The Renovators - Rhythm and Blueprints
 

The name  Renovators is a good gimmick and concept, it certainly works well as they integrate their activities in ‘their package’  However the music is more than strong enough to face the big wide world in its own right. 

After reviewing many blues CDs each year, I consider  this as one of the best of its type for several years. I have nothing but admiration for 
The Renovators latest presentation entitled Rhythm and Blueprints. If you have been unlucky enough not to discover this band till now, you’ll note that they are a great uptempo blues band, by courtesy of the blues brothers Hemberger. Ted Hemberger on drums and Al Hemberger on bass and vocals, have made a name for themselves recording and playing throughout the Northeast. Also they own and operate The Loft Recording Studios in Bronxville, New York. 

All songs on this CD were composed and arranged by the Renovators and almost everything about Rhythm and Blueprints is sheer class. The production is first class and the musicians are fantastic. This is a  sophisticated and progressive production.  From the content of the disc to the cover notes there is a touch of humor that shines through together with the bands obvious freshness, clarity and and sheer joy. Their sound is rounded out by the meaty prowess of guitarist  Bob Rasero, former sidekick to the legendary Coco.  Incidentally, I hear that when Bob is not renovating music in his own studio, he is renovating buildings. And occasionally you can spot Bob along the shores of Portland, Maine tracking ‘The Big One’.
 

The first track on this CD sets the tone with Rip Up the House which is about getting together with your drinking mates and working on the house; or at least ripping the place up !

 Rhythm and Blueprints is incredibly varied with very  funny lyrics and has a nice up-front sound about it, mostly upbeat and charming. The guys finish off their set  with a funky, raunchy song  Excavator which I guess is a tongue in cheek comment on their skills as renovators. You get  over 50 minutes worth of blues on this disc and not much of it is sad. This blues musical formula has pleasant ideas and dreams thrown in. These guys are more than proficient at what they do. The guitarists  know what they are doing, the vocals work, and the drums and bass keep everything on the right  track. For sampling of their sound from both  their CDs, Sheet Rock The House and Rhythm and Blueprints  check out the Real Audio files on their web site . 

Finally I hope this  band  continues to  get the  recognition that they deserve. It's one of the best  CDs that I've heard this year. On a scale from one to ten, I give this performance a nine plus. Email them.
 
 

Bar Kings - Sippin' & Slidin'

Their first album features Dave Tice and Don Hopkins.
When Simon Gray started Full Moon Records, his first mission was to get John Russell into the studio as soon as possible. To be able to entice a few of his favourites to work with JR was a bonus. He'd always loved the vocals of Dave Tice in bands like the UK based Count Bishops, Buffalo and more recently Headhunters. Donnie Hopkins on piano and vocals deserves a heritage listing.

Available from Full Moon Records PO Box 1324 Castle Hill NSW 1765  Australia Email Simon
 


Larrie Cook and the Bluesmasters Live

Larrie Cook is a blues singer and songwriter with a very chequered and interesting career, who was raised up on rhythm and blues, soul and  funk.  Larrie pursued a career that spanned several continents, from London, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome  to Spain, Germany and some of the Pacific Island from Hawai, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand and finally Australia. Larrie has played with some of the worlds greatest blues exponents including the late Paul Butterfield, Albert Collins, Sonny Terry ans Brownie McGee, Muddy Waters and Steve Miller. After bing shot in the leg on stage in the US, he decided to move to Australia and soon teamed up with the best Aussie musos such as Phil Manning, Matt Taylor, Dutch Tilders and Margaret Roadknight and Johnos Blues Band.

The Bluesmasters now feature Jeff Usher on keyboards, Kevin Howard on bass guitar and Jules Folkes on Drums. Email

..

Elmores - Happy Birthday To Me

A lean clean and bluesy three piece band who like to keep things straight forward and simple. With a name like theirs it's obvious  a major influece has been Elmore James, but there is much more to this band then just a single dimension.  The sounds of the swamp run deep throught the Elmores veins, John Lee Hooker is in their soul and Creedence under their skin.

