Bluesnews 11 Oct 2009

Oct 11 2009

Hello again. After a long break (since early July) we are back again.

My main excuse Miss, is that I was overseas for a fair bit of the gap, and since returning in late Sept, have been struggling a bit to get back into it, recognizing that lots has happened which needs some coverage. But I cannot delay any longer, so here goes:

But first another rant about patronage at gigs. It is still woeful, and the inevitable will happen if patrons don’t get out amongst it. Frinstance:

Although I wasn’t there, I heard that attendances at the Sunshine Coast Blues Fest (in early Sept) were very poor (again). There was nothing wrong with the lineup, so who is to blame?

Last Tues I went to the newly opened X&Y Bar in the Valley (opposite the new Cloudlands - it was the Bellino family’s famous Pinocchio’s Restaurant, made notorious in the Fitzgerald Inquiry) where Seychelles born, Perth based Grace Barbe and her band put on a great afro Kreol/Reggae show to an audience of about a dozen lucky people. She didn’t seem to mind, but I felt bad for her. She might not bother coming back if that’s the best Brisbane can do. (She did say though that she will be returning to the Woodford Fest again this summer)

Justin Townes Earle played The Zoo last Friday, giving a show that easily justified Brian Wise’s comment in Rhythms (following JTE’s tour last year) that “I have seen the future of country music and it is Justin Townes Earle.” There was a respectable crowd there (thank goodness) but the event wasn’t sold out. It should have been. (He was supported by Melbourne band Wagons who were worth the entrance price on their own – think Johhny Cash meets Nick Cave meets Tom Waits, see more here.)

Finally, Arthur Elliot wrote to me this week that:

I should let you know that I won't be presenting 'Sidestream' after 30/11/09. I don't even know if the programme will continue with another host. After 17 years of my presenting the programme, the current Board of this station [99.7FM] in their wisdom has set all presenters (not just me) impossible targets which I haven't met, so I'll be removed as a punitive measure. That will be it for me.

There are still some bright spots – Mrs Rockabilly, Lori Lee can generally sell out every venue she books through a dedicated fan base and her great newsletter, and the Blues Assoc’n of SEQ birthday party at the Jubilee last Saturday night was well attended, but all too often, visiting blues and roots artists play to half empty venues.

Brisbane has aspirations of being Australia’s second city in a few years, but the way things are going, there will be no live blues/roots music anywhere - we are a long way behind the vibrant blues ‘n roots music scene in Melbourne.

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

There have been a few significant deaths in the past three months:

Sam Carr, Drummer

Sam Carr, a drummer who was considered an anchor of the Delta blues scene, died Monday 21 Sept. He was 83

The cause was congestive heart failure, said John Andrews, director of Century Funeral Home in Clarksdale, Miss.

Mr. Carr had a reputation as one of the best blues drummers in the country, but he made his living in the Mississippi Delta where he was raised.

At various times, he had backed major performers like Sonny Boy Williamson II and Buddy Guy.

Mr. Carr’s father was Robert Nighthawk, a 1930s blues guitarist and vocalist who made the song “Sweet Black Angel” famous. Early in his career Mr. Carr often played with his father.

Sam appeared at ECBF a few years ago with his band the Delta Jukes.

More from the NY Times here.


Shelby Singleton

Shelby Singleton, a maverick country music mogul and talent scout who launched the careers of Roger Miller and Ray Stevens before resuscitating the fabled Sun Records label to give new life to recordings by 1950s Sun discoveries including Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, has died. He was 77. More from the LA Times here


Guitar legend Les Paul dies at age 94

Les Paul, who invented the solid-body electric guitar later wielded by a legion of rock 'n' roll greats, died Thursday of complications from pneumonia. He was 94.

According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side.

As an inventor, Paul also helped bring about the rise of rock 'n' roll with multitrack recording, which enables artists to record different instruments at different times, sing harmony with themselves, and then carefully balance the tracks in the finished recording.

