Steve Marriner puts his best foot forward his swaggering blues-rock cover of the Genesis classic I Can’t Dance — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
From harmonica to baritone guitar, from frontman to producer, Marriner has spent over two decades shaping the sound of modern blues. With two Juno Awards for his work with MonkeyJunk, a career spent touring with Colin James, and collaborations with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Blue Rodeo, Marriner has become one of Canada’s most versatile and respected musicians. Now, he’s taking a Genesis song that’s lived “rent-free” in his head for years and giving it the treatment it deserves.
“I love a strong chorus, and this is one of the best — a classic bluesy melody with a catchy pop sensibility,” he says. “While I appreciate the early ’90s production of the original, I always felt that the lyric demanded a lot of swagger and wondered what it would sound like with a bit more analog grease on it.”
That analog grease is all over Marriner’s version, swapping out the polished edges of the original for a gritty, deep-pocketed groove that leans into his blues roots. This isn’t just a cover — it’s a reinvention. His soulful, road-worn voice delivers every line with a knowing smirk, while smoky guitar licks and a tight rhythm section transform the track into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a backroom bar filled with whiskey-soaked jukebox favorites.
Marriner’s approach to blending blues, rock, and roots music has made him a sought-after collaborator and a formidable solo artist. His last album, Hope Dies Last, earned a 2022 Juno nomination, and this year he got another for his production work on Big Dave McLean’s This Old Life and David Gogo’s Yeah! With Hear My Heart, his upcoming album, Marriner continues to push boundaries, proving that the blues isn’t just tradition — it’s alive, electric, and constantly evolving.
For a musician who’s spent his life on the road, playing everywhere from Massey Hall to The Ryman Auditorium, this single is yet another mile marker. Whether performing alongside Harry Manx, Serena Ryder and Randy Bachman, or stepping into the spotlight with his own brand of soul-drenched, hard-driving blues, Marriner remains one of the most exciting voices in roots music today.
Check out I Can’t Dance above, hear more from Steve Marriner below, and boogie on down to his website, Facebook and Instagram.