The most impressive aspect of this band is how, through the songwriting of Don Morrison is  the way the Elmores manage to combine these influences into their own original sound. Thay create contemporary Australian songs with meaningful, relevant lyrics while still retaining the feel of the music that is at the roots of their musical hertitage.

The Elmores are proud to present their first CD Happy Birthday To Me and suggest it is suitable for general airplay.

 Email Don Morrison
 

.


Greg Bakers's Blues Party - Cookin' With Harry

Greg Baker  is a founding member of the blues movement in South Australia but  moved to Queensland in 98. Unlike many latter day blues artists who started their careers playing 'rock music', he found an early love for the blues and stuck with it, playing with 70s Adelaide band Smokestack Lightening. At a time when many of the 'masters' were touring. Smokestack were lucky enough to support legends such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Freddie King, and so on,  leaving them irreplacable memories and experience.

Greg's keen observation of life, its joys and vicissitudes, has found an outlet in his song writing, which as all blues should be - direct, honest and humerous, not to mention from the heart.
History is the history, but the music is just as much about today as it ever was. Listen to the songs and the way they are played - the blues is a long way from dead Fred.

This CD is for Harry, for his inspiration and support,  not to mention the cook-ups. This disk is only real because you made it so, words are inadequate.  Greg will play solo, as a duo or with his full band.

 Greg @ RSD 556 Woodside South Australia 5244 or email Greg   phone 07 321 91201
 

Donkeys Play The Donkeys

Les Karski with Mick Wordley on bass and Jeff Algra on skins.Not a lot I can say about this line-up except to say it was recorded and mixed at Mixmasters in Adelaide South Australia in Dec 1997. Its certainly a CD with a message with tracks like 'Nuclear Medicine' and 'Legal Thing' This  is my kinda blues with my namesakes vocals superb. Its as great and  fresh as when it was first put down.

Available from Full Moon Records  Australia Email Simon
 
 

.
Dutch Tilders & The Blues Club -  Blues is My Life

We recently sent a copy of 'Dutch Tilders' album to the folks of the Arkansas Blues Society for review purposes. The people there were astounded by not only the quality of the music, but the quality of production and recording also. Dan Ferguson, founder and president of the Society had this to say about  Blues Is My Life...

This is a killer blues CD from the land down under. A lot of Americans don't realize how big blues is,  in Australia.

Since the late 50s when the first blues players made it there, the blues has had a rabid following. Dutch Tilders is one of the innovators of Aussie blues.

Check out the Brown Brothers and their latest album YEAH YEAH !
 

Bellhops - Room Service

From Sydney Australia, Their debut CD album is entitled Room Service. The band is Steven Trew vocals, harmonica Ian Dittman vocals and guitar,MarkRoulston bass and vocals, John Russell lead & slide guitars, Steve Wrongway Lovarini on drums, Steve O'Connell saxophone, Bruce Allen Baritone Saxophone with special guest Don Hopkins on Keyboards. They cover Willie Dixon's I'm Ready the traditional arrangement of CC Rider, Got My Mojo Workin' and several John Russell originals. This genuine good time dance Blues outfit offer both original and popular classic tunes all delivered in a manner to keep a party alive.Email them

PO Box 553 Regents Park NSW 2143 Australia, or Full Moon Records Australia Email Simon
 

Blues Heat

was offered the opportunity by Paul Petran (Music Deli - ABC) to record a live performance which has been broadcast on the ABC several times.

See Marooned and Irresistible Behaviour

Big Top Blues Band - Mad Love

" Their CD Mad Love is tight, punchy and tasteful. The band creates an original sound whilst remaining faithful to their blues roots. Bruce Bongers' harmonica playing is masterful."
Jim Conway -- The Backsliders.

