Music
Press
" This superb recording (Come Out Swingin')deserves praise as does the band. Not simply having command of their instruments, Isaak and Hoerl add imaginative and distinctive touches throughout and the band is tight as two embracing lovers. The Twisters are simply a terrific band that deserves to be heard. "
Ron Weinstock - In A Blue Mood Blog, Washington D.C. - In A Blue Mood Blog
"This is what modern Blues is all about. Tight arrangements, great vocal harmonies, and spot on yet understated instrumental performances. All with a firm foothold into the roots and tradition of the Blues. With one exception, a Sonny Boy Williamson tune, the CD is packed with all original tunes that bring freshness and spontaneity to the sometimes over worked playbook of the Blues. A fantastic musical statement."
Barrelhouse Blues e-news- Boston, Mass. - Barrelhouse Blues, Boston, Mass.
"This is what modern Blues is all about. Tight arrangements, great vocal harmonies, and spot on yet understated instrumental performances. All with a firm foothold into the roots and tradition of the Blues. With one exception, a Sonny Boy Williamson tune, the CD is packed with all original tunes that bring freshness and spontaneity to the sometimes over worked playbook of the Blues. A fantastic musical statement."
Barrelhouse Blues e-news- Boston, Mass. - Barrelhouse Blues, Boston, Mass.
"The heartfelt vocals of Brandon Isaak and Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl along with their solos on guitar and harmonica give the Twisters their own musical personality. Their material is consistently bluesy while not always being confined to the 12-bar blues. The group is particularly effective on blues ballads and none of these dozen songs (the only non-original, "Bye Bye Bird," is a brief tribute to James Taylor) are throwaways. Recommended."
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide/emusic
- All Music Guide
"The heartfelt vocals of Brandon Isaak and Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl along with their solos on guitar and harmonica give the Twisters their own musical personality. Their material is consistently bluesy while not always being confined to the 12-bar blues. The group is particularly effective on blues ballads and none of these dozen songs (the only non-original, "Bye Bye Bird," is a brief tribute to James Taylor) are throwaways. Recommended."
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide/emusic
- All Music Guide
" After listening to "After The Storm" I can see why The Twisters are known as "The Masters of the Hot Jump Swing Blues". A band I really want to hear more from. Sure would be nice if they made it down our way!
4 onions
"
Armand "Ozzie's Dad" Parada, Walla Walla Blues Society - Walla Walla Blues Society
" After listening to "After The Storm" I can see why The Twisters are known as "The Masters of the Hot Jump Swing Blues". A band I really want to hear more from. Sure would be nice if they made it down our way!
4 onions
"
Armand "Ozzie's Dad" Parada, Walla Walla Blues Society - Walla Walla Blues Society
"The Twisters' best shake yet, After The Storm serves as a breath of fresh air for all involved."
Eric Thom, Blues Revue - Blues Revue
"The Twisters' best shake yet, After The Storm serves as a breath of fresh air for all involved."
Eric Thom, Blues Revue - Blues Revue
" In the Rod Piazza vein, they swing and jump solid. ‘Hurricane’ Hoerl blows his harp fine, Brandon Isaak (yes, Chris’s bro) provides swinging axe over and around Blues Boss’ ivories and the rhythms of Keith Picot’s bass and Matt Pease’s drumming anchor it well. Fitting into the general patterns of West Coast blues, these guys unleash some tasty, sophisticated line, jam hard and are a full bore band with a fine groove. "
Long Island Blues Society
- Long Island Blues Society
" In the Rod Piazza vein, they swing and jump solid. ‘Hurricane’ Hoerl blows his harp fine, Brandon Isaak (yes, Chris’s bro) provides swinging axe over and around Blues Boss’ ivories and the rhythms of Keith Picot’s bass and Matt Pease’s drumming anchor it well. Fitting into the general patterns of West Coast blues, these guys unleash some tasty, sophisticated line, jam hard and are a full bore band with a fine groove. "
Long Island Blues Society
- Long Island Blues Society
"" This set is full of danceable grooves guaranteed to work well at your next party. Enjoy one of Canada's best-kept secrets (until now, that is!!) with The Twisters and "After The Storm."
"
Sheryl and Don Crow, Music City Blues, Nashville, TN.
- Music City Blues, Nashville
"" This set is full of danceable grooves guaranteed to work well at your next party. Enjoy one of Canada's best-kept secrets (until now, that is!!) with The Twisters and "After The Storm."
"
Sheryl and Don Crow, Music City Blues, Nashville, TN.
- Music City Blues, Nashville
"The Twisters never overplay. I would describe their sound as all the smooth blues you can use...This is an excellent blues CD. Highly recommended."
Evan Brodsky, Twelve Bar Rag,Suncoast Blues Society,Tampa, Florida - Suncoast Blues Soc., Tampa, Fla.
"The Twisters never overplay. I would describe their sound as all the smooth blues you can use...This is an excellent blues CD. Highly recommended."
Evan Brodsky, Twelve Bar Rag,Suncoast Blues Society,Tampa, Florida - Suncoast Blues Soc., Tampa, Fla.
Discography
2009- Come Out Swingin' (NorthernBlues Music)
2006- After The Storm (NorthernBlues Music)
2004- Live at Harvest Fest (Full Swing)
2002- Long Hard Road (Full Swing)
1996- Fulla Hot Air (Full Swing Records)
Photos
Bio
Paying dues to the blues tradition, The Twisters swing hard with two inspired vocalists, tightly woven harp & guitar lines, upright bass and a relentless driving rhythm section forging a groove that refuses to be denied.
Each of the members has brought his musical talents and influences to the table, resulting in a potpourri of "Roots Cuisine" guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning palette. From deep in the Mississippi Delta to early Chicago shuffles, from infectious Texas grinders to West Coast jump, funky swamp-soaked Louisiana rhythms, to blues-a-billy swing, The Twisters serve up the goods. Top it all off with strong original compositions and a live show renowned for rockin’ the house and there’s only one thing left… do yourself a favour and see what the storm’s all about when The Twisters blow through your town.
The Twisters, founded in 1994 by harmonica player/vocalist Dave “Hurricane” Hoerl, (originally from San Francisco) have recorded 5 albums, with another one on the way. Signed to the NorthernBlues label in 2006, their debut album for the label is After The Storm. Brandon Isaak, guitarist/vocalist for the band is from Whitehorse, Yukon. He is an exceptional songwriter, and both Brandon and Dave are the principal songwriters as well as vocalists for the Twisters. Most of their material is original. Their signature sound is guitar and harmonica weaving in and out, and they usually trade lead vocals as well as sing harmonies. Joined on upright bass by Keith Picot, an exceptionally talented slap/swing player and Chip Hart on the drums, The Twisters are known as Canada’s top jump/swing blues band, and their current album on the NorthernBlues label, "Come Out Swingin'" released in 2009 has expanded their rootsy sound and material to include some reggae, R&B, and Gospel, along with swing and blues.
Links
