Show Me the Way Home, Honey

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson - Do Tell

Size: 88,0 MB
Time: 37:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Electric/Acoustic Blues
Label: Manhaton Records
Art: Front

01. Friday Night (3:20)
02. Stray Hat (3:29)
03. Gotta Love (4:23)
04. Do Tell (4:59)
05. Long Dark Cloud (4:32)
06. Excuse Me (2:09)
07. 99.9 (3:26)
08. Sister Sister (4:12)
09. Shakedown (3:42)
10. Coming Home (3:03)

Formerly just Hat Fitz and Cara, Irish singer Cara Robinson now gets a full name check alongside her Australian partner Hat Fitz on ‘Do Tell’, an album of well crafted songs brought to life by a passionate performance.

Cara sings the lead track on 10 songs embedded in traditional roots, but given a contemporary edge by an unobtrusive co-production by Jeff Lang, a fine singer songwriter his own right, who doubles on bass and knows when to emphasize a feel or lyric.

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson are minimalists who repudiate clutter. The songs have a simplicity of expression and are imbued with a musical depth explored on a folk based album, full of feel and spontaneous interplay that has the ability to shift from the deep roots of ‘Long Dark Cloud’ to the explosive jump blues of ‘Excuse Me’.

It’s also an album that refuses to be constrained by genres or musical trends. It’s full of variety and intricate musicianship that always supports the songs rather than dominates them. Hat Fitz’s deep-toned harp for example, is used to great effect on ‘Stray Hat’, while Cara’s uplifting flute brightens ‘Sister Sister’, but both are used sparingly after that, suggesting that the music is there to add emphasis and feel, rather than being simply virtuosic.

The opening ‘Friday Night’ is a country tinged Delaney & Bonnie meets Bonnie Rait style southern piece, with a fine vocal from Cara, potent bv’s and aching slide from Hat Fitz, on an open-ended finish. And Hat Fitz’s baritone makes a startling impact on ‘Stray Hat’, a shuffling piece with an insistent percussive backing track and a role reversal of bv’s on the chorus.

‘Gotta Love’ is a red-raw blues on which Cara extends her range like a younger Maggie Bell, over a dirt sounding slide-guitar on some heartfelt lyrics: ‘Been walking through the myer, (sic) in them big old boots again, I’m up way past my waist now, I ain’t ever going under again’. It’s also a track that revels in the use of space, as her impassioned phrasing rings out loud and clear on track that generates its dynamics through a stop-time break and an unexpected tempo change. Cara’s celebratory whoop at the end of the track suggests a job well done!

Her fiery performance is cleverly juxtaposed with Hat Fitz’s laid back Howlin’ Wolf style voice that fills the beer drinking title track with just enough gravitas, as Cara joins him on the chorus. The guitar parts jangle in the background in counterpoint to his earthy phrasing, before a tension breaking guitar-break on a beautifully paced track. Jeff Lang obviously knows the value of a slow build, as he adds another layer of Jason Bunn’s strings to achieve an eastern sounding finish to a notable album highlight.

‘Long Dark Cloud’ is remarkable in the way the music evokes the claustrophobic lyrical depression, on a track movingly sung by Hat Fitz, before he’s joined by Cara on the last verse for added effect. ‘All the clouds have gone to bed, but the cyclone’s blown round my head. Oh I feel like I, I’m being pushed down’.

The duo perfectly coalesce on the duet ‘99.9’ – all resonator and washboard – while there’s a some nice brushed strokes, more resonator and sudden flute on the folky Cara led ‘Sister Sister’. The infectious ‘Shakedown’ makes clever use harmony vocals to emphasize the song’s rhythmic intensity and they head for a hillbilly finish on ‘Coming Home’.

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson manage to keep their music fresh, vibrant and real, not an easy job when you are constantly working together with your partner. There’s a naturalistic feel to their songs with engaging narratives that never feel forced or clichéd.

The thoughtful sequencing, deft pacing and contrasting vocal parts ensure the 10 tracks sound like album in the old fashioned sense of the word. ‘Do Tell’ is the duo’s essential musical vision. It’s filtered through producer Jeff Lang’s colander to smooth out the edges and refine their essential oeuvre.

