advertisement
FYI

Ian Blurton: Seven Bells

The Toronto guitar hero and hard rock godfather has just released a solo record, Signals Through The Flames. This focus track showcases his typically virile vocals and axemanship, and it evokes the sound of '70s Brit hard rock.

Ian Blurton: Seven Bells

By Kerry Doole

Ian Blurton - Seven Bells (Independent): After 35+ years in the Canadian music industry, playing in over 40 bands and producing, engineering and mixing over 100 albums, guitar hero and hard rock godfather Ian Blurton has just released a solo record, Signals Through The Flames.


Given his formidable track record and peer respect, he was able to call upon a serious A-list of Canadian players to contribute to the album, including Mike Armstrong (King Cobb Steelie), PJ Dunphy (Iron Giant), Eric Larock (Tricky Woo), Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo), Damon Richardson (Danko Jones), Anna Ruddick (Randy Bachman), Nick Sewell (Biblical), and Darcy Yates (Flash Lightnin’). The result is described as "a heavy music melting pot with one foot in the past and the other planted firmly in the future."

advertisement

Focus track Seven Bells features the rhythm section of Damon Richardson and Darcy Yates adding muscle to Blurton's typically virile vocals and guitar work. He comes out with guitar guns blazing, the harmonies are full-blooded, and the production precise, with the overall effect suggestive of prime early '70s Brit hard rock.

Best known to many for fronting the powerhouse Change of Heart in the '80s, Blurton later delivered the goods in Blurtonia, Bionic, C’mon, and the still-active Public Animal. You’ll find Blurton’s producer credit on albums for Blood Ceremony, Cursed, Tricky Woo, the Weakerthans and more, and he has guested with acts as diverse as Richard Lloyd, Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Sadies, Teenage Head, and The Viletones.

Blurton and his band Future Now play Hamilton's This Ain't Hollywood on July 19 and Toronto's The Horseshoe Tavern on July 20.

Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Publicity: Mavis Harris, Nice Marmot

advertisement
Coldplay at Toronto's Rogers Stadium on July 8, 2025.
Anna Lee
Coldplay at Toronto's Rogers Stadium on July 8, 2025.
FYI

Music Biz Headlines: Coldplay Walk Back Rogers Stadium Comments, Matthew Good Cancel U.S. Tour Dates Due to Trump

Other stories making news this week: Scooter Braun on Justin Bieber's Swag, Quebec legend Serge Fiori is remembered, more on Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke's indictment.

After a long absence, Justin Bieber returns to the spotlight , via the surprise release of his seventh album. A prominent lobby group is aiming to block Bob Vylan and Kneecap from playing Canada over Israel comments. Russ caused controversy over stopping his show at Toronto's Budweiser Stage. Plus, stories about OVG and Universal Music Group are making music industry headlines internationally.

Read about those stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines.

keep readingShow less
advertisement