Award-winning instrumentalist Joel Fafard sings the blues on his latest CD release of Cluck Old Hen and will share those songs at the Pender Harbour School of Music on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 2 p.m.
Almost entirely self-taught, this multi award-winning guitarist has honed an instrumental sound all his own. Using only his fingers and a slide, the Pense, Sask. native creates compositions that are intricate, rustic and uniquely human. We are proud that he is now a resident of Pender Harbour.
With a Juno nomination, a Western Canadian Music Award, two WCMA nominations and two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations to his credit, Fafard has proven that he can take a niche genre like instrumental guitar music and make a significant name for himself.
For his latest work, Fafard offers up classic-sounding renditions of instantly recognizable numbers like Come on in My Kitchen and Don't Let your Deal Go Down, all sung in a weathered baritone that proves Fafard's entré into instrumental music was not for lack of singing chops. The guitar work, mostly national steel, is every bit as wicked as one would expect from Fafard.
Other favourites include Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied, Willie Dixon's Spoonful and the traditional Appalachian pieces John Hardy and Angeline and the Baker plus a couple of more recent classics: Richard Thompson's Vincent Black Lightening and Lyle Lovett's If I had a Boat.
Fafard's love of the blues goes back to his coming of age in Regina, when the local biker bar Georgia Fats was a destination for musicians from the Chicago blues scene. Canadians like Amos Garrett and Sue Foley also passed through the joint, as did Delta bluesmen like Charlie Musselwhite. Blues music has always influenced Fafard's instrumental work, but now, it takes centre stage as part of his newest musical direction.
Tickets are $20, available at Harbour Insurance, John Henry's Marina, the Visitor Centre and Gaia's Fair Trade.
-Submitted