From Rob Roy’s wonderful cover painting to the duo’s ebullient mix of story telling and expressive musical language, this album is a celebration of everything that is good about contemporary roots music, so forget the labels and just enjoy. ***** ~Review by Pete Feenstra

Do Tell

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Posted by kamane

Oznake: Hat Fitz, Cara Robinson, Acoustic Blues, australia

Salty Dog - Jack Of Diamonds

Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues
Label: Black Market Music
Released: 2008
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 108,9 MB
Time: 47:33
Art: front + back

1. Jack Of Diamonds - 2:31
2. Killin' Floor - 3:07
3. Rollin' And Tumblin' - 3:41
4. Chicago Breakdown - 3:24
5. Drop Down - 2:42
6. Rolling Stone - 3:32
7. Jumper On The Line - 3:10
8. Queen Bee - 3:28
9. Write Me A Few Lines - 3:09
10. He's Gone - 3:20
11. Poor Girl - 2:27
12. Last Night - 3:49
13. Come In This House - 3:15
14. Can't Be Satisfied - 2:39
15. The Things You Do - 3:11

Personnel:
Steve Plater: guitars, dobro, mandolin, banjo, stomp-box, fiddle, harmonica, vocals
Marion Turner: vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, washboard, tub bass, percussion

Notes: I just stumbled on this CD and I'm really impressed! I don't know much about the artists (From Australia, I gather)but it is well worth a listen if you like your blues vintage & straight ahead. ~ BOZ

Jack Of Diamonds



• Salty Dog - Steel to Steel
• Salty Dog - Slap That Thing

Oznake: Salty Dog, Acoustic Blues, Country Blues, australia

Ash Grunwald - I Don't Believe

Styles: Acoustic Blues, Delta Blues
Released: 2004
Label: Phantom
File: mp3@320K/s
Size: 114.8 MB
Time: 50:08
Art: front

1. Everyday - 3:35
2. Hey Baby - 2:51
3. Whispering voice - 2:44
4. 1976 Coaster - 2:51
5. Keep it real - 4:09
6. Going out west - 5:45
7. How many more years - 4:44
8. Cross Roads - 5:01
9. I don't believe - 3:06
10. Empire State - 2:34
11. Dangerous Ground - 3:51
12. Jesus gonna be here - 2:49
13. Walking Blues - 3:57
14. Everyday Reprise - 2:05

Notes: Ash Grunwald is an inimitable modern blues talent, with soulful vocals and acoustic blues guitar. 'I Don't Believe' is a modern blues and roots album, featuring percussion, using a foot controlled sampler, guitars, tambourine, beat boxing and claps. Over this Ash layers his trademark guitar grooves and stunning vocals. In his usual style, Ash recorded this album completely live in the studio, capturing the essence of his live show.Head Recor. 2006

I Don't Believe



• Ash Grunwald - Introducing Ash Grunwald
• Salty Dog - Steel to Steel

Oznake: Acoustic Blues, Ash Grunwald, australia, Delta Blues

Dean Haitani - Guitar And Harmonica Blues (feat. Kenny Sutherland)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:34
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Acoustic blues, Harmonica blues, Roots
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:52] 1. Strong Persuader
[4:07] 2. A Letter From Nashville
[5:21] 3. Muddy Waters
[5:07] 4. Kenny's Bag
[7:49] 5. The House Of The Rising Sun
[4:07] 6. Time
[4:06] 7. Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
[5:10] 8. Multiply
[4:05] 9. Starting Time
[2:45] 10. Isn't She Lovely


Australian Dean Haitani's first introduction to blues music and a big influence on Dean’s blues guitar style was B.B. King’s “Live In Cook County” Album. Practicing 10 hours a day, Dean submerged himself in B.B. and any other music he could get his hands on. Major music influences include: Mark Knofler, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Emmanuel, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Billy Joel, Les Paul, Charlie Christian, Miles Davis, George Benson, The Gypsie Kings and The Bondi Cigars.

Dean’s solo acoustic shows comprise of foot percussion, a variety of guitars (plus octave, delay, distortion, phaser & wah effects), vocals & harmonica. Dean’s band shows range from raw 3 piece to full band (Keys, backup vocals, horn sections). Stylistically, Dean’s music is Roots Music (a melting pot of funky rhythms, jazzy influenced progressions, folk subtleties, country flavours & blues grit.) His music is contemporary, forever pushing the musical envelope, his tasteful, original songs are stories are from the heart & mind, with compassion for humanity. “I always try to look at the world in a positive way with all it’s marvels and flaws”, he says.

Guitar And Harmonica Blues

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Oznake: australia, Dean Haitani, Kenny Sutherland, Acoustic Blues, Harmonica Blues, Roots

The Blues Preachers - Next Stop Beulah Land

Styles: Acoustic Blues, Prewar Blues, Rag
Label: Independent
Released: 2007
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 150,5 MB
Time: 54:08
Art: front

1. Daniel - 3:52
2. Wabash Rag - 3:15
3. Louis Collins - 2:43
4. Sittin' On Top Of The World - 4:16
5. Saint James Infirmary - 5:41
6. Plant The Seed - 3:29
7. Goin' Up The Country - 3:58
8. Nobody's Fault But Mine - 7:03
9. Trimmed & Burning - 3:58
10. Trouble - 3:56
11. Chump Man Blues - 3:53
12. Mystery Train - 3:16
13. Prodigal Son - 4:41


