Canada’s relentlessly touring bluesman Doc MacLean performs on Saturday at Fratters Speakeasy in Red Deer.
Toronto-based MacLean has appeared across North America at clubs and blues festivals. His legendary road trips encompass some 200-plus dates each year.
In 2006, MacLean released his critically acclaimed Narrow House album, which plotted an emotional remapping of contemporary, Delta-rooted music. Produced by Colin Linden, the recording is driven by MacLean’s distinctive vocals and bare fingers guitar.
MacLean has opened for many blues legends over the years, including Muddy Waters and John Hammond. He’s also shared the bill with Linden, B.B. King, Duke Robillard, Downchild and many other artists.
The musician feels equally comfortable leading a workshop, priming a rowdy blues festival crowd or telling a story in a hushed theatre.
Son of a civil rights lawyer and a fiddle player, MacLean often follows in his father’s footsteps, with his concerns for social justice leading him to perform in prisons, soup kitchens, picket lines and hospices.
MacLean has played on radio and TV shows, including CNN Today, CBC 90 Minutes Live, Touch the Earth, Canada Live and Saturday Night Blues. But he also remains a bit of a blues hobo, performing on the street when the opportunity arises.
There’s a $10 cover for the 8:30 p.m. show at Fratters, which is a Central Music Festival event. For more information, call 403-356-0033.