A guitar broke. A drum fell of the stage. A few of the choruses weren’t quite on key. These were just a few of the touches that made Willie Stratton and his band’s performance at In the Dead of Winter a memorable one.
The four members of the band lined across the stage with a mish mash of vintage microphones. This gave the whole show an eerie feeling. It was like listening to something on an AM dial yet the music was unfolding live in front of you.
The performance had a raw and organic feel to it. Choosing heart and soul over style and perfection. The six foot something Willie Stratton would stand holding an unstrapped guitar or banjo, letting the instrument go where it needed to go. Bookending the sides of the stage were two floor tom drums used to pound life throughout the songs.
The set consisted mostly of songs from his album, a song from band member Magnus von Tiesenhausen and a few covers including a spirited traditional song from the Southern United States.
The band looked like they were having a blast playing on stage. They brought unbridled enthusiasm that grabbed the attention of the audience that filled the Bus Stop Theatre. Willie Stratton and his band are breathing new life into the Halifax music scene.