Notes: The Blues Preachers began their traditional Delta/country blues journey in the early 1990s. A highlight of the project was their performance at the Byron Bay Blues Festival in 1993, which was featured on ABC TVs Blue Moon Over Byron.
The Blues Preachers will take you to another place & time, somewhere between 1920 & 1940. Their music paints a landscape of pre-war struggle & determination with sounds reminiscent of the Deep South.
The Blues Preachers perform blues, rags, gospel & hillbilly folk music. The powerful simplicity of driving finger style guitar, slide guitar & harmonica combined with old school vocal harmonies create a traditional un-tarnished sound that will have you on the edge of your seats.
The Blues Preachers will make you dance with their joyful country and ragtime blues and send a shiver up your spine with their atmospheric feels which echo & pay homage to the sacred sounds of early artists such as Blind Willie Johnson.
The Preachers are: Brother John on guitar, banjo and vocals, and Captain Bluetongue on harmonica, mountain dulcimer and vocals.
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Next Stop Beulah Land



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Oznake: The Blues Preachers, Acoustic Blues, Prewar Blues, Rag, australia

Ash Grunwald - Introducing Ash Grunwald

Styles: Delta Blues
Label: Head records
Released: 2002
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 126,6 MB
Time: 54:03
Art: full

1. Just Can't Help Myself - 3:05
2. Just Be Yourself - 3:59
3. Open Road - 3:03
4. Smokestack Lightning - 3:50
5. The Sky is Crying - 4:00
6. If You Don't Mind - 2:51
7. Grinin' in Your Face - 2:03
8. So Long - 4:08
9. Tobacco Road - 3:14
10. Ocean Liner - 5:59
11. Is There A Reason? - 3:48
12. Baby Please - 2:32
13. Rolling and Tumbling - 3:26
14. Baby Please Don't Leave Me - 2:44
15. Dolphin Song - 5:12

Personnel:
Ash Grunwald - Does it all

Notes: It is too simplistic to describe Ash Grunwald as just a blues musician.
While it’s true that his music is steeped in the Delta blues tradition of the legendary acoustic musicians who proliferated in pre-World War II America’s deep South and the giants of electric blues who shaped rock and roll, it’s the young Victorian’s willingness to combine these influences with grooves and sounds common in contemporary music that sets him apart.
A soulful singer and guitar player, Ash immediately drew attention with the release of 2002’s ‘Introducing … Ash Grunwald’ a collection of originals and blues standards that included ‘Smokestack Lightnin’ (Howlin’ Wolf) ‘The Sky Is Crying’ (Elmore James) and ‘Rolling And Tumbling’ (Robert Johnson) recorded live with only acoustic guitar and foot percussion consisting of a stomp box and tambourine.
The album’s most revealing track is ‘Dolphin Song’, a true story of dolphins saving a surfer (Ash) from a shark attack. The tale is exciting, humorous and real and in the context of a blues based album, liberating.
The positive response to Ash’s debut resulted in two Victorian Blues awards for Emerging Talent and Album Of The Year.
The following year he scored two Australian Blues awards for Male Vocalist Of The Year and Best New Talent in addition to the MBAS’ Blues Performer Of The Year. He also reached the final of the International Blues Performer Of The Year in Memphis.
In 2004 Ash released his follow up album ‘I Don’t Believe’, once again recorded solo and live.
Since his initial release he’d been made aware of 2 Tom Waits albums, ‘Swordfishtrombones’ (’85) and ‘Bone Machine’ (’92). In a daring move he emulated Waits’ experimental bang and clang percussion using hammers, spanners, pots etc, in addition to a boss loop station as a bed for his lap steel, dobro and acoustic guitars.
The album included 6 originals, 2 Waits’ compositions, ‘Going Out West’ and ‘Jesus Gonna Be Here’ (a-cappella with handclaps) and blues standards ‘Walking Blues’ and ‘Cross Roads’ (Robert Johnson), ‘Empire State’ (Son House) and ‘How Many More Years’ (Howlin’ Wolf).
On the strength of this release Ash won an ARIA award nomination for Best Blues And Roots Album, and the Victorian Blues award for Male Vocalist Of The Year (equal with Lloyd Spiegel) and in 2005 the MBAS Vic / Tas award for Solo / Duo Of The Year (equal with Dave Hogan).
For the ‘Live At The Corner’ album (songs from his first two releases plus Willie Dixon’s ‘Spoonful’ featuring Ian Collard on harmonica) Ash won the 2005 MBAS Vic / Tas and Australian Blues award’s Album Of The Year in addition to being nominated once again for the Best Blues And Roots album at the ARIA’s.
Ash has built a substantial following performing at countless live venues around the country and at major festivals including Byron Bay, Port Fairy, Falls, Apollo Bay, Fremantle, Cockatoo Island and Margaret River.
In May 2005, Ash was invited to take over the reins as host of Triple J’s popular Thursday night show Roots ‘N All.
Ash Grunwald continues to forge his own identity with the release of twelve original songs on album number four, ‘Give Signs’ recorded on his own label Delta Groove Records. As usual it will be live and solo. And as usual, it is another terrific offering from this talented performer.