The use of electric guitar gained popularity in the mid-to-late 1940s, and then exploded with the advent of rock in the mid-'50s. More from NOLA.com here


The new Byron Bay Bluesfest home, and Some Lineup Hints for Easter 2010:

A press release from mid Sept tells us that:

The securing of a permanent home for Bluesfest has been a burning ambition of [festival owner] Peter Noble. He said: “With this long anticipated move we are able to give not only our countless thousands of faithful fans, but also the wonderful galaxy of performing artists who keep returning to grace our festival - a deeper sense of home, heart and belonging”.

While the former site at Byron Bay’s Belongil Fields helped create an important plank of the folklore of Bluesfest’s growing reputation, Peter Noble believes that the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm home will add several new dimensions to Australia’s most awarded music festival.

Bought in 2007, the long established Tea Tree farm is six times larger than the Belongil Field site. It is an operational agricultural and livestock farm.

Byron Bay Council have given a three year approval for the festival to be staged at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. Work is well under way by the Bluesfest team to prepare for the 21 Birthday event – with facilities and space for 6,250 campers and up to 17,500 daily visitors.

Peter Noble is promising for 2010 to more than match the legendary array of class performers who have graced the Bluesfest stage over its 20 year history. He has been travelling the world re-uniting with his peers and friends at the world’s premier music events.

Details of the line up are a couple of months away from being made public, but Peter has let slip that fans should – among other things - look forward to a “Guitar Lover’s Festival from Hell.” He has also hinted at an evening entitled “a taste of Classic Rock” and, of course some of the best blues available anywhere in the world.

Peter’s final word: “Bluesfest is known and respected around the world. I hear that feedback in all my travels. It explains why we can attract the best artists time after time. A North American date or a trip to Europe is easy for any of them. But to commit to the long haul to Australia and give so much of their time – that’s commitment.

“We in turn treat them with the respect they deserve. And they know that Bluesfest audiences will give them the credit they are due. The fans recognise the creative talent we put on that stage and they come to listen to some of the best blues, jazz and world music that can be found anywhere.”

Earlybird tickets are now on sale here


Blue Monday returns – as Bluesday Tuesday

After a break of a few months, The Colonel - Mark Doherty’s jam sessions have returned – on Tuesday nights to the hotel formerly known as Alliance Hotel, 320 Liechhardt St, Spring Hill (enter via the door on Boundary St).

I went along to the kickoff night on 22 Sept – lots of great music – from 7.30pm

And if you can’t make it there on Tuesdays, you can catch Mojo Webb at the same venue most Friday evenings.

And speaking of Mark and Mojo, they are off to the Queenstown Jazz Festival, in NZ later this month – Mark will be as there as part of Mike Frost and The Icemen lineup, who are now regulars at this fest.


Changes at the Australian Blues Music Festival – Goulburn NSW

Jenny Falconer Acting Tourism Manager for the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, and who has run this festival for the past many years writes:

Dear Australian Blues Music Festival supporter,

We would like to advise you that Goulburn Mulwaree Council recently resolved to outsource the running of the Australian Blues Music Festival for the next five years (2010-2014). Council has selected their preferred applicant for the management of the Festival and negotiations to finalise the agreement are now underway.

The festival website explains further ….

Festival owners, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, recently took the decision to outsource the running of the event, awarding it to Goulburn-based entertainment promotors, Laing Entertainment.

The 2010 Festival, to be held from 11-14 February will feature predominately free shows across numerous pubs and clubs as well as the city's central Belmore Park and the Regional Conservatorium. There will be a number of higher profile acts, including The Backsliders, offering ticketed shows.


International Blues Challenge

Around this time every year the Melbourne and Sydney blues clubs hold their Performer of the Year contests, to select a representative to go to the IBC, to be held in Memphis in late Jan 2010.

