Vancouver musician Bocephus King aka Jamie Perry has a lot of projects on the go and is sticking close to home, but he has his eyes on Italy.
But first he plays the Slice, Nov. 24.
“ I’m putting to
gether a compilation of songs from all five of the albums for Italy,” he said adding he made an impression on Italian audiences through their appearance at South By South West In Austin, way back around 1998.
An Italian magazine which was there wrote an effusive review of his performance. Word spread after that, which lead to several tours of italy and Europe.
They made an impression in Holland as well, but Italians love the music.
“There will be three songs from the first album“Joco Music’ three from ‘A Small Good Thing’ and four songs from the third record ‘The Blue Sickness’ and d two from ‘All Children Believe’ including Jesus the Bookie, because they love that one, and a couple from ‘Willie Dixon Goddamn and one that will be on the upcoming Nina Simone release,” he described.
They will release the compilation in Italy before this Christmas and in North America after that.
He noted Italian audience pick up on the subtleties in the music.
“There are a lot of little details in the songs which really capture their imagination,” he said.
They have toured Europe three times this year and more times since 2000.
Bocephus King’s music combines elements of blues, folk, country and lately a lot of world music as he has a regular gig at the Chai Restaurant in Vancouver during which he jams with some of Vancouver's best world musicians.
While he plays to huge crowds in Italy the same can’t be said of Lethbridge.
“ We didn’t have a lot of people last time, but I always have a good time playing there. They keep inviting me back though. And I’m always excited to see those brothers (Slice owners Jesse and Tyler Freed),” he chuckled.
He will be bringing most of the same band he had at his last Lethbridge show in Lethbridge including Charlie Hase on pedal steel guitar ( who is now his neighbour in Vancouver), Paul Townsend on drums and Wynston Minckler on bass.
They are just doing a quick tour of Alberta including the Ironwood in Calgary, in Edmonton and Lethbridge
He is also working on what has turned out to be a double CD tribute to Nina Simon.
“I’m still mixing it, he said.
“ it’s two records. It’s taking some time to mix the songs. The first record is a ‘A Love Letter to Nina Simone, which is us playing Nina Simone songs. The other one. ‘Fight No More Forever,’ is a very different experience,” he said adding a lot of the world musicians who play with him at his Chai gig are on the second CD and add their own spin to Nina Simone songs.
Bocephus King plays the Slice, Nov. 24. at 9:30 p.m,.
There is a $10 cover.
