Sunday, October 03, 2010

Sheiking all over

The Mississipi Sheiks were a singularly influential band during their 1930s heyday, playing country blues and a host of other popular genres to crowds both south and north. Their Sittin' On Top Of The World has been covered by artists ranging from Bob Wills to The Grateful Dead, and Rory Gallagher thought enough of them to pen a tune in their honour. Canada's Steve Dawson is another artist who has immersed himself in the music, and corralled a bunch of other performers into a tribute album released in 2009. It all worked so fine that some live performances followed, among them a gathering on the Hard Rock Stage at Bluesfest.

Here's one of them, Daniel Lapp on fiddle (he also plays the trumpet).

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Del Rey rocks the resonator, Alvin Youngblood Hart plays guitar.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Steve rocks the microphone ... actually I think he's introducing Jim Byrnes, and I believe that's Keith Lowe behind him.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jim Byrnes!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Steve slides.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Sheik-y action!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Matt Chamberlain on drums - like Keith, part of the backing band for the album.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Del Rey and an even smaller resonator.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Daniel fiddles about!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Jim sings!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Steve takes a turn on acoustic guitar.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Stringed action!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Alvin sings!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

Singalong action!

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

And one last photo of Del rocking out on ukulele.

Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Project at Ottawa Bluesfest 2010

I'm sure the Chatmons would be pleased.

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