Shane Simpson news archives

photo credits:
Martin Woodhead
imageacoustic

October 13, 2003
About 18 month ago some 200 songs were selected from thousands entered into the Blue Rodeo New Music Contest to be included in a "Best of the New Music" contest. Fans voted online for their favorite tunes to advance to the next round. In addition, Blue Rodeo staff selected the best songs from each of the 25 rounds and featured them in their Best of the New Music Network station. These were songs that, even if they didn't qualify on votes, had considerable merit. From about 60 songs that were initially short-listed, they picked 30 songs based on the recommendations of Blue Rodeo fans and staff. These songs were presented to the band members of Blue Rodeo, who finally selected the final 17 songs that are featured on this compilation CD. Check out the blue rodeo website for more details.

September 30, 2003
The Shane Simpson Duo is back in Ottawa following a successful three week tour in support of the latest CD "More Electric." The tour included dates in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

September 7, 2003
Shane has joined the James Cohen Caravan. Visit the SHOWS page to see where to catch the flamenco quartet in action.

September 1, 2003
After performing in London at the Ugly Mug on Friday night the Shane Simpson Duo dropped in on the Outrageous Summer Open Stage at Cafe May in Toronto on the way to Newmarket for a show at the Corner Coffee House. Toronto's Louise Peacock (aka Kid Wezel) has been running the open stage on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer. In addition to performing a few of his own tunes, Shane was asked to sit in with several of the afternoon's performers, including Kid Wezel, Michel Plourde and Brian Gladstone. Brian then made the trip to Newmarket Saturday night to sit in for part of the second set at the Corner Coffee House. Visit the PHOTOS page to view the pictures taken by photographer Greg King.

August 8, 2003
Tracking for the upcoming instrumental CD with fellow Ottawa guitarist Paul Bourdeau is now complete. Paul and Shane have joined musical forces many times over the past two decades. This collaborative effort finds the two off leash and bounding over musical fences for an acoustic romp in the jazzgrass. The CD will be available later this fall.

July 26-27, 2003
Shane performed on the "Not the Opera" stage and conducted a songwriting workshop as part of the inaugural Toronto Star Bluesfest. Shane also hosted the "Not The Opera Stage" on Saturday and Sunday - adding the "Roots Stage" on Sunday. Special mention to the organizers and especially to all the tireless volunteers for putting on such an incredible festival.

July 12-13, 2003
The final weekend of the Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest included appearances on the Acoustic Stage as well as the Ottawa Folklore Centre workshop stage. The Main Stage performance with the kids from the "Blues in the Schools" camp was an absolute blast - with their spirited rendition of "You Give Me Fever" bringing down the house!

July 5-6 2003
Shane was off to Orillia to perform at the Mariposa Folk Festival. Saturday performances included participating in the "Things With Strings" workshop with the very talented Anne Lindsay, Jason Fowler, Kristen Sweetland and Blake Papsin.

June 30, 2003
Shane was off to Montreal to perform at the Montreal International Jazz Festival with fellow Ottawan Paul Bourdeau. Shane and Paul performed tracks off their soon-to-be released instrumental CD to more than 3,500 enthusiastic festival goers.

early May 2003
Shane took part in the highly acclaimed Ottawa Cisco Systems Bluesfest "Blues in the Schools" program which tool place in Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto. Shane also performed in the "Bluesfest in the Byward" weekend festival.

April 25-26, 2003
The Shane Simpson Duo travelled to Northern Ontario for dates in Sault Ste Marie and Little Current. A couple of last minute cancellations limited the tour to just two days. Special thanks to the folks at the Black Fly Jam for supporting the show at Downbeat in the Soo. And Cafe in the Woods in Little Current is an absolute gem!

April 10, 2003
Shane has been spending time a lot of time in the studio these days. He's been working with Paul Bourdeau on an acoustic instrumental album that should be ready for release sometime this fall.

The highlight for the month of March had to be the March 28 date with the Waifs at Zaphods. Fantastic band from Australia that had the crowd on their feet all night long. Percussionist Devin Johnstone sat in with the Shane Simpson Duo for the first time which was a real treat.

A jaunt up to Orillia the first weekend of April through snow, sleet and freezing rain resulted in Shane securing a spot in the Mariposa Folk Festival this summer. Managed to get back in one piece in time to host the flourishing "Shane Simpson and Friends" acoustic evening at the Arrow and Loon. Percussionist Devin Johnstone sat in for the evening and added some spice to performances by the Jeff Haggerman/James Cohen Duo, Paul Bourdeau and Shane Simpson.

The CD release concert from last fall at the NAC fourth stage also aired on Rogers Television Front Row Centre in March. It was well worth the wait! Dave Barr and his crew did an absolutely fantastic job with the production.

February 24, 2003
February started off with Shane taking part in the Lucky Songs songwriter's circle at the Black Sheep Inn. Shane was joined on stage by a very talented group of songwriters - Alex Sinclair, Rebecca Campbell and Carole Goodman. The audience was treated to some absolutely stellar performances! Special thanks to Beth Cahill for putting this great event together.

The month has also included two trips to Montreal - one to perform at Montreal's Upstairs Jazz Club - which is really downstairs, and a very nice establishment indeed. Second to take part in the Montreal edition of Absolute Acoustics at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall - featuring Shane Simpson and Paul Bourdeau, Del Vezeau, Fortin-Léveillé, and the Guy Donis Trio in the afternoon, followed by an evening concert with award-winning guitarist Don Ross. A great time was had by all!

December 29, 2002
"Nowhere Near" off the new CD "more electric" has won Canadian Musician Magazine's Great Canadian Talent Search! This was a Canada-wide search for Canada's Unsigned Best to be part of a Canadian Musician/Ball Media Compilation CD.

More contest news -- "Not Talking At All" off the first CD "Sketches"will be included in the Blue Rodeo Battle of the Bands Compilation CD. The CD is a showcase of some of the best songs discovered through the contest. The final songs on the CD were selected by the members of Blue Rodeo. The CD will be available soon on the Blue Rodeo website.

December 28, 2002
The band is back from a one-evening performance at nia (at C'est What) in Toronto. Car troubles made for an interesting adventure - special thanks to the folks at Midas on Wilson for an extra speedy repair to get us back on the road in time for an acoustic performance at the Arrow and Loon.

December 9, 2002
Absolute Acoustics was an absolute blast! A packed house was treated to exceptional performances from a talented lineup of guitar players from 3pm onwards. And despite car troubles, Don Ross eventually arrived to a standing O and did not disappoint!

December 7, 2002
There's a new review of "more electric" from Rambles. Click here to read the review.

November 20, 2002
Check out the article from The Ottawa Sun! View the article.

November 16, 2002
Shane's latest CD 'more electric' was chosen as one of Ottawa Life Magazine's "Best Picks." Check out the latest edition of the magazine on newstands now!

October 26, 2002
Many thanks to those who came out last night to pack Rasputin's Folk Cafe. This show capped off a very busy month that included a trip to Toronto to play C'est What, and what a fine way to finish off the month. As Dean commented afterwards, the spirit of the evening was incredible. And special thanks once again to Paul Bourdeau .... the second set was a masterful display of guitar work.

October 10, 2002
Shane has been chosen to be included in a new website called Dreamstream. Dreamstream is a national online music festival website that has been created by GM and CBC Television to showcase Canadian music talent. The website should be up and running by the end of October.