Have a blue Christmas. And like it

Sault Ste. Marie bluesman Al Wood is set to return home from Ottawa for a bit of quality family time this holiday season.

Of course, he's made sure to set aside a night or two to show his hometown why his recent release Mood Swingin' Blues has been garnering so much attention lately.

The album was one of four CBC Fresh Air picks for the month of October.

And Mike Jurkovic of The Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange wrote: "Fronted by the brandy voice, randy blue harmonica, and the lyrical sting of Al Wood's guitar, Mood Swingin' Blues' rock-a-billy and chugging train rhythms pack more wallop and swinging late night mood swings in these thirteen all original, cliché-free tracks than most blues ensembles will conjure in a career."

Al Wood and the Woodsmen first hit the Bottoms Up Lounge stage (280 Queen St. E. upstairs) on Saturday, December 20 at 10 p.m.

Then Al and the boys play Loplops Gallery Lounge (651 Queen St. E.) Friday, December 26 at 10 p.m.

Al will also be part of Loplops' annual local music celebration, The 12 Musicians of Christmas, on Monday, December 29.

To learn more about Al Wood and Mood Swingin' Blues, visit www.alwoodmusic.com

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