Introducing Ash Grunwald



• Salty Dog - Steel to Steel •
• Jeff Lang - Half Seas Over •

Oznake: Ash Grunwald, Delta Blues, australia

John Dee Holeman - John Dee Holeman & The Waifs Band

Styles: Piedmont Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Texas Blues
Label: Music Maker
Released: 2007
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 118,3 MB
Time: 51:41
Art: full

1. John Henry - 2:31
2. Country Gal - 7:22
3. Mojo Hand - 3:05
4. Give Me Back My Wig - 5:36
5. I'm A Pilgrim - 2:28
6. Comin' Home To You - 7:39
7. Dust My Broom - 4:29
8. Little Queenie - 4:24
9. I Miss You Huggin' - 6:03
10. Looking Yonder Comin' - 3:21
11. Baby Please Don't Go - 4:38


Personnel:
John Dee Holeman - Guitar, Vocals
Josh Cunningham - Guitar
Ben Franz - Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Dave MacDonald - Drums
Donna Simpson - Drums (10)
Vikki Thorn - Harp, Vocals

Notes: "All you have to do is start listening to the music the Waifs and John Dee recorded and you’ll see how special a player and singer Mr. Holeman is." -Richard Marcus, Blogcritics

"The Waifs had converged at Music Maker studios in North Carolina for a week’s rehearsal before our US tour started. Toward the end of the week Tim Duffy suggested he invite some of the Foundations artists over to make some music. John Dee Holeman turned up. He's a real gentleman, very gracious & after a quick round of introductions he picked up an old guitar and started to play like ...well like he'd been doing it all his life.
We were in awe. There are rare occasions when one sits in the presence of living legend and experiences one of the last true forms of authentic music. Tentatively we joined in. I remember being nervous about playing harmonica. I was trying to play Sonny Terry licks, to be bluesy, to feel it. You can hear that...me trying.
That’s the thing you see. All week we had been going over songs, arrangements. Arguing over this and that. Trying to create our final version. When John Dee picked up that guitar and started playing it was the most natural thing in the world. Not something you thought about, or planned, or crafted. Just something you felt, as natural and easy as taking a walk.
So here it is. That afternoon at Music Maker studios when John Dee Holeman took a walk with his guitar and the Waifs tagged along, sometimes in step, sometimes a step behind. But the closest step we'd ever taken toward the blues.
We wish to thank John Dee Holeman for the music and Tim & Denise Duffy for putting us up & bringing it together." -Vikki Thorn
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John Dee Holeman & The Waifs Band



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Oznake: John Dee Holeman, Piedmont Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues, Texas Blues, The Waifs Band, australia

Mountain Men - Hope

Styles: Contemporary Blues, Harmonica Blues
Released: 2012
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 142,4 MB
Time: 62:02
Art: front

1. Egoistical - 4:06
2. Tick Tock - 4:21
3. Imidiouane - 4:00
4. Give It Back To Me - 5:12
5. Sefore I Sleep - 3:53
6. Smells Like Teen Spirit - 3:41
7. Kiss Me - 6:18
8. I Believe In Me - 6:25
9. I Hope - 4:37
10. Nothing Zero None - 5:35
11. Travailler C'est Trop Dur - 5:34
12. Move Up To The Door - 8:13


