Review and photos by Margaret Evans
On October 24, the Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society kicked off their 2015-16 season with a Canadian music icon. The group’s new home at the Port Arthur Polish Hall is warm and comfortable with seating at tables and a fully serviced bar—it is a perfect gathering place for enjoying live music. The season opener was a one man show. Colin Linden filled that stage completely with his sound, his stories and his gracious manner.
As a member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (BARK) and his collaborations with other artists, his musical coaching and musical influence in the hit television series Nashville, not to mention his solo tours, the man has many influences and with that, many interesting stories to share. After playing in his earlier years with Bob Dylan, Linden went on to play with many artists from both sides of the border. He has played with Rita Chiarelli, Bruce Cockburn, Lucinda Williams, The Band and many others with more still to come. He talked about his excitement in the new BARK Kings and Kings collaboration to follow the Kings and Queens project which was received well by many.
Linden is known more for his acoustic, electric and his phenomenal slide guitar. He did not fail to instill that artistry on the receptive lucky people that were in that space and time. He has become quite a songwriter through the years with stories of all facets of life written and fitting so well to his music. It is not hard to see that his stature and ownership of the stage captivates the attention of everyone.
The next concert for the SGFMS is The Mudmen @ 8 pm Sat. November 14th $25 advance tickets available at Fireweed & Chaltrek. Hope to see you all there.
