Downchild Blues Band : Bootleg (1971) & Straight Up (1973)

Today’s albums of the day are Bootleg and Straight Up by Downchild Blues Band.

The Best Canadian Blues Band of All Time, Downchild were the house band at Grossman’s Tavern from ’68-’70 where I spent many happy evenings. One of the first musicians working to promote an active Blues scene, I believe that Donnie Walsh performed the same role in Canada as Alexis Korner in England.

One of the first independent albums to be released in Canada, Bootleg was recorded in two nights in 1971 in a small makeshift studio at Rochdale College.

Their second album, Straight Up, contains two of their biggest hits (see below)

Forty years on, these are still my favourite Downchild albums … Donnie’s guitar, Hock’s voice, and a tight band provide a magic sound.

The characters of Elwood and “Joliet” Jake Blues of The Blues Brothers’ Show Band and Revue were inspired by Downchild frontmen the Walsh brothers. Dan Aykroyd:

There would be no Blues Brothers if it weren’t for Downchild
 

I can’t believe that not one track from Bootleg is on YouTube, so I’ll jump to Straight Up.

My favourite tracks:

  • I’ve Got Everything I Need (Almost)
  • Flip Flop and Fly
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