Notes: 'Hope’ is the second-album by Mountain Men. A duo featuring one man on guitar and vocals, and another member playing the harmonica, I’d argue that Mountain Men are one of the most underrated acts in the world today. Their country music has such an original slant on it, drawing on all the formalities of country music, but expressed in their own style. What makes Mountain Men’s music so great to listen to is the complete chemistry between its two and only members. Whilst the foreground of the music is occupied by the vocals, it is the instrumentation in the background that makes their music so impressive.
The harmonica playing on each song is at an insanely talented level. It acts like a voice of its own, and accompanies the acoustic riffs perfectly helping to add a dense layer to each and every song. This was present on the first album ‘Spring Time Coming’, and there was a wonderful mixture of upbeat songs and more slower songs. It was a highly impressive début album, that seemingly went unnoticed in the musical world.
With ‘Hope’, we see Mountain Men continuing to do what they do best. Their music is still twinged with the dense layers of harmonica, which helps to add so much more emotion to the music. The album feels as though it is split into two parts, with the first half containing more darker and slightly more aggressive songs, and the second half featuring much lighter and delicate songs. There’s a few surprises on this album, including a rather unconventional cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’. It is an interesting version, and it is interesting to hear the band putting their unique slant on the song, using their own style to present it in a much different way.
Musically, this album is wonderful. The delicate songs feature beautiful acoustic riffs, accompanied by incredibly impressive harmonica playing. The vocals are as strong as they’ve always been, and in these delicate songs the lyrics are crooned compassionately and emotionally, giving the songs depth and emotion. The harmonica adds to this depth, as like I said, it feels like its own voice in the song, singing its own parts. The harmonica in Mountain Men’s music has always been highly impressive, and it hasn’t faltered for a second on this album.
‘Hope’ is a very impressive second album. From a band who remains relatively unknown, their music is still of such a high quality, with lots of effort being put into the writing, recording and presentation of each song. The band uses their strengths very well on this album, and you can see it in the songs that are the highlights on the album. As it is, I feel that the inclusion of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ is an unnecessary one, as whilst it has merit of its own, I feel that it personally draws the listener out of the album due to awareness of the song itself. When the album plays its songs by Mountain Men, it draws you in and you can get lost in the dense layers of harmonica and guitar. I felt that as soon as I heard and recognised Nirvana’s lyrics on the album, that I was drawn out of this immersion quite suddenly. The awareness of the song was too much, and it is a shame because the music Mountain Men write are good enough in their own merit. That being said though the cover is good, don’t get me wrong. In conclusion, I feel that ‘Hope’ is a worthy second album, being every bit as good as ‘Spring Time Coming’. It is a shame with a band so unknown that not enough people know of them, as Mountain Men are a band worthy of recognition. ~ Cd Critic
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Hope



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Oznake: Mountain Men, Contemporary Blues, Harmonica Blues, france, australia

Salty Dog - Steel to Steel

Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues
Released: 1999
Label: Independent
File: mp3@320K/s
Size: 112.5 MB
Time: 49:08
Art: full

1. Walking Blues - 5:15
2. Annie Crab - 3:56
3. (Medley) Heaven Sittin Down / Pallet on your Floor - 7:22
4. Blues for Madison - 3:58
5. What Happened to my Shoes - 3:32
6. Mistreated Blues - 3:48
7. Robbed Again - 2:41
8. Lonesome Dog Blues - 4:46
9. Ragged and Dirty - 3:28
10. Don't you mind People rinning in your Face - 2:27
11. Medley - 7:48


Personnel:
Steve Plater: guitars, dobro, mandolin, banjo, stomp-box, fiddle, harmonica, vocals
Marion Turner: vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, washboard, tub bass, percussion
Ian Phillips: washboard percussion, vocal

Bio from blues.org.au: Salty Dog play a myriad of blues and roots styles, from the urban blues of Chicago to the blues and cajun of the Delta and across to the bluegrass of Kentucky. They traverse the timeline from the 1920's to the 1980's and pay deep respect to the legends such as Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, John Hurt, Son House, Doc Watson and many more. They also throw a few of their own compositions into the mix to good effect.
The band varies in size depending upon the needs of their gigs, however the core of the band has remained Steve Plater and Marion Turner. Steve is widely recognised as one of the finest blues guitarists in the country, though he is also a multi-instrumentalist and singer of note. Steve's well-known passion for all forms of blues music shows through loud and clear. Marion is a dynamic stage performer who combines harmonica with a rich and powerful voice, and is a talented multi-instrumentalist in her own right.
The year 2000 was a watershed year for Salty Dog, with Steve winning the Vic/Tas Blues Awards Male Artist of the Year and Marion winning the corresponding Female Artist of the Year for the second year running. Steve's musicianship combined with Marion's energetic and heartfelt vocals also took Salty Dog to the Vic/Tas 2000 Band of the Year award. Since then, Salty Dog have progressed as a duo, growing their reputation as a hard-working and energetic band through almost non-stop touringi across Victoria and interstate. Reward for their efforts came in 2002 at the National Blues Awards when Salty Dog took out the Band of the Year award.

Steel to Steel



• Michael Hakanson-Stacy - Bottle On My Finger ...Blues To My Shoes •
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Oznake: Salty Dog, Acoustic Blues, Country Blues, australia

Jeff Lang - Half Seas Over

Styles: Contemporary Blues, Folk-Blues, Contemporary Folk
Label: ABC Music
Released: 2008
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 119,8 MB
Time: 52:19
Art: front + back

1. Southern Highlands Daughter - 3:39
2. Copper Mine - 5:17
3. The Savannah Way - 4:29
4. Five Letters - 4:45
5. The House Carpenter - 5:24
6. My Mother Always Talked To Me - 4:42
7. The Vaults of Lattanzio - 2:01
8. Mooncoin - 4:08
9. Ghosting On My Mind - 4:38
10. Night Draws In - 4:58
11. Is All - 3:21
12. Newman Town - 4:52