The Sydney Blues Society Performer of the Year Contest Was held at the Harp Hotel in Tempe on Saturday, 26th September, with entrants:

· Flare Gun (Winners of the Bidgee Blues Competition)
· Steve Innes & Bill Gunter (Sydney)
· Alison Penney & The Moneymakers (Sydney/Canberra)
· Buddy Knox Band (Tamworth)
· The Dizzies (Sydney)

and the winner was …………Alison Penney & The Moneymakers

The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society is having its own selection contest on Sun 25 Oct, with entrants:

· Wild Dog Blues,
· Tom Richardson – Eddy Boyle Duo,
· Stackfull,
· Mr Black & Blues,
· Ash Dilorenzo ,
· Pete Walsh,
· Dan Dinnen,
· Dave Diprose.


Jeff Lang – New Album and Tour

Jeff Lang’s new album Chimeradour features as the cover story in the latest issue of Rhythms magazine, and also got a great review from Tony Hillier in The Weekend Australian. Jeff his visiting soon to promote it – see details below.


Press Articles – Various

There’s lots of interesting stuff here….

Pinetop Perkins 96 Birthday, from The Missourian
Woodstock Concerts Undercover Lovers , from NY Daily News
Leonard Cohen – No More Hallelujah Please, from Rolling Stone
Chicago Blues Guide’s Tribute to Koko Taylor
The Hottest 100 For the Slightly Elderly, from The Punch
Allen Klein Dies, from Undercover
Alex “Easy Baby” Randle Dies, from Blues Historian
Justin Townes Earle Preview, from the SMH, and an Interview from OurBrisbane
Marie Knight, Rich-Voiced Gospel Singer, Dies at 89, from NY Times
Jesse Fortune, veteran Chicago blues singer, dies at 79, from Chicago Blues Guide
Crappest 100: the worst songs of all time, from The Punch
Peter Tosh, on Head Butler
The Original Blues Festival Guide (all around the world it seems)
Glastonbury 2010 sells out in 24 hours, from The Guardian
Fleetwood Mac at the Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, from TimesOnline
A Whole Lot of Beatles Stuff, from TimesOnline
Bluesman who recorded as Freddy Robinson dies, from Yahoo News
Brian Matthew - the man who championed skiffle, from New Statesman
Woodstock: A Moment of Muddy Grace, from NY Times
Iconic Rock Photos, from Rolling Stone
Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary dies at age 72, from NOLA.com
'Chapel of Love' co-writer Ellie Greenwich dies at 68, also from NOLA.com
Michael Jackson’s Mask of Metaphor, from NY Review of Books


RADIO/TV/YOU TUBE

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.



Video Selections

Pinetop Perkins at his 95th Birthday (last year)
John Lee Hooker – Boom Boom Solo
Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life
Wagons


And finally…a novelty act…

The Golden Age of Video


FESTIVALS

Island Vibe Festival

This annual event will be held again on North Stradbroke Island from 30 Oct to 1 Nov.

Each year Island Vibe attracts people the world over to gather and enjoy a diverse line up of great reggae, roots, dub, soul, world music and dancehall, whilst cultural dancers, circus performers and visual artists display their talents. As well as hosting a smashing array of international and national acts, a sizeable chunk of the program is dedicated to showcasing the fantastic emerging acts of South East Queensland and the South Pacific. The program this year is expanding to include more Island themed workshops and forums in a dedicated Island Rhythm space


Caloundra Music Festival – 22-25 Oct

The third annual Caloundra Music Festival will be held over the weekend of 22 - 25 October. This not for profit family-friendly community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers, free children's entertainment and a stroll in The Village complete the experience.

There is a good blues and roots lineup, which leads me onto another hobbyhorse. As I have said once before here, this festival has the potential to take on the big blues/roots/rockabilly festivals down south. Here’s my three point plan:

Caloundra Council (the festival promoters) get together with the Arts Council Sunshine Coast (the promoters of the September Sunshine Coast Blues Festival) and merge the SCBF into the CMF.

Shift the combined event so that it falls on the weekend immediately before or after the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival (held at Narooma NSW on their Labour Day weekend in early Oct) so that the international acts who visit the GSB&R fest can stay around and play the other (with a few Syd/Melb gigs in between)

Shift Queensland’s June Queen’s Birthday holiday to the same late Sept/early October weekend. This gets a run in the press every year, and was mentioned again last week. – it seems the Govt and Opposition are both in favour – see this article from 2007.

