Bluesnews 29 March 2009

Hello again. Here is another edition of a newsletter setting out all the blues news for South East Queensland.

There is lots happening over the next few weeks. If you are not heading to Byron Bay for the ECBRF, check out all the other events round town, particularly the Tell Heaven gospel tribute on Easter Sunday, at the Jazz Club.

And don’t forget, you can see this newsletter on the net. Click here

Cheers

Mark Hipgrave
0418 556048


NEWS
RADIO/TV
FESTIVALS
REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES


NEWS


A Note from Dave Hole:

Dave wrote on 18 March:

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that the long-awaited DVD is finally available. If you are one of those that have been waiting for it you can get one by going to the website and clicking on “CDs & Audio”. It’s been produced as a direct response to the numerous requests I’ve received over the last few years and a strictly limited number are being offered exclusively from the website.



NO Pianist Eddie Bo dies at age 79

Eddie Bo, an exuberant New Orleans pianist and singer who wrote for and worked with artists like Irma Thomas, Etta James and Art Neville of the Neville Brothers, and whose song “I’m Wise” became one of Little Richard’s biggest hits, as “Slippin’ and Slidin’,” died on 18 March. He was 79 and lived in New Orleans.

The cause was a heart attack, said Karen Hamilton, his booking agent.

Mr. Bo, a rhythm-and-blues belter and florid barrelhouse pianist, came of age when New Orleans street music, based on marching band traditions, was being translated into a distinctive local rhythm and blues style. He flourished as a songwriter and performer, making the transition to funk in the early 1970s.

More, including a Youtube link, from the NY Times here.

Eddies bio, from his own website is here.


Record Store Day – April 18

Current.com.au writes:

JB Hi-Fi stores throughout Australia will be celebrating Record Store Day on 18 April 2009. The concept is to get consumers back in music retail stores, but is such a promotion really necessary?

The day is being organised and promoted by the Australian Music Retailers’ Association (AMRA), an organisation that represents both major chains and smaller or otherwise independent stores. Current members include Leading Edge, Sanity, Hum and Angus & Robertson.

By running a promotional campaign to support the record store in general, and with events planned at various stores on the day, AMRA is hoping that consumers will return to the sales floor to support retailers with their music purchases.

Competing music websites, which sell individual tracks for downloads at or around $1.70, have been blamed for perceived drop in physical CD sales. This may be more myth than reality, with the Australian Record Industry Association reporting on 4 December 2008 that “CD sales have jumped as much as 57 per cent on a week-by-week comparison over the same period last year”.

AMRA has set up a dedicated website for the promotion, but news of the event is struggling to disseminate through the community.

But there is a tiny bit of dissent. See also:

JB Hi-Fi And Co. Looking For A Bigger Slice Of The Music Pie from Current.com
Will The ‘Real’ Record Store Day Please Stand Up, from Mess and Noise
Fight for right to sell music from The Age.com.au


Press Articles – Various

The Who at the Melbourne Grand Prix Presser from FasterLouder
Blues Hall of Fame Inductees for 2009 from the Blues Foundation
Mel Brown Passes Away, also from the Blues Foundation
Rip Lester Davenport, also from the Blues Foundation
2009 Jus Blues Music Awards - Voting has begun, from the Chitlin Circuit
Motown drummer Uriel Jones dies, and obit, both from The Guardian
Jimi Hendrix's acoustic Electric Ladyland tape to be auctioned, also from The Guardian
Pop, country singer Dan Seals dies of cancer, from the Houston Chronicle
Exclusive: B.B. King and Buddy Guy’s Backstage Blues Summit, from Rolling Stone
Afro-Cuban All-Stars remain proud crusaders for their musical heritage, from the Chicago Sun Times
Eric Clapton – Melbourne Gig Review, from undercover.com.au



And some recent articles about the upcoming ECBRF and artists appearing there:

Booker T. Jones back in groove for Byron Bay Bluesfest, from the Courier Mail
Drive-By Truckers hit their mark with Booker T Jones, also from the Courier Mail
Music DVD Review: Tinariwen - Tinariwen Live In London, from Blog Critic
Ruthie Foster - The Truth According To, from Radio PBS Melbourne
Ben Harper Tells 'White Lies' With New Band, from Billboard

Festival Preview, from Australian Musician (page 28)


RADIO/TV/YOU TUBE

Arthur Elliot reports on his upcoming Sidestream shows– for Brisbane listeners 99.7 FM, Wed 7pm to 9pm.

On Wednesday 1st April, we feature the excellent new compilation ‘Water For Life’, with artists including Sinead O’Connor, Heidi Talbot, the Alison Brown Quartet, and Crooked Still. As well, you’ll hear from Ben Bedford, Bruce Cockburn, Juke Baritone, Deb Bond, Rachel Garlin, and others.