Notes: Australian based musician jeff lang has earned worldwide acclaim as a virtuosic guitarist, a dynamic songwriter and a startlingly unique live performer. Jeff has a back catalogue of 13 studio albums and has been featured at major festivals, pubs, clubs, arts centres and venues internationally for the past decade. Blending rock, roots, folk, blues, ballads, instrumentals, improvisation and a devastatingly high level of musicality, jeff lang is a singularly unique performer in our world. Jeff has been showered with many achievements and awards in his life, the most outstanding would be his six aria award nominations as well as his win in 2002. 2007 was an action packed year for jeff lang. Three albums licensed worldwide, two released in australia, too many local and overseas tours to count, aria nominations and the honour of being the artist in residence of the inaugural adelaide international arts festival. ~ amazon
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Half Seas Over



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Oznake: Jeff Lang, australia, Folk-Blues, Contemporary Blues, Contemporary Folk

Geoff Achison - Solo Acoustic: Live At Burrinja Cafe

Size: 163,4 MB
Time: 70:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Label: Jupiter 2 Records
Art: Front

01. Begging Bowl (4:30)
02. Don't Play Guitar Boy Intro (0:44)
03. Don't Play Guitar Boy (4:15)
04. Voodoo (5:38)
05. Kissing Angels (4:33)
06. Kissing Angels Intro (0:10)
07. Apparatus (4:23)
08. Christine (4:15)
09. Sleepwalking (3:47)
10. End Of The Line (3:04)
11. Whipping Post (7:11)
12. Superstition (6:14)
13. Everything Must Change Intro (0:13)
14. Everything Must Change (4:34)
15. Train Ride (7:12)
16. Big Machine (Bonus Track) (3:03)
17. Be Careful What You Wish For (Bonus Track) (3:07)
18. Rule The World (Bonus Track) (3:42)

“Geoff is one of the best blues guitarists I know with a completely individual style.” – Jorma Kaukonen
“Never, ever miss an opportunity to see Geoff Achison perform live!” – Hittin’ The Note magazine USA

Whilst already known as a pretty handy electric guitarist fronting his blues/funk 'Souldiggers' group, Geoff has made something of a 'second career' for himself through his popular Solo Acoustic shows. His acoustic repertoire showcases his guitar and vocal style over a broad range of originals and re-arranged blues & soul standards. He uses no gadgetry or electronic effects but rather makes an entertaining show of the various sounds and textures he energetically coaxes out of one simple instrument. Geoff has traveled the world and earned himself many accolades for his thoughtful songwriting and stunning acoustic arrangements of epic tunes such as ‘Superstition’, 'Whipping Post' and his own ‘Train Ride'.

'Live At Burrinja Cafe' won three MBAS blues awards in 2012 for Best Album, Best Song (Train Ride) and Solo Artist Of The Year.

Live At Burrinja Cafe



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Posted by kamane

Oznake: Geoff Achison, australia, Acoustic Blues

Salty Dog - Slap That Thing

Styles: Acoustic Blues, Contemporary Blues
Released: 2001
Label: Black Market Music
File: mp3@320K/s
Size: 123.3 MB
Time: 53:51
Art: front + back

1. Preachin' Blues - 4:11
2. Slap That Thing - 2:44
3. Cypress Grove - 4:07
4. Got A Bad Feelin' - 3:19
5. Black Mattie - 3:39
6. Boogie Woogie Country Girl - 3:50
7. Deep River Blues - 3:07
8. He's My Daddy - 3:09
9. Mandolin Boogie - 2:46
10. Parchment Farm - 3:14
11. Mama Taint Long Fo Day - 3:24
12. Kansas City Blues - 2:18
13. Crossroads - 3:43
14. Hello Little Boy - 3:28
15. Kind Hearted Man - 3:41
16. Georgia Crawl - 3:11


Notes:Steve Plater - A dynamic wicked guitar player, both electric and acoustic,has gained the recognition as one of Australia's finest multi-instrumentalists. Steve is a one man band performing on Drums, snare and hi-hat with his awesome sounding handcrafted Biscuit-Tin/Jack Daniels tin guitar and Cigar box guitars made by Steve himself, clearly giving the raw rootsey edge to Salty Dog,s unique sound.
From their opening set Steve's energy is radiated into the crowd setting them on fire with his powerful drumming and fierce guitar playing captivating audiences young and old, are dancing or either tapping their feet to the hypnotic beat immersing themselves into the music! Through out the show anxious punters speak to Steve about his wicked custom instruments which mostly result in a sale or two! Don't be surprised if you see one of Steve's creations hanging around at the odd venue here and there. Soon he won't have to bring all of his instruments to shows as he may just grab a Jack Daniels Whiskey Tin guitar from over the bar that various venues have purchased from him at past gigs and play it!The guitar demon set the crowd on fire when Salty Dog performed
at the recent International Blues rock festival in Phuket Thailand which sealed a come back performance.
Steve won Male Artist of the Year Vic/Tasmanian Blues awards back in 2000 and is the only non vocal guitarist to win such an award in the category, is, a master perfectionist at his craft. He recorded a Solo album in 2006 WILD GUITAR including originals and his own renditions of Surf/Blues dedicated to his all time favorite guitar players Dick Dale Roy Buchanan Robin Trower
Marion Turner - Australia's leading female vocal blues harmonica player completes the other half of salty dog and is the 3-times winner Vic/Tas Blues awards Female Artist of the Year. Marion Turner - Australia's leading female vocal blues harmonica player completes the other half of salty dog and is the 3-times winner Vic/Tas Blues awards Female Artist of the Year.

