Powder Blues Band


The Powder Blues Band is a Canadian musical band formed in 1978 in Vancouver. Its first album Uncut went double platinum in Canada. The second album Thirsty Ears was similarly popular.
Their best known songs include: "Boppin' with the Blues", "Doin' It Right", "Thirsty Ears", "Hear That Guitar Ring", and "What've I Been Drinkin".

History

The Powder Blues was founded in 1978 as a house band in Vancouver, British Columbia. The band was founded by brothers Tom Lavin, Jack Lavin, and Willie MacCalder. After playing in local clubs for 18 months, the band released their self-financed and self-produced debut album, Uncut, in 1980, followed by a tour of Canada and the US. The band won the Juno Award for "Most Promising Group of the Year" in 1981. Uncut went double platinum in Canada in 1982, selling over 200,000 copies. Their second album, Thirsty Ears, was released in 1981 and was certified platinum in Canada. In 1986, the band won the American W.C. Handy Award for "Foreign Band of the Year". The band's greatest hits album First Decade was released in 1990 and was certified gold.
The band is now known as Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues. They were still touring as of 2024.
The initial lineup of the band consisted of:
  • Tom Lavin – guitar, vocals
  • Jack Lavin – bass
  • Duris Maxwell – drums
  • Will MacCalder – keyboards, vocals
  • Wayne Kozak – saxophone
  • Gordon Bertram – saxophone
  • David Woodward – saxophone

    Discography

Singles

  • "Doin' It Right" – 1980
  • "Boppin' with the Blues" – 1980
  • "What've I Been Drinkin'" – 1980
  • "Hear That Guitar Ring" – 1981 and
  • "Thirsty Ears" – 1981
  • "Lovin' Kissin' & Huggin'" – 1981
  • "Joy Ridin'" – 1982
  • "Sooner or Later" – 1982
  • "Should Be You and Me" – 1982
  • "Jump Up" – 1983
  • "Farmer John" – 1983
  • "Roll Over Beethoven" – 1983
  • "I'm on the Road Again" – 1984

    Albums

  • 1979: Uncut )
  • 1980: Uncut
  • 1981: Thirsty Ears )
  • 1982: Party Line
  • 1983: Powder Blues Note: this is a US only compilation album with the same catalog number as the Canadian Party Line release; it includes 5 tracks from Uncut, 2 tracks from Thirsty Ears and 5 tracks from Party Line.
  • 1983: Red Hot/True Blue
  • 1984: Live at Montreux recorded 1983
  • 1990: First Decade/Greatest Hits compilation
  • 1993: Let's Get Loose
  • 1997: Blue Shadows: Lowell Fulson with the Powder Blues Band recorded 1981
  • 1997: Live at Montreux
  • 2001: Swingin' the Blues
  • 2004: Blues + Jazz = BLAZZ!
  • 2007: Platinum compilation

    Albums not on compact disc

  • As of 2024, their three most commercially successful albums are not on compact disc: Uncut, Thirsty Ears, and Party Line.
  • Side note: all nine tracks from Uncut are included on the First Decade/Greatest Hits compilation CD.

    Awards

  • 1981 – Juno Award for "Most Promising Group of the Year"
  • 1986 – W. C. Handy Award for Blues, Best Foreign Band