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
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Bluesnews 3 July 2009
Hello again. Here is another edition of a newsletter setting out all the blues news for South East Queensland.
Lots of people much more talented than me have written a gazillion words about the death of Michael Jackson. I promise not to add any more. To give you an idea though of the extent that his death has dominated the music industry headlines, here is a grab of those from the Billboard website, from the day after he died.
July 03, 2009 Michael Jackson On Track For More Billboard Charts Records
July 02, 2009 Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon Exclusive: AEG's Randy Phillips Talks About Michael Jackson Fallout Exclusive: Michael Jackson Was Working On Two Albums Michael Jackson Funeral Date Set, Mystery Deepens Federal Drug Agents Join Michael Jackson Investigation Michael Jackson Left 'Endless' Supply Of Unreleased Music Alice In Chains Reunion 'Gives Way' To New Album, Tour Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months Aerosmith's Joe Perry Turns To Twitter Fans For Solo Album Title
July 01, 2009 Michael Jackson's Will Filed With Los Angeles Court Michael Jackson Superfans Share Their Stories Boys Like Girls Is 'Love Drunk' On Sophomore Album Staind, Shinedown And More Go On Stimulate This! Tour Mase Making Comeback, Inspired By Michael Jackson Jackson's Will To Be Filed In Court Wednesday
June 30, 2009 Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records Aerosmith Drummer Pens Hard-Hitting Book Michael Jackson's Body Heading Back To Neverland Jay-Z Confirms Roc Nation Deals With Sony, Atlantic Daughtry Goes Back To Clubs For New Album Launch Michael Jackson Rocks Billboard Charts Drake Signs To Young Money, Distribution By Universal Republic Michael Jackson Shot 3D Video Project Before Death
June 29, 2009 Michael Jackson Ticket Refund Details Announced By AEG Michael Jackson Radio Play Jumps 1735% Bon Jovi, Don Was Team Up For Iranian Solidarity Song Slayer Ready For 'World Painted Blood' Michael Jackson Dominates U.K. Charts Susanna Hoffs, Matthew Sweet Go 'Under The Covers' Again Ashley Tisdale's 'Guilty Pleasures' Showcases Edgier Side
June 28, 2009 Beyonce, New Edition, Maxwell To Perform Michael Jackson Songs On BET Awards Tribute Janet, Brothers May Do Michael Jackson Tribute Tour Michael Jackson May Be Buried At Neverland Michael Jackson To Be Honored At BET Awards
June 27, 2009 Rev. Jesse Jackson: Family Wants Second Autopsy Michael Jackson Poised To Make Billboard Chart History, Again Jackson Family Gathers, Questions AEG Role Michael Jackson Death Mystery Remains Unsolved After Autopsy AEG Will Offer Michael Jackson Ticket Refunds
June 26, 2009 Akon On Michael Jackson: "He Was Completely Healthy" Drug Use Key Question In Michael Jackson Death UPDATED: Michael Jackson Mourned By Friends, Fans, Fellow Musicians Lisa Marie Presley: Michael Jackson Afraid He'd 'End Up' Like Elvis AEG Facing $85 Million Refund For Michael Jackson Shows Manager: Michael Jackson Rehearsed Night Before Death Michael Jackson Bit Cut From 'Bruno' Movie Michael Jackson Dominates Twitter, Amazon, iTunes Michael Jackson Died Deeply In Debt Michael Jackson Autopsy Planned For Today Michael Jackson's Legal Problems May Outlive Him Radio Remembers Michael Jackson
The MJ items account for 36 out of 52 items, or 70%. If you’ve been on Mars these last few weeks, this should give you an idea of the extent to which his death has swamped everything else. ‘A good career move’ as someone said after Elvis’ passing.
On another matter, there has been blues and rockabilly at the Boo (the Booroodabin Bowls Club in Newstead) for years now.
Obviously not wanting to miss out on the patronage, the Hendra Bowls Club (23 Lethem St), is now also advertising free Bowls and Blues ‘every Sunday arvo’.
I’ll try to get along and give you a report…..
Finally, after many months, I finally got along to Jazzworx in Bowen Hills last Thursday. I thought The Judy was Brisbane’s best kept secret, but this beats it. The website sums it up:
Jazzworx! Club runs every Thursday night from February through to December. The club is located at 4 Exhibition Street, Bowen Hills. The Jazzworx! Club is dedicated to showcasing local and international jazz talent, with a focus on contemporary original jazz. It's run out of the performance space provided by Jazzworx! The Music Institute, a music school dedicated to jazz education. Doors open at 7.30pm every Thursday night, with music commencing at around 8.00pm. The venue is a BYO venue, with a $2 corkage. To contact us phone (07) 3216.1110
Although it’s not blues, it’s a great little venue, and byo as well. Although it says ‘every Thursday’ I’d recommend you call them just to make sure, before you arrive.
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
Nick Holt Dies
About.com (and many other blogs) report:
Formers Teardrops bassist Nick Holt, the brother of Chicago blues legend Magic Slim (a/k/a Morris Holt), died in Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday, June 22, 2009 from brain cancer. Holt was 69 years old.
