Big Dave McLean is a Winnipeg treasure. He is the mentor of many a Winnipeg blues musician, so any new CD from him is eagerly anticipated, if only because it usually features several notable faces from the Winnipeg scene.
His latest CD “Outside the Box” is no exception.
And even better, McLean, who usually plays solo with an acoustic guitar and harp, has a full electric band backing him.
The CD begins with a tortured, sludgy version of blues classic “Rolling and Tumbling,” powered by, of all things, a didgeridoo played by Kevin Werre.
He picks up the pace a little on the catchy original Daddy-O, which features some of his peppy harp playing, which takes a back seat to the band and fits right in.
He slows things down again with another tortured version of Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “ You Gotta Move,” before another upbeat, harp powered original “Her Soul Goes On.”
The CD is a nice mix of revamped blues classics like “See That My Grave is Kept Clean,” and “Can’t be Satisfied” and the beautiful “Trouble In Mind,” which shows off McLean’s soulful harp playing and upbeat Big Dave McLean originals, ranging from pure acoustic delta blues to quirky blues rockers.
It‘s tough to choose my favourite McLean originals, though the swampy and surf tinged but bluesy “Mother Nature’s Party” and “Drink’N and Stink’N” are definitely near the top of my list.
Former Perpetrators Chris Carmichael adds some sweet guitar solos throughout the CD, Joanna Miller adds drums, whistles and a lot more to several tracks especially on the Dixieland jazz styled “Better Days Are Coming,” which winds down the Cd.
Artist: Big Dave McLean
Genre: Blues
Record label: Floodland Records
