Greg Rekus returns to Lethbridge with new music

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Yes Virginia, touring musicians still exist.

 I was delighted to see Winnipeg Folk punk musician Greg Rekus return to the Owl Acoustic Lounge to host their open mic, Tuesday, Jan. 11 for an intimate audience spread all over the room.

 

 As usual he played solo, bouncing atop a raised platform adorned with  tambourines, which rattled as he leaped, which added extra percussion.

Greg Rekus jumps at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Jan. 11. Photo by Richard Amery

 

 His energetic hour-long- set  featured lots of rhythm and percussion from Rekus stomping , impassioned, raw vocals and a lots of kazoo solos. He sounded like a mix of Elvis Costello and Blink -182.

 

 Most of his set came from his most recent CD  “Death And Taxes,” which he released in 2020, but for which touring had to be postponed due to Covid. 

 

He got the audience to sing along with a couple of catchy, tribal choruses and asked for requests. “Preferably my songs,” he quipped.

 

So I requested “Oil in the Ground”  from Punkcoustic, which featured a familiar chord progression, which he used to segue into “16 Tons” and “Hit The Road Jack.” The song also featured a quick, classical/Latin music inspired lead riff.

 

“ Time” was one of the  highlights he played from the new CD.

 

 He wound up the set with a cover of the Pogues “Dirty Old Town.”

 

“ I only know 90 per cent of the lyrics, so sing along if you want,” he advised the audience.

 

He opened the stage for the open mic after ending with “Rain” from Punkcoustic.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 January 2022 13:41 )