Bluesnews 28 Oct 2009

Oct 28 2009

I held this newsletter over a few days so I could pick up the first artist announcement for next Easter’s ECBRF, and the programme launch for the Xmas Woodford Folk Festival. Usually the Woodford Festival lineup precedes the first ECBRF announcement by a few weeks, but this year, they both came out today.

And, let me tell you, the ECBRF lineup announcement in particular is well worth getting excited about. See details below

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

Ownership Changes at the East Coast Blues and Rockabilly Festival, and a Move to Batemans Bay

The Narooma News reports on Oct 26:

The Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival is one of New South Wales' favourite music festivals, and its growth over its first 14 years has been significant. Festival Director Neil Mumme from Instep Management Group on Monday announced an exciting new chapter in the event's history.

Leading Australian promoter Michael Chugg and the team at Chugg Entertainment will come on board as partners in 2010, working with Neil Mumme to ensure the continued growth of this great event including movement to a new site, which will bring great potential for the expansion of the festival.

For the past 12 months, Neil and his team have been reviewing every aspect of the festival and exploring the best way forward for the event. Chugg Entertainment became a clear choice as a business partner due to their many years of touring international artists, and experience in producing some of Australia's greatest music festivals and special events.

More here.


Byron Bay Bluesfest – First Artist Announcements for Easter 2010:

Yep, pretty, pretty good


The next Bluesfest era beginsnow in Tyagarah!
Dear Mark,
October 28th 2009 - The first round of artists to perform at the 21st Anniversary Bluesfest has today been announced! Australia's most awarded and internationally renowned festival officially begins a new era (and with any luck another excellent 21 years) with the purchase and move to its permanent new home for the 2010 event - the Tyagarah Tea Tree farm just off the Pacific Highway, 10 minutes north of Byron Bay.
Bluesfest 2010 takes place over Easter from Thursday April 1 through to Monday April 5, 2010. The first artist announcement includes a massive array of the best local and international blues, roots, folk, soul, and world artists - with an emphasis on some of the best guitar players of all time.
The first Bluesfest announcement for 2010 includes:


Tickets are now on sale here






Rockwiz to Visit SEQ

Very popular SBS music show RocKwiz is on the move, early in 2010:

Dugald is breaking the RocKwiz team out of the confines of the Gershwin Room and bumping them into a Live Australian Tour!

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday 29th October at 9am. SEQ dates are:

Tues 23rd March QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
Fri 26th March Nambour Civic Centre, Nambour
Sat 27th March Empire Theatre, Toowoomba


If you have never seen it, it’s like the ABC’s Spick and Specks but better…….:

‘Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis host Australia’s premier music trivia quiz show recorded live in St Kilda’s hallowed Gershwin Room, deep in the bosom of the legendary Esplanade Hotel.

Each episode of RocKwiz gob smacks its audience with two mystery musical maestros. Four extremely lucky punters from the audience, having survived the preliminary ‘death match’, have little time to bask in the honour before said maestros storm the stage for epic solo performances. No one is unsure of the incredible stakes (bragging rights) when Brian unleashes Julia on the stage and the two teams are pitted against each other in six rounds of fearsome music trivia!

And just when you think this is too much entertainment for even the most jaded viewer we ice the cake and astound you with entirely live music! That’s right. The RocKwiz Orkestra of Peter ‘Lucky’ Luscombe, James ‘maestro’ Black and Mark ‘felt-tipped’ Ferrie, not only perform every lick of melody, every cliché of genre, every chop of tune, but, in an orgy of genuflection, they bring the stars to the show’s musical climax with the legendary, ARIA award winning, duets.’


Marva Wright

You may recall an earlier notice about NO blues singer and regular visitor Marva Wright. Marva was hospitalized in June following a stroke. Her daughter wrote earlier this month:

Hello everyone,

My name is Gerry and I'm the oldest daughter of Marva Wright.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers, emails, calls as well as get well wishes to my mother. Just recently I read all of your email to her and she cried because she didn't know so many people cared about her. I also want to apologize to all of you for taking so long to reply to your email. I have been and is still taking care of my mother both inside the hospital as well as home, I moved her and her husband Tony with me and my family while they were both in the hospital for they would've needed someone to take care of them.

The day mama was being transferred to Touro's rehabilitaion, her husband Tony fell just before she was transferred and he was hospitalized for 3 days, just imagine my running back and forth to both hospitals. I am taking good care of my mother and her husband.

My mother came home August 27, 2009 after being in the hospital since June 6, 2009 after suffereing from a severe stroke, she also had other health issues, as a result from the stroke she is immobile on the right side of her body and requires 24 hour care., as a result from the stroke she has slurred speech, in which that is coming back as well, she can't remember people by name but remember them by face, that is improving as well. I returned back to work only to have to leave work again because on September 12, 2009 she was hospitalized again because while at dialysis (is now a permanent dialysis patient) she had a seizure in which she never had before in her life, she returned home on September 16th and is doing remarkably well. There was a feeding tube placed in her adomen while she was in the hospital because she couldn't eat, but on last Friday October 9th the peg was remeoved! My mother is getting better slowly but surely and at the rate she's going with her therapy we are sure that she will one day return to doing the thing's she once enjoyed! Things are looking up for my mother.