Born in Grenada, Mississippi in 1940, Holt accompanied his brother to Chicago in the late-1950s, and helped him form the popular Magic Slim & the Teardrops in 1960. The rock-steady bass player performed with his frontman brother for the next 40 years, both onstage and on the band's recordings through 2000's Blind Pig Records release Snakebite.
More here
There’s not much of Nick on youtube, but for a grab of Nick and the Teardrops warming up the stage before Magic Slim’s set at the Londoon Blues Fest in 2000 click here.
Living End win top song at APRA awards
The ABC report is here
The Blues and Roots category was won by Australian-born, and Australian and Israeli-raised Ohad Rein aka Old Man River who beat The Waifs, Lior and 8 Ball Aitken.
Interestingly, AC/DC`s 30-year old classic `Highway to Hell` won the award for the Most Played Australian Work Overseas.
The full list of winners is here
Rhythms Magazine Artists Directory
Rhythms Magazine has announced
‘the inaugural Rhythms Annual Artist Directory. We’re planning to provide an annual one-stop listing supplement for venues, labels and festivals looking for roots artists.
Rather than having to trawl through websites, booking agents and out of date contacts, bookers and labels will be able to simply go their annual Rhythms Artist Directory and look up artists in the genre and locality that they’re after.
Each listing will be a quarter page – all listings the same size and price – featuring a photo of the artist and all their relevant details in a uniform, easy-to-digest-at-a-glance format.
The booking deadline is Mon 13 July
More details are available from http://www.blogger.com/rhythmsmag@bigpond.com.au
Press Articles – Various
Head Butler on James Brown
John Butler Announces Lineup Revamp, from Undercover
Happily Seduced by the Blues, from the NY Times
Can You Dig It? from New Statesman
Blues legend with a sting of realism, from the Financial Times
Candye Kane: Celebrating herself by belting the blues, from Oregon Live
Concert review: Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood deliver satisfying concert, from WFAA Dallas Fort Worth
Don Law Robert Johnson letter, from the Delta Blues
Leonard Cohen, from TOM Magazine
Spinal Tap Comes Back From the Dead, from Wired
Retailing Era Closes With Music Megastore, from NY Times
Video Selections
Here are a few clips of Mud Morganfield, who is appearing at the Fortitude Valley Festival Of Blues, on Sat 26 July – see below for more info
Walking Through The Park
Live in Rome
Mannish Boy
RADIO/TV/YOU TUBE
Arthur Elliot reports on his upcoming Sidestream shows– for Brisbane listeners 99.7 FM, Wed 7pm to 9pm.
The 8 July edition of the programme features music in the first hour from Tracy Grammer, Cheryl Wheeler, and the Iveys, with new local releases from the National Junk Band, and from Selena Cross.
Then, in the 8pm blues hour, we have the new album from Melbourne’s Geoff Achison. As well, there’s a new release from the six-piece group The Bridge from Baltimore in the U.S., plus Mia Vermillion, Kelly Joe Phelps, J J Grey & Mofro, D J Gosper, and Big Pete Pearson.
On 15 July, we play some of the superlative new instrumental album “Pictures Of The Coast” by Australian guitarists Peter Howe and Tim Gaze. There’s also a new release from Iron & Wine, a new Rod MacDonald CD, one from the Handsome Family, and a lot more.
The blues hour at 8pm includes the new CD from Australia’s Anni Piper, and new music from the Nightcats and 56 Deluxe. You’ll also hear from locals Kontraband and Suzannah Espie, and Americans Joe Bonamassa and Walter Trout.
Musicians whose name starts with C have a good chance of being featured in 22 July edition of Sidestream. In the first hour, we feature music by Ry Cooder, the Cruel Sea, Mary Coughlan, Martin Carthy, Catfish, Andy Cowan and more.
Then the blues hour includes top blues from Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Tommy Castro, Marji Curran Trio, Collard Greens & Gravy, Matt Corcoran and Canned Heat.
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.
FESTIVALS
The Redlands Bluegrass Convention will be held from 10-12 July
Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival
Organizers for this festival, at Narooma on the south coast of NSW in early Oct announced an 'Early Bird' Ticket Offer from Wednesday, July 1st
Rainforest World Music Festival
Finally, if you are in Borneo next week, you can go to the Rainforest World Music Festival , from 10-12 July
“a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo.
Its formula of afternoon informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts, followed by evening performances on the main stage has proven to be a hit with the audience, who come from near and far.
The festival site also sets up a variety of food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artists, all this contributing to a fun filled, wholesome festival experience. World Music plus a country fair atmosphere in the midst of lush greenery.
The Rainforest World Music Festival, a not-to-be-missed occasion, guarantees a smashing time in the heart of the Borneo Jungle !”
REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES
Palmwoods Got The Blues –at the Palmwoods Hotel
July is a very special month for blues at Palmwoods as some of the greatest blues acts to hit the stage anywhere in Australia come together for a Sunshine coast blues shootout
Kicking off the month on Saturday, July 4, Mojo Webb returns to the Palmwoods with his road hardened trio in tow. Mojo is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most outstanding young blues talents and the Palmwoods stage is one of his favourite places to let it all hang loose
Then on Sat July 18, Palmwoods Got The Blues returns with another amazing lineup of the best blues and roots talent Australia has to offer
Opening the show will be the Margie Curran Adam Hole trio. Fresh from some great shows at the Broadbeach blues festival and an extensive tour of Western Australia, Margie and Adams rootsy blues will be the perfect entrée for the smorgasboard to come
Steve Lott moved to Australia back in the mid 90’s and took Australian blues by storm. His two Australian releases, “West Texas Refugee” and “If Licks Could Kill” were critically acclaimed and much sought after examples of the Lubbock Texas born Lott’s mastery of the Texan blues style made popular by the Vaughan brothers, Jimmy and Stevie Ray. Not surprising really with Steve having grown up in the Texan university town of Austin, widely regarded as the best musical town in the world today
In recent years Steve Lott has been based in New Mexico where he has collaborated on movie soundtracks with Randy Quaid and played and recorded with Kay Kay & The Rays who visited Australia for the Byron Blues fest a couple of years ago. After providing wonderful backing for Kate Meehans appearance at Palmwoods in June, it was only fitting that Steve should bring his band back to Palmwoods for an encore performance
Then, if too much blues is barely enough, the Hipshooters will bring their mix of Hendrix and Vaughan inspired blues funk back to Palmwoods to ensure the courtesy buses will be crisscrossing the coast, ferrying blues fans to the hottest gig in the region
The Kiwi threesome made a name for themselves in Australia in a feverish 10 yr period that featured packed houses across the country, with three wonderful releases and rabid fans yelling for more. These days, it’s a little harder to catch the band with frontman Anton “Tipi” Elkington based back in New Zealand but for one special night in July, the band that played the first ever Palmwoods Got The Blues night in 2006 will be back on the sunshine coast to rock the house like only they can.
So, in summary:
Sat July 4 Mojo Webb 8pm
Sat July 18 5.30pm
· The Hipshooters
· The Steve Lott band
· Margie Curran Adam Hole Trio
All free entry ………..
Doug Parkinson is visiting SEQ during July. You can catch him on Fri 10 July at The Full Moon Hotel Sandgate
At The Troubadour
No blues but lots that look interesting. I can recommend Tijuana Cartel on Sun 19 July
At Joes Waterhole, Eumundi
Look out for:
· Sat 4 July James Reyne
· Fri 10 July Augie March
· Sat 25 July The Backsliders (Dom Turner, Rob Hurst & Ian Collard
· Sun 2 Aug Diesel
· Sat 8 Aug Borich & Borich
At the Cooly Hotel
· Fri 3 July Salmonella Dub
· Thurs 9 July Augie March
And at The Judy.
· Thurs 16 July Michaelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen
· Sat 30 July diesel
At The Soundlounge, Currumbin
· Fri 28 Aug Dallas Frasca
Don’t forget the Fortitude Valley Festival Of Blues, on Sat 26 July, from 2pm 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”
Finally, GreazeFest with USA rockabilly star Marti Brom as headliner, runs from 30 July to 2 Aug.
Lots of people much more talented than me have written a gazillion words about the death of Michael Jackson. I promise not to add any more. To give you an idea though of the extent that his death has dominated the music industry headlines, here is a grab of those from the Billboard website, from the day after he died.
July 03, 2009 Michael Jackson On Track For More Billboard Charts Records
July 02, 2009 Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon Exclusive: AEG's Randy Phillips Talks About Michael Jackson Fallout Exclusive: Michael Jackson Was Working On Two Albums Michael Jackson Funeral Date Set, Mystery Deepens Federal Drug Agents Join Michael Jackson Investigation Michael Jackson Left 'Endless' Supply Of Unreleased Music Alice In Chains Reunion 'Gives Way' To New Album, Tour Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months Aerosmith's Joe Perry Turns To Twitter Fans For Solo Album Title
July 01, 2009 Michael Jackson's Will Filed With Los Angeles Court Michael Jackson Superfans Share Their Stories Boys Like Girls Is 'Love Drunk' On Sophomore Album Staind, Shinedown And More Go On Stimulate This! Tour Mase Making Comeback, Inspired By Michael Jackson Jackson's Will To Be Filed In Court Wednesday
