The above trio are a Victoria-based blues band called "Slim & The Deuces". They contacted me last week and asked if I would like to take some photos to use on their latest CD. On Friday I spent about an hour with them down on Store Street in old town Victoria. One of the cuts on their CD is entitled "Store Street Shuffle" and they wanted some photographs to include the street sign if possible. Above is one of the many photos I took that day. From the left, band members are John Hunter, Dave "Slim" Harris, and George Fenn. For me it was a great opportunity to try some new techniques and work with interesting, congenial people. Below is a little taste of their music from a live recording made on Canada Day 2016 by Dave Harris.The song is the "Store Street Shuffle" by John Hunter. For the CD, the band is still in the studio and the CD will be released in early 2017, entitled "2017 Bluesville".
Victorians as well as tourists are lucky to be able to enjoy the performances of Dave Harris, our legendary one man band. Dave is a Victoria institution and has been entertaining on the Inner Harbour Causeway for more than 30 years. People who first heard him as children now bring their own kids to share the experience. I was lucky to catch his first Causeway appearance this year on Saturday. Below, Dave always draws an appreciative audience!
Down on the Inner Harbour Causeway on Easter Sunday I was happy to see A favorite causeway busker, one man band extraordinaire, Dave Harris. I am pleased to be able to share with you a few songs I was able to record from that day's performance. Dave is a remarkable talent and this city is fortunate to be his home.
There is so much interesting entertainment available on the Inner Harbour Causeway that I often neglect the many performers who provide music in other downtown locations. Above is a musician I look forward to listening to again. His name is Michael Thompson, AKA "Black Velvet" - a name that goes perfectly with a voice that sounds marinated in whiskey when he sings the blues on Fisgard Street. Michael says he has to sing because he has all these songs in his head and his neighbors complain if he lets them loose when he's at home. I'm glad his neighbors have got such poor taste since I found it a real pleasure to sit and listen to this accomplished performer.
Situated on the far west coast of Canada, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital city of the Province of British Columbia. Its benign climate (the warmest winters in Canada) and placid lifestyle make it a favorite retirement location as well as a popular tourist destination. About 400,000 people live in Victoria and adjacent communities. Click the photos to see them larger!