These Sydney Australia musos are all very experienced in rhythm and blues and have been performing their music in a variety of different bands since the early 70's. Their unique sound is the result of the blending of their special qualities. A typical airing will demonstrate a front line of solid vocals, swinging amplified harp with meaty baritone saxophone underpinning - all this is supported by a flexible rhythm section injecting authentic Chicago blues shuffles, sometimes embellished with layered funk or loose bebop feels.

Bruce Bongers Music 138 Woniora Road South Hurstville NSW 2221 Australia

Blind Dog Taylor The Heat - Heavy Sugar

The creativity bursting from every member of the band, led to Blind Dog Taylor and The Healers debut CD entitled Heavy Sugar. Recorded at Mixmasters Studio in Adelaide South Australia, the band were honoured to have Les Karski as producer. Les produced albums for Midnight Oil, The Hippos and the Bondi Cigars. Every one of the tracks on Heavy Sugar has been written by the band and the standard is so high they are having trouble deciding on a single release.

Cash To Splash was the fantastic follow up to their debut album

PO Box 279 Plymton Adelaide SA 5038 Australia
Email Maxwell Street

And now for After Hours InfernoBlind Dog Tayor has teamed up with The Heat. This was recorded August 1998 at Mixmaster in Adelaide, engineered by Mick Wordly, produced by Travis and Les Karski. All songs are originals written and sung by Travis Taylor. Very pleasant and progressive album. I play this one non-stop and give it a FIVE STAR rating

Email Blind Dog Available through Full Moon Records

Doc Span & Ross Williams - The Last Train

Every so often arrives the pairing of musicians which incorporates an indiscernible ingredient or quality that virtually guarantees longevity. And so its been with Doc Span & Ross Williams, much to the delight of the audiences they've been entertaining for years. The Queensland Recording Association have recognised the talent of this duo and have seen fit to present them with an award for the best Blues / R'n'B album at the recent annual "Sunnie Awards" which are to honour excellence in Queensland based recording projects. "The Last Train" represents 13 tracks of acoustically presented near original, only two tracks were not solely written by Span & Williams, tunes encompassing passion, wit, sadness & joy. What a great duo, Doc blowing some great harp with Ross tastefully playing guitar whilst tappin'' away on the stomp box and foot snare.
They're playing the blues like it was all those years ago, with a lot of feel, you can never get sick of this type of playing.

Blues Groove Vol 1

Doc Span and Ross Williams are soon expected to release 'Blues Groove Vol 1'. This tutorial-based recording has been designed to provide both aspiring guitarists and harmonica players with a series of tracks to which they may play along, to further their musical skills. An accompanying booklet is being produced also. Emanating from one of the finest, most renowned blues duos active in Australia, 'Blues Groove Vol 1' is assured to attract the attention of both Australia's blues community and aspiring artists. Email

Contact: Walkabout Communications at P.O.Box 1175 Noosa Heads Queensland, 4567 Australia

MORE REVIEWS

Blue Roots - Hanging with the Dog

Formed by harp player / vocalist 'Steely' Neil Graham and bassist Sanket Schmidt, ue Roots have brought a regional Blues presence to southern coastal N.S.W.Their debut album Hanging with the Dog recorded early in 1995 is still finding its way into Blues collections throughout Australia New Zealand. B Rre working on some demo's destined for the debut CD follow-up. Cobargo lead player Dave Berry has taken Garry's berth on Fender. Expect more original Graham / Schmidt originals, maybe even an acoustic song or two on the follow-up. Damon Davies, the Rev. 'Dog Leg' Davies in fact, may even contribute. The Cobargo river delta is delivering unexpected richness in Blues music- Sweet Home Cobargo

Blue Roots PO Box 103 Cobargo NSW 2550 Australia
 
 

Tony Shergold - Twenty First Century Blues
This is a brilliant contemporary blues album, perhaps not appreciated by blues purists. From Western Australia produced and recorded by Tony at Tone Zone Studios Perth. He does all the vocals and instruments apart from guest Marc Gordon on acoustic guitar solo.

