Jim Bryson with Kathleen Edwards
Friday, Aug. 28, Lucky Ron's, 207 Rideau St.

Kim Deschamps with Kathleen Edwards
Saturday, Aug. 29, Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield, PQ

-- by Wig
 

    "The grand plan," Jim Bryson declares with typical humility, "is to play more and maybe get a record out in the next few months."

    Fairly achievable, one would suspect.  After all, since leaving Punchbuggy a couple of years ago, Bryson has been solidifying a reputation as one of the best songwriters in town.

    This, despite playing only a handful of shows.  In fact, this Friday's show will be only the fourth "official" performance by Bryson's dangerously good band, partly because members are busy with other bands like Starling and Punchbuggy.

    Bryson remains fond of playing bluegrass-flavored banjo tunes, given the chance, but the bulk of the band set tends to rely on full-out country-fried rock and roll.  And it sounds very good indeed.  Bryson cites Mark Eitzel's American Music Club as one influence, but notes that he gets "more influences from arrangements than just songs themselves".

    Opening for Bryson, and for Cowboy Junkies/Blue Rodeo pedal steel player Kim Deschamps, will be formidable talent Kathleen Edwards, who is also becoming a name of note among  fans of songwriters.  Edwards will be playing a few shows here over the next few weeks, and she is definitely worth seeking out.