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2005 Guildford Blues & Roots Explosion |
They may have been playing the blues in the beer garden last month, but nobody at the Guildford pub looked like they had the blues. At the inaugural event, a couple of hundred lucky punters got to hear world class live music in an idyllic setting. Who wouldn’t be happy?
The line-up of performers already guaranteed a great weekend. Added features included perfect weather, relaxed country-style atmosphere, cheap entry prices, and a well-fed and watered audience.
Opening act Danni Carr (festival co-organiser), Danny Burton and Michael Tricarico set the tone, with a chilled-out set that left the growing crowd primed for more. Seated on the cosy stage under a shade-mesh ‘sound shell’, the trio played a range of cruisey folk and rootsy rhythms to accompany Carr’s sweet -she is also known as one of the ‘Sweet Painted Ladies’- soulful vocals.
Melbourne guitarist Rob Sawyer looks far too young and casual to be playing the way he does. Though not long out of high school, Sawyer got his first guitar at the age of 14. He must have been practising 24/7 since. He’s picked up a swag of awards already and could soon give Jeff Lang or John Butler a run for their money. With slide, stomp-box and a winning smile he started with some reggae before demonstrating his guitar skills on a range of rootsy material. Sawyer recently snagged a support slot on the Donovan Frankenreiter tour. He can only get better, and that’s pretty mind-blowing, cos he’s so damn good already!
These days, local guitar virtuoso Skip Sail chooses to perform at only a few live gigs a year. Damn shame. Sail and his trio of beautiful instruments were mesmerising in the mellow afternoon sun. Close your eyes and you’d believe this guy was born and bred along the banks of the Mississippi. He plays slide as though he made a deal at the crossroads. ‘His sardonic banter served as a great ‘beer chaser’. What came first’, he mused, ‘the blues or roots?’ And do dreadlocks define the musician accordingly?
What can I say about Collard Greens & Gravy? James Rigby’s relaxed demeanor almost camouflages his awesome, refined guitar work. Ian Collard demonstrated why he has won numerous awards for his multi-skilling (vocals, song-writing and harmonica playing). Meanwhile, drummer Anthony ‘Shortie’ Shortte drives the beat, seemingly immersed in his own world of rhythms. His unique, yet unassuming style is compelling to watch. Along with some classic covers, they played a range of original material from their three albums. Silver Bird recently tied for the ‘Best Self-Produced Album’ at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Songs like ‘Worried Now’ and Jessie Mae Hemphill’s ‘Go Back To Your Used To Be’ were among my personal highlights.
Danny Burton returned to the stage for a solo spot and showed the crowd some very fine guitar playing and bluesy vocals, reminiscent of Joe Cocker via Geoff Achison.
Gradually the lawn area attracted more dancers, now loosened up from the day’s refreshments, when Chubby Rae & the Elevators hit the stage. The 5-piece Rhythm & Blues outfit swung the night into party mode as dusk descended. With top class musos including wailing sax, ‘Chubby Rae’ – Marisa Quigley- belted out the vocals. She may just be the blackest white woman since Janis Joplin.
How better to end the night than an appearance by Chris Wilson. He performed songs from his latest album King For A Day and a few choice covers including a nod to Little Walter on the classic ‘My Baby’. One particular burst on the harmonica roused the audience into a frenzy. Sharing the stage with Wilson was long-time collaborator Shannon Bourne. Not even nearly a household name, this guy should be acclaimed world-wide. Wilson has chosen a guitarist of extraordinary talent to complement his own big voice and awesome musicianship.
Recovery Day saw the local general store do a roaring trade in coffee, home-made sausage rolls and over-the-counter pain-killers. In the afternoon, local act Headbelly Buzzard soothed sore and weary heads with hillbilly and Celtic toe-tappers. It’s not often you get three fiddles, an upright bass and a man with a saw playing in your local beer garden!
Organisers Danni Carr and publican Zack Grumont put customers first; free camping at the nearby oval, grog prices weren’t inflated for the occasion and the free lunch went all day with a menu extending well beyond a sausage sizzle. The folk from Castlemaine’s ‘Coffee Basics’ kept fussy caffeine heads happy and by the end of Saturday night every second punter was wearing the event’s poster design on their new top from ‘Tex’s Tees’. (They smelt of potential ‘collectors’ item’ status, I reckon.) The event was conducted under the approving eye of members of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and MC Helen Jennings from PBS. It all felt like the ultimate backyard barbie and there are definite plans for more next year. Bring it on!
Last years poster:
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