Slap That Thing



• Marshall Lawrence - House Call •
• Bjorn Berge - Live In Europe •

Oznake: Acoustic Blues, australia, Contemporary Blues, Salty Dog

Sugarcane Collins - Way Down The River

Styles: Contemporary Blues
Label: Australian Sun Records
Released: 2006
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 129,1 MB
Time: 56:23
Art: front + back

1. Like A Midnight Shower Of Rain - 0:54
2. Got A Mind To Ramble - 4:29
3. One Wing Frank - 5:09
4. Folks of the Road - 5:57
5. Leadbelly - 4:59
6. All The Way To St. Louis - 2:04
7. I've Heard The News - 4:45
8. Follow Me Boy - 4:17
9. Sallie Mae - 4:44
10. Shine The Light - 4:27
11. Dancing Rabbit Creek - 3:27
12. Stranger Here - 4:48
13. Way Down The River - 6:17


Personnel:
Andy 'Sugarcane' Collins - Guitar (Acoustic), Producer, Vocals
Paul Green - Guitar, Vocals (Background)
Giles Smith - Bass (Acoustic), Bass (Electric)
Ben Hakalitz - Drums
with
Andy Vogel - Harmonica
Bryce Wearne - Jew's-Harp
Gary Howard - Congas
Bob Howlett - Organ
Kirk Lorange - Guitar (Acoustic)
Nigel Pegrum - Drums, Percussion
Christopher Doyle - Bass (Electric)
Peter Burgess - Washboard

Notes: While Sugarcane Collins is not a well-known blues name in the US, the release of this album might change that. Hailing from Cairns, Queensland, Australia, this guitarist’s throaty, deep voice is more suited to a pub somewhere in the Mississippi river delta.
In Way Down the River, Sugarcane recreates the world of the old south, with its prisons, bars, freight trains, and the roads that lead to nowhere. The imagery is made more lifelike by the honest intensity and passion in Sugarcane’s voice. The lyrics do not mince words, and give a vivid picture of the harsh reality that was the delta. His hard, driving guitar playing contributes to this intensity with complex fingerpicking and wine bottleneck slides.
In this album of completely original compositions, he shows a solid connection to his music and to the blues on the whole. He lists inspirations such as Charlie Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake and Leadbelly, all of whom can be heard to have an influence on his playing. Not only is the musicianship on this recording exceptional, but the whole album was produced and arranged by Sugarcane himself.
Even though this album is Sugarcane’s show, the other musicians on the tracks are in no way lacking. Andy Vogel plays some hardcore blues harmonica through out the album, especially in "I’ve Heard the News". His introductory track, "Like a Midnight Shower of Rain" sets the tone of the album, bluesy, reflective and powerfully mournful. Bryce Wearne’s jew’s harp is the driving sound in "Dancing Rabbit Creek," a tribute to the native people of the delta who had their land taken from them treaty by treaty. The instrumental is sparsely arranged and Gary Howard mimics native drum rhythms on the congas. "Shine the Light" features Bob Howlett on the organ and a congregational choir, highlighting the spiritual, revivalist part of southern culture. It has all the soul and power of any gospel song, combined with Sugarcane’s bluesy rhythms.
For anyone who loves the blues, as a listener or a musician, this CD will likely make your top ten list. The sound is amazing and the musicianship is enthralling. You’ll be dancing in no time! ~ http://www.jazzreview.com/

Way Down The River



• Brint Anderson - Notes From Clarksdale •
• Back Porch Blues - Back To Basics •

Oznake: Sugarcane Collins, Contemporary Blues, australia

Dom Turner & Ian Collard - Mama Says We're Crazy Too

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:04
Size: 100.9 MB
Styles: Acoustic delta blues
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:06] 1. 61 Highway
[3:39] 2. Gallows Pole
[3:26] 3. Drop Down Mama
[3:34] 4. Broke Down Engine
[5:10] 5. What's The Matter With Papa's Little Angel Child
[3:48] 6. I Looked At The Sun
[3:33] 7. Someday Baby
[3:33] 8. Shake Em On Down
[3:07] 9. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
[3:56] 10. Red Cross Store
[3:15] 11. My Babe
[2:50] 12. Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Staying On Jesus


Take your mind back to a time before mindless 120 beats per minute pop dominated the airwaves - to the early 20th century – when the raw sounds of harmonicas and guitars meant real music for the people. This was a deep, dark, and tantalizingly evil mix of rural blues that was played and recorded by musicians throughout the southern states of the USA and broadcast over the radio waves even further.

