As expected Papa King Cole and the Boogie Machine had the Owl Acoustic Lounge rocking, April 23. I was running back and forth 
between that gig as I hate to miss a show from King and my own gig at the Slice for Lethbridge Girls Rock so I missed the first set but caught most of his second set.
He was getting the band warmed up for this weekend’s gig opening for The Stampeders at Bullys, so he played an array of upbeat, danceable traditional blues and original music from his CD “Gutted to the Studs.”
He had a hot band backing home featuring lead guitarist Scott Mezei, bassist Doug Freeman and drummer Dan Praveen, which gave King the freedom to stand up and move around rather than having to concentrate on drums as well as singing and rhythm guitar.
He sang his gritty blues with his ragged Dr. John style baritone.
His cover of St. James Infirmary was exceptional. As usual Mezei supplied plenty of tasteful solos throughout.
