Al Wood is a multi-talented performer and songwriter with a deep reverence for the blues and traditionally based roots music.
As a virtuoso harmonica player, talented guitar stylist with a golden throated voice spanning a career over 20 years, Al Wood's artistry and musicianship are starkly revealed.
Wood's versatility delivers a personal flare by capturing the Chicago style blues traditions and merging a journey of hard core real country, melodic jazz with a diverse array of other influences.
One reviewer from Blues bytes noted that ..."Al Wood's guitar styling, equally at ease when evoking Spanish flamenco or Django-style swing as he is playing the blues..."
Al Wood and the Woodsmen are a double barreled harmonica-driven blues band. The Sound meshes an obvious respect and love for the blues with fresh thematic spins that unify audiences without losing the edge.
With three independent releases spanning the last decade (Mood Swingin' Blues - 2008; Right on Cue - 2012; and Hooka Train - 2017) this distinctive artist has earned CBC "Fresh Air Pick of the Month" honours, spent considerable time on commercial radio DAWG FM "Top 20 albums" and continues receive domestic and international radio airplay.
His 2008 release - Mood Swingin' Blues was nominated for "Album of the Year" and "Vocal Performance of the Year" for Late Night Stroll at the Music and Film in Motion (MFM) Northern Ontario awards in 2009. An excerpt of the song "Late Night Stroll" on the PBS TV "Road Trip Nation"in 2012. The 2012 "Right on Cue' release was selected as a Top Pick by the Toronto Blues Society - June 2012. All signs point to good things for the soon to be released "Hooka Train" with excellent radio and media reaction.
In 2010, Al Wood and the Woodsmen took first place in the Ottawa Blues Society "Road to Memphis" challenge where they advanced to the semi finals in 2011 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
Performance and album reviews:
- "Although he pokes fun at his efforts, in reality he’s a virtuoso harmonica player with a distinct style that ranges from sweet and silky to lowdown and gritty, plus a whisky-coated singing voice and a knack for expressing himself through song, as you can hear on his new CD, Hooka Train." -Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
- "it was yet "another" incredible show that had the place shaking in their seats, clapping their hands and smiling to some serious showmanship....It's not too often at a blues show, do you have people sing along with the chorus, but that's exactly what went down last night." - J-man - (former music Director and on-air personality at DAWG FM 101.9 current DJ at Rebel)
- "rock-a-billy and chugging train rhythms pack more wallop and swinging late night mood swings in these thirteen original, cliché-free tracks than most blues ensembles will conjure up in a career" (www.acousticmusic.com FAME review)
- "it is primed to influence your spirit to bring you out of the blues! The doctor's prescription is to take a dose of mood swinging blues now" (Big Wayne - Live Blues Tonight)
OUR SPECIAL MENU INCLUDES.....
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Memphis style BBQ Sauce; BBQ Baked Beans with bacon; Potato Salad; Coleslaw with Remoulade Dressing; Blueberry Cobbler; Sweet Iced Tea; & Cafe du Monde Coffee & Chicory.
PLEASE NOTE.....There are NO physical tickets. Nothing is sent to you, in the mail, or via email. Once payment is processed through Pay Pal, a notification is sent to me. Then, your name is written on the guest list, for the event.
PAYMENT CAN ALSO BE MADE VIA ETRANSFERS. Please contact connie@mississippiqueenfoods.com to confirm space is available, prior to sending. Price is $45 + HST, per person, which comes to $50.85, for food and music.
PLEASE NOTE your payment is for the food, the music, and the applicable HST. Gratuity is never automatically added to your ticket price.
Item: ALWOOD