Photo above: Bass player James Norris maintains the tempo as drummer Cam Lewis keeps the beat.
By Bob Sofaly
Last Saturday night’s Street Music on Paris Avenue had to be moved into The Shed because of really bad weather. But it didn’t stop approximately 300 people from having a great time as they listened to a different kind of R&B music by Peter Harper and back-up band, Midwest Kind. His website describes Harper as, “An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music…Harper creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo. By combining traditional and modern influences, borrowing from Western and World music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled “World Blues”.
According to the band’s manager, Bobbi Llewellyn, Harper plays a series of authentic Australian didgeridoos which is a very large, low pitched wind instrument developed about 1,500 years ago in northern Australia. Whatever it’s called, Harper’s “drone pipe” mesmerized the audience and had them clambering for more.
From left: Port Royal town councilman Joe Lee, greats the audiences to the 67th free outdoor concert; Australian born Peter Harper blows into his authentic didgeridoo creating a low pitched tone; Lead guitar player, Will Wideoutt, lends a more traditional feel to the Harper and Midwest Kind band; The audience shows their appreciation for Peter Harper’s playing the didgeridoo.
