The Junction
Peterborough, Ontario
Sept 22, 2006
Local radio personality Al Kirkcaldy loves the blues, and as such has been instrumental in bringing some of it's greatest touring acts to Peterborough. To the world at large most of these acts are relative unknowns but to the blues fan they are it's biggest stars.
I have to admit that I began my exploration of the blues relatively recently. Especially modern blues. Al's series of local concerts have been great course material for me.
The latest class in the blues took place on September 22nd at the Junction in Peterborough. The instructor that night was Lucky Peterson.
Lucky was a blues prodigy, recording his first single by the age of five. He is often referred to as a "triple threat" as he sings, plays guitar, and also plays the hammond organ. Lucky, now in his Forties, is a commanding stage presence able to paint with a broad palette.
Lucky's guitar playing goes from clean blues standards, to Soul - R&B, and on to fire breathing Hendrix inspired riffing and solos. His vocals are deep and powerful as evidenced by Lucky strolling into the audience and belting out the blues sans microphone while the bass and drums laid down a soft backline.
I'm a guitar player, but I also have a love of that warbling Hammond Organ. Damn, Lucky can play that thing! A good portion of his first set was dedicated to to it, as was part of his second. I wish I'd gotten some photos of Lucky playing the organ, but the stage lighting was so poor at that point that he was pretty much sitting in the dark while on the keys.
After breaking a string on his guitar during the second set Lucky also switched to Organ while work was undertaken to get his guitar back in shape. I'm not sure what exactly happened but he ended up the set with a stratocaster provided by an audience member.
I won't profess to know every song Lucky played but I do remember Got My Mojo Working, Killing Floor, Mustang Sally, Sweet Home Chicago and a short Jimi Hendrix medley.
All told a great evening of the electric blues. Special thanks to Al Kirkcaldy for putting on this show, and for allowing me to photograph it.
More photos can be seen in the
Gallery