vulnerable cry in his naturally authoritative voice, the
"Devil on the Wall is a very bluesy album. A couple of fine covers of blues standards appear amongst the rollicking original tunes. Manitoba Hal may have set his ukelele aside for much of the album, but there is no denying that the man knows his way around a blues guitar. With a sweetly vulnerable cry in his naturally authoritative voice, the prairie boy turned blue-noser leaves no doubt that he has mastered the feel-good heartbreak that defines a really good blues tune.
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 2:01
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    Love Sign 2:18
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    Sweet Home Chicago 3:13
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    Smile 2:38
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    Daylight 3:19
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    Love Carries On 3:25
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    Bonnie & Clyde 2:26
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    Tom & Huck 3:05
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Flirting With Mermaids

Flirting With Mermaids

Manitoba Hal

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Imagine the blues meeting the Acadian shore in a seaside carnival of snake oil salesmen, tattooed women and mermaids! Carney's stealing the gate reciepts share space with fast food vendors and various hucksters. There are all types here. The bluesmen, the lovers and the hungry.

“Manitoba Hal has created something wholly unique and idiosyncratic
Imagine the blues meeting the Acadian shore in a seaside carnival of snake oil salesmen, tattooed women and mermaids! Carney's stealing the gate reciepts share space with fast food vendors and various hucksters. There are all types here. The bluesmen, the lovers and the hungry.

“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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    Adelyn 3:32
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    Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women 3:18
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    Down in Pubnico 2:56
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    Baby Please Don't Go 3:57
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    Turn Out The Lights 3:27
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    My Creole Belle 3:38
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    Tastes Like Chicken 2:54
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    Way Down in the Hole 3:14
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    Keep On Singing 2:54
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    Sixteen Tons 5:16
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    Incredible Bread Washing Machine 2:06
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    Across The Sea (feat. Shawna Caspi) 4:01
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    The Thrill is Gone 4:45
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HUCKSTER

HUCKSTER

Manitoba Hal

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Huckster was recorded "live off the floor" in Hal's one hundred year old Victorian Cottage in Nova Scotia. There is no overdubbing and it's a real snapshot of an artist and his craft. Two songs feature the use of looping technology to create a "band feel" but for the most part the recording showcases the power of a talented musician with the guts
Huckster was recorded "live off the floor" in Hal's one hundred year old Victorian Cottage in Nova Scotia. There is no overdubbing and it's a real snapshot of an artist and his craft. Two songs feature the use of looping technology to create a "band feel" but for the most part the recording showcases the power of a talented musician with the guts to appear without accompaniment.

Al Wood from Ukulele Hunt calls this CD "Essential Listening"
https://ukulelehunt.com/2010/11/20/manitoba-hal-lemos/

Find out more about Manitoba Hal at https://www.manitobahal.com
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    Ten Bucks Too Light 3:12
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    Gopherville 3:59
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    Poulet Shack 3:02
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    Dig Me A Grave 2:29
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    My Babe 2:29
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    All Around The World 3:49
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    Man Was Born To Lie 2:16
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    I Hear Music 3:17
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    Freight Train 2:46
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