Paul Reddick
Revue
(Northern Blues)
The Ontario veteran Reddick’s star has risen nationally in recent years, and in the US when “I’m a Criminal” was used in a Coke ad. This best-of collection gives new exposure to 15 years of work. A revelation is the Rhythm & Truth Brass Band, whose romps border on jams to break up the tight roadhouse numbers. Just as Halifax blues bands tend to play as if they were double-parked, their Toronto counterparts can sound like they’re bucking for an A. Reddick is a raw, ruthless harmonica player. Winners range from the lament “Villanelle” to the boisterous “Rattlebag” with the sure hand of producer-guitarist Colin Linden providing a sense of unity.
Doug Taylor
categories: Canadian artist
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.