Photo: Paul Jokelainen

Check out Carlos del Junco's eclectic blues/jazz harmonica stylings on the audio links below.

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STEADY MOVIN'

"The eagerly anticipated successor to Blues Mongrel is here and is worth the wait. It is primarily acoustic and perhaps even more of a demonstration of his prowess on the humble harmonica...As before there are harp positions and keys listed for every song, but never does technical prowess get in the way of enjoyment of the music" John Valentyn - Toronto Blues Society

You can audio hear clips at iTunes Store or Amazon.com where you can also purchase the cd or download digital versions.

And now, for something new, - or old, depending on your point of view. His newest, "Blues Mongrel" revisits the genre with a creative sensitivity born of living in the music for decades – but with del Junco’s usual twisted spin on bending the idiom in any which way. So precious that you won't be sharing this one with anyone. As one reviewer says: “The first notes of Blues Mongrel jolt you like a cold shower...The explosive ‘Blues With A Feeling’ envelops the listener in intoxicating, foot-stomping glory"

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del Junco continues to produce an eclectic palette of music as is showcased on his summer 2001 release Up & At 'Em. Carlos moves the harmonica into Latin flavoured hybrids, worldbeat, a bit of Tex Mex, a funky New Orleans swing and even a bit of bluegrass. Kevin Breit's always remarkable guitar work is again featured along with some of Toronto's finest musicians, including a guest appearance by Jane Siberry

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Click Track Titles to listen:

Some Sweet Day

The Field

That Train Don't Stop Here

How High The Moon

Moliendo Cafe

Donald Michael

While still rooted in a more traditional blues sound, Carlos moves the harmonica into hip-hop, an African worldbeat blues in 5/4, a quirky jazz-ska hybrid, a jazz waltz and even a brief tip of the hat to Beethoven. Kevin Breit's always remarkable guitar work is again featured along with some of Toronto's finest musicians. Big Boy was nominated for a Juno in 1999 for the Best Blues Album category.

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Click Track Titles to listen:

Heaven's Where You'll Dwell

Yul Brynner

Heddon Tadpolly Spook

Junko Partner

River ll

JUST YOUR FOOL
The Carlos del Junco Band

From the opening bend of Carlos' harp on the first track of Just Your Fool, you know you're in for something unique. This electrifying quartet cooks up a unique blend of blues, drawing on different traditions from swing, Chicago style blues, funky New Orleans and jazz. Kevin Breit (k.d.lang, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole) handles guitar duty with a quirky immediacy that helps raise the roof off this live session. Al Duffy on bass (Morgan Davis, Downchild Blues Band) and Geoff Arsenault on drums (Morgan Davis, Mary Jane Lammond) hold down a solid groove. This CD and Big Road Blues (see below) were the major influence for the Jazz Report to give del Junco the 1996 Blues Musician of the Year Award.

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Click Track Titles to listen:

B Thing Intro

Just Your Fool

Harpin' On A Riff

Quiet Whiskey

BIG ROAD BLUES available at CD Baby for download

Recorded with the late Thom Roberts a.k.a. "Champagne Charlie". Roberts delivers intricate, surefooted acoustic guitar work here. His sincere, punctual vocals are complimented by Carlos' mostly acoustic harmonica playing. This collection of 1920's and 30's delta blues songs is given a contemporary edge due to del Junco's jazzy lyrical counterpoint playing and harmonized lines.

Click Track Titles to listen:

Delia

Future Blues

Green River Blues

 

"BLUES"available at CD Baby for download
Bill Kinnear and Carlos del Junco

Recorded with the late Bill Kinnear, this marks Carlos' debut on CD. Bill's primitive, raw vocal and dobro playing frames del Junco's very haunting, eerie (mostly amplified) masterful harpwork. Five out of six reviewers from the Toronto Blues Society voted this rich collection of mostly delta blues classics as one of their top ten releases for 1993.

Click Track Titles to listen:

Big Road Blues

Banty Rooster