Dan McKinnon

Dan McKinnon: Blossom of Canadian Blues

Canadian Dan McKinnon’s approach to his music is simple – allow the listener to experience what blues has been in the past, and present where the blues can be in the future a musical level. “As much as I love the various blues classics, I'm interested in creating something different from what has come before me.” McKinnon says.

McKinnon, who earned a music degree from York University, was mentored by jazz great Nelson Symonds. This training and mentorship adds an interesting depth and twist to the music he creates. He performs regularly in his hometown of Toronto and has performed in cities such as Los Angeles and New York.

A step back from the overproduced, blues/rock retread, McKinnon’s take on the modern blues features themes that course through the veins of anyone who’s had the blues; pain, heartbreak, love and sex, paired with hard-hitting grooves and sweet melodies. This is modern electric blues that's reckless, intense and dirty.

With a mix of influences and stretching across blues boundaries, Dan’s debut album "As Sharp As Possible", is rooted in the influences of blues by the way of Chicago, rock by the way of the Sunset Strip and jazz by the way of mid 60's New York.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

To me, the blues is the greatest form of music there is. Not only has it stood the test of time for decades, but the blues is found in the roots of so many other types of music that it's impossible to get away from it.

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD BLUESMAN and SONGWRITER?

I've found that the best songs come from life experiences and not having the fear of being honest with yourself when putting your thoughts to paper. Unlike some forms of more commercial music, one of the greatest things about blues music is that it's next to impossible to be successful if you're disingenuous or fake.

How do you describe Dan McKinnon sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy?

Musically, I try to fuse the attitude of great rock n' roll and the depth and harmonies found in jazz music with the blues. Every time I pick up my guitar, I always am looking to outdo myself from where I was the day before and play with the intensity that I have something to prove. I still get a great deal of satisfaction from practicing each day, transcribing and studying new players and styles.

"I feel great about the future of blues music primarily due to the accessibility of music that's available now on the internet."

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Fans of blues tend to be extremely passionate about the music. I've really only been exposed to the scene here in Toronto for the last year, but one of the things I've come to realize is how supportive both the musicians and fans of the music are.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?

While I've been thankful to have played with some incredible musicians, the most memorable and enjoyable gigs I've played have been with my current trio (Aaron Carter and Jon Foster). We recently started rehearsing for future shows and playing with the two of them always puts a smile on my face.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

The best teacher I've ever had the chance to study with was Steve Khan, a jazz guitarist based in New York. His father was Sammy Cahn, who wrote the lyrics for a number of songs in the Great American Songbook and Steve himself has played with such artists as Miles Davis, Michael Brecker and a host of other big names. He was big on learning the fretboard inside out, having impeccable time and always having a sense of 'blues' in your playing, regardless of the style of music. Also, he had great advice when it came to recording (never record in a cheap studio or try to save money on a recording engineer).

Which memory from the late jazz guitarist Nelson Symonds makes you smile?

There are too many to list just one. It was great hearing his stories about spending time with icons like John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery, along with hearing about his philosophies on the guitar. Sometimes when you get to know someone that you've admired from afar, you're ultimately disappointed. With Nelson however, he truly was twice the man he was the musician. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have gotten to know the man so well during the last few years of his life as he truly was one of the greatest guitarists this country has ever seen.

Are there any memories from recording time which you’d like to share with us?

They were fuelled by energy drinks and adrenaline. We recorded the album over the course of three st - Blues GR

Dan McKinnon: Blossom of Canadian Blues

Canadian Dan McKinnon’s approach to his music is simple – allow the listener to experience what blues has been in the past, and present where the blues can be in the future a musical level. “As much as I love the various blues classics, I'm interested in creating something different from what has come before me.” McKinnon says.

McKinnon, who earned a music degree from York University, was mentored by jazz great Nelson Symonds. This training and mentorship adds an interesting depth and twist to the music he creates. He performs regularly in his hometown of Toronto and has performed in cities such as Los Angeles and New York.

A step back from the overproduced, blues/rock retread, McKinnon’s take on the modern blues features themes that course through the veins of anyone who’s had the blues; pain, heartbreak, love and sex, paired with hard-hitting grooves and sweet melodies. This is modern electric blues that's reckless, intense and dirty.

With a mix of influences and stretching across blues boundaries, Dan’s debut album "As Sharp As Possible", is rooted in the influences of blues by the way of Chicago, rock by the way of the Sunset Strip and jazz by the way of mid 60's New York.

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

To me, the blues is the greatest form of music there is. Not only has it stood the test of time for decades, but the blues is found in the roots of so many other types of music that it's impossible to get away from it.

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD BLUESMAN and SONGWRITER?

I've found that the best songs come from life experiences and not having the fear of being honest with yourself when putting your thoughts to paper. Unlike some forms of more commercial music, one of the greatest things about blues music is that it's next to impossible to be successful if you're disingenuous or fake.

How do you describe Dan McKinnon sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy?

Musically, I try to fuse the attitude of great rock n' roll and the depth and harmonies found in jazz music with the blues. Every time I pick up my guitar, I always am looking to outdo myself from where I was the day before and play with the intensity that I have something to prove. I still get a great deal of satisfaction from practicing each day, transcribing and studying new players and styles.