June 30, 2009 Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records Aerosmith Drummer Pens Hard-Hitting Book Michael Jackson's Body Heading Back To Neverland Jay-Z Confirms Roc Nation Deals With Sony, Atlantic Daughtry Goes Back To Clubs For New Album Launch Michael Jackson Rocks Billboard Charts Drake Signs To Young Money, Distribution By Universal Republic Michael Jackson Shot 3D Video Project Before Death
June 29, 2009 Michael Jackson Ticket Refund Details Announced By AEG Michael Jackson Radio Play Jumps 1735% Bon Jovi, Don Was Team Up For Iranian Solidarity Song Slayer Ready For 'World Painted Blood' Michael Jackson Dominates U.K. Charts Susanna Hoffs, Matthew Sweet Go 'Under The Covers' Again Ashley Tisdale's 'Guilty Pleasures' Showcases Edgier Side
June 28, 2009 Beyonce, New Edition, Maxwell To Perform Michael Jackson Songs On BET Awards Tribute Janet, Brothers May Do Michael Jackson Tribute Tour Michael Jackson May Be Buried At Neverland Michael Jackson To Be Honored At BET Awards
June 27, 2009 Rev. Jesse Jackson: Family Wants Second Autopsy Michael Jackson Poised To Make Billboard Chart History, Again Jackson Family Gathers, Questions AEG Role Michael Jackson Death Mystery Remains Unsolved After Autopsy AEG Will Offer Michael Jackson Ticket Refunds
June 26, 2009 Akon On Michael Jackson: "He Was Completely Healthy" Drug Use Key Question In Michael Jackson Death UPDATED: Michael Jackson Mourned By Friends, Fans, Fellow Musicians Lisa Marie Presley: Michael Jackson Afraid He'd 'End Up' Like Elvis AEG Facing $85 Million Refund For Michael Jackson Shows Manager: Michael Jackson Rehearsed Night Before Death Michael Jackson Bit Cut From 'Bruno' Movie Michael Jackson Dominates Twitter, Amazon, iTunes Michael Jackson Died Deeply In Debt Michael Jackson Autopsy Planned For Today Michael Jackson's Legal Problems May Outlive Him Radio Remembers Michael Jackson
The MJ items account for 36 out of 52 items, or 70%. If you’ve been on Mars these last few weeks, this should give you an idea of the extent to which his death has swamped everything else. ‘A good career move’ as someone said after Elvis’ passing.
On another matter, there has been blues and rockabilly at the Boo (the Booroodabin Bowls Club in Newstead) for years now.
Obviously not wanting to miss out on the patronage, the Hendra Bowls Club (23 Lethem St), is now also advertising free Bowls and Blues ‘every Sunday arvo’.
I’ll try to get along and give you a report…..
Finally, after many months, I finally got along to Jazzworx in Bowen Hills last Thursday. I thought The Judy was Brisbane’s best kept secret, but this beats it. The website sums it up:
Jazzworx! Club runs every Thursday night from February through to December. The club is located at 4 Exhibition Street, Bowen Hills. The Jazzworx! Club is dedicated to showcasing local and international jazz talent, with a focus on contemporary original jazz. It's run out of the performance space provided by Jazzworx! The Music Institute, a music school dedicated to jazz education. Doors open at 7.30pm every Thursday night, with music commencing at around 8.00pm. The venue is a BYO venue, with a $2 corkage. To contact us phone (07) 3216.1110
Although it’s not blues, it’s a great little venue, and byo as well. Although it says ‘every Thursday’ I’d recommend you call them just to make sure, before you arrive.
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
Nick Holt Dies
About.com (and many other blogs) report:
Formers Teardrops bassist Nick Holt, the brother of Chicago blues legend Magic Slim (a/k/a Morris Holt), died in Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday, June 22, 2009 from brain cancer. Holt was 69 years old.
Born in Grenada, Mississippi in 1940, Holt accompanied his brother to Chicago in the late-1950s, and helped him form the popular Magic Slim & the Teardrops in 1960. The rock-steady bass player performed with his frontman brother for the next 40 years, both onstage and on the band's recordings through 2000's Blind Pig Records release Snakebite.
More here
There’s not much of Nick on youtube, but for a grab of Nick and the Teardrops warming up the stage before Magic Slim’s set at the Londoon Blues Fest in 2000 click here.
Living End win top song at APRA awards
The ABC report is here
The Blues and Roots category was won by Australian-born, and Australian and Israeli-raised Ohad Rein aka Old Man River who beat The Waifs, Lior and 8 Ball Aitken.
Interestingly, AC/DC`s 30-year old classic `Highway to Hell` won the award for the Most Played Australian Work Overseas.
The full list of winners is here
Rhythms Magazine Artists Directory
Rhythms Magazine has announced
‘the inaugural Rhythms Annual Artist Directory. We’re planning to provide an annual one-stop listing supplement for venues, labels and festivals looking for roots artists.
Rather than having to trawl through websites, booking agents and out of date contacts, bookers and labels will be able to simply go their annual Rhythms Artist Directory and look up artists in the genre and locality that they’re after.
Each listing will be a quarter page – all listings the same size and price – featuring a photo of the artist and all their relevant details in a uniform, easy-to-digest-at-a-glance format.
