Doc MacLean embraces the spirit of Delta blues

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It was great to see American born, Toronto based delta bluesman Doc MacLean back in Lethbridge, Doc MacLean returned to Lethbridge, Sept. 5. Photo by Richard AmerySept. 5.

He brought the spirit of the sinister side of the south as he told dark, sordid tales to an Owl Acoustic Lounge audience and growled out his songs in his deep,  gravelly voice. He only had about 30 people at the beginning of his set, but that had more than doubled by the end.


 I arrived in time to hear one of my favourites, “Bone Train,” but was happy to hear he had a whole batch of new songs.

He picked impressively ominous licks dripping with Delta blues spirit on a National Steel guitar turned to open G, with a capo on the third fret. He switched to a battered acoustic guitar for a couple more peppy numbers.


“Pile of Pain ” was one of many highlights.


 He told tales about witch doctors and gypsies, Memphis sinking into the mud and Clarksdale, Mississippi, which were lost in the crowd's chatter. 


 He had a lot more people in the room by his second set which included blues classics by Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton.

He saved another one of my favourites “Angola Prison Rodeo” for the end of his show, which he officially ended with the gospel tinged “Goodbye.”

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 September 2014 11:58 )