Bluesnews 12 June 2009

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

I missed the Brisbane Blues Festival, and the Lifeline Blues Cruise, both held over recent weeks, but did catch the last day of the Blues on Broadbeach festival. This festival has grown in stature over recent years, with less emphasis on the big Sunday concert in Kurrawa Park (with notso hotso ‘big name’ overseas acts), and more focus in putting quality local acts in the bars and public areas around Broadbeach. If you weren’t there, you can see what you missed here. It will be even better next year.

I also attended my first Dreaming Festival, at Woodfordia (the new name for the Woodford Folk Festival Site) over the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Now in its fifth year, this is a great three day festival – good weather, good crowds and a great vibe. It is billed as a First Nations festival, but still has a strong Australian focus. I can’t think of a single criticism. One of the regular festival attendees at Chez Hipgrave declared it was the best he’d ever been to, anywhere. Festival Director Bill Hauritz announced that this year it reached break-even financially so it should go on to bigger and better things next year.

Finally, comes the sad news that, in an attempt perhaps to restore some credibility to their awards, The Recording Academy, announced on June 3 that the polka category would be eliminated from next year’s Grammy Awards, saying in a statement that it had been cut “to ensure the awards process remains representative of the current musical landscape.” The NY Times reported:

To many in the polka world, that read as a kind of industry code meaning that their genre — once capable of supporting artists with million-selling hits, but long since relegated to micro-niche status — had slipped off the mainstream radar entirely.

“It’s devastating,” said Carl Finch of Brave Combo, a band from Denton, Tex., that has won the Grammy twice. “Polka is so misunderstood, you know, the butt of jokes. Having a polka category was the most important step to legitimacy that we could ever hope to achieve. To have that taken away, it’s like it was all for nothing.”

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

Koko Taylor Dies – June 3

“Grammy Award-winning blues legend Koko Taylor, 80, died on June 3, 2009 in her hometown of Chicago, IL, as a result of complications following her May 19 surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. On May 7, 2009, the critically acclaimed Taylor, known worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues," won her 29th Blues Music Award (for Traditional Female Blues Artist Of The Year), making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. In 2004 she received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, which is among the highest honors given to an American artist. Her most recent CD, 2007's Old School, was nominated for a Grammy (eight of her nine Alligator albums were Grammy-nominated). She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album Blues Explosion on Atlantic.

Born Cora Walton on a sharecropper's farm just outside Memphis, TN, on September 28, 1928, Koko, nicknamed for her love of chocolate, fell in love with music at an early age. Inspired by gospel music and WDIA blues disc jockeys B.B. King and Rufus Thomas, Taylor began belting the blues with her five brothers and sisters, accompanying themselves on their homemade instruments. In 1952, Taylor and her soon-to-be-husband, the late Robert “Pops" Taylor, traveled to Chicago with nothing but, in Koko's words, “thirty-five cents and a box of Ritz Crackers."

More here

Other obits as follows:

NY Times
Times Online
Chicago Sun Times

And finally, here is Koko on You Tube, from 1967, with Little Walter helping out on the harp


The Future of Sidestream??

Arthur Elliot, who presents Sidestream on Wed nights on radio 99.7FM writes:

'Sidestream' has been on air continuously since 1992, with its mixture of folk & roots, singer/songwriter, world music, the blues, and beyond. Now it might be taken off the air in six months, unless we can recruit a specified number of people to become station subscribers in that time. So the future of the programme has been tied to my ability (or lack of it) as a recruiter. (The same policy applies to all specialty programmes on the station, so it's not just us.)

We'll see how we go, and will be trying hard - but the worst scenario is that an opportunity for people to hear this type of music (which can't be heard on mainstream radio) will be removed after November.

So go to it readers - to subscribe, download a membership form (a 'subscriber' is a lower cost category of member) from http://www.997fm.com.au/. Make sure you write or insert the word "Sidestream" somewhere on the form so that the show gets the credit.