The booking deadline is Mon 13 July
More details are available from http://www.blogger.com/rhythmsmag@bigpond.com.au
Press Articles – Various
Head Butler on James Brown
John Butler Announces Lineup Revamp, from Undercover
Happily Seduced by the Blues, from the NY Times
Can You Dig It? from New Statesman
Blues legend with a sting of realism, from the Financial Times
Candye Kane: Celebrating herself by belting the blues, from Oregon Live
Concert review: Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood deliver satisfying concert, from WFAA Dallas Fort Worth
Don Law Robert Johnson letter, from the Delta Blues
Leonard Cohen, from TOM Magazine
Spinal Tap Comes Back From the Dead, from Wired
Retailing Era Closes With Music Megastore, from NY Times
Video Selections
Here are a few clips of Mud Morganfield, who is appearing at the Fortitude Valley Festival Of Blues, on Sat 26 July – see below for more info
Walking Through The Park
Live in Rome
Mannish Boy
RADIO/TV/YOU TUBE
Arthur Elliot reports on his upcoming Sidestream shows– for Brisbane listeners 99.7 FM, Wed 7pm to 9pm.
The 8 July edition of the programme features music in the first hour from Tracy Grammer, Cheryl Wheeler, and the Iveys, with new local releases from the National Junk Band, and from Selena Cross.
Then, in the 8pm blues hour, we have the new album from Melbourne’s Geoff Achison. As well, there’s a new release from the six-piece group The Bridge from Baltimore in the U.S., plus Mia Vermillion, Kelly Joe Phelps, J J Grey & Mofro, D J Gosper, and Big Pete Pearson.
On 15 July, we play some of the superlative new instrumental album “Pictures Of The Coast” by Australian guitarists Peter Howe and Tim Gaze. There’s also a new release from Iron & Wine, a new Rod MacDonald CD, one from the Handsome Family, and a lot more.
The blues hour at 8pm includes the new CD from Australia’s Anni Piper, and new music from the Nightcats and 56 Deluxe. You’ll also hear from locals Kontraband and Suzannah Espie, and Americans Joe Bonamassa and Walter Trout.
Musicians whose name starts with C have a good chance of being featured in 22 July edition of Sidestream. In the first hour, we feature music by Ry Cooder, the Cruel Sea, Mary Coughlan, Martin Carthy, Catfish, Andy Cowan and more.
Then the blues hour includes top blues from Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Tommy Castro, Marji Curran Trio, Collard Greens & Gravy, Matt Corcoran and Canned Heat.
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.
FESTIVALS
The Redlands Bluegrass Convention will be held from 10-12 July
Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival
Organizers for this festival, at Narooma on the south coast of NSW in early Oct announced an 'Early Bird' Ticket Offer from Wednesday, July 1st
Rainforest World Music Festival
Finally, if you are in Borneo next week, you can go to the Rainforest World Music Festival , from 10-12 July
“a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo.
Its formula of afternoon informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts, followed by evening performances on the main stage has proven to be a hit with the audience, who come from near and far.
The festival site also sets up a variety of food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artists, all this contributing to a fun filled, wholesome festival experience. World Music plus a country fair atmosphere in the midst of lush greenery.
The Rainforest World Music Festival, a not-to-be-missed occasion, guarantees a smashing time in the heart of the Borneo Jungle !”
REGULAR STUFF AND GIG GUIDES
Palmwoods Got The Blues –at the Palmwoods Hotel
July is a very special month for blues at Palmwoods as some of the greatest blues acts to hit the stage anywhere in Australia come together for a Sunshine coast blues shootout
Kicking off the month on Saturday, July 4, Mojo Webb returns to the Palmwoods with his road hardened trio in tow. Mojo is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most outstanding young blues talents and the Palmwoods stage is one of his favourite places to let it all hang loose
Then on Sat July 18, Palmwoods Got The Blues returns with another amazing lineup of the best blues and roots talent Australia has to offer
Opening the show will be the Margie Curran Adam Hole trio. Fresh from some great shows at the Broadbeach blues festival and an extensive tour of Western Australia, Margie and Adams rootsy blues will be the perfect entrée for the smorgasboard to come
Steve Lott moved to Australia back in the mid 90’s and took Australian blues by storm. His two Australian releases, “West Texas Refugee” and “If Licks Could Kill” were critically acclaimed and much sought after examples of the Lubbock Texas born Lott’s mastery of the Texan blues style made popular by the Vaughan brothers, Jimmy and Stevie Ray. Not surprising really with Steve having grown up in the Texan university town of Austin, widely regarded as the best musical town in the world today
In recent years Steve Lott has been based in New Mexico where he has collaborated on movie soundtracks with Randy Quaid and played and recorded with Kay Kay & The Rays who visited Australia for the Byron Blues fest a couple of years ago. After providing wonderful backing for Kate Meehans appearance at Palmwoods in June, it was only fitting that Steve should bring his band back to Palmwoods for an encore performance
Then, if too much blues is barely enough, the Hipshooters will bring their mix of Hendrix and Vaughan inspired blues funk back to Palmwoods to ensure the courtesy buses will be crisscrossing the coast, ferrying blues fans to the hottest gig in the region
The Kiwi threesome made a name for themselves in Australia in a feverish 10 yr period that featured packed houses across the country, with three wonderful releases and rabid fans yelling for more. These days, it’s a little harder to catch the band with frontman Anton “Tipi” Elkington based back in New Zealand but for one special night in July, the band that played the first ever Palmwoods Got The Blues night in 2006 will be back on the sunshine coast to rock the house like only they can.