In the 8pm blues hour, there’s blues music from Australians Anni Piper, Dallas Frasca, and the Silverbacks, plus the duo Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Buddy Guy, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Guy Davis, David Bromberg and more.



The Daily Planet, Weekend Planet and Music Deli (ABC Radio National)

The Daily Planet website, the Weekend Planet website and The Music Deli website all have links to shows broadcast over the past few weeks.

Listen especially to Mavis Staples on the 24 March edition of the Daily Planet


Coming Up On ABC2 TV

Montreux Jazz Festival 2003 - Black Superstars of Music
7:00am Sunday, 05 Apr
James Brown: Live In Montreux 1981
8:45am Sunday, 05 Apr
Eagle Rock Music Package - The Doors: Live In Europe
10:00am Sunday, 05 Apr
Nina Simone: Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 1976
3:05pm Sunday, 05 Apr
Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... - Lou Reed And Julian Schnabel
8:30pm Friday, 10 Apr




Full program details are here


Video Selections

Sorry – I can’t help myself ….

‘Leonard Cohen – Anthem’ from Live in London


FESTIVALS


Ipswich Festival – 15-26 April

There’s a free ‘Jazz, Wine & Blues’ concert commencing at 3pm Sat 25 April, as part of this festival. The lineup includes Wiley Reed, Barb Fordham, Mojo Webb, Renee Geyer and Chase the Sun

Here is the festival flyer.


Urban Country Music Festival

The sixth annual Urban Country Music Festival returns to the Caboolture Showgrounds on from 1-4 May, with:

‘over 500 artists on 11 stages in 16 different venues. Best of all 15 of these events are FREE, yes free! So bring your family and friends down to Caboolture and help us celebrate our fifth birthday.’


Brisbane Blues Festival

The Brisbane Blues Festival finds a new home at The Jubilee Hotel in Fortitude Valley on Saturday, May 16 and this year’s line-up features some rare treats.

The Chrome Daddies, after being on an extended hiatus are back as well as Big Kitty and the Scaredy Cats. Johnny Hucker and Coojee Timms perform rare solo spots and crowd favourites Natural Ball, Blind Lemon, Asa Broomhall and Mojo Webb return to the festival stage.

Add in new boys and girl band Mama Voodoo and you have daylong feast of the blues. Doors open at 2PM and tickets will be available at the door on the day. More information at http://www.brisbanebluesfestival.com/ or 3252-4508


Wintersun 2009

Australia's Leading Rock & Roll Nostalgia Retro Event....

Wintersun 2009 starts on Friday 29th May and ends with the huge Best of Wintersun Concert on Monday 8th June. Wintersun is Australia's leading annual Retro Nostalgia Festival. Featuring almost 1500 Hot Rods, Custom and Classic Cars, more than 100 bands and performers, dancing, movies, and competitions.

The festival is held in the border coastal towns of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads on the New South Wales & Queensland border. Many events are free, some are in the streets while others are in the local clubs and shopping centres.

The lineup is now available here.

International headliners include Sonny Burgess and the Legendry Pacers, The Vargas Bros and pinup model and burlesque star Sabrina Kelley.


Blues on Broadbeach

The lineup for this festival, at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast from Wed 27 May to Sun 31 May has been announced


The Dreaming – 5 – 8 June at Woodford

A reminder that ‘early bird’ tickets for The Dreaming expire midnight on the 31st March.

‘The Dreaming is a vibrant, exciting and a valuable destination where local, national and international audiences look forward to their annual ceremony time along with the most comprehensive showcase of Indigenous arts from across the country and around the world.

This three day and four night festival will have performing arts venues, bars, Ceremony grounds, traditional healing, galleries, rituals, campfire story circles and a mass of stalls, workshop avenue and food outlets.

Presented by the QFF, and under the artistic direction of Rhoda Roberts, the program will also feature film & literature components, performing arts, New media and Digital technologies, food & wine fare, comedy, ceremony, exhibitions, performance artists, physical theatre, Visual arts, craft workshops, music program, street performers, musicals and a youth program.’

The program won’t be available next month but you can book your early bird tickets (for a few more days) here…


The Noosa Longweekend jumps around the calendar every year it seems. This year it will be held over two weekends, from 19-28 June (about two weeks earlier than 2008). The programme will be released ‘soon’.


New Orleans and Chicago Blues Festival

If you are travelling in June, you can check out the 40th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival over two weekends in late April/early May and then The Chicago Blues Festival which runs from June 12-14.

Both these major events have lineups we can only dream about – check their websites.

Interestingly, the Chicago festival is featuring Muddy Waters’ eldest (‘lost’) son Mud Morganfield (who grew up with his mother as Larry Williams). Mud will be here at the Jubilee in July – see below.


And finally, the Redlands Bluegrass Convention will be held from 10-12 July.


REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES

There is more blues at the Palmwoods Hotel in April:

Kicking the month off on Sat April 4 at 8pm will be fiery young blues duo 19 Twenty. A new act to Palmwoods after a previous performance was scuttled by a Nullabor plains car crash, Jason and Kane have not let their desert bingle curtail their touring schedule and blow into the Palmwoods to play their soulful blues folk on the way from Sydney to Western Australia.

www.myspace.com/19twentymusic

Then Palmwoods Got The Blues returns on Sat April 18 at 5.30pm with talent drawn from the Sunshine coast, the NSW mid north coast and Canada

Chris Assaad will be opening the show and this young guy, on his first trip to Australia is a real unknown gem. After fronting the Toronto-based band I.An.Eye for several years, early in 2008, Chris Assaad embarked on a musical journey to develop his own eclectic soulful blend of folk, roots, rock and reggae. Chris' songs capture the essence of struggle, spirit and sincerity reminiscent of artists such as Ben Harper, Ray LaMontagne and the legendary Bob Marley. At the same time, his music enjoys the freedom and raw energy of bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kings of Leon

www.myspace.com/cassaadmusic

In the middle spot will be on of the sunshine coasts original roots music masters David Flower. After fronting Mad Flower for several years, Davids working with a new improved lineup but his wonderfully buoyant funky groove continues unabated. Perfect for inducing a packed dancefloor, its been to long since the David Flower band played Palmwoods Got The Blues and if last time was anything to go by, dancefloor space will be at a premium

www.myspace.com/davidflower9

Finally, Barrelhouse make the long haul from Port Macquarie to rock the Palmwoods after debuting at the East Coast Blues & Roots festival the weekend before. It’s a testament to the high level of talent and skill displayed by Barrelhouse that the promoters of what is regarded as on of the top 5 music festivals in the world have selected these guys to play the fest in 2009. Barrelhouse’ first gig at Palmwoods was a real revelation for both young and old alike and now is a perfect time to catch these guys before they hit the stratosphere.

www.myspace.com/barrelhousetunes



Tell Heaven at the Brisbane Jazz Club

Leah Cotterell wrote to say that her all-star gospel review will put on their annual Easter show this year at the Brisbane Jazz Club on Easter Sunday, April 12, at 10.00am.

‘Also - Tell Heaven recorded/videoed a performance at St Mary’s on the 28th February. It was a very heart-felt concert, right in the middle of the most intense period of resistance for the community and the priests. Their emotion was really strong in the room. And apart from the prevailing atmosphere, we found it was so satisfying to perform inside a REAL church that we’re going to document the event by publishing a live DVD of the best eight tracks of the event – probably in time for the Easter date.’


There is blues on at the Jubilee Hotel in the Valley, every Sunday afternoon, commencing 1pm, but also look out for:

· Sat 18 April Blues Harmonica Blowout, featuring Ian Collard, Mojo Webb, Jamie Symons, Mark Gibbons, Greg Baker & more to be announced. Ian Collard will be back the next day running a harmonica workshop
· Sat 2 May 09 Even Divas Get The Blues - featuring all your favorite lady blues singers, singing their favorite lady blues singers. Kate Meehan (Koko Taylor and Mama Thornton) Natural Born Lovers (Etta May), MamaVoodoo (Renee Geyer), Kath Butler (Louann Barton), Blond On Blue (Janis Joplin)
· Sat 16 May Brisbane Blues Festival (details above)

And mark your diary for:

· Fortitude Valley Festival of Blues Sat. 25 Jul 09, with Muddy Waters' Number 1 Boy Child - Mud Morganfield, Mojo Webb, 8 Ball Aitkin, Asa Broomhall, Mick Hadley and the Atomic Boogie Band, Mamavoodoo, J B Lewis, Natural Ball, Natural Born Lovers, Sly Jack, The Medicine Show, Jam Stage + many more.


At Joes Waterhole, Eumundi

Look out for:

· Thurs 26 March Luka Bloom
· Sat 28 March Dallas Frasca
· Fri 3 April Ruthie Foster
· Sat 4 April Marshall & The Fro


At The Tivoli you can catch

· Sun 5 April CW Stoneking
· Sat 11 April Zappa plays Zappa
· Thurs 7 May Bob Evans


At the Cooly Hotel

· Fri 3 April The Go Set
· Sat 9 May Bob Evans


And at The Judy.

Coming up:

· Thurs 2 April Ruthie Foster


At The Zoo

· Sat 21 March The Gin Club
· Sun 5 April Paprika Balkanicus


At The Soundlounge, Currumbin

· Thurs 30April Afro Dizzi Act & Oka


And look out for Lori Lee’s next outings:

· Sat 2 May The Vaudevillains cd launch at The Step Inn with The Jim Rockfords and more.

More details here

Lori let slip last week that after a few years without an international headliner at Greazefest, she has got one booked for this year’s festival, coming up on the weekend of 30 July to 2 Aug.