Influenced by great artists like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Katie Webster the Lady of Rhythm & Blues ‘Mama Blue’ Mahia Blackmore is no stranger to the local music industry. She has a “voice that will pin you to the wall – big, bold, sassy, warm & soulful”. Mahia Blackmore and Arnold Tihema– vocals; Alf Kereama-guitar; Jamie Taite Jamieson-piano /sax; Mac McKinnon– bass, Shane Blackmore– drums
On a summer’s night with The Bristol doors open and the music drifting down Cuba Mall, listening to Dougal Speir’s Crying Shame Band is a great way to spend an evening. ‘Doog’ is a regular at the blues club. His blues playing is gutsy and rhythmic; his voice is soft and soulful.
Playing original songs and great blues covers, he’s got a talent for
pulling together top musicians. Dougal Speir– guitar and vocals; Dave Murphy– guitar and vocals, Roger Watkins– drums, George Barris– bass, Bob Smith-keyboards/ organ
In a long and critically acclaimed career, Nick Charles has released a dozen albums on the major Australian and US roots music and guitar labels.
Averaging nearly 150 shows a year in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, his music encompasses an eclectic mix of acoustic roots including blues, folk and early ragtime jazz. With his trademark dazzling fingerpicking on 6 and 12 string guitars, stinging slide and a lifetime’s stories and songs from the musical highway it’s a show that sees him labelled by The Age as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues” and by Australian Guitar magazine as “an awesome talent!”
Some recent comments on Nick’s performances across the USA, Australia and New Zealand
“The name
may be unfamiliar but the talent is universal! Dazzling guitar, muscular vocals
and clever, literate writing – Nick Charles, the full package!” Len Holton (Little Rock Folk Club, Arkansas USA) “Nick’s masterful guitar performance was captivating,
awe-inspiring and full of warmth and congeniality.” Mitch Chang (Kala Koa Entertainment,
California,USA)
“The fingerpicking wonder from downunder”
Acoustic Music Resources, LA, USA
“A world class stylist and composer” (Black Rose Acoustic Society, Colorado USA)
“Superb..with
understated skill and finesse” Mike Daly (The Age)
“He plays like an angel. He writes good songs and sings with conviction and seems to nod in the direction of Leo Kottke and English folk based virtuosos such as Davey Graham and Nic Jones” Bruce Elder (Sydney Morning Herald)
“Amazingly expressive” Lee Howard (Herald Sun) “Dazzling musicianship…impressive stagecraft” Brian
Wise (Rhythms Magazine) “With the chops of John Fahey or Peter Lang…every movement is logical; every phrase musical.. magical..”
Rob Santo (Guitar Player Magazine) Some standout performances………..
Walnut Valley Festival (Winfield, Kansas, USA); The
Edinburgh Festival (UK);
Port Fairy Folk Festival; The National Folk Festival; Fairbridge
Festival; The Spiegel Tent; Mission Estate Concert (NZ)
Latest album “Return
of the Travelling Fingerpicker”
(November 2010)
Opening the night for the Dave Feehan Band is Julie Lamb’s Lambhunters. Julie brings a groove and a feel factor to her vocals and her choice of songs is always surprisingly edgy. The band swing in behind her with tasty style.
The Dave Feehan band is always a treat. Dave’s fantastic vocals are backed up by a bevvy of brilliant singers and HOT guest artists.
To start the year off with a Big Glorious Sound, Dave Feehan leads his band through favourite soul, blues and rock numbers. His duet with the divine Ms Lamb will be a knockout, and his tribute to Etta James- may she rest peacefully in music heaven- is from the heart.
David Feehan– Vocals; Emma Davey– Vocals; Corinne
Imrie– Vocals; Nichola King– Vocals; Sean Feehan– Vocals and Percussion; Lauren Ellis– Drums; Paul Mouncey– Bass; Andy Mauafua– Guitar; Phil Hornblow– Keyboards; Chris Fox–
Trombone; Chris Selley– Trumpet; Andre Paris– Saxophones; Guest artists are the two Fionas (Bee and Buchet)
We wish you a great holiday season and a fantastic New Years Eve —2012 — bring it on!
There are some great bands being lined up for next year, so keep reading your BluzNuz, up date your calendar (do you have a new calendar yet?) and join up if you haven’t already.
EMAIL the club president on skyeanderson94@yahoo.com to join for $20 a year and help keep the blues coming to The Bristol free of charge to you every week!
After the summer holidays, we start up again on January 26th. Watch this space.
The last Capital Blues Inc, ROOMFULLA BLUES gig for the the year 2011, and it’s the X-Ray Catz!
With their infectious energy and authentic rockabilly sound, X-Ray Catz always gets the dance floor pumping. Don’t miss this one if you enjoy the sounds of the early Sun Records era. Opening the night, Ants and Spike perform as ’52 Dynamite Special.
Ants Maddock – guitar/vox; Gordon ‘Spike’ Barrell – bass/vox; Wayne Mason – keys/vox; Richard Te One – drums
photo by Don laingIt’s December 15th already and we’ve got Shaken Not Stirred to lead the way to the end of year Christmas buzz.
Experience the jazzy-blues, horn-driven hot grooves they’ll be whipping up tonight; with sultry vocals, a dirty howl, and swing influenced by the greats of 20th Century music.
It’s a big band with a sophisticated sound.
Penelope Kibby – vox; Chris Peirce – vox/sax; Patrick Bleakley – acoustic bass; Andre Paris – sax; Ian Parker – drums; Deane Hunter – guitar; Damian Forlong – trombone.
THE BREW
Stepping in this Thursday for the cancelled BRILLEAUX is “THE BREW” – another fantastic blues/ rock band. We are lucky to have such great talent at hand. Come and support these guys. Warwick ‘Electrolux’ Murray
Aaron ‘Funky Chief’ Nonoa
Drumskinny Vinny
December 1st: AL WITHAM
If you like Tony Joe White and Mississippi Hill Country music, you’ll love The Al Witham Band.
A long time regular performer at the Blues Club, Al is back – red hot and raring to go. He plays original songs from his two albums; his latest album Faultline has gained much critical acclaim. He also plays guitar driven blues with a country feel and covers the blues of John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, amongst many.
Al Witham– guitar & vox; Roger Watkins– drums; George Barris– bass