So, in summary:
Sat July 4 Mojo Webb 8pm
Sat July 18 5.30pm
· The Hipshooters
· The Steve Lott band
· Margie Curran Adam Hole Trio
All free entry ………..
Doug Parkinson is visiting SEQ during July. You can catch him on Fri 10 July at The Full Moon Hotel Sandgate
At The Troubadour
No blues but lots that look interesting. I can recommend Tijuana Cartel on Sun 19 July
At Joes Waterhole, Eumundi
Look out for:
· Sat 4 July James Reyne
· Fri 10 July Augie March
· Sat 25 July The Backsliders (Dom Turner, Rob Hurst & Ian Collard
· Sun 2 Aug Diesel
· Sat 8 Aug Borich & Borich
At the Cooly Hotel
· Fri 3 July Salmonella Dub
· Thurs 9 July Augie March
And at The Judy.
· Thurs 16 July Michaelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen
· Sat 30 July diesel
At The Soundlounge, Currumbin
· Fri 28 Aug Dallas Frasca
Don’t forget the Fortitude Valley Festival Of Blues, on Sat 26 July, from 2pm 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”
Finally, GreazeFest with USA rockabilly star Marti Brom as headliner, runs from 30 July to 2 Aug.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Eddie Bo
Last time I was here we were in the Cajun part of La, with DL Menard, prior to that we were also in La but in NO with guitarist Snooks Eaglin. We are staying in La today with a NO singer/songwriter/producer/pianist by the name of Eddie Bo who died in March this year.
Like many of the NO greats, Eddie was a hero in his home town but underappreciated elsewhere. Despite lots of talent and releasing more than 50 singles in a career lasting more than 50 years, he never had a national hit commensurate with his musical standing.
Born Edwin Joseph Bocage on September 20, 1930, Bo was raised in the Algiers and Ninth Ward sections of New Orleans by a musical family. His uncles Peter and Charles and cousin Henry all played in post-WWI jazz orchestras, and his mother was a self-taught pianist in the style of friend, Professor Longhair.
1. Got To Know – 1950s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 20 – 2.47
Eddie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in NO before going into the army towards the end of WW2. After his military service, he returned to New Orleans to study at the Grunewald School of Music, where he learned piano, music theory and arrangement. It was there that he discovered bebop pianists like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. He started playing around the jam-heavy New Orleans jazz scene, but soon discovered that R&B was more popular and accessible, not to mention better-paying. He joined the house band at Club Tijuana under the name Spider Bocage, and later formed the Spider Bocage Orchestra, a professional backing band that supported many prominent blues and R&B artists of the day, including Ruth Brown, Earl King, Lloyd Price, Big Joe Turner, Smiley Lewis, and Guitar Slim.
In the 1950s he and a group of New Orleans musicians toured the country supporting singers Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Guitar Slim, Johnny Adams, Lloyd Price, Ruth Brown, Smiley Lewis, and The Platters
Bo cut his first record in 1955 for the Ace label and went on to release more singles than any other New Orleans artist save Fats Domino. This next track, a single for the Apollo label was later adapted by Little Richard into the hit "Slippin' and Slidin'
2. I’m Wise – 1950s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 5 – 2.15
In addition to recordings with Ace and Apollo, Bo also recorded a few singles for Chess and Checker, but did the majority of his '50s work for the small New Orleans label Ric, scoring regional hits with tracks like "Tell It Like It Is" and "Every Dog Has Its Day" which were two sides of a Ric single in 1960.
3. Tell It Like It Is – 1960 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 10 – 2.23
4. Every Dog Has Its Day – 1960 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 14 – 2.15
One writer noted of Eddie’s style: ”His versatility and professionalism have had a vital impact on the world of contemporary New Orleans music. As a vocalist, he is one of a kind. As a pianist, he transcends categorizing. His spirit and vitality are an inspiration to musicians all over the world.”
This next track, from the late 1950s, "My Dearest Darling" was also covered by Etta James for a hit in 1960.
5. My Dearest Darling – late 1950’s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 16 – 2.35
In 1961, Eddie had a hit with a dance number called "Check Mr. Popeye" however, competing versions by Chubby Checker and Huey "Piano" Smith diminished its chart performance.
6. Check Mr Popeye – 1961 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 1 – 2.16
During the 1960s, Bo also produced records by numerous local artists; his credits include work with Irma Thomas, Chris Kenner, and Johnny Adams, among others.
Irma Thomas was a good friend. "He knew his craft," said Thomas, who added that Bocage was one of the first people she worked with when she entered the business in the early 1960s. Thomas also performed regularly at a nightclub Bocage ran in the city from the late 1970s to early 1980s
By 1965, he was in house producer at Joe Banashak's Seven B label where he also released several singles including this next great funk track, with a great vocal performance from co-writer Inez Cheatham.
7. Lover and a Friend – 1965 – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 29 – 2.37
As the '60s wore on, Bo's piano style not only got funkier, but brought back more and more of his jazz training, creating a distinctive sound that helped lay the groundwork for New Orleans' own brand of funk (along with artists like the Meters).