"I feel great about the future of blues music primarily due to the accessibility of music that's available now on the internet."

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Fans of blues tend to be extremely passionate about the music. I've really only been exposed to the scene here in Toronto for the last year, but one of the things I've come to realize is how supportive both the musicians and fans of the music are.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?

While I've been thankful to have played with some incredible musicians, the most memorable and enjoyable gigs I've played have been with my current trio (Aaron Carter and Jon Foster). We recently started rehearsing for future shows and playing with the two of them always puts a smile on my face.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

The best teacher I've ever had the chance to study with was Steve Khan, a jazz guitarist based in New York. His father was Sammy Cahn, who wrote the lyrics for a number of songs in the Great American Songbook and Steve himself has played with such artists as Miles Davis, Michael Brecker and a host of other big names. He was big on learning the fretboard inside out, having impeccable time and always having a sense of 'blues' in your playing, regardless of the style of music. Also, he had great advice when it came to recording (never record in a cheap studio or try to save money on a recording engineer).

Which memory from the late jazz guitarist Nelson Symonds makes you smile?

There are too many to list just one. It was great hearing his stories about spending time with icons like John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery, along with hearing about his philosophies on the guitar. Sometimes when you get to know someone that you've admired from afar, you're ultimately disappointed. With Nelson however, he truly was twice the man he was the musician. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have gotten to know the man so well during the last few years of his life as he truly was one of the greatest guitarists this country has ever seen.

Are there any memories from recording time which you’d like to share with us?

They were fuelled by energy drinks and adrenaline. We recorded the album over the course of three st - Blues GR

November 1, 2013

Dan McKinnon’s As Sharp As Possible is a superb album that brings a very modern and fresh approach to raucous blues. It’s a team effort with Aaron Carter on bass, Jon Foster on drums and production by JUNO Award winning guitarist Jack de Keyzer resulting in a thoroughly solid, hard-rocking street-tough studio set. Aptly titled, the whole album is tight, crisp and focused, showcasing a guitarist with impressive writing and performance skills.

Following up his self-titled debut EP, A.S.A.P. is clearly a project with a mission to make a lasting statement. It’s aggressive, fast and exciting and RUST Magazine was curious to hear how this artist developed his sound so we asked him a few questions.

RUST: Dan, this album has a really crisp and intense sound. Can you tell us a little about the technical aspects of recording it?

DM: My intention was to keep everything in the ‘rough and tumble’ spirit that is found in a lot of the great blues recordings of old but not have the album sound as if they were recorded fifty years ago. It will sound cliche, but I wanted the performances to sound “as sharp as possible” when it came to the musicianship and intensity. As a listener, I am a fan of hearing players play at their absolute peak and it was my intention to record us in a similar vein.

When it comes to gear, I only used Paul Reed Smith guitars on the session through a Marshall hand wired 1974X combo amp that is the best amp I’ve ever had the chance to play. I typically don’t like to use tons of effects, but there are some pieces of gear that I can’t do without. One is an overdrive pedal made by a company called Lovepedal called the COT (Church of Tone), with two other boost pedals made by Xotic (The RC and EP Booster) being integral parts in my sound.

Studio wise, we recorded at Canterbury Studios here in Toronto. It was especially neat as the studio has a 1974 Neve Console, similar to the one featured in the documentary Sound City. All the credit in the world for the audio presentation of the album goes to both Jack deKeyzer and Jeremy Darby, though.

RUST: Going into the studio, how much thought had you given to the project? Was it pre-planned or did it develop while you were recording?

DM: The project itself was planned months prior to us hitting the studio this past July. It took me about three months to decide on the material that I wanted to include with about a month and a half of solid rehearsing with the band. By the time we started recording, it was as if the material was second nature for us. It saved a ton of time since we were able to nail most of the tracks in no more than a few takes once the sessions started.

RUST: What made you pick Aaron and Jon? Are they your regular partners? What’s your background with them?

DM: Aaron and Jon are both outstanding musicians that are leagues ahead of most players twice their age. I’ve known both of them for the last few years as we both attended music school at York University here in Toronto, but we really haven’t played that much until the last year or so. One thing that I appreciate about both of them is their ambition to constantly improve and grow as musicians day after day. We always have a blast playing together and I’m looking forward to playing more shows with them in the future to show people what we bring to the table as a band.

RUST: You have an award winning guitarist for the producer, how did this fit into your overall production approach?

DM: This album never could have turned out the way it did if not for Jack de Keyzer. Along with being an award winning blues artist and world class producer, his knowledge of other genres of music is second to none. In addition, we both have a shared appreciation for many artists that aren’t typical within the blues genre that made things easy when I was explaining some of the different influences I wanted to bring to the table. If the opportunity comes again where we could work together again, I’d jump at the chance to do so.

RUST: So, we think the results are fantastic, were you happy with the finished album?

DM: I couldn’t be more proud with how the album turned out. On the evening of the last recording session, I did some reflecting back to the time when I started playing the guitar around the age of fourteen. If I told myself then that when I was going to record my first full length record that I would have an award winning producer work with me, a next level rhythm section and it would have been captured at one of the best studios in the country, I never would have believed it. More than anything, I simply feel grateful for the experience.