We would then have a great blues – roots – rockabilly festival on the Sunshine Coast over a long weekend in late Sept or early October. Not bad eh?


Woodford Tickets and Program Launch

The programme for this summer’s Woodford festival will be launched on Sat 24 Oct. Festival tickets are available here


REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES

Palmwoods Got The Blues –at the Palmwoods Hotel

When Palmwoods Got The Blues kicks into overdrive again on Sat Oct 17, the lineup will feature two of the pub’s favourite acts and a new lineup for one of Australia’s most accomplished bluesmen.

Asa Broomhall will open the show with a rare solo appearance. In recent times, Asa has been rocking out with the Asa Broomhall band but the opportunity to have him play a solo show couldn’t be missed. The new album “Revelry Road” has been receiving rave reviews and Asa has been on the road constantly with his own shows and opening for Diesel

Natural Ball are up next. Top notch exponents of the classic Chicago Blues era, expect material by Junior Wells, Big Walter Horton and Magic Sam played with fire, verve and enthusiasm driven by a love and passion for the music that spawned rock & roll

When James T first visited Australia with Canned Heat, that legendary band he fronted for 15 years, little did he know that ultimately, he would return to settle here, raise a family and raise the bar for music fans with his wonderfully original blues songwriting, whiskey soaked vocals, note perfect guitar wrangling and down in the alley harmonica. From the mid 90’s through the early part of this decade James toured Australia with James T & the Last Volunteers. As he ventures to Palmwoods for the first time, James will be bringing his new band The Tomahawks, a new cd full of great original songs and that wonderful James T groove that has taken him on numerous tours around the world with the worlds most legendary blues and boogie band, play every top festival in Australia and helped to put a new glide in the stride for real music fans across the country

It kicks off at 5.30pm, free entry


A Day on The Green

SE Qld looks like it has got the rough end of the pineapple (again?) with only one ADOTG concert this summer, and not such a great lineup anyway.

We get The B52's·The Proclaimers,·Mental As Anything and DJ Grand Master Baitz at Sirromet Winery on Sun 22 Nov – details here. Other states get, for example Madeleine Peyroux ad Diana Krall.


At the X&Y Bar

· Fri 30 Oct Jaimi Faulkner


At The Troubadour

Check their new website for lots of interesting shows coming up. If you were intrigued by the Angie Hart piece on Sat in The Weekend Australian, you can catch her here at The Troubadour on 5 Nov.


At Joes Waterhole, Eumundi

Look out for:

· Sat 17 Oct – David Bridie and George Telek
· Sun 1 Nov – Jeff Lang


And at The Judy.

Micheline Van Hautem – on Sat 17 Oct looks interesting


At The Zoo

· Sat 31 Oct - Jeff Lang


At The Soundlounge, Currumbin

Lots of good stuff ….

· 16 Oct: Chase The Sun & Marshall and the Fro
· 23 Oct: Jeff Lang & w/ Jill Barber launching her album,
· 13 Nov: Afro Dizzi Act & Tijuana Cartel
· 20 Nov: Black Market Rhythm Co & Rapids
· 27 Nov: Simone White -USA & Georgia Potter
· 04 Dec: Bobby Flynn & Jenny Biddle


At The Tivoli

Also with a new website …..

· Sat 17 Oct The Gangsters Ball
· Fri 13 Nov diesel
· Thurs 3 Dec Tim Finn
· Wed 9 Dec Royal Crown Revue


Lori Lee’s upcoming gigs:

· Sat Oct 24 Rockabilly Bop at the Holland Park Bowls Club
· Sat Dec 5 Lori Lees Rockabilly Xmas Party also at the HPBC

If you didn’t get to Greazefest this year (with USA rockabilly star Marti Brom as headliner) you can see what you missed here.