Jack Semple is quite simply the best guitarist around. To hear him play live is one of life’s incredible treats – second only perhaps to listening to one of his sensational albums like Cool Yule or Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot (while sipping a glass of red wine.)
Earl Krushelnicki of Blues Underground Network snagged Semple for a dance Saturday at Columbus Community Hall. While in our fair city, the award winning Canadian rhythm-and-blues artist also devoted some of his time Friday to giving workshops and mentoring young guitarists.
For sure, the blues weren’t born on the Prairies but Semple – while living in Regina, Saskatchewan with his young family – has given the blues new life with engagements across the country.
He began Saturday’s show solo with two amazing instrumentals that showcased his dynamic guitar stylings to an appreciative crowd. Nobody – not even the late, great Lenny Breau – puts as much feeling into the frets as Semple does. His flamenco-fueled stylings even cross over seamlessly from classic acoustic to electric guitar.
When he plays, it’s not long before the dance floor is full (encouraged by Semple to get closer to the stage) and he’s slipping into something comfortable like some B.B. King tunes and Gordon Lightfoot classics. Or, by request, dance standards like Black Magic Woman.
He delighted the Columbus crowd – again by request – with his impromptu rendition of our national anthem. Semple is better known as an A-plus guitar virtuoso than a singer but he also has a great voice. His slowly, simmering Rainy Night in Georgia is guaranteed to melt your heart every time.
Semple is totally at home on stage. He plays with the familiarity of someone who just sat down on your living-room sofa or settled himself on the front porch – so much so that his master’s touch seems almost effortless.
Indeed, with several CDs under his belt and some original songs, an armload of awards and titles like 1992 Guitar Wars winner and recognition from his TV work (title role in Guitarman), Semple has an ever-growing fan base. Maybe that’s because he always gives his all to the performance, a skill honed from his time with former band The Lincolns (they performed at fan Wayne Gretzky’s wedding) and appearances with Jack Semple Band.
Today, though, he mostly flies solo and features talented back-up musicians wherever he plays.
In this case, local guitar guru Paul Forster and his drumming dynamo son Eric Forster of The Enforsters more than filled the bill.