Thanks Dan. We really love this album, we thank you for taking the time to talk to us and we hope people will appreciate your style and all the hard work that went into it!
- Rust Zine

November 1, 2013

Dan McKinnon’s As Sharp As Possible is a superb album that brings a very modern and fresh approach to raucous blues. It’s a team effort with Aaron Carter on bass, Jon Foster on drums and production by JUNO Award winning guitarist Jack de Keyzer resulting in a thoroughly solid, hard-rocking street-tough studio set. Aptly titled, the whole album is tight, crisp and focused, showcasing a guitarist with impressive writing and performance skills.

Following up his self-titled debut EP, A.S.A.P. is clearly a project with a mission to make a lasting statement. It’s aggressive, fast and exciting and RUST Magazine was curious to hear how this artist developed his sound so we asked him a few questions.

RUST: Dan, this album has a really crisp and intense sound. Can you tell us a little about the technical aspects of recording it?

DM: My intention was to keep everything in the ‘rough and tumble’ spirit that is found in a lot of the great blues recordings of old but not have the album sound as if they were recorded fifty years ago. It will sound cliche, but I wanted the performances to sound “as sharp as possible” when it came to the musicianship and intensity. As a listener, I am a fan of hearing players play at their absolute peak and it was my intention to record us in a similar vein.

When it comes to gear, I only used Paul Reed Smith guitars on the session through a Marshall hand wired 1974X combo amp that is the best amp I’ve ever had the chance to play. I typically don’t like to use tons of effects, but there are some pieces of gear that I can’t do without. One is an overdrive pedal made by a company called Lovepedal called the COT (Church of Tone), with two other boost pedals made by Xotic (The RC and EP Booster) being integral parts in my sound.

Studio wise, we recorded at Canterbury Studios here in Toronto. It was especially neat as the studio has a 1974 Neve Console, similar to the one featured in the documentary Sound City. All the credit in the world for the audio presentation of the album goes to both Jack deKeyzer and Jeremy Darby, though.

RUST: Going into the studio, how much thought had you given to the project? Was it pre-planned or did it develop while you were recording?

DM: The project itself was planned months prior to us hitting the studio this past July. It took me about three months to decide on the material that I wanted to include with about a month and a half of solid rehearsing with the band. By the time we started recording, it was as if the material was second nature for us. It saved a ton of time since we were able to nail most of the tracks in no more than a few takes once the sessions started.

RUST: What made you pick Aaron and Jon? Are they your regular partners? What’s your background with them?

DM: Aaron and Jon are both outstanding musicians that are leagues ahead of most players twice their age. I’ve known both of them for the last few years as we both attended music school at York University here in Toronto, but we really haven’t played that much until the last year or so. One thing that I appreciate about both of them is their ambition to constantly improve and grow as musicians day after day. We always have a blast playing together and I’m looking forward to playing more shows with them in the future to show people what we bring to the table as a band.

RUST: You have an award winning guitarist for the producer, how did this fit into your overall production approach?

DM: This album never could have turned out the way it did if not for Jack de Keyzer. Along with being an award winning blues artist and world class producer, his knowledge of other genres of music is second to none. In addition, we both have a shared appreciation for many artists that aren’t typical within the blues genre that made things easy when I was explaining some of the different influences I wanted to bring to the table. If the opportunity comes again where we could work together again, I’d jump at the chance to do so.

RUST: So, we think the results are fantastic, were you happy with the finished album?

DM: I couldn’t be more proud with how the album turned out. On the evening of the last recording session, I did some reflecting back to the time when I started playing the guitar around the age of fourteen. If I told myself then that when I was going to record my first full length record that I would have an award winning producer work with me, a next level rhythm section and it would have been captured at one of the best studios in the country, I never would have believed it. More than anything, I simply feel grateful for the experience.

Thanks Dan. We really love this album, we thank you for taking the time to talk to us and we hope people will appreciate your style and all the hard work that went into it!
- Rust Zine

As Sharp As Possible is Dan McKinnon’s featured First Full Length album and he made sure this is one blues album that you are not going to want to miss. With countless riffs that are dirty and groovy to the unstoppable solos Dan really has recorded an album for the blues guitarist admirers.

Wasting no time Dan McKinnon hits you right in the teeth with one hell of a sharp cutting guitar riff to kick off “Ain’t Looking Back”. Hell in this song with Dan’s guitar playing there almost isn’t even a need for any lyrics at all. The first time I listened to the album I must have replayed the solo that hit at the two minute mark a few times before I let the song progress anymore. This wicked minute long solo just blew me away the first time I listened to it and also made me wonder what Dan McKinnon was going to hit my ears with next. The vocals in the track definitely take a backseat in the song even in the production aspect as well, they seem to be a recorded a bit quieter than the guitars and drums which depending on what you are interested in hearing the most can have a diverse effect on the song or not. For me I just can’t stop listening to Dan’s guitar in the song.