APRA Nominees

APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to announce details of the nominees for the 2009 APRA Music Awards, which will be held at the Peninsula in Melbourne on Tuesday June 23rd. These nominees, across 8 categories including the peer voted APRA SONG OF THE YEAR, represent the songwriters behind the most successful works of 2008.

In the BLUES AND ROOTS WORK OF THE YEAR category is first time nominee and guitar legend 8 BALL AITKEN who is nominated for his composition Cowboy Movie while LIOR (along with co-writer FRANCOIS TETAZ) is included for Heal Me. THE WAIFS appear twice in this category with Stay (with co-writer BRETT CANNING) and sundirtwater. And OLD MAN RIVER (aka OHAD REIN) is nominated along with co-writers EDO KAHN and NADAV KAHN for the joyous Sunshine.

More on the Blues and Roots nominees here - the full list in all categories is here


International Songwriting Competition Announces 2008 Winners

This news is a month old, but Brisbane’s Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall have won the 2008 International Songwriting Competition and a US$25,000 prize for their song Caught In The Crowd, “a brilliantly quirky pop song with an emotional message about schoolyard bullying and peer pressure”.

With judges as diverse as Tom Waits, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Ray Davies (The Kinks), Chaka Khan, McCoy Tyner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Smith (The Cure) and many more, winning the ISC Grand Prize is an accomplishment that recognizes excellence in the craft of songwriting.

In its seventh year, ISC received over 15,500 songs from amateur and professional songwriters from 100 countries worldwide, confirming ISC's status as the leading global songwriting event. In all, ISC bestows prizes on 62 winners, awarding more than $150,000 in cash and prizes.

The award in the Blues Category also came Down Under – to Darren Watson from Wellington, New Zealand.

Karl Francis Morgan from Perth scored an Honorable Mention in the Blues Category for his entry "Natural Condition"

More here, and Keir’s acknowledgement here

APRA/AMCOS comments are here.


Press Articles – Various

New Orleans blues singer Marva Wright hospitalized after stroke, from Times Picayune
1950s-'60s tenor saxophonist Sam Butera, dies at 81;, from LA Times
Phil Spector Unplugged, from The Smoking Gun
Dead Wednesday (its about Keith Richards), from Johhny’s In The Basement
Hugh Hopper, Composer and Bassist for Soft Machine, Dies at 64, from The NY Times
Charlie Patton’s Death Certificate, from The Delta Blues
Greenfest Review, from Rave Magazine
Two articles about Island Records (which turns fifty this month) here and here, both from New Statesman
Woodstock Box Set Unearths Famous Festival's Rarities, from Billboard
Bob Dylan’s Late Style, from Pop Matters
Jay Bennett, Ex-Member of Wilco, Dies at 45, from the NY Times


The best music writer in Australia at the moment is IMHO Robert Forster (of the Go Betweens) whose items are published in The Monthly magazine. Most are accessible only through the subscription service, but some are available free. A selection of these is below:

Thoughts in the Middle of a Career - Paul Kelly’s "Songs from the South"
The Return of the Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell’s 'Meet Glen Campbell'
Modern Times and Times Before That - Bob Dylan’s 'Modern Times'
A True Hipster - Remembering Grant McLennan
The Exford Dregs - Augie March’s 'Moo, You Bloody Choir'

The full list – free and otherwise is here.


Video Selections

The Koko Taylor You Tube clip (see above) led me straight into this one of Big Mama Thornton in 1965 singing Hound Dog, supported by a young Buddy Guy. This one looks like it was lifted from one of the Lippman and Rau American Folk Blues Festival DVDs



RADIO/TV/YOU TUBE

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

On Wednesday 17 June, we have new Australian music for you from Jordie Lane, and from the Huckleberry Swedes. Other music will include the new instrumental album from Kelly Joe Phelps; America’s Ruby James (new) and Rod MacDonald (new); and much more besides.

The blues hour at 8pm looks at the new concert album “Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen”. You’ll also hear from Big Pete Pearson, Dave Munkhoff, Mia Vermillion, and Australia’s harmonica queen D J Gosper.

