PAUL REDDICK
RIDE THE ONE
STONY PLAIN RECORDS SPCD 1388
SHADOWS–CELEBRATE–MOURNING DOVE–GOTTA FIND A…–IT GOES WITH YOU–WATERSMOOTH–DIAMONDS–LIVING IN ANOTHER WORLD–I TRIED TO TELL YOU–LOVE AND NEVER KNOW–MOON AND STAR
Paul Reddick has been on our radar since his days with The Sidemen back in the Nineties. Always one to emphasize the song first, this versatile singer/writer/harpman is affectionately known as the “Unofficial Poet Laureate of the Blues in Canada,” and his latest album is entitled “Ride The One,” referencing the deep, passionate grooves contained herein. Another fellow countryman also influenced by Reddick is Monkeyjunk frontman Steve Marriner, who adds guitar and keys throughout.
Paul Reddick uses the time-honored blues traditions of love, loss, and salvation as recurring themes throughout the set, as well as how readily adaptable the themes are in regard to a rock-music background. The gritty tale of how “Shadows overtook me, I saw the lights go down,” leads off, giving way to the rolling riff that drives “Celebrate your voice, celebrate and rejoice!” Derek Downham is on talk-box guitar on the raucous romp that is “It Goes With You,” while an ode to a potential lover is the rapid-rhyme pattern of “Watersmooth–you’re so fine, I’ll see you somewhere down the line!” The set closes on a pure country-blues note–just Paul’s vocal and harp on “Moon And Star,” channeling Sonny Boy Williamson.
Our favorite leaned decidedly to Paul’s rockin’ side. “I’m Livin’ In Another World, where there ain’t no misery, and I never ever dream of you” brims with the good times that come with the realization of redemption after a period of struggle.
Paul Reddick has always had a keen eye for the histories and myths of the blues and how to put them into words. He also sponsors the Cobalt Prize, urging folks to write blues songs, to ensure the future of Canadian blues. “Ride The One” has all the elements of a well-written and well-played set! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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