Thank you all so much for all of your support, prayers and just everything, we the family of Marva
really do appreciate everything you've done.

God Bless You All,


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.

The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society had its selection contest for the International Blues Challenge, (IBC, to be held in Memphis in late Jan 2010) on Sun 25 Oct.

The winner was Dan Dinnen

Singer/songwriter, guitar fingerpicker and blues harp wailer Dan Dinnen plays soulful, solo-acoustic blues with a feel and style that harks back to the 30’s and 40’s. Dan has played gigs from Byron Bay to Tasmania and was an MBAS Blues Performer of the Year Finalist in 2007. He’s supported the likes of Chris Wilson, and as a side-man on guitar and harmonica has accompanied some of Melbourne’s finest players including folk-roots singer Kavisha Mazzella.

During 2009 Dan has played the famous Blues Train in Queenscliff, appeared on the bill for the Echuca Winter Blues Festival, and has performed some electric blues gigs as frontman for Bluez Deluxe.

At the 2008 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Dan played blues harp with Kavisha Mazzella at some of her shows, including the Gospel Blues Theme Concert where he had the thrill of playing and singing harmonies with the amazing Ruthie Foster (USA) and Melbourne's own Suzannah Espie, whilst headline international bluesmen Guy Davis and Hans Theessink held court.

Dan also plays 20’s and 30’s style Blues with the Heather Stewart Trio - Heather Stewart, Vocals & Fiddle and Danny McKenna, Drums. The trio played at the 2008 Broadbeach Blues Festival where they were also the backing band for Jimi Hocking's Blue Mandolin gigs and were invited back to Broadbeach 2009.
Dan Dinnen - website: www.dandinnen.com


The Delta Blues

This US based blog delves deeply into a lot of arcane but sometimes very interesting Mississippi Delta blues history. It’s worth a look every now and again to see what they have dug up. Recent topics include

· An American Roots Music Timeline
· Charley Patton Census Records
· NEW Robert Johnson Census Records
· “Blind WIllie” McTell aka Georgia Sam: A Profile
· Robert Curtis Smith: A New Old Bluesman
· Robert Johnson Recording Set Up and Location
· The Emmett Till Murder
· Who is Willie Brown, from the song "Crossroads"?


Press Articles – Various

This is Rosanne Cash’s Patsy Cline record, from The Punch
Brandi Carlile, from Head Butler
The Rolling Stones Have the Cocksucker Blues, from flavorwire
Nashville Bluesman Johnny Jones, RIP, from About.com
Eleventh Annual Native American Music Award Winners Announced on Oct 3
Norton Buffalo Benefit, from NY Blues and Jazz
Out of the Swamp, Dripping With Both Wildness and Cool – JJ Grey Review, from NY Times
Woodstock: A Moment of Muddy Grace, also from NY Times
Blues Blast awards show lives up to magazine's name, from Chicago Sun Times
and a Listing of Nominees for The Blues Blast Awards, from Illinois Blues
Saltwater Band's Fab Two a Deadly combination, from TheAustralian
Deadly Award Winners for 2009
Jeff Lang Interview, from Time Off


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

A lift from Bob Corritore’s newsletter

Sunnyland Slim on YouTube! Please enjoy this stellar performance by a true blues piano master. Sunnyland Slim was a crucial figure in the development of Chicago Blues and even introduced Muddy Waters to the Chess Brothers! Sunnyland is shown alone at the piano, and his deeply rooted style is really highlighted on the song "You Put That Thing On Me". To see this clip click here

Joe Bonamassa on the Jools Holland show


And finally, my little attempt at humour ……..

Larry David’s reaction on seeing the Bluesfest first artist announcement


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


Grassroots Music Festival

8 Ball Aitken is again organizing the Grass Roots Music Festival at the Mount-Coot-tha Botanical Gardens from 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday, November 8th

This is a very special event that Bird and I organise each year. It has grown from a small gathering to a major event, generously sponsored by the Brisbane City Council.

The artist line-up for the event includes 8 Ball Aitken & His Band, Lou Bradley, Mark Easton, Monkey & The Fish, Victoria Baillie, Katrina Burgoyne, Claire Whiting and Brendan Leggatt & Hobo Instinct.

This year’s event has a strong country and alt.country influence, along with original blues, roots, and indigenous music. The free, family-friendly event offers regional residents the opportunity to frolic in the springtime sunshine, enjoying the beauty of the mountain-top botanical gardens at their best. The event has become a Queensland institution which celebrates the diverse offerings of original roots musicians in one of the region’s most picturesque settings.

For those in Brisbane, we hope to see you there… be sure to bring a picnic, hat and sunscreen!


Sunset Sounds Festival

It’s a long way off, still, but:

Back for its sophomore year after the inaugural sellout event in January, SUNSET SOUNDS returns to the stunning Brisbane Botanical and City Gardens over January 6 and 7 to invoke a sumptuous soiree of summer delights.

