Out of the Woods
The arts aren’t just the turn of a phrase, reaching for a note, digging deep within or discovering the majesty of a brush. It's a way of life. A higher calling. For many, the most spiritual moments in life - other than life itself - occur not necessarily in a house of worship (whatever gets you through the night) but in a house of blues. For these artists, creating and performing music during the darkness of a worldwide years-long pandemic might be their highest calling yet. The musicianship, as always, is top notch. But at its core are the warm, soulful vocals of Kevin Harvey. He's a Canadian treasure. So, play this loud. Shake your blues away. Let the Durham County Poets take you higher and soothe your soul. Mitch Melnick Billy Bob Productions
Official Store
Buy“Canada’s Durham County Poets deliver a very nice fifth album which should delight the hardest-to-please lovers of fine, often horn-soaked blues, r&b, soul et al. Puts me in mind of the great Roomful Of Blues.” - Christopher Weston
“From the rock n roll vibe of ‘Mean Old Dog’ to the sultry undertones of ‘Love’s Got a Hold on Me’, there is something for everyone on this record which is eclectic in nature.” - Maverick-Country.com
“The Durham County Poets are more than just a blues band. They are a collective of talented artists, each well versed in their own field, who combine their influences and styles to create a single cohesive unit capable of some amazing music.” - Terry Parsons
“There is a lot of good music coming out of Canada at the moment and Durham County Poets are riding that wave. ” - Bluesblues.co.uk
“Durham County Poets have delivered a cracking album with 'Out Of The Woods', full of wonderfully tight ensemble playing, clever arrangements, strong songs, great recording values and a palpable sense of fun. Thoroughly recommended. Paul Jackson” - Paul Jackson
“With the benefit of hindsight I certainly wasn’t expecting such a groovalicious set of songs as what the band dish up; regularly straddling the line between Little Feet and Boz Scaggs with consummate ease; This album has been a joy from start to finish and is so good I’ve even delved into their back-catalogue and I’m already looking forward to future releases; plus it’s gone straight into the file marked ‘Best of 2022’..” - The Rocking magpie
“Out Of The Woods’ reveals different layers with repeated plays, as with the bluesy duet of ‘Love’s Got A Hold On Me’, one of the album’s more concise arrangements which let’s the song breathe.” - Pete Feenstra
“At their core, songs are poems set to music. As Blues Blast reviewer Rex Bartholomew states, “[It] seems like a basic skill, but a lot of bands seem to forget about this.” Not the Durham County Poets. This band from Quebec brings poetry back to the blues, performing each of the thirteen songs on Hand Me Down Blues as if they’d make Walt Whitman proud. ” - Rainey Wetnight
“Lead singer Kevin Harvey and his band are sonic shape shifters of the first order. Whether it’s blues, folk, soul, country, gospel or New Orleans swing, they purvey it with skill, aplomb and pure honesty.” - Nate Dow
JUNO nomination 2019, 'Blues Album of the Year' Hand me Down Blues
CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARDS nomination "Traditional Singer of the Year' Kevin Harvey, 2021
MAPLE BLUES nomination for RECORDING/PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 'Bill Garrett', 2020
MAPLE BLUES nomination 'SONGWRITER of the YEAR' Kevin Harvey, 2020
'HELP ME TO CHANGE' nominated 'INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR' Blues and Roots Radio, 2019
MAPLE BLUES nomination 'NEW ARTIST of the YEAR' Durham County Poets, 2019