Album Notes

When one thinks of Blues music in Canada, the first band that springs to mind are Downchild. It’s been nearly 40 years since Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh and his since passed brother, Hock Walsh formed the group that would be the inspiration behind the world famous Blues Brothers. Still on top of their game today, Downchild were nominated for “Blues Album of The Year” at the 2005 Juno Awards (Canadian equivalent of a Grammy Award) and lauded as “Entertainers of the Year” in 2007 at the Maple Blues Awards (Canadian equivalent of a W.C. Handy Award).

A constant throughout, Donnie Walsh has kept the music alive and Downchild embodies some of the most well respected musicians in the country, who have performed together for over 15 years. This includes silky smooth singer and harmonica player Chuck Jackson, tenor sax player Pat Carey, beat man Mike Fitzpatrick on drums, rhythm captain Gary Kendall on bass, and former American supergroup rocker Michael Fonfara (of Rhinoceros fame) on keyboards.

By the early ‘70’s Downchild were gigging constantly when comic/actor and fellow Torontonian Dan Ackroyd caught a show at one of their local haunts. He, along with his cast mates from the legendary Second City, soon became a regular staples at Downchild shows where they partied after their own performances. Ackroyd in particular became a huge fan who cherished his copy of Downchild’s second album, on which he together with John Belushi based the first ever and multi-million selling Blues Brothers album.

It was shortly after this that 'So Far' was released. This album contains a collection of hits from the first era of Downchild's existence. Featuring songs "Flip, Flop, and Fly", "(I Got Everything I Need) Almost" and "Caledonia", this album is a must have for any Downchild and blues fan.


**Other Downchild albums available on CDBaby:

Live at the Palais Royale (2007)