A quick deep groove carves up the starting of “King Of The Hill”. The main guitar riff in the song is catchy as hell, I could just listen to the riff for the entire length of the song without a problem, but the only problem with that idea is you would miss out on another wicked guitar solo from Dan. The Bass picks off the riff of the song and Dan lays out one wicked guitar layer. The bass guitar really puts out one heck of a performance and lead foot in this song. This song really intrigues me to see Dan play live, I could only imagine what he has in store and what he pulls off during the solo’s live. The vocals again I’m on the fence on, they kind of take a back seat again to the guitars and drums, but they also lack the same kick which the guitars provide.

“The Recipe” all that needs to be said here that it is an instrumental song and is a must listen.

Now what would a Blues album be without a slowed down groove song. Dan changes up his vocals a little in the song compared to a couple of the other tracks on the album. He seems to focus in more with the sounds of the song and vocally come close to blending the two together. Just as what has become accustom to Dan’s song there is a wicked minute and a half long solo embedded in the middle of the song. In that minute and a half solo Dan pretty much takes care of any need for lyrics as his guitar basically fills in for the next verse.

On November 19th you can pick up your copy of As Sharp As Possible at his website http://www.danmckinnonmusic.com - Kingston Music Reviews

As Sharp As Possible is Dan McKinnon’s featured First Full Length album and he made sure this is one blues album that you are not going to want to miss. With countless riffs that are dirty and groovy to the unstoppable solos Dan really has recorded an album for the blues guitarist admirers.

Wasting no time Dan McKinnon hits you right in the teeth with one hell of a sharp cutting guitar riff to kick off “Ain’t Looking Back”. Hell in this song with Dan’s guitar playing there almost isn’t even a need for any lyrics at all. The first time I listened to the album I must have replayed the solo that hit at the two minute mark a few times before I let the song progress anymore. This wicked minute long solo just blew me away the first time I listened to it and also made me wonder what Dan McKinnon was going to hit my ears with next. The vocals in the track definitely take a backseat in the song even in the production aspect as well, they seem to be a recorded a bit quieter than the guitars and drums which depending on what you are interested in hearing the most can have a diverse effect on the song or not. For me I just can’t stop listening to Dan’s guitar in the song.

A quick deep groove carves up the starting of “King Of The Hill”. The main guitar riff in the song is catchy as hell, I could just listen to the riff for the entire length of the song without a problem, but the only problem with that idea is you would miss out on another wicked guitar solo from Dan. The Bass picks off the riff of the song and Dan lays out one wicked guitar layer. The bass guitar really puts out one heck of a performance and lead foot in this song. This song really intrigues me to see Dan play live, I could only imagine what he has in store and what he pulls off during the solo’s live. The vocals again I’m on the fence on, they kind of take a back seat again to the guitars and drums, but they also lack the same kick which the guitars provide.

“The Recipe” all that needs to be said here that it is an instrumental song and is a must listen.

Now what would a Blues album be without a slowed down groove song. Dan changes up his vocals a little in the song compared to a couple of the other tracks on the album. He seems to focus in more with the sounds of the song and vocally come close to blending the two together. Just as what has become accustom to Dan’s song there is a wicked minute and a half long solo embedded in the middle of the song. In that minute and a half solo Dan pretty much takes care of any need for lyrics as his guitar basically fills in for the next verse.

On November 19th you can pick up your copy of As Sharp As Possible at his website http://www.danmckinnonmusic.com - Kingston Music Reviews

AS SHARP AS POSSIBLE Dan McKinnon (independent) **** +

This Toronto guitar slinger is sure making a name for himself. Last year’s self titled E.P. was met with glowing reviews and widespread airplay. ASAP, his first full length album, will take him even higher.

This disc, produced by Jack DeKeyzer, delivers the goods with room to spare. The passion and fire in McKinnon’s playing, which attracted me in the first place, is stepped up a notch here. He’s a veritable Riffzilla, throwing out the kind of big, meaty, juicy hooks you’d expect from a guy that wears snakeskin boots- see the cover photo. “On ASAP I wanted to capture the sound of a band that played as if it had something to prove” Dan says. “The common characteristic the musicians I admire most have is that they are constantly striving to outdo themselves while never accepting the notion that good enough is good enough.”

As Sharp As Possible is rough and ready blues inspired rock & roll- or is it the other way around? “With a nice vocal tone, killer riffs and wicked guitar chops, Dan McKinnon is a name you will be hearing a lot about in the coming months, years and decades” notes Jack DeKeyzer, and he’s not wrong. This is the blues with muscle and attitude, the kind of music that sounds better the louder it is played, from the groove and spine-tingling soulful solos on Killing Time to the muscle-bound Ain’t Looking Back that kicks down the door saying “I’m baaaack!”. I could listen to this all day- know what? I think I will.

COOL CUTS: Killing Time, Perfect Ten, King Of The Hill

- See more at: http://www.gonzoonline.ca/music/music-news/719-rock-doc-reviews-for-october-11th.html#sthash.c6vNa6Lc.dpuf - The Roc Doc

AS SHARP AS POSSIBLE Dan McKinnon (independent) **** +

This Toronto guitar slinger is sure making a name for himself. Last year’s self titled E.P. was met with glowing reviews and widespread airplay. ASAP, his first full length album, will take him even higher.