Eddie’s biggest hit, "Hook and Sling, Pts. 1 & 2," was recorded for the local Scram label and reached the Top 40 on the R&B charts in 1969.
8. Hook & Sling – 1969 – The Hook & Sling – Tk 1 – 3.41
By the late 1960s however, Bo was tired of being at the music industry's mercy for his livelihood; he subsequently formed his own Bo-Sound label and in 1971 scored another local hit with "Check Your Bucket."
9. Check Your Bucket – 1971 – The Hook & Sling – Tk 4 – 4.53 (play 2.50)
Other early-'70s sides for his Bo-Sound label, such as "Pass the Hatchet," cemented Bo's future standing as a lost funk treasure.
Another writer wrote “He had a very percussive sound, more jazzy than Professor Longhair. He was always at the forefront of trends, right back to the Little Richard days and into the funk era, when he released some really revolutionary records.”
In 1975 he dropped out of the music scene, instead setting up his own building renovation business. In the late '70s he did record two self-produced albums. He also recorded with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band during the late '80s, when he also toured Europe.
After studying for a time at the Yahweh Institute in Miami, he returned to New Orleans in the late 1980s.
Track from this 1990’s period - piano solo, recorded live in 1995
10. Boogie at the Boiler Room – June 1995 – NO Piano Solo – Tk 5 – 5.23
Reviewing Mr. Bo in performance at Tramps Cafe in New York in 1993 for The New York Times, Jon Pareles called him a one-man orchestra: “His left hand trundles out steady-rolling bass lines, meshed with chords or splashed with barrelhouse triplets from his right; he stamps his feet in one more layer of rhythm.”
In recent years he appeared regularly at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, toured extensively abroad and recorded albums on his Bo-Sound label, including “Nine Yards of Funk” (1998) and “Saints, Let’s Go Marching On In” (2007).
Track from Nine Yards of Funk
11. Chicken Talk – May 1998 – Nine Yards of Funk – Tk 10 – 3.59
In 1999, he was featured in the PBS documentary River of Song. In addition to touring, he also gigged frequently in his hometown, most often at Tipitina's
In 2003 he bought a doctor's office which he and his sister converted into an eatery calling it "Check Your Bucket" after his 1970 hit. Like Bo’s home and recording studio it was hit by Hurricane Katrina while Bo was on tour in Paris, and never reopened.
Eddie Bo died on March 18, 2009, at age 79 of a heart attack. Like Snooks Eaglin, he was booked to appear at the upcoming Jazz and Heritage Festival, but never made the gig. He is survived by two sisters, two brothers, and eight children: as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren]
The NY Times wrote in his obit “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.”
Eddie himself described his music thus:
"There's that mysticism, that little extra beat that you can always tell comes from New Orleans. It's an extra beat inside the beat that we can't seem to explain to people. We call it a stutter step, that extra step that the second liners do [in the street parades]. We incorporate that from when we are children, and when you hear it, then you know it, 'cause there's only one set of people that's able to bring that forth, to incorporate that extra little thing that's going on in there. Mister, you can tell New Orleans anywhere you go."
Close out with
12. Piano Roll – 1996 – Louisiana Gumbo – Tk 8 – 5.23
Like many of the NO greats, Eddie was a hero in his home town but underappreciated elsewhere. Despite lots of talent and releasing more than 50 singles in a career lasting more than 50 years, he never had a national hit commensurate with his musical standing.
Born Edwin Joseph Bocage on September 20, 1930, Bo was raised in the Algiers and Ninth Ward sections of New Orleans by a musical family. His uncles Peter and Charles and cousin Henry all played in post-WWI jazz orchestras, and his mother was a self-taught pianist in the style of friend, Professor Longhair.
1. Got To Know – 1950s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 20 – 2.47
Eddie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in NO before going into the army towards the end of WW2. After his military service, he returned to New Orleans to study at the Grunewald School of Music, where he learned piano, music theory and arrangement. It was there that he discovered bebop pianists like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. He started playing around the jam-heavy New Orleans jazz scene, but soon discovered that R&B was more popular and accessible, not to mention better-paying. He joined the house band at Club Tijuana under the name Spider Bocage, and later formed the Spider Bocage Orchestra, a professional backing band that supported many prominent blues and R&B artists of the day, including Ruth Brown, Earl King, Lloyd Price, Big Joe Turner, Smiley Lewis, and Guitar Slim.
In the 1950s he and a group of New Orleans musicians toured the country supporting singers Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Guitar Slim, Johnny Adams, Lloyd Price, Ruth Brown, Smiley Lewis, and The Platters
Bo cut his first record in 1955 for the Ace label and went on to release more singles than any other New Orleans artist save Fats Domino. This next track, a single for the Apollo label was later adapted by Little Richard into the hit "Slippin' and Slidin'
2. I’m Wise – 1950s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 5 – 2.15
In addition to recordings with Ace and Apollo, Bo also recorded a few singles for Chess and Checker, but did the majority of his '50s work for the small New Orleans label Ric, scoring regional hits with tracks like "Tell It Like It Is" and "Every Dog Has Its Day" which were two sides of a Ric single in 1960.
