Last Thursday marked the opening of the NAC Presents series in Ottawa, a long run of concerts featuring various Canadian musicians in Ottawa’s most pristine-sounding building. This year’s opener was a well-loved banjo songster known as Old Man Luedecke, who is currently touring his new record, Domestic Eccentric. Playing to a sold-out crowd in the cozy NAC Fourth Stage, Old Man Luedecke delivered exactly what his eager fans were looking for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG8Q0cgS9tw

Old Man Luedecke is nothing if not reliable. If you choose to go to one of his shows, you can count on the following: You are going to experience a relaxing evening of deft banjo playing, his voice is going to carry you through a number of charming and relatable folk tales, and there will be absolutely top-notch banter between songs. All of these were true at the NAC. He played two sets with a focus on showcasing his new album, with a number of old favourites and a new take on Leonard Cohen’s “Closing Time”. He was joined on stage by Joel Hunt on mandolin/fiddle/guitar and a double-bass player whose name I did not catch. The trio played off each other beautifully and constructed tight vocal harmonies to give Old Man Luedecke’s stories a little extra character.

Personally, I find his banter to be an element of his show that I truly look forward to, and I don’t think I could say that about any other musician. It goes without saying that he uses some of the same stories that accompany certain songs, but he has a way of varying his delivery and including some off-the-cuff comments that give his banter a natural, unrehearsed feeling. He makes a show feel like you are just hanging out in a friend’s living room, and the person playing is just some extremely talented guy with a banjo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ZZoIlgGNw

Domestic Eccentric is yet another solid addition to Old Man Luedecke’s catalogue. The album is laid back, even by the bluegrass-leaning folk musician’s standards. This is a set of songs written by and for a family man in his home, and features a number of sentimental ballads. The themes of love, offspring, and home life dominate the record, making it a gentle, comforting ride. I can’t say that it is my favourite of his albums, but there is no significant drop-off in songwriting on Domestric Eccentric, and his tales are as poignant ad true as ever. If you are a fan of his, make sure to grab a copy of Domestric Eccentric. If you are a folk fan who is new to Old Man Luedecke, I would start with Proof of Love.

Much Love,

~Dave