This disc, produced by Jack DeKeyzer, delivers the goods with room to spare. The passion and fire in McKinnon’s playing, which attracted me in the first place, is stepped up a notch here. He’s a veritable Riffzilla, throwing out the kind of big, meaty, juicy hooks you’d expect from a guy that wears snakeskin boots- see the cover photo. “On ASAP I wanted to capture the sound of a band that played as if it had something to prove” Dan says. “The common characteristic the musicians I admire most have is that they are constantly striving to outdo themselves while never accepting the notion that good enough is good enough.”

As Sharp As Possible is rough and ready blues inspired rock & roll- or is it the other way around? “With a nice vocal tone, killer riffs and wicked guitar chops, Dan McKinnon is a name you will be hearing a lot about in the coming months, years and decades” notes Jack DeKeyzer, and he’s not wrong. This is the blues with muscle and attitude, the kind of music that sounds better the louder it is played, from the groove and spine-tingling soulful solos on Killing Time to the muscle-bound Ain’t Looking Back that kicks down the door saying “I’m baaaack!”. I could listen to this all day- know what? I think I will.

COOL CUTS: Killing Time, Perfect Ten, King Of The Hill

- See more at: http://www.gonzoonline.ca/music/music-news/719-rock-doc-reviews-for-october-11th.html#sthash.c6vNa6Lc.dpuf - The Roc Doc

I just received the newest release (November 19, 2013), As Sharp As Possible, from Dan McKinnon and it's a rockin blues riot! Opening with Ain't Looking Back, a strong blues rocker with hot drumming from Jon Foster, this 3 piece band plays with a lot of snarl. Aaron Carter plays with the intensity of Dusty Hill and Mc Kinnon uses his lead work as a flame thrower through hot dry timbers. King Of The Hill has a lot of swagger with a melodic edge a bit like Foghat. This is no slide guitar extravaganza so don't ask me why I say that but the music just has that sound. Very cool. Lucky One has a Chicago/jazz/Latin feel with a real nice touch by Foster. Clean, precise riffs paired with nasty dirty riffs make this a real interesting track. Got It Bad comes out of the gate like old Procol Harem (w/ Robin Trower) but with more of a groove. McKinnon takes no prisoners on his soloing clearing the way for vocal harmonies. Killing Time is a slow blues number with a lot of breathing space. McKinnon takes a couple of vocal bars but this track is all about the guitar as he shoots off riffs like ducks in a barrel. Nice! Heart Attack is a high speed rocker and the band is very tight. This is the radio track for sure capitalizing on it's catchy melody and raw attitude which is so popular right now, but also adding some jazz changes and smoking guitar riffs... oh yeah! Perfect Ten has a Buddy Guy like intro but turns into a standard 12 bar with a lot of pop appeal. Again, McKinnon steps up and lights up the strings. Boy can play! The Recipe is a cool jazz influenced instrumental track. McKinnon joined by Jack Deyzer let the guitars do all the talkin' on this Freddie King style track and it is certainly my personal favorite on the release. On One Regret, McKinnon falls back to a retro style of early rock and blues with blends of R&B and T-Bone Walker. Another track that could easily find mass airplay, this is a nicely constructed and executed tune. Wrapping the release is Different Road with a strong nod to Rollin' and Tumblin'. A straight up rocker with strong blues roots, McKinnon finishes the release in style with blistering guitar riffs. This is a cool release that should win McKinnon a lot of new fans. - Bman's Blues Report

I just received the newest release (November 19, 2013), As Sharp As Possible, from Dan McKinnon and it's a rockin blues riot! Opening with Ain't Looking Back, a strong blues rocker with hot drumming from Jon Foster, this 3 piece band plays with a lot of snarl. Aaron Carter plays with the intensity of Dusty Hill and Mc Kinnon uses his lead work as a flame thrower through hot dry timbers. King Of The Hill has a lot of swagger with a melodic edge a bit like Foghat. This is no slide guitar extravaganza so don't ask me why I say that but the music just has that sound. Very cool. Lucky One has a Chicago/jazz/Latin feel with a real nice touch by Foster. Clean, precise riffs paired with nasty dirty riffs make this a real interesting track. Got It Bad comes out of the gate like old Procol Harem (w/ Robin Trower) but with more of a groove. McKinnon takes no prisoners on his soloing clearing the way for vocal harmonies. Killing Time is a slow blues number with a lot of breathing space. McKinnon takes a couple of vocal bars but this track is all about the guitar as he shoots off riffs like ducks in a barrel. Nice! Heart Attack is a high speed rocker and the band is very tight. This is the radio track for sure capitalizing on it's catchy melody and raw attitude which is so popular right now, but also adding some jazz changes and smoking guitar riffs... oh yeah! Perfect Ten has a Buddy Guy like intro but turns into a standard 12 bar with a lot of pop appeal. Again, McKinnon steps up and lights up the strings. Boy can play! The Recipe is a cool jazz influenced instrumental track. McKinnon joined by Jack Deyzer let the guitars do all the talkin' on this Freddie King style track and it is certainly my personal favorite on the release. On One Regret, McKinnon falls back to a retro style of early rock and blues with blends of R&B and T-Bone Walker. Another track that could easily find mass airplay, this is a nicely constructed and executed tune. Wrapping the release is Different Road with a strong nod to Rollin' and Tumblin'. A straight up rocker with strong blues roots, McKinnon finishes the release in style with blistering guitar riffs. This is a cool release that should win McKinnon a lot of new fans. - Bman's Blues Report

October 2013 is proving to be an absolutely stellar month, with already receiving over a dozen great and at times amazing releases, especially a few from Canadian Artists, which included, Soulstack's "Five Finger Discount", Sean Pinchin's "Rust Bucket", Plain Dirty Blues Band's "Slow Burn", The Perpetrators "Stick 'Em Up", and the icing on the cake, Dan McKinnon's Blues Rock Dynamo "As Sharp As Possible".

