Young Nova Scotian blues guitarist sensation GARRET MASON and his two sidemen – Mike Farrington on bass and Damien Moynihan on drums  - invaded and enthralled the audience at The Cove Inn in Westport this past weekend playing to Sold Out audiences on both Friday and Saturday nights. Wielding 3 different guitars and sounding like he was playing them all simultaneously Garrett took no prisoners. Those who weren’t dancing (and there weren’t many!) sat back in awe. How can a man’s fingers work that fast? The speed and perfection of his playing was complimented beautifully by Mike’s fluid bass work and Damien’s hard, crisp drumming. This is one tight power trio! At age 25 Garrett has already made a major splash on the Canadian blues scene with his monster guitar and original compositions – no wonder he’s up for two 2007 Maple Blues Awards - Best Electric Act of the Year and Best Guitarist of the Year. It’s hard-drivin’ rockin’ blues played the way it should be – just like his old man Dutch used to lay down - although Garrett’s style is completely his own. The crowd was a little older than these boys are used to playing for but any concerns they may have had evaporated as soon as they started playing and the Cove crowd hit the dance floor. It stayed packed all night as usual with major applause after each song, brisk sales of his Juno Award winning CD “I’m Just A Man” and loud demand for encores both nights. 

Comments from the Cards:

“10 out of 10 across the board. Ooh la la, Mr. Mason you are something! Apryle Patterson, Carp

“Fabulous rockin’ blues! Great young talent! Super evening out for young and not-quite-so-young blues fans” Lorna Rae, Harrowsmith

“I’ve loved every band I’ve seen at BOTR @ The Cove but Garrett’s been the best so far I think. 40 on a scale of 1 to 10!!” Ian Jackson, Westport

“What a night! I felt like a 14 year old again out on that dance floor!” Sharon Yake, Ottawa “We always enjoy the whole package – great music, good food, wonderful venue and a beautiful village” Carole & Bob Peyman, Lanark  

“We came for Garrett and he didn’t disappoint! Great atmosphere at The Cove. Loved the fact that boomers still have a place to groove!” Heather Dawe, Ottawa

In addition to the great music attendees were treated to the delicious Cove buffet (medaillons de lamb and Swedish meatballs Friday – roast beef and stuffed cod fillets on Saturday) plus the usual assortment of great veggies, salads, potatoes, rolls and sinfully delicious desserts all included in the $49 pp price tag (taxes & donation to charity included). There were a number of mentions on the Comment Cards about how well priced these special evenings are and the great value of the Cove’s Blues Weekend Getaway accommodation packages.