There’s great Australian music in the menu for Sidestream on 24 June, with the new releases by Jordie Lane, Fred Smith, and Tobias Hengeveld. We also follow the career of Paul Webb from his days with Talk Talk to his association with Beth Gibbons, and then with James Yorkston; and there’s music from Brett Perkins, Putnam Smith, and sounds from India.

The blues hour at 8pm brings you the new albums by Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, and from Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. There are classics from Muddy Waters and Little Walter, you’ll hear from the Rolling Stones and Chris Rea, and there’s Pyscho Zydeco, 19-Twenty, and Richard Madden from Australia.


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 the feature on Allen Toussaint on the Weekend Planet issue of May 30.


FESTIVALS

Noosa Long Weekend

The Noosa Longweekend will be held over two weekends, from 19-28 June. The programme is available here.

The main blues interest will be a gig from Kevin Borich on Tues 23 June.

If you missed Sam Cutler’s book launch at the State Library last year, you can also catch him talking about his life with The Stones on Mon 22 June.


The Redlands Bluegrass Convention will be held from 10-12 July


Sunshine Coast Blues Festival

Nothing but the dates at this stage – Sept 11-13, presumably at the Nambour Show Grounds again.


Island Vibe Festival

Another one with nothing but the dates at this stage – from Oct 30 to Nov 1, on Nth Stradbroke Island. Details when available, will be here.

Island Vibe is a celebration of Reggae, Soul, Dub and Island Culture and will feature a smashing line-up of international, national and local bands, dancehall selectors and cultural dance troupes. Held at the magnificent Home Beach at Point Lookout on Minjerribah [Stradbroke Island], the festival also includes art exhibitions, craft and music workshops, film space, stalls and food markets, including a Murri and Pacific Islander dance and cultural program.


REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES

Palmwoods Got The Blues – Sat 20 June at the Palmwoods Hotel, from 5.30pm

· Tom Richardson
· JB Lewis Band
· Kate Meehan Band featuring Steve Lott

After recent shows at Palmwoods, Tom Richardson needs no introduction. He is, quite simply one of the most impressive young talents to emerge in many years. His new album “Evolution” is receiving extensive airplay as the young mans star continues to rise

http://www.myspace.com/tomrichardsonmusic

JB Lewis is a Palmwoods regular for one reason only. He’s quite simply, one of Se Qld’s most accomplished blues musicians. As a sideman, he works regularly with many of Australia’s best. As a frontman, he’s known for his peerless guitar tone, flawless playing and impeccable song selection. Sings ok too

http://www.myspace.com/jblewismusic

And for a headliner, the Palmwoods is doubling your blues dollar. Kate Meehan has been regarded as one of Australia’s greatest blues vocalists for over a decade now. She’s received numerous accolades, multiple Chain awards among them, as Australia’s no 1 female blues singer. She’s released a couple of highly regarded albums and toured and played festivals from Perth to…well… Palmwoods! Since forming a musical partnership with piano player Skip Landy, Kate has developed a more mellow side to her music but when she comes to Palmwoods, she’ll be at her raunchy rockin best and who better to back her than veteran Texan guitar slinger Steve Lott. Back in Australia after a decade in the US, Steve will be headlining his own show at Palmwoods in July but in the meantime, he’ll bring his awesome skills to the stage to perfectly complement Kate Meehans top notch blues

http://www.katemeehan.com/



Peregian Originals is on again, on Sun June 21

what: Peregian Originals (Free Open-Air Community Concert)
who: One Love (REGGAE), Cloudstreet (international FOLK), Jason Castle (Brisbane ROCK), and more t.b.a.!
where: in the park behind Peregian Beach Surf Club
when: Sunday June 21, 1-5:00 pm

Peregian Originals is back with another highly ecclectic performance line-up this Sunday, June 21st. Super folk sensation, Cloudstreet, live locally when they aren't touring the world, and they return to Europe for another busy tour soon after their Peregian Originals performance this Sunday. Cloudstreet, features the incredible vocal talent of Nicole Murray and John Thompson, performing new Australian folk music. Incorporating traditional and contemporary influences from England, Ireland and Australia, their music is engaging, exciting and fun. Cloudstreet's trademark is their innovative use of two-part vocal harmony, supported by driving guitar, soaring wooden flute along with concertina and percussion. They will draw you into the stories behind the songs, lifting your spirits with laughter, delighting you with their musicality and sharing with you their passion for the great songs of the Australian tradition.

