Page 152 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL EATING IBERIA

By Margie Goldsmith

PLAYING THE BLUES

In Atlantic Canada

he Mellotones, Halifax’s most Eight years ago, I took up the har-
kickass Rhythm & Blues band, monica because I travel to many for-
Tare onstage at Bearlie’s, a Cana- eign countries and meet so many
dian hotspot for live blues. Much of whose language I can’t speak; music is
the audience is dancing but not me. a universal language and a harmonica
I’m quaking because I know they are easily fits into a pocket. Playing the
about to call me on blues quickly
stage. What have I grew into my
gotten myself into? passion, and
I’m a writer, not a while It took me
musician – an ama- a long time to
teur compared to this get over stage
sizzling hot Nova Sco- fright, I now go
tia nine-member to open mic
band. jams a few
I am in Atlantic times a week in
Canada because I’ve New York City.
been asked to write The thought of
about three historic playing with
hotels. Visualizing Canadian musi-
crumbling buildings, threadbare furni- cians was irresistible, especially as the
ture, and the smell of “old,” I planned timing worked out for me to go with a
to say no, but the firm that arranged fellow writer, Lea Lane, a world trav-
the trip dangled a carrot they knew I’d eler who has seen everything --- ex-
bite: play with different musicians cept me playing blues harp. She
each night. I couldn’t pack quickly promised to drive, be my groupie and
enough. even my roadie.

152 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020