"MEMBERS AND GUESTS" WE ARE PLEASED TO BRING TO BLUES AT THE BOW FOR OUR FIFTH CONCERT IN OUR 2011/2012 SEASON

BC READ ALONG WITH BIG DAVE MCLEAN

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

 A CASINO WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 21 & 22, 2012 BLUES AT CASINO BY VANSHAW FOR OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND AND SUPPORT BLUES AT THE BOW HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Photo by: Milton Taylor

B.C. Read Press Bio

B.C. Read has been performing his unique and original style of roots and blues music throughout Western Canada since the late 1970’s.

He has been charted by blues DJ’s all over the world. People from Australia to Germany, Greece to Mexico have heard B.C. Read on their radios.

His music is a mix of Chicago, Delta and Texas styles of Blues over a generous helping of Folk, Rock and Country.

Comparisons have been made to The Band, Joe Cocker, John Hiatt, Slide Guitar Man Roy Rodgers as well as classic blues men like Son House and Big Bill Broonze.

In the past B.C. Read and his band have backed up some of the greatest roots & blues players of our time, including Hubert Sumlin, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Anders Osborn, Joan Baez and opened for Keb Mo, Buddy Guy, John Hammond, Joe Louis Walker, Billy Branch, and many, many others.

His original style of slide guitar has been praised by many of the countries great guitar players and B.C. has been asked to do many guitar work shops over the years.

B.C. is the founding President (Past) of the Saskatoon Blues Society and keeps involved with "The Blues In Schools" program, a Blues education and performance workshop available to schools throughout Saskatchewan.

B.C.'s last project was called "Bowl of Sugar". This album was nominated for a "Western Canadian Music Award - OUTSTANDING BLUES RECORDING" in 2007. It features long-time band mates, George Tennent on Bass, Sheldon Corbett on Sax & Accordion, Tom Cunningham on Drums, Rod Saloum on Keyboards, Doug Scarrow on Electric Guitar and features B.C.'s old friend "Big Dave McLean" on harp for two songs. Also contributing were Brent Longstaff (principle Tuba player from The Saskatoon Symphony), Ross Ulmer on Trombone, David Anderson on Trumpet, Sharon Matheson & Kelly Read on Vocals, as well as Glenn Ens, who co-produced the recording and played Drums on one track.

"Bowl of Sugar" has been charted #1 in Kamloops & Regina, #3 in Toronto, #4 at Ryerson and keeps on being played by DJ's all over Canada and the World.

B.C.'s new album "1,000 Miles" is now available. It features special guests Suzie Vinnick, Big Dave McLean, Jack Semple and Wilma, as well as the O-So Sweet Horns and B.C.'s regular live band. The music, like B.C.'s other albums, ranges from Gut Bucket Delta Blues (Jellyroll Baker) to New Orleans Funk (That's The Deal) to Bluesy Folk (What Could Have Been). The album also includes a bluesy cover of Neil Young's "Are You Ready For The County" recorded live off the floor. "1,000 Miles" promises to be Read's best album so far.  

BIG DAVE McLEAN

Canada's Legendary Bluesman

Big Dave McLean is finally getting his recognition, at an age when the rest of us are getting around to contemplating retirement. Only in the last decade or so has there been significant inroads into recording this definitive Canadian bluesman. 

A masterful guitarist and top notch harpist, McLean’s raw and gravelly vocals bespeak of a life lived to the fullest, and a career spent performing in and around those countless small towns that dot the Canadian prairies. When it comes to the blues, however, McLean’s heart firmly beats to the ghosts of the delta greats--especially the incomparable Muddy Waters, with whom he toured over two decades ago. Just how important the Mojo Man was to the development of Big Dave can be gleaned in an 11-minute tribute, aptly titled ‘Muddy Waters for President’. Actually written for the dean of Chicago bluesmen, Muddy died before getting around to recording it. 

McLean’s stage performances also identify him as one of the top bluesmen in Canada and what he knows about the business came to him from blues legends John Hammond Jr. and Muddy Waters. He started out on harmonica in the early '60s and had his first guitar lesson from John Hammond at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 1969. Hammond and Muddy Waters became Dave's lifelong musical heroes and friends. What did he learn from the masters? "Well you gotta be courteous," says McLean. "You know, Muddy Waters told me you can have the best guys in the world in your band, and if they gotta go, if they want to branch out and do their own thing, you’re not gonna stop them from doing what they’re destined to do. You might as well aid them along, help them out. And John (Hammond) was much the same, one of the most courteous gentlemen on this planet, you know, totally helpful, inspiring. You know both of them were just wonderful, wonderful men. I’m so pleased that I had the opportunity to even meet them."

Years later, Colin James - certainly one of the best-known Canadian blues artists there is - put himself into the picture. 

'Dave McLean has been stalwartly keeping up the blues tradition for years,' says James. 'I first heard him when I was nine, and he blew me away then, and he still does today. He's one of the great undiscovered bluesmen, and people ought to hear him.' As good as his word, James took McLean into his home studio in North Vancouver, called up a bunch of players who have worked with both artists, and cut a record together in three days.

Said Colin: 'Dave has spent his whole life dedicated to the music, and what you hear is pretty well what happened. Everyone who got involved had a ball, and everybody can hear what a good time we all had. Dave is a singer and player that just makes everyone want to do their best.'  

http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/Big_Dave_Mclean_CD.html