Tales of a banjo-pickin’ fool

Back around the year 2000, I was reviewing CDs for the University of Regina’s Carillon student newspaper and loving it. In my time a disc came across my desk by a fellow named Steve Dawson, a virtuostic guitar player, producer, and the man behind Black Hen Records. Since then I’ve yet to come across another Black Hen artist, let alone one that matched the fun spirit and playful romp of his disc Bug Parade until now.
I found Old Man Luedecke on the chart I base most of the show off when his latest, Proof of Love, was released. As is my self-imposed mandate, I checked him out and fell in love with his voice, banjo, and compositional style. He’s a songwriter out of the old-school, a classic case. One of those artists that just has a quality outlook on life and a passion for his craftsmanship and performance.
Oh, and by the way: banjo doesn’t always mean country.
I eventually learned that Black Hen patriarch Dawson not only put the Nova Scotian “banjo scenester’s” record out, but also produced it. Small world.
Old Man Luedecke - Proof of Love [2:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Old Man Luedecke - the Drawing Near [3:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadProof of Love and debut Hinterland can be purchased via the InterTubes:
Black Hen Music: Mail order is for champions!
iTunes: Roots music, digitally.




Old Man Luedecke will be appearing at Guelph’s ever-lovin’ hippie love-in, Hillside Festival, not next weekend, but the one after that. SoI’m gonna be sure to catch his act!
Very nice!!