Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 21, 2008

INUVIK - Blues musician Dennis Allen returned home to Inuvik last week to celebrate his debut album, Wayward Son, with a release party during the Great Northern Arts Festival.

An accomplished filmmaker, Allen is now living in Whitehorse, Yukon, where he recorded the 12-track disc.

"I've been playing music for a long time now and I've always wanted to put out an album," he said.

A grant from the NWT Arts Council helped fund the creative project.

"I got the grant two years ago and just finished the album this year," he said.

Recording sessions started in early April. Allen said it took six weeks of work to hammer out the tracks.

"After that, we took another two weeks to mix it and master it," he said.

The deadline was looming and Allen made it just in time to have the CDs made for the release this week.

Allen said the style of blues rings deep with the people of the region, who may have a connection with the emotions and feelings brought forward.

"The blues are sad songs about life, which is why I see so much in common with my own experiences," he said.

"There are so many people that can identify with the blues."

On Thursday night Allen arranged to play with fiddler Willy Gordon for the show's opening.

Mike Eyers played drums, Mark Stevens played guitar and Willy Gordon played bass.

Once done with his set, Allen said he wanted to hand over the stage to the musicians he had invited.

Allen said he has always been asked when he would release a CD of his own music.

"There are a few songs that I wrote and am known for in the area, people wanted those on a CD," he said.

Allen was excited to play for a home audience.

"I like empowering people through my music and art," he said.