Detroit born, Nova Scotia based bluesman Morgan Davis is heading back to Lethbridge — by train.
He is beginning a cross-canadian tour which includes a three day gig playing on a cross-country Via Rail train.
“I hate flying,” said Davis adding he learned about the program which allows musicians to play on board the train for their trip.
“They don’t want a lot of people to find out about it. But basically I’ll be playing for my room and board — two 45 minute sets each night, one night in the dining car one night in the bar, in several different cars,” he said.
He plays the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Aug. 10, competing with Bob Dylan at the Enmax Centre.
He will be playing a solo set.
“I haven’t played with a band for 15 years. A lot of it is economic. It was nice. It used to be you were playing six nights, now you play Friday and Saturday. What do you do for the rest of the week,” said Davis, who has played with everybody from David Wilcox to blues originators like Howlin Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin.
“A lot of these early bluesmen were very genuine. I used to go Toronto and listen to these cats all the time. I remember seeing him playing with the Wolf,” he said.
“It’ was just a wonderful opportunity to just sit and learn from these guys who invented the blues,” he said adding he hopes he can similarly inspire young players with his music.
He has released a new CD since the last time he played Lethbridge at Henotic.
“It’s a solo album “Driving the Blues Away.” It’s very representative of what I’m doing now. I recorded it live off the floor it’s about 60 or 70 per cent originals and some cover tunes,” he said adding the CD has been well received.
“It’s been great,” he said.
