Local musicians Jimmy Guiboche, Graham Guest, Grant Stovel, and Chris Brzezcki proved again last week why they are the first-call backing band for many of the blues and jazz acts that make their way to Edmonton without one. They were the perfect complement to "Georgia Songbird," EG Kight’s original music, and an engaging stage presence last week at the Blues on Whyte. One of Guiboche’s other projects, Jimmy and the Sleepers, has also been doing pretty well of late.

"We just played Egremeont and Grande Prairie last week and we seem to be making some headway there," said the talented guitarist between sets. "The Grande Prairie show was sold out and we drew very well in Egremeont." Sales of the debut disc have also been doing well through Megatunes, and the self-titled effort spent a few weeks on the CKUA charts as well.

For his part, local keyboard ace Guest, a regular member of the Sue Foley touring band, was pumped about her gig coming up in a couple of weeks. "Sue is going to be here with the "Guitar Women" tour on March 10th and we’ll be at Bonnie Doon Hall," he enthused. "It should be great and it gives me a chance to work with Tom [Bona] and Mike [Fitzpatrick–both members of Foley’s rhythm section] again." Ellen McIlwaine and Rachelle Van Zanten will join Foley on this leg of the "Guitar Women" tour. Look for Foley to highlight material from her anticipated release, New Used Car, scheduled to hit the shelves in early April. Tickets at Tix on the Square and Megatunes.

DAS BLUES

What exactly is das macht Show? They have been described as "the hyperactive bastard spawn of burlesque and bluegrass" by Stylus magazine and the image that conjures may be the best descriptor yet. Formed initially as a cowboy poetry backup duo in Brandon four years ago, the group has grown to include six members and a repertoire that covers everything from western swing to euro pop in an all acoustic, harmony heavy format. Guitar, bass, accordion, mandolin, clarinet and assorted percussion instruments share the stage with the band’s ever-present sense of humour. They have two albums to their credit, including the 2002 nominee at the Prairie Music Awards for "Outstanding Roots Recording," One Night in Berlin. Friday [February 24], das macht Show pulls into St. Basil’s for a gig sponsored by the Full Moon Folk Club that also features Regina-based finger-style guitarist Joel Fafard as the opening act.

Three’s company

The Arden Theatre has three big shows coming up on the next two weeks. The comfortable, acoustically superior venue hosts veteran bluesman Charlie Musselwhite, in his lone Canadian date this spring, next Friday [March 3]. Look for an interview with Musselwhite in this space next week. Thursday [March 9th], Flook!, a band that fuses traditional Irish acoustic music with their own contemporary style, rolls into the Arden with a high energy, inventive, and versatile approach. Driven by flutes, guitar, and bohdran, Flook! had their most recent recording, Ruhai, nominated for a BBC Folk Award.

Scot folk rocker Al Stewart is at the Arden the following night with his beautiful bag of songs, unique voice, and inventive guitar work. Most famous for his ‘70s hits Time Passages and Year of the Cat, Stewart continues to craft thoughtful, intelligent songs.

St. Patty’s Day

Another show that fans of singer/songwriters should not miss is Patty Larkin, coming up at Festival Place. With 10 recordings under her belt, the native of Boston and winner of no less than 11 "Boston Music Awards" was also a recipient of the "Distinguished Alumnae Award" from Berklee College of music this year. If that wasn’t enough, last year Boston mayor Thomas Menino proclaimed December 26th "Patty Larkin Appreciation Day." The extremely talented singer/songwriter is full value for the honours and will no doubt prove it on March 10th.