"As Sharp As Possible" follows hot on the heals of his critically acclaimed 2012 Self Titled EP release, of which I wrote, "With this release, Dan McKinnon certainly shows us that he has all the pieces to the puzzle for a bright future, and as long as he keeps headed in the direction this EP seems to be going, he should have no problem really impressing us with his first full length Debut release." Now after hearing his Debut Album release, I see that I was right on the money about how impressed I and others would be about it, no doubt proving, "he is one of the brightest new lights on the blues scene."

"As Sharp As Possible" consists of ten unique yet still intrinsically interweaved Tracks, all written by Dan McKinnon, which shows us, that along with his great Vocals and Stunning Guitar virtuosity, he truly has a Trifecta of artistic talent. "As Sharp As Possible" was Produced and Mixed by none other than JUNO Award winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer, whom also performs the first Solo on Track 8 "The Recipe", as well as additional Vocals. Featured on "As Sharp As Possible" are Dan McKinnon (Guitar/Vocals), Aaron Carter (Bass), and Jon Foster (Drums).

"As Sharp As Possible" had a lot of great Tracks, so choosing three favorites was really not that easy, but here they are, Track 1 "Ain't Looking Back", Track 2 "King Of The Hill", and Track 4 "Got It Bad". I basically picked those three Tracks because I believe that Dan McKinnon's Guitar work is his strongest suit and all those Tracks show that skill to the tenth degree, especially "Got It Bad", which offers up around a minute of shear Blues Rock Guitar Heaven.

There is of course more to Dan McKinnon's music than just blowing us away with full on hard driving Blues Rock, as he can also show us a softer yet no less intense side with some of his slower tunes on "As Sharp As Possible", which included a few really nice ones, with the best one of the bunch being "Killing Time", a slow soulful song that really showed me a maturity in Dan's Vocals that go far beyond his young age. It was at that point in which I started to think of the great Canadian Blues Rock artists Colin James and how much McKinnon's music reminded of him.

With first listening to Dan McKinnon's Self Titled EP release and now his Debut Album, I must say that he has taken an astronomical leap forward with his music, and that is really saying a lot, because his EP release was very very good to begin with. As far as I am concerned, Dan McKinnon is like a young Colin James, with only great things coming his way.

"As Sharp As Possible", is truly a must hear album for any lover of Blues Rock, as it is certainly one, of only a handful, of the very best of 2013.

5***** for "As Sharp As Possible"... Highly Recommended, Thoroughly Enjoyed, and a really big contender for this years Best Canadian Debut Blues Rock Album...

Release Date for this beauty is November 19th, which is perfect timing for the Blues Rock fan on your Christmas list.
- The Blues Underground Network

October 2013 is proving to be an absolutely stellar month, with already receiving over a dozen great and at times amazing releases, especially a few from Canadian Artists, which included, Soulstack's "Five Finger Discount", Sean Pinchin's "Rust Bucket", Plain Dirty Blues Band's "Slow Burn", The Perpetrators "Stick 'Em Up", and the icing on the cake, Dan McKinnon's Blues Rock Dynamo "As Sharp As Possible".

"As Sharp As Possible" follows hot on the heals of his critically acclaimed 2012 Self Titled EP release, of which I wrote, "With this release, Dan McKinnon certainly shows us that he has all the pieces to the puzzle for a bright future, and as long as he keeps headed in the direction this EP seems to be going, he should have no problem really impressing us with his first full length Debut release." Now after hearing his Debut Album release, I see that I was right on the money about how impressed I and others would be about it, no doubt proving, "he is one of the brightest new lights on the blues scene."

"As Sharp As Possible" consists of ten unique yet still intrinsically interweaved Tracks, all written by Dan McKinnon, which shows us, that along with his great Vocals and Stunning Guitar virtuosity, he truly has a Trifecta of artistic talent. "As Sharp As Possible" was Produced and Mixed by none other than JUNO Award winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer, whom also performs the first Solo on Track 8 "The Recipe", as well as additional Vocals. Featured on "As Sharp As Possible" are Dan McKinnon (Guitar/Vocals), Aaron Carter (Bass), and Jon Foster (Drums).

"As Sharp As Possible" had a lot of great Tracks, so choosing three favorites was really not that easy, but here they are, Track 1 "Ain't Looking Back", Track 2 "King Of The Hill", and Track 4 "Got It Bad". I basically picked those three Tracks because I believe that Dan McKinnon's Guitar work is his strongest suit and all those Tracks show that skill to the tenth degree, especially "Got It Bad", which offers up around a minute of shear Blues Rock Guitar Heaven.

