>>PREVIEW
BELTLINE BLUES FESTIVAL
Big Dave McLean
June 23-25
Victoria Riverside Park
For bluesman Big Dave McLean, 30-year music veteran, a career is about more than just having a string of recordings. McLean has released only four CDs, but over the past three decades, he’s always been consistent in his goals: be yourself, be courteous and have something to say.
McLean’s instantly recognizable voice, phrasing and playing all reflect his passion for "old school" blues .
"I’m inspired by songs that I’ve heard by Muddy (Waters), by Wolf, Sonny Boy, Elmore James, all the old-timers," says McLean.
"I’m more into the old school. I mean I can sit down and listen to Stevie Ray and be blown away or even more contemporary guys than that, but basically I’m old school, I like the old masters. I’ll put my own stamp on their songs. Try and put your own feel into it, learn what the song has to say – you’ve got to keep the flavour of the song, obviously, but try to put your own spin on it so that when people hear it (they know it’s you)."
McLean’s stage performances also identify him as one of the top bluesmen in Canada and what he knows about the business came to him from blues legends John Hammond Jr. and Muddy Waters. What did he learn from the masters? "Well you gotta be courteous," says McLean. "You know, Muddy Waters told me you can have the best guys in the world in your band, and if they gotta go, if they want to branch out and do their own thing, you’re not gonna stop them from doing what they’re destined to do. You might as well aid them along, help them out. And John (Hammond) was much the same, one of the most courteous gentlemen on this planet, you know, totally helpful, inspiring. You know both of them were just wonderful, wonderful men. I’m so pleased that I had the opportunity to even meet them."
Many would say McLean himself is an influence often cited by other blues players like Wide Mouth Mason and Colin James. Though he isn’t a prolific songwriter, his songs are recognized for their stamp of real, personal experience.
"I never even look at myself as really being a songwriter," says McLean. "I’ve only written a dozen songs or so, but you know you have to have something to say first. I’m tired of the ‘same old same old,’ you know – ‘oh you lost your shoes,’ ‘you can’t get your truck started.’" Same with country (music), you know – ‘your wife left you again,’ like, ‘your fourth wife left you for the fifth time,’ that kind of stuff and it’s kinda redundant. You have to have something to say." |
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