Featuring: Yeah Yeah Yeah's (Usa); Moby (USA); Hilltop Hoods; Grizzly Bear (USA - First Ever Australian Shows); The Temper Trap; Xavier Rudd; Editors (UK); Sarah Blasko; Rodrigo Y Gabriela (Mexico); Seasick Steve (Usa); Emiliana Torrini (Iceland); Kaki King (USA); Andrew Bird (USA); Yves Klein Blue; Lisa Mitchell; King Khan And The Shrines (Germany - First Ever Australian Shows); The John Steel Singers; Art Vs. Science And The Middle East. plus, loads more to be announced.

Seasick Steve was a huge hit at the ECBRF visit earlier this year. More about this next tour here


Woodford Tickets and Program Launch

The programme for this summer’s Woodford Folk Festival was also launched today (28 Oct).

Who’s on and where is a bit difficult no navigate but you can start looking here for the daily playing schedules, and here for the overall festival programme booklet in Real View format.

A quick look shows Fiona Boyes, Phil Manning, Dallas Frasca, Doc Spann, Mojo Webb, Mick Conway, Afro Dizzi Act, Grace Barbe, John Butler Trio, Blind Dog Donnie, Kaki King, Toni Childs, Bonjah, James Morrison, James Blundell, The Audreys and many others.

Festival tickets are available here


REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES

Palmwoods Got The Blues –at the Palmwoods Hotel

“October was hot but November is going to be hotter”. That’s the advice from staff and bands alike to the punters who have been lapping up the blues and roots talent at the Palmwoods hotel every month

Kicking of the November blues & roots lineup, The Delta Monarchs make their Palmwoods debut on Sat November 7. A new band on the SE Qld scene, the Monarchs are already creating waves and are looking to Palmwoods as a perfect tuneup for their Woodford debut.

And then on Sat November 21, Palmwoods Got The Blues settles in for another heapin’ helping of world class Blues talent, cold beer, great steaks and free courtesy buses

Young guns No Problem make a keenly anticipated return and after some high profile gigs this year, these talented teenagers are the perfect appetizer for the world class talent to follow.

Pete Cornelius was one of the highlights of the 2009 East Coast Blues & Roots festival at Byron Bay over Easter. So popular in fact that its taken until now for his schedule to free up enough for Pete to get on the plane and get his Gretsch and his talented self up to the Sunshine Coast to bring the Palmwoods stage alive once again. A fixture on national festival stages since his early teens, Pete is now an elder statesman of Australian blues despite still only being in his mid 20’s. Five acclaimed CD releases and numerous overseas tours all testament to the talent the Tassie tyro unleashes with his guitar in hand.

To add to the gumbo, possibly the only Australian blues artist capable of giving Pete Cornelius a run for his money, Mojo Webb also returns with his crack band tuned like V8 supercar and ready and raring to go. A Palmwoods regular, Mojo like Pete spends more and more time on planes and trains these days, traversing the country playing festivals and high profile gigs to an ever increasing fan base of increasingly feverish fans. The last time was crazy man! And this November is just another in a long line of amazing lineups presented by the Palmwoods Hotel

So to summarize:

· Sat Nov 7
· Delta Monarchs
· 8pm, Free entry

· Sat Nov 21
· Mojo Webb
· Pete Cornelius & The Devilles
· No Problem
· 5.30pm, Free entry

(Unfortunately, Sat 21 Nov is also the night the great Ry Cooder plays the Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, with Nick Lowe).


Matt Aitchison, one of the founders of the hugely successful Sunshine Coast band OKA
will be performing at the Verrierdale Hall (near Eumundi – look it up, I had to) on 7 Nov, with Tijuana Cartel.

This should be a great night.


At the X&Y Bar

Fri 30 Oct Jaimi Faulkner
Fri 13 Nov Wagons (with Texas Tea) [support acts for Justin Townes Earle a few weeks ago]


At The Troubadour

Check their new website for lots of interesting shows coming up. If you were intrigued by the recent 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:

· Sun 1 Nov Jeff Lang
· Fri 13 Nov Geoff Achison
· Sat 14 Nov Afro Dizzi Act plus The Toothfaeries


At The Zoo

· Sat 31 Oct Jeff Lang
· Thurs 3 Dec Afro Dizzi Act
· Fri 4 Dec Rock and Roll Burlesque Show
· Wed 9 Dec Heavy Trash (feat Jon Spencer)


At The Soundlounge, Currumbin

Lots of good stuff ….

· 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 Hi Fi Bar

These all look good

· Wed 18 Nov G Love & Special Sauce (USA)
· Sat 21 Nov Blue King Brown
· Thurs 26 Nov Salmonella Dub (NZ)
· Thurs 3 Dec Tiki Taane (NZ)
· Frid 18 Dec Lucky Dube Celebration Tour



At The Tivoli

· Fri 13 Nov diesel
· Thurs 3 Dec Tim Finn
· Wed 9 Dec Royal Crown Revue


Lori Lee’s upcoming gigs:

· Sat Dec 5 Rockabilly Xmas Party at the Holland Park Bowls Club