There is of course more to Dan McKinnon's music than just blowing us away with full on hard driving Blues Rock, as he can also show us a softer yet no less intense side with some of his slower tunes on "As Sharp As Possible", which included a few really nice ones, with the best one of the bunch being "Killing Time", a slow soulful song that really showed me a maturity in Dan's Vocals that go far beyond his young age. It was at that point in which I started to think of the great Canadian Blues Rock artists Colin James and how much McKinnon's music reminded of him.

With first listening to Dan McKinnon's Self Titled EP release and now his Debut Album, I must say that he has taken an astronomical leap forward with his music, and that is really saying a lot, because his EP release was very very good to begin with. As far as I am concerned, Dan McKinnon is like a young Colin James, with only great things coming his way.

"As Sharp As Possible", is truly a must hear album for any lover of Blues Rock, as it is certainly one, of only a handful, of the very best of 2013.

5***** for "As Sharp As Possible"... Highly Recommended, Thoroughly Enjoyed, and a really big contender for this years Best Canadian Debut Blues Rock Album...

Release Date for this beauty is November 19th, which is perfect timing for the Blues Rock fan on your Christmas list.
- The Blues Underground Network

Dan McKinnon - Dan McKinnon (Independent) 4/5

I don’t often review EP’s, but this one caught me by surprise. McKinnon is a Toronto bluesman that reminds me of SRV- vocally similar and when he plays a solo, he really leans into it. In other words, this is the good stuff.

“As much as I love the various blues classics, I’m interested in creating something different from what has come before me” Dan says. McKinnon, who earned a music degree from York University, was mentored by jazz great Nelson Symonds- and that shows in Blues For Brother Nelson, a supple instrumental nod to his teacher. The other three tracks on this are dirty and greasy- the kind of blues that really speaks to me, sort of a Buddy Guy Guy meets BB King, with some early Billy Gibbons thrown in.

If you like gritty electric blues, you’re going to love this. I’m not sure how you’d go about finding it through your favorite music store, but his website is www.danmckinnonmusic.com- try starting there.

TOP TRACKS: Bad Habit, Blues For Brother Nelson - The Rock Doc

Dan McKinnon - Review at The Blues Underground Network

The Blues Horizon is always offering up some great new young talent, with one of those new young talents catching my recent attention, being Dan McKinnon.

Dan McKinnon hails from Toronto, Canada, the home of York University, where he earned a degree in music. Dan was mentored by the late and great Nelson Symonds, "one of the premiere names in Montreal Jazz that many players from New York would come to see or play with". Dan shows tribute to his late mentor Nelson Symonds, via 1 of the Tracks on this EP, "Blues For Brother Nelson", a really nice Jazzy instrumental Track that I am sure Nelson would have been proud of.

Of the remaining 3 Tracks, we are treated to a couple of nice fast paced Blues Rock songs, "Satisfied" and "Some Kind Of Special", which are the opening and closing Tracks, and which not only showed off Dan's great writing skills, but also his exceptional Singing and Guitar playing skills.

Track 3, "Bad Habit" slows it all down a bit, which really intensifies just how talented Dan McKinnon is, with gritty Guitar work and full on Vocals, somewhat reminiscent of Colin James.

Considered to be "modern electric blues that's reckless, intense, and dirty", Dan McKinnon's self titled EP is certainly that and more. His music, which is rooted more along the lines of Chicago Blues, has just the right amount of uniqueness and creativity, which allows it to shine through we a nice amount of freshness.

With this release, Dan McKinnon certainly shows us that he has all the pieces to the puzzle for a bright future, and as long as he keeps headed in the direction this EP seems to be going, he should have no problem really impressing us with his first full length Debut release.

As far as EP's are concerned, in the genre of Blues and Blues Rock, this one is certainly one of the better ones.

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) - The Blues Underground Network

Dan McKinnon - Review at The Blues Underground Network

The Blues Horizon is always offering up some great new young talent, with one of those new young talents catching my recent attention, being Dan McKinnon.

Dan McKinnon hails from Toronto, Canada, the home of York University, where he earned a degree in music. Dan was mentored by the late and great Nelson Symonds, "one of the premiere names in Montreal Jazz that many players from New York would come to see or play with". Dan shows tribute to his late mentor Nelson Symonds, via 1 of the Tracks on this EP, "Blues For Brother Nelson", a really nice Jazzy instrumental Track that I am sure Nelson would have been proud of.

Of the remaining 3 Tracks, we are treated to a couple of nice fast paced Blues Rock songs, "Satisfied" and "Some Kind Of Special", which are the opening and closing Tracks, and which not only showed off Dan's great writing skills, but also his exceptional Singing and Guitar playing skills.

Track 3, "Bad Habit" slows it all down a bit, which really intensifies just how talented Dan McKinnon is, with gritty Guitar work and full on Vocals, somewhat reminiscent of Colin James.

Considered to be "modern electric blues that's reckless, intense, and dirty", Dan McKinnon's self titled EP is certainly that and more. His music, which is rooted more along the lines of Chicago Blues, has just the right amount of uniqueness and creativity, which allows it to shine through we a nice amount of freshness.

With this release, Dan McKinnon certainly shows us that he has all the pieces to the puzzle for a bright future, and as long as he keeps headed in the direction this EP seems to be going, he should have no problem really impressing us with his first full length Debut release.