Born in the late 15th century in Southern England and raised by badgers.Tony Shergold has been a friend and confident to the crown heads of Europe, a tug boat captain, a court stenographer, slandered, impersonated, very,very small, painted blue and called Edwina. He has also sailed sols around the globe in a convertable Volkswagen, fought in the American Civil War, arm wrestled Jean-Claude Van Damme and eaten a bicycle.
He has also recorded a CD called 21st Century Blues, or sometimes Norman - Tel 08 9307 1660 Email
 
 
 

The Brown Brothers Band

There are not too many Australian kids out there that have met Blues legend BB King and scored a recording contract by the time they are 9 years old. Ten year old Leigh Brown and his thirteen year old Brother Michael have achieved both, they also appeared on The Midday Show, Today Tonight, National Ten News, Triple M. Radio, A.M. Adelaide, SAFM Radio and Couch Potato.

Michael started playing guitar at the age of 6 and recorded his first C.D. "Introducing Michael Brown" at the age 10, recorded on the Crossing Label with his good friend Chris Finnen.

In 1997, Michael formed the Brown Brothers Band with his brother Leigh, who'd been playing the piano since he was five. It wasnt long before they recorded their first album together,  with Michael now singing and  called it Yeah Yeah!  It was layed downon the Exile/Festival Label
 

Since formation they have played all around Australia . Completing the line up are Steve Cluse on bass and drummer Harry Milochis.  Both Steve and Harry are accomplished musicians and are well known around Adelaide for their work with some of the state's top bands.

After 12 months on the music scene, the Brown Brothers  have travelled and performed in Sydney, Perth and extensively though South Australia from Port Augusta, Port Pirie to the Barossa Valley, Victor Harbor and many hotels and clubs around Adelaide. They have jammed with some of the blues masters, Johnnie Johnson, Guy Davis, Teddy Morgan, Michael Hills Blues Mob, Joe Camilleri, Dave Hole, Nathan Cavaleri, Jeff Lang, Chris Finnen, Matt Taylor and Phil Manning.

The boys are planning a second CD with the Crossing Record Co label early in 1999 and will be touring  the east coast of Australia with Chris Finnen soon after.

Proving themselves on the world stage is another thing that could be happening in the not too distant future, with several US record companies already showing keen interest.  Who knows what could be just over the horizon in 1999 ?

Crossing Record Co
PO Box 56
Lyndoch SA 5351
Australia
Tel 0419 797 747

Ray Brown (Agent) Phone 08 8322 0654
 

Beachead

After three long hard years touring the East coast Blues circuit, "Beachead Blues" have disbanded. However, fifteen tracks recorded during 2 dates, are under consideration for a CD release. Beachead favourites, forged during grueling roadwork make up the balance of tracks. Spoonful,  Honey Hush, Route 66, (all murderous territory for lesser souls) cook with the bands rare blend of jazz tinged soulful R'n'B, stirred up via superior Blues- icianship. The double Fender benders, Matt Ross & Matt "Doc" Dwyer trade inventive slinky licks revering Peter Greens 'Albatross" superbly. Rod Jeffrey penned song wistfully laments the passing two decades ago of the Chester Burnett. Robert Johnson's 'Crossroads" pleaded chain gang style, shakes off its often clinched shackles, Beachead steals for his own. Joined by the band and Blind Freddy's Linda Hansen, "Jesus on the Mainline", fevers up a gospel churchy pitch, Hansen lending real feminine persuasion completing the acapella workout, Al Green's "Take Me To The River", finds the band working out a funky full bore shaker. Beachead has the Blues firmly grasped throughout this Memphis soul standard.

Swamp Hog Blues  P.O. Box 57 Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia 3089

Mr Chris Finnen and Jeff Lang

Two of Australia's finest musicians have produced a new album, recorded live at The Burge Family Winery at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley. Chris Finnen and Jeff Lang continue to amaze people who follow their individual careers. Chris said " Pure alchemy on behalf of Jeff and myself. He pushes me to places I never knew existed".

