Friday, February 25, 2000
By Charlie A'Court / Entertainment Reporter In Tune
Truro Daily News
Entertainment
Twenty-five years after he released his first album with Solar Records, Matt
Minglewood is on the road again with his latest CD, Drivin' Wheel. Today,
Minglewood is still revered as one of the top rock-blues acts to have come from
the East Coast and watch him perform on stage is to witness a culmination of
years of touring all in one night.
Minglewood will be performing the new tracks from Drivin' Wheel, plus his
signature songs tonight at the Engine Room in Truro at his CD release concert.
Cover charge is $8. at the door, and the show is almost guaranteed to pack some
punch.
The album marks the first release under his own label, Norton Records,
something which Matt says he's happy he has done. Matt said in a recent phone
interview, that playing in the business this long he's learned to sort out the
good guys from the bad when it comes to the industry side of music. As a
result, releasing an album under his own label allows him the freedom of
uncropped creativity.
In terms of his career, Matt said, "When people have said to me that I have to
go in direction (with music), it's never worked for me."
"So, now I'm back doing whatever I feel" Matt finished with a laugh".
That's not to say that he's not proud of his music, for Matt's albums have gone
gold on three occasions.
"I was never disappointed with any of the albums I did, it didn't make me feel
bad doing it at all. You know a lot of it was my own stuff so I felt good
about it." Matt explains from his home in Glace Bay, "but, it seems the albums
that worked the best for me were the ones where I did whatever I did," whether
it was a rock and roll song or a blues song.
Now after all his exploration with music, it would seem Matt has gone full
circle with Drivin' Wheel.
Matt's list of influences that come across on the album reads like a recipe for
a pot luck dinner. Born in Moncton, raised in North Sydney, his musical
influences were Scottish fiddlers, Gaelic folk songs, and Hank Williams.
Reaching the other end of the musical spectrum, Matt got his blues inspiration
from legends like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reid, BB King, and Eric Clapton. Let's
not forget the rock and roll.
Like a wolf, Matt has lead his pack of performers all across Canada on
countless National tours, filling each venue with fans and leaving his mark on
the Canadian music scene.
It is not only Matt's drive and showmanship on stage, but it's his energy and
determination to deliver his high quality of performance across the country
that has earned him the praise and respect of his peers.
In a previous article with Canadian blues legend
Dutch Mason
Dutch gave credit to Minglewood's undying will to perform. "Matt's the only
one I know today that will still get in a friggin' van and drive all over
Canada to play", Mason said.
Even now Minglewood has his year booked with concert dates, not only here in
Canada but in Europe as well. Drivin' Wheel is now released in the Maritimes,
where Minglewood plans to do extensive touring before leaving for the rest of
the country when the album goes National. Minglewood begins his cross-country
tour in April and returns for another Atlantic tour for the end of May and June.
Then, Matt heads overseas for a European tour in July to support the new album,
and once again returns to the East Coast towards the end of the summer for yet
another tour. Minglewood said he is excited about the prospects of the
overseas tour as it will open him up to an extremely large market.
Drivin' Wheel features 11 tracks of whole hearted rock and blues with an energy
that is trademark Minglewood material. Produced by Minglewood, the album
shines a spotlight on some of the front ranks of East Coast talent, including
ECMA winner Gordie Sampson and Cape Breton slide guitarist John Campbelljohn.
Minglewood's appearance in Truro tonight is sure to be a well attended concert
and as it's been said before, don't expect to go home early from one of Matt's
shows, for he's at home on the stage and closing time always comes too soon.
__Charlie A'Court is a local blues musician.