Bluesfest: Ben Cooper

Back in the depths of 2005, I chanced to see a pleasant performance at Zaphod Beeblebrox by Stone Melodies. I noted in my writeup that they had one a slot at the previous year's Bluesfest. This year I had a chance to see guitarist Ben Cooper on his own.

Harmonica adjusting action! (That's bassist Dan Joseph to the left of Cooper)



The omnipresent Tyler Kealey lends a hand on the keys.



Hail Satan!



Ben sings!



Extra drumming from Dan Loach!



And so on!



He'll be at Grace O'Malley's on Ogilvie Rd. for a New Year's Eve show with The Jackson Miles Band.

• Show reminder: Critical Convictions, Avon Dealer and Spilt Guts rock Cafe Dekcuf; Holy Cobras, Roberta Bondar, Grime Kings and Boyhood play the Capital Rehearsal Hall at 240 Bank St.; Mark Crissinger and some other folks will perform at Irene's; Maria Hawkins is in the house at The Rainbow; Old Stereo with opener Sean Duhaime Trio are at the Elmdale.

Everybody must get stoned

Stone Melodies played Bluesfest last year as part of winning Emergenza (or "Scamergenza" as the scamps at punkottawa.com like to call it). They play a very skilled blend of roots rock and pop music.

Singer and guitarist Ben Cooper has a slight vocal resemblance to Jeff Buckley.



Bassist Jason LeBlanc, one half of a very solid rhythm section.



Jamie Urie, the other half.



And all together.



They play The Hard Rock Cafe tonight and tomorrow.