3. Tell It Like It Is – 1960 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 10 – 2.23
4. Every Dog Has Its Day – 1960 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 14 – 2.15
One writer noted of Eddie’s style: ”His versatility and professionalism have had a vital impact on the world of contemporary New Orleans music. As a vocalist, he is one of a kind. As a pianist, he transcends categorizing. His spirit and vitality are an inspiration to musicians all over the world.”
This next track, from the late 1950s, "My Dearest Darling" was also covered by Etta James for a hit in 1960.
5. My Dearest Darling – late 1950’s – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 16 – 2.35
In 1961, Eddie had a hit with a dance number called "Check Mr. Popeye" however, competing versions by Chubby Checker and Huey "Piano" Smith diminished its chart performance.
6. Check Mr Popeye – 1961 – Check Mr Popeye – Tk 1 – 2.16
During the 1960s, Bo also produced records by numerous local artists; his credits include work with Irma Thomas, Chris Kenner, and Johnny Adams, among others.
Irma Thomas was a good friend. "He knew his craft," said Thomas, who added that Bocage was one of the first people she worked with when she entered the business in the early 1960s. Thomas also performed regularly at a nightclub Bocage ran in the city from the late 1970s to early 1980s
By 1965, he was in house producer at Joe Banashak's Seven B label where he also released several singles including this next great funk track, with a great vocal performance from co-writer Inez Cheatham.
7. Lover and a Friend – 1965 – I Love To Rock N Roll – Tk 29 – 2.37
As the '60s wore on, Bo's piano style not only got funkier, but brought back more and more of his jazz training, creating a distinctive sound that helped lay the groundwork for New Orleans' own brand of funk (along with artists like the Meters).
Eddie’s biggest hit, "Hook and Sling, Pts. 1 & 2," was recorded for the local Scram label and reached the Top 40 on the R&B charts in 1969.
8. Hook & Sling – 1969 – The Hook & Sling – Tk 1 – 3.41
By the late 1960s however, Bo was tired of being at the music industry's mercy for his livelihood; he subsequently formed his own Bo-Sound label and in 1971 scored another local hit with "Check Your Bucket."
9. Check Your Bucket – 1971 – The Hook & Sling – Tk 4 – 4.53 (play 2.50)
Other early-'70s sides for his Bo-Sound label, such as "Pass the Hatchet," cemented Bo's future standing as a lost funk treasure.
Another writer wrote “He had a very percussive sound, more jazzy than Professor Longhair. He was always at the forefront of trends, right back to the Little Richard days and into the funk era, when he released some really revolutionary records.”
In 1975 he dropped out of the music scene, instead setting up his own building renovation business. In the late '70s he did record two self-produced albums. He also recorded with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band during the late '80s, when he also toured Europe.
After studying for a time at the Yahweh Institute in Miami, he returned to New Orleans in the late 1980s.
Track from this 1990’s period - piano solo, recorded live in 1995
10. Boogie at the Boiler Room – June 1995 – NO Piano Solo – Tk 5 – 5.23
Reviewing Mr. Bo in performance at Tramps Cafe in New York in 1993 for The New York Times, Jon Pareles called him a one-man orchestra: “His left hand trundles out steady-rolling bass lines, meshed with chords or splashed with barrelhouse triplets from his right; he stamps his feet in one more layer of rhythm.”
In recent years he appeared regularly at the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, toured extensively abroad and recorded albums on his Bo-Sound label, including “Nine Yards of Funk” (1998) and “Saints, Let’s Go Marching On In” (2007).
Track from Nine Yards of Funk
11. Chicken Talk – May 1998 – Nine Yards of Funk – Tk 10 – 3.59
In 1999, he was featured in the PBS documentary River of Song. In addition to touring, he also gigged frequently in his hometown, most often at Tipitina's
In 2003 he bought a doctor's office which he and his sister converted into an eatery calling it "Check Your Bucket" after his 1970 hit. Like Bo’s home and recording studio it was hit by Hurricane Katrina while Bo was on tour in Paris, and never reopened.
Eddie Bo died on March 18, 2009, at age 79 of a heart attack. Like Snooks Eaglin, he was booked to appear at the upcoming Jazz and Heritage Festival, but never made the gig. He is survived by two sisters, two brothers, and eight children: as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren]
The NY Times wrote in his obit “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.”
Eddie himself described his music thus:
"There's that mysticism, that little extra beat that you can always tell comes from New Orleans. It's an extra beat inside the beat that we can't seem to explain to people. We call it a stutter step, that extra step that the second liners do [in the street parades]. We incorporate that from when we are children, and when you hear it, then you know it, 'cause there's only one set of people that's able to bring that forth, to incorporate that extra little thing that's going on in there. Mister, you can tell New Orleans anywhere you go."
Close out with
12. Piano Roll – 1996 – Louisiana Gumbo – Tk 8 – 5.23
Monday, June 15, 2009
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.
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.
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