- Black Hen Concert Series with Barney Bentall, Wednesday, March 27, 8 p.m. at the Electric Owl, 928 Main St., Vancouver. Tickets are $25 in advance at tickets.capilanou.ca, or $27 at the door.
PLATINUM-SELLING Canadian music icon Barney Bentall is coming down to the Lower Mainland next week for a live show at the Electric Owl.
An easily described legend of Canadian music, the Juno Award winning roots musician is set to perform a re-imagining of Bob Dylan's classic album Blood on the Tracks.
Not to be confused with a cover of the album, a re-imagining allows some creative licence for Bentall, along with Vancouver-based musicians Steve Dawson and the Black Hen House Band, to add some of their own personal flair.
Or, as Bentall says, an excuse if the show takes a turn for the worse
"We might just be trying to give ourselves a way out if we drive her off the rails and crash and burn!" Bentall wrote in an email interview from Chile. "The performance then becomes a metaphor."
Bentall describes his take on Dylan's album not so much a challenge, but a learning process for him in his own quest to find his voice. Even if he is a seasoned and accomplished artist, he believes he is always learning and evolving his music.
"It takes a long time to find your own voice. Hell, I'm still finding mine," Bentall said. "I think Bob Dylan found his voice, strength and direction early in the game and had, and continues to have, a significant impact on the world."
Most known for his work in his band Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Bentall describes Bob Dylan as a major influence on him. He only wishes to honour the legend's body of work, even if it is a departure from his usual style.
"I'm an unworthy disciple of this great work of art and I'm hoping that we
pull off the caper and do it a little bit of justice," he said.
Bentall has been active in music for more than 30 years and in that time has released three independent and seven studio albums.
His work with the Legendary Hearts proved to be his most commercially successful venture, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his own solo career, even after a six-year hiatus which began in 2000 when the now 57-year-old settled on a ranch in the Cariboo region of B.C.
He also continues to work with many West Coast artists, recently contributing his talents to West Vancouver's Tom Taylor's latest album Pull Over Here.
"Tom is a fantastic singer/ songwriter and a class act," Bentall said. "Producing his album Pull Over Here was one of the best recording experiences I've had."
Bentall has interest in other West Coast artists as well, with acts such as Pharis and Jason Romero, residents of Cariboo, recently catching his eye.
His own son, Dustin Bentall, has taken off as a professional musician in his own right. Dustin's self-described country/ psychedelic/rock style from his Myspace page is quality music, Barney says. And something he looks forward to hearing for a long time.
"It's great to watch Dustin out there working hard and putting out some really fine music," Bentall said. "I'm really proud of what he's doing and it's good to know I'll be well entertained in the old folks home!"
Bentall is looking forward to his performance set at the Electric Owl this Wednesday, March 27. Accompanying him on stage will be Steve Dawson, Geoff Hicks, Keith Lowe and Chris Gestrin.
For more information on his upcoming performance visit electricowl.ca/calendar, or check Bentall's website at barneybentall.com.