One Love is the feature band this Sunday, returning to the park with their highly contagious reggae grooves. They got everyone up dancing last time, and the word is out: One Love's new line-up is cookin'! Performing classic reggae songs is only the beginning for One Love. They also bring out obscure Bob Marley numbers, and offer up spicy reggae originals, as well. Come to dance under the winter sun, and bring your dreadlocks.

Jason Castle is well-known on the coast and in Brisbane for his work with Sub-Freq, and other hot coastal acts through the years. Jason is respected as a very tasteful and soulful blues/rock guitarist, and his vocals are reminiscent of Seal. He plays with passion and a sheer love of playing and performing. During recent years, Jason has focused on his songwriting, adding new depth to an already smokin' guitarist's colourful career.


Artsun (the Arts Council Sunshine Coast Inc.) is holding a rent party at Coolum on Sat June 13, to raise money for the upcoming Sunshine Coast Blues Festival (Sept 11-13). Details here


At Joes Waterhole, Eumundi

Look out for:

· Sat 13 June Ash Grunwald
· Fri 19 June King Tide & Dub Marine
· Sat 27 June Carus and others
· Sat 4 July James Reyne
· Fri 10 July Augie March
· Sat 25 July The Backsliders (Dom Turner, Rob Hurst & Ian Collard


At the Cooly Hotel

· Fri 12 June Ash Grunwald
· Fri 3 July Salmonella Dub
· Thurs 9 July Augie March


And at The Judy.

There’s not much of interest until 30 July, when diesel plays, but Jazz fans might be interested in Kristin Berardi & James Sherlock who play on Sat 27 June.


At The Soundlounge, Currumbin

· 12 Jun: Mick Thomas & The Sure Thing & The Killjoys
· 19 Jun: Afro Moses


It’s not on their website but I am told that at the Jubilee Hotel this Sunday afternoon (14 June) between 2 and 5pm you can see Natural Born Lovers

The Natural Born Lovers formed in 1997 and have played all the major festivals around this part of the country, including East Coast Bluesfest at Byron (twice), but that was a while ago, and we don't gig that much these days. You may remember us at May's "Even Divas Get The Blues", where Jody Haines belted out the songs of Etta James with a three piece horn section. Whaddya mean you missed it?

Second chance coming up. The Horny Horns return to The Jube on Sunday 14th to help the band do justice to Etta's songs again, PLUS another two sets of vintage Lovers' material.

Its also time to remind you again of the Fortitude Valley Festival Of Blues, on Sat 26 July, from 2pm also at the Jubilee Hotel

“over 3 BIG STAGES Featuring from Chicago Muddy Waters’ Boy Child number 1 MUD MORGANFIELD, Mojo Webb, 8 Ball Aitkin, Asa Broomhall, Mick Hadley and the Atomic Boogie Band, Mama Voodoo, J B Lewis, Natural Ball, Natural Born Lovers, Sly Jack, The Medicine Show, Jam Stage + many more”


And look out for Lori Lee’s next outings:

Rockabilly Bop #2 – Fri June 26 at the Holland Park Bowls Club, with a great lineup:

· Ezra Lee - New CD Launch
· Pat Capocci Combo
· The Sugarshakers

This will be a great night. If you caught Ezra Lee at Wintersun you’ll know that plays and sounds just like a young Jerry Lee Lewis.

More details here

And don’t forget GreazeFest with USA rockabilly star Marti Brom as headliner - from 30 July to 2 Aug.