Australia and the Blues Down Under
by Sandi Sallings
It's been almost a year since Mark and I made the long and 'mostly
comfortable flight' to Australia (it would have been more comfortable
for me, and it was quite comfy for Mark who can sleep anywhere,
especially when his feet are propped up on my lap for 14 hours as he
snoozes away! A girl can only take so much though before she tosses his
feet into the floor and he still doesn't budge! Ah those wonderful blue
dreams he must have been having! But seriously Qantas is one of the best
airlines I've ever been aboard and have enough liquor to keep everyone
smiling!
We left Memphis with snow on the ground and arrived in Sydney to warm
breezes, incredible summer weather, the perfect summer night to say the
least. The airport was about to close (yes, they are not open all night)
but our gracious hosts pulled up in their Mercedez wagon and took us to
their beautiful home. A lovely place that they have pain stakingly
restored, it should be on the cover of some magazine. Setting all that
aside, Peter and his wife were down to earth and went out of their way
to see to it that we had the best of everything and we did. (Peter I
might add is one heck of a harp player himself!) They took us on a
cruise in Sydney, fed us anything our hearts desired, showed us about
and made us feel at home. We both fell in love with the country as do
most people who take the time to go visit.
I guess I should explain how I came to love Aussie music. Over the past
two years prior to our trip to Australia I had been communicating with
Glenn Nelson of Highway 49 Blues. Glenn is a classic 'blues junkie' who
has more knowledge of blues then anyone I've ever met. His passion and
dedication run deep.. so deep I don't think many of us could comprehend
it. Glenn had introduced me to Aussie Blues and I have become a die-hard
fan who preaches the Aussie Blues Gospel. The level of musicianship and
the talent is amazing! I had come to love many of the groups that I was
finally going to see in person! What a dream come true. Mark performing
for them and me getting to see some of my favourite blues bands! It was
incredible. Just incredible!
The Mighty Reapers are on the top of my list of Aussie Blues Bands and
they were featured at Thredbo Legend of Blues Festival in Thredbo on the
mountain! It was so fantastic to see them in person! They were just as
great live as they were on disc. I'll talk more of the Thredbo festival
coming up in just a bit, I don't want to leave out the great music I
heard in Sydney!
Bridy King and the Hippos (Allison Penny who plays keys in THREE bands..
yes, she manages to do that, don't ask me how!) were awesome, Ray Beadle
(young guitarist, musical genius who now has a CD out.. and a great
vocalist I might add) Michele VanDeMeer (who I hear is releasing a CD
soon) was equally incredible! And though I didn't get to hear them
perform I did meet Mitch Grainger from the band PAPA LIPS! This band is
a must hear! Kara Grainger (I hope I am spelling all of these names
right, forgive me if I do not) is one heck of a vocalist, one of the
best I've heard in a long time, a kind of funk, jazz, blues, R&B feel
all rolled into an easy on the ear mix!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Ian & Terry Dittman of The Bellhops,
another great Aussie band sure to please, it has everyone who I have
played their CD for! I heard so many people that I can't even begin to
name it all.. it is a mecca of blues, great blues! I was such a 'fan'..
walking up and saying, "I know you, I have your CD and you are so
GREAT!" I hope they believed me, and I think some folks were shocked
that someone from the U.S. knew who they were. (Thanks Glenn for getting
their music out there). There were a few legendary Aussie blues bands
that I didn't get to see, but one day I will make a trip over there and
go on a music trek and see the countryside to it's full extent. I think
it will take more than one more trip over!
Anyway, back to Sydney
Mark played at the Basement in Sydney, the equivalent of BB Kings or
Buddy Guys Legends! It is a fantastic place with great food and more
amazing was the posters on the walls of all the U.S. greats who have
played that stage and of course the Aussie bands as well. The acoustics
and sound make it one of the finest sounding rooms I've ever been in
(and I have been alot of places and heard alot of bands) ...it has a
five star rating on the sound! The musicians that played with Mark;
Harry Brus on bass, Roscoe Clark on drums and Ray Beadle featured on
guitar were on the money. One rehearsal and a show that night and it was
tight! A fantastic band hand picked by Peter.
Now back to Thredbo, it's one of the most amazing places I have ever
been.It is a quaint little ski village that hosts musical events year
round. Thredbo Legend of Blues being one of the biggest and best events
of the year! Walking along the hills and hearing music ring out from all
corners, up and down the mountain, well, lets just say it was awe
inspiring! So relaxed and easy to enjoy, no worries, just great music
and great people. Everyone you meet has a smile and a kind word and they
buy you a drink around every turn! So many wonderful people that are now
friends for a life time. That Mountain has a magic to it and if you can
book a spot in one of the bungalows or hotels for that festival then do
so.. every blues lover should experience the Mountain the music, the
people, the food.. all of it! It's beyond words and it's a trip I will
never forget!
Jeff Lang was a great highlight of the festival! He is AMAZING .. there
is no two ways about it, he has a style all his own and one cannot
explain or put into words the way he plays guitar-it is his own style
and it's powerful.. and all I can say is you must see him live, he plays
in the states some so try to check out one of his shows if you ever can)
There were so many bands at Thredbo that I can't begin to name them all,
but all were worth seeing. It's simply the perfect setting for a music
festival. Walking from club to club.. all hours of the day and the
night. Pool side, mountain side, surrounded by such beauty, families,
friends, absolutely a must do festival.
My thanks go out to Glenn Nelson and of course Peter Ghossein for his
hospitality, his kindness and his undying passion for the blues. Peter
believes in the music, supports the music and is one of those people
who's reward is watching it all come together. Glenn gives it his all
thru his online newsletter and his radio show.
Americans all want to go over there and play the blues for them, but you
know, maybe we should, no, I know we should stop and listen, buy a few
Aussie CDs and bring more of their artists over here. They know their
blues and they can play them and play them well.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone in Sydney, Melbourne and Thredbo and
anywhere in between who reached out with such kindness and gave us some
great music and the chance for Mark to give them some of the Delta
Blues. It was a wonderful dance that I will always cherish. Try out some
Aussie Blues it's sure to touch your soul!
Sandi Sallings
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