Banff Crag and Canyon — Matt Minglewood represents a thousand Canadian rockers working the bar and club circuits and never really making it to the big, big time.
These people can be heard at blues and folk fests at any given time and are probably some of the hardest working people in the business.
They rely on their voices, guitars and perhaps a bass and drum kit. Technology doesn’t play a big roll.
After 35 years playing these circuits from Cape Breton to Vancouver, Minglewood has risen to legendary status. But it’s unlikely you will hear him on any ordinary radio station, despite 11 albums since 1975. That’s because Minglewood doesn’t adapt to meet the latest music fashions. He stoically stays with what he does best: live shows, onstage anecdotes and good, old fashioned rock ’n’ roll coupled with a healthy dose of blues and country.
Musically speaking, Minglewood strums a mean guitar. He expertly rolls his brand of acoustic rock ’n’ roll, blues and country with a splash of folk.
Throw in a harmonica, some piano, a ton of talent and years of tireless touring from his home in Cape Breton all the way to Vancouver and you’ve got the recipe for Minglewood’s legendary status.
Lyrically, Minglewood sings of life at its most raw, similar to Tom Waits, but without the cigarette and whisky-scratched voice. But the music is lively, foot-tapping stuff and would likely be welcome at almost any down-home poker party. I’m speaking of his new live album, The Story.
According to rumour, seeing Minglewood in person is an entirely different matter. His funny and entertaining on-stage anecdotes have as big a reputation as Minglewood himself. It’s been said that seeing the man in concert is like a one-on-one experience akin to having him in your living room.
If that’s the case, then get the La-z-boy out, because Minglewood is coming to rock Banff.
Check him out Saturday at the Margaret Greenham Theatre. Show starts at 8 p.m.