As far as EP's are concerned, in the genre of Blues and Blues Rock, this one is certainly one of the better ones.

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) - The Blues Underground Network

With one great lick, a genre can don a new face, a new energy and excitement. Enter Toronto native Dan McKinnon, stage left. With his self-titled debut EP, Dan channels the guitar styling of Stevie Ray, and his burning passion for the blues is exemplified in each soulful riff. His modern yet classically blues-infused take on the genre offers something fresh to the scene.

His classical jive shows through in particular on “Blues for Brother Nelson,” a fun, upbeat rhythm that makes you want to get up and swing to the music. As McCartney once said, “it’s got a back beat, you can’t lose it.” The rest of the album embodies a more blues-rock remedy, touting the edgier riffs. McKinnon seems to get lost in his solos, which flow in and out of each song seamlessly. The passion for the music is evident in his classical themes of love; the good the bad and the ugly love-the blues don’t discriminate. In the heartfelt ballad “Bad Habit,” McKinnon wails out a cry for escape from the uglier side of love, and his pain is evident in every lick. The hot track on this album, entitled “Satisfied,” boasts a powerful, catchy riff, along with signature solos throughout the song.

Dan McKinnon is certainly ready for the spotlight. His debut EP shines a light on the wide spectrum of sounds he can create. From the slow and soulful to the edgy solos that really bite, the road ahead knows no limits.

The Review: 7.5/10

The Big Hit

- Satisfied

Review by Don Tice - BluesRockReview.com

I have a new EP debut from Dan McKinnon, a talented Toronto native. McKinnon's new release has 4 strong tracks displaying his feel for the blues and his technical acuity on the guitar. Track one, Satisfied, takes an Albert King style attack at the blues with an unusual rhythm basis and plays some pretty tasty blues riffs as a highlight to the song. No question...man can play. Track 2, Blues For Brother Nelson is more in jumps style with that jazzy edge... think Gatemouth Brown. It's a strong track and gives McKinnon a great opportunity to lay down some strong grooves. Track 3, Bad Habit, is a slow blues with an "woman problem" story line. McKinnon uses the lower octave of his guitar neck to set the stage for some dynamic soloing on this cut. Probably the strongest track on the EP, Bad Habit shows some strong chops. The Ep finishes up with Some Kind OF Special, a rockin' blues which of course gives McKinnon a chance to play some hot licks on his guitar. Overall I think that this is a very good debut EP and I'm looking forward to hearing more from McKinnon as he develops further. - Bman's Blues Report

I have a new EP debut from Dan McKinnon, a talented Toronto native. McKinnon's new release has 4 strong tracks displaying his feel for the blues and his technical acuity on the guitar. Track one, Satisfied, takes an Albert King style attack at the blues with an unusual rhythm basis and plays some pretty tasty blues riffs as a highlight to the song. No question...man can play. Track 2, Blues For Brother Nelson is more in jumps style with that jazzy edge... think Gatemouth Brown. It's a strong track and gives McKinnon a great opportunity to lay down some strong grooves. Track 3, Bad Habit, is a slow blues with an "woman problem" story line. McKinnon uses the lower octave of his guitar neck to set the stage for some dynamic soloing on this cut. Probably the strongest track on the EP, Bad Habit shows some strong chops. The Ep finishes up with Some Kind OF Special, a rockin' blues which of course gives McKinnon a chance to play some hot licks on his guitar. Overall I think that this is a very good debut EP and I'm looking forward to hearing more from McKinnon as he develops further. - Bman's Blues Report

Toronto bluesman Dan McKinnon shines as he shows several different sides on his new self-titled EP.He blends a lot of influences into his four songs, taking the listener right back in time.

There is beautiful Albert King style guitar playing, an unstoppable groove and a lot of big, dirty riffs, which draw the listener in right from the big riffed, funky bassline of the first track “Satisfied.”

He shows a touch of jazz on the instrumental “Blues for Brother Nelson,” which features an upbeat walking bass line, plenty of groove and tasteful guitar solos interspersed throughout.

He slows things down on the slinking “Bad Habit,” where he gets to show how tastefully he can play as well as how well he can sing. He ends the EP by showing his rocking side on “ Some Kind of Special,” which features a fast walking bassline and big belting vocals. All together the four songs show off the many facets of McKinnon’s bluesy personality.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor - L.A Beat

Toronto bluesman Dan McKinnon shines as he shows several different sides on his new self-titled EP.He blends a lot of influences into his four songs, taking the listener right back in time.

There is beautiful Albert King style guitar playing, an unstoppable groove and a lot of big, dirty riffs, which draw the listener in right from the big riffed, funky bassline of the first track “Satisfied.”

He shows a touch of jazz on the instrumental “Blues for Brother Nelson,” which features an upbeat walking bass line, plenty of groove and tasteful guitar solos interspersed throughout.

He slows things down on the slinking “Bad Habit,” where he gets to show how tastefully he can play as well as how well he can sing. He ends the EP by showing his rocking side on “ Some Kind of Special,” which features a fast walking bassline and big belting vocals. All together the four songs show off the many facets of McKinnon’s bluesy personality.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor - L.A Beat