Award-winning bluesman Paul Reddick playing in Westville
Fresh off winning his first Juno award, Canadian blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player Paul Reddick is stopping in Pictou County for a show at the Whitetail Pub and Grill in Westville this Saturday.
Reddick, who has been playing harmonica since he picked up the instrument at a house party when he was 12, has been nominated multiple times as a solo artist and with his former band The Sidemen, but this year – stacked up against Colin James, Colin Linden, Whitehorse and Sean Pinchin – was his year.
Though he’s always made records that he says “weren’t completely traditional blues records,” this time he was among nominees who did the same.
“I think it’s also a great record,” Reddick said, praising the band that backed him, too. It included Steve Marriner of MonkeyJunk, Colin Cripps and Greg Cockerill on guitars, Anna Ruddick on bass, and Derek Downham on drums.
“It’s a lovely thing. It certainly helps to get a boost in attention,” the Toronto-based musician said about the win, adding it’s an encouragement to continue.
The album, Ride The One, references one chord that’s used throughout the record, which he wrote intending to create a hypnotic feel. He uses repetition in the guitar parts and lyrics, which are influenced by poetry
and poetic devices, he said.
Reddick is known for his way of words, especially evident when he discusses his feelings about the blues, summed up in a phrase “blues is a beautiful landscape.”
He’s on tour with Marriner now, performing with local backing bands depending on
where they are.
When they stop in Westville, they’ll be with musicians from the Mellowtones.
The show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday with advance tickets priced at $10 and $15 at the door.
They’re available at the Whitetail.