Mr. Smither goes to Ottawa

The best thing about Bluesfest is getting surprised by a great performer you'd never heard of before. Chris Smither is such a man. Mind you, that's not because he's some obscure artist: He's released 12 albums since his first in 1970, and his songs have appeared on other artist's albums, most notably Bonnie Raitt's. As a guitarist he's inspired by New England folkies and bluesmen Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin' Hopkins, and has a gravelly voice ideally suited to his worldly-wise lyrics. And now, a few pictures of a man and his guitar.







Big finish!



His 13th album, Time Stands Still, is slated for release September 29.

• Show reminder: The Wind Whistles, Paper Tiger and Katanga play Zaphod's; there's a Calgary Brit-pop invasion at the Rainbow with Secret Broadcast, The Fast Romantics and The Ascot Royals; Deon Blyan and Elise vT get folk-poppy at the Avant-Garde.