Trail and District Arts Council welcomes Vancouver-based blues evangelist Harpdog Brown to Kootenay Savings Music in the Park on Thursday Aug. 3.
“I speak the blues like it’s the truth, and it is” Harpdog was recently quoted. “I do feel like I’m a servant of the people. And I do heal people if they pay attention to the good messages in the songs I choose.”
Harpdog delivers those messages in the traditional sound of early electric blues — think of the old Chess Records and Sun Records of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. Harpdog says “Blues has a healing power. It’s a beautiful celebration of our perfectly flawed lives. We help people forget about their issues of the moment and then they realize that we all have our issues, and that’s OK.”
Some call it a Chicago Blues sound but Harpdog calls it Classic Blues. They perform mostly originals yet they often include great songs of the masters from that era like Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and of course, Muddy Waters.
Audiences say that they love hearing that lo-fi vinyl sound live on stage. They do it all while using vintage gear as well. Harpdog Brown is a gifted vocalist and an imaginative harmonica player.
Guitarist Jordie Edmonds plays a lowdown understated style yet has plenty of flash when needed. Doghouse bass player Pat Darcus drives the engine with his percussive style. Regardless of the incarnation you see, this show is unique, refreshing and leaves audiences feeling good and wanting more.
He is a three-time Maple Blues Award Winner (2014, 2015 and 2016), Fraser Valley Music Award Winner, three-time Western Canadian Music Awards Nominee, Juno Nominee and the only Canadian to win the coveted Muddy Award. In 2016 he was nominated for 3 Maple Blues Awards (Harmonica Player, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year) for his latest release ‘Travelin With The Blues.’
“Harpdog’s got a smokin’ band playing and he’s singing the real deal, old school blues just like you want to hear it. The tune I did with Harpdog, ‘Moose On The Loose’, was a whole lotta fun. It’s got a good feel and good energy and I remember the fun we had recording it. I ain’t lyin’!” — Charlie Musselwhite
Kootenay Savings Music in the Park is held at Trail’s Gyro Park every Thursday starting at 7 p.m.
The water park and beach are right there and the concession is open. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Admission is by donation ($2 minimum suggested).
For a complete list of acts, dates and times please visit our events calendar at www.trail-arts.com