In a world where fewer and fewer things are becoming truly timeless, one constant stands among them all: blues music.
Paul Reddick鈥檚 eclectic catalogue of blues tunes hits the mark right away, alluring audiences with his hypnotically groovy style.
Having written and performed for over 25 years, Reddick鈥檚 experience in the blues scene is obvious.
鈥淚 love playing the songs I write, and the musicians that I work with,鈥� said Reddick.
鈥淚t鈥檚 blues based music, so I use the expression 鈥榖lues is a beautiful landscape鈥� to describe it. Playing is like traveling to me.鈥�
Having recently received a Juno Award for Blues album of the year with his latest effort Ride The One, Reddick鈥檚 love for the music he plays doesn鈥檛 go unnoticed.
鈥淚t felt fantastic,鈥� Reddick said about winning the award. 鈥淚t was certainly surprising and satisfying given the calibre of my fellow nominees.鈥�
While some great pieces of work take months to perfect, Reddick鈥檚 latest record seemed to come together more naturally.
鈥淭he process for Ride The One was actually quite brief and efficient. I had some lyrics that I鈥檇 written and some ideas for grooves in my head. 聽I assembled the band in a rehearsal space for two days, and in that time we created and arranged all the songs.鈥�
鈥淲e spent the following four days in the recording studio and recorded all the material.鈥�
When it comes to writing music, the singer says he takes inspiration from anywhere he can find it.
鈥淏lues music has been my influence as well as a lot of books and collections of poetry. Everything influences you really; what is found, what is lost, all that sort of thing.鈥�
Currently touring with fellow musician Steve Marriner, the blues sound on tour is well-rounded and full-bodied.
鈥淪teve and I have known each other for a long time, nearly 20 years,鈥� said Reddick.
鈥淗e was just a kid when we met. About two years ago, I needed a guitarist for a tour of Alberta and Steve was available and asked to come along. Since then, he鈥檚 pretty much been a regular player in my band.鈥�
When it comes to shows, the 鈥榰nofficial poet laureate of Canadian blues鈥� said his short memory allows for every show to be different.
鈥淭hat allows me to reinterpret the material every time I play it. 聽The performances have a life of their own, and you never know what it鈥檚 going to be. It is a search for something in a very abstract and joyful way.鈥�
In regards to the new material, Reddick said fans can expect 鈥渕y band and me to lead them on a journey across a borrowed blue land, and they鈥檒l want to dance while they are there.鈥�
Jasper fans can catch Paul Reddick and Steve Marriner at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion on April 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Tash Loh | Special to the 51暗网
