Bluesman Jim Byrnes paid his first visit to Lethbridge in about 30 years and brought a special treat with him to the Geomatic Attic, Nov. 7 — guitarist Steve Dawson. It was a show anybody even remotely interested in the blues should have been at, though that might have been tough as it was a full house.

 The duo gave a crash course in 1930s blues while added a modern twist to the music.

 Dawson, founder of Vancouver based blues and roots record label Black Hen Records, played a superb set with his drummer Geoff Hicks and bassist Keith Lowe, beginning with a sweet version of the Mississippi Sheiks’ “Lonely As I Can Be,” then proceeded to switch to several guitars including a Weissenborn and a pedal steel, through a superb selection of obscure blues and brand new original material, which Dawson said he was testing out as he is entering the studio soon to record a new CD.

 It was  an excellent set , with his song about Skip James, who he said “had a weird outlook on life and berated audiences for coming to see him,” being one of many highlights.

Jim Byrnes  continued the old school blues lesson, by playing his own songs and reinterpretations of obscure classics while telling several stories.

The Heather Blush Trio played an upbeat and affable set of modern  jazz music at the Wolf’s Den, Nov. 6.

 The newly brunette Blush, on guitar and vocals , grinned her way through a solid and enjoyable set of beautiful vocal melodies and a touch of humour as she spoke about opening for Ray Bonneville with a missing tooth and trying to avoid songs with too many “s” sounds in them.

She dedicated a song called “Fly Away Little Bird,” to her sister who moved to New Zealand, which began with just her singing  and bassist Dave Ulan and built up to include drummer Captain Steve Hazlett and her guitar.
 Her voice was as smooth as the apple cider she sang about and she joked with impressive drummer Captain Steve Hazlett who added a variety of percussion as well and bassist Dale Ulan.

  Perhaps to reinforce the no talking during shows  policy of the Wolf’s Den, Blush performed a couple outstanding silence themed songs including “Hush, Hush,” and  the immediately enjoyable and quirky “Speechless,” which she said is not only being considered for a Hollywood movie, but which has also been chosen for acousticroundtable.com’s singer songwriter contest, run by Acoustic Roundtable, a website designed for musicians by musicians to share videos and performances of their songs.

She also played her song “Restless,” which is being played regularly on CBC.
 She alternated between slower, darker songs from her CD “Vices,” in including a touching number  about Billie Holiday, with more upbeat and happier songs from her follow-up CD “Versa.”
She ended her first set with the catchy singalong “Papaya, Papaya.”

It is always a pleasure to see Daryll Düus and Papa King playing together.

The duo, dubbed the Boogie Brothers, complement each other well, with Papa King on acoustic guitar and tapping out a rhythm on an electronic drum kit, while Düus rips it up on the electric guitar, wandering through the crowd and out the door and back.

During  a song called “Hey Bartender,” Düus wandered up to the bar, soloing all the way and ordered a drink, then back to the stage through the full house.

 They took turns on lead vocals, with King’s distinctive gravelly, Dr. John style growl which was complemented by Düus’ own growl. They played a variety of blues classics like “Sweet Home Chicago,” and originals. They even had a couple dancing in the aisles.

It is always an interesting experience to see local experimental eclectic collective Sonis McAllister and the Barracuda Orchestre because you never know what they are going to do next.

They  brought their wild and weird muse to the Owl Acoustic Lounge to perform for a packed house, Nov. 5.

 They were all dressed in white, and added Mexican wrester mask clad Aaron Trozzo to drums and bicycle wheel.

 Local artist Mary-Ann McTrowe sported a set of butterfly wings and hit pipes with two hammers for additional percussion.

Jana Mackenzie danced and played tambourine while a cellist and saxophonist added a touch of jazz to Sonis McAllister’s unusual lyrics/ chants.