René Lussier’s MEUH (Québec)
With this trio, guitarist René Lussier explores gems from the big book of country and western swing, with the rhythmic support of his own ‘foot percussion,’ characteristic of Québécoise traditional music. The brilliant lap steel player Pierre Lavoie is something of the ‘straight man’ when placed alongside eccentric Montreal turntable master, Martin Tétreault. The results are intoxicating, swinging, funny, and all the while ‘un peu sauvage.’ If Sonny Rollins successfully integrated C&W tunes (or at least showtunes inspired by them) into the jazz canon on Way Out West – it’s that record’s 60th anniversary! – through his rare combination of raw inventiveness, broad humour, and a heartfelt love of the melodies, then MEUH is squarely and joyfully in the same tradition.
Saturday, 16 September, 2pm, Guelph Little Theatre (on a bill with Way Out Northwest), $30/$25