Blue Moon Marquee is a well-known country swing blues two-piece from Western Canada, and their releases always scratch that to-the-point blues itch I sometimes crave. This new release, GET YOUR FEATHERS READY blends their particular version of electrified swing blues with powwow drumming and Cree vocals, courtesy of the dynamic Northern Cree group from Alberta. Blue Moon Marquee were inspired by the documentary Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World and wanted their infectious vibe of blues to be backed up by traditional Native American music. This combination could easily feel gimmicky or forced, but by all accounts, it doesn’t on this album.
The album emerged from A.W. Cardinal’s long-held conviction that blues and Indigenous music have always been connected—not just historically, but spiritually. After years of hearing this kinship in his mind, Cardinal and his bandmate, upright bassist and vocalist Jasmine Colette, finally realized the dream in the studio with the Northern Cree Singers, and what came out in a single eight-hour session is nothing short of remarkable. It suggests there was real spontaneity and chemistry there—it wasn’t overthought or overly polished. That kind of energy often translates well, and here it does. A standout is the single “ROLLIN’ & TUMBLIN,” full of raw blues guitar lead swagger. Blues is built on call and response, and so is powwow music. The steady, driving drum patterns create a hypnotic foundation that doesn’t clash with blues sensibilities—instead, they amplify them, adding depth and earthiness.