Whilst not all the tracks are strictly blues, the 'others' are played with such feeling and intensity that they are impossible to ignore. Finnens original 12-string instrumental 'Winged Messenger' is a moving tribute to his father but somehow the combined Celtic, African and Eastern influences, seem to be more of an unintentional commentary of Chris's own varied and interesting life.
This is an 'el natural' live album, I have no reservations in recommending it. Excellent value with wide appeal. I will give it a big push in my radio shows. You must hear it.

Crossing Record  PO Box 56, Lyndoch, S A  Australia  Ph 0419 797 747.
 
 

Gumbo Fever - Live At The Schuss Bar

A selections of songs that this band has been using to excite their audience for years. GB is Australia's finest New Orleans Rhythm and Blues act. Gumbo Fever features Don Hopkins an  piano and vocals with Mal Green on drums and vocals. This was recorded over two nights at the Schuss Bar, during the 1997 ski season at Alpine Hotel, Thredbo , New South Wales, Australia

Available from Full Moon Records PO Box 1324 Castle Hill NSW 1765
Australia Email Simon

 
Poverty Deluxe" from the Backsliders was finalised early last month. A good deal of the recording was undertaken early this year, although its beginnings date back to over 18 months ago. This album features guest artists Roy Bookbinder, George Butrumlis, Kara Grainger, Don Walker and others, along with a great deal of Backsliders original compositions. With this project now completed, we await the release of the "Supro" debut, of which both Dom Turner (guitar, vocal) and Peter Burgess (percussion vocals ) are members. Poverty Deluxe is available through Shock Records. Check out the band on-line at http://www.backsliders.com.au

Aubrey Maher / Andrew Scott - Big City
Rhythm Roots is unpretentious, unhurried, accessible and refreshing. Maher's casual vocal delivery,  proves to be an ideal accompaniment for his  acoustic guitar and double bass of Scott. They  provide a diversity of material, from Jack Teagarden to Jimi Hendrix in a consistent style and  fashion. The Graham Thomas recording from Preston Studios is faultless and there is a marked  shortage of liner notes, however this leaves the music to stand on its own which  it does well. Maher Scott have struck upon a recipe that works, rich and sincere, casual traditions and musical enjoyment.  Send AU$25 to A Maher at 11 Noona St, East Oakleigh, Victoria Australia.
 

Ray Beadle is very flexible musician and is comfortable atop a stool accompanied by naught but his acoustic guitar and proven vocals. Ray is found here doing just that on "Moving On", his debut release. This CD is an all-original all-acoustic sojourn which lays ample testimony to his sincerity as a writer and muso. Ray's influences are based upon his life experiences and at times quite moving, with none more so than "Better Place", a lament for a lost mother. The oft-found simplicity of these tunes allows emotions a greater stage to capture an attentive audience and displays great taste. The strumming, picking and slide are all employed to good effect. Definitely at home along the boundaries of the contemporary and blues genres, Beadle, like Lang, Goldsmith, and Davies to name a few, crosses boundaries. Many purists will no doubt be quick to discount Moving On as they have others, yet this CD will appeal to a wide and diverse musical community who will no doubt find much to enjoy, and realise the merit this album possesses.
 

Melbourne band Southbound debut "Blues Rush" was recorded  at the now well-known St Andrews Hotel by noted engineer Rob Harwood. Southbound's music is based on  a style that while once prevalent in this country but is  less so today and  traditional. There are distinct rock origins, distinct blues undertones, thick heavy rhythm and guitar led musical overtones and contrasting organ solos. Although there is very little original material, they performed them with unique style. With O'Connor on organ lifting a number of tunes, and the guitar of Shannon Bourne is most striking. There are some impressive performances with strong links to the origins of Australian Blues. AU$25 to G Emond at 65 Taylor Rd, Hurstbridge, Vic 3099 Australia.

MORE REVIEWS