Meanwhile – quite a few years later – and even further down south, Dom Turner (Backsliders) and Ian Collard (Collard, Greens & Gravy) became obsessed with the sound and spent most of their adult lives studying and playing it. Working as a Guitar/Harmonica duo, they strip the music back to it’s rural beginnings. At the heart of their sound is the north Mississippi hill-country music of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Johnny Woods mixed in with the pre-war blues sounds of artists such as Skip James, Blind Willie Mc Tell and Leadbelly.

Dom Turner is best known as guitarist/ vocalist, founding member and key songwriter of the iconic Australian blues group, The Backsliders. Dom’s influences are many and varied – a blend of delta blues, piedmont blues, rock, dub and sounds of Asia. He is a highly regarded speaker on blues music and has guested on ABC radio programs (including guest presenting Radio National’s ‘Music Deli’) and presented music workshops at festivals and in universities (both nationally and internationally). In 2004 Dom was voted ‘Blues Songwriter of the Year’ at the Australian Blues Awards. Dom has toured as a solo artist in the USA, playing and teaching blues guitar at Augusta Blues week in West Virginia, and in 2006, touring Mexico with US blues greats, Del Ray and Steve James. His trademark ‘slide’ guitar sound can be heard on myriad session recordings and his songs have featured on the ABC TV programme 'Seachange’, as well as the soundtrack to Tim Winton’s best-selling novel, ‘Dirt Music. Most recently, in addition to touring and recoding with Backsliders, Dom has been working on a cross-cultural music recording with Vietnamese stringed instrument master, Kim Sinh’. Dom Turner was the artist in residence on ABC radio 702 Morning’s program in July 2009.

Ian Collard is a gifted vocalist and harmonica player and winner of the Australian Harmonica championship in 1996. Ian is known primarily for his work with the multi award-winning Australian blues band, ‘Collard Greens and Gravy’ and has toured Australia and the United States with the group. Ian also tours and records, with Dom, as a part-time member of Backsliders. In addition, Ian is a sought after session musician, lending his soulful dark harmonica tones to recordings by a range of artists from Jeff Lang to Ash Grunwald to CW Stoneking.

As a duo, Dom Turner and Ian Collard have recorded a debut album, ‘Mama Says we’re Crazy Too” recorded in July 2010.

Mama Says We're Crazy Too

Mo' Albums...
• Reuben Wilson - Organ Blues
• Sippie Wallace - Mighty Tight Woman

Oznake: Acoustic Blues, Delta Blues, australia, Dom Turner, Ian Collard

Eric Collier - Last Scene

Size: 71,8 MB
Time: 31:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Label: Eric Collier
Art: Front

01. Mist (1:21)
02. Dragonfly (3:20)
03. How Can I (3:10)
04. Unlonely (4:59)
05. Walkin Blues (2:28)
06. Before This Time (2:59)
07. Sometimes (4:05)
08. My Bridge Burned (3:04)
09. Crossroads (2:29)
10. Slide (3:09)

Emanating from one of Australia's renowned music capitals is Newcastle's acoustic blues musician Eric Collier.
Influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Neil Young and Eric Clapton, Eric found his blues niche at a very young age. Playing in many venues across Newcastle, Eric was able to perfect his chosen craft.
He became a multiple winner of ABC Music Awards in successive years and cemented himself as not only a guitarist, singer but also an award winner song writer and in more recent times producer.
With a desire to broaden his audience and influence, Eric spent several years playing across Tasmania in multiple venues and various genres.
Eric's move to Melbourne, Australia has enabled him to further pursue and indulge his musical talents. As a result, his is now leading the blues fusion band EC and the Cartel who recently debut in Melbourne.

Last Scene



• The Even Dozen Jug Band - Jug Band Songs Of The Southern Mountains •
• Suzie Vinnick - Live at Bluesville •

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Posted by kamane

Oznake: Eric Collier, Acoustic Blues, australia

Brian Fraser - Finger Pickin' Blues

Styles:Folk-Blues, Acoustic Blues
Label: Black Market Music
Released: 2003
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 114,9 MB
Time: 50:13
Art: Front

1. Dot Com - 2:27
2. Finger Pickin' Blues - 2:11
3. Highly Strung - 2:45
4. Half Way There - 2:23
5. The Ship Song - 5:02
6. Driftin' Blues - 3:44
7. Take My Time - 3:39
8. Every Game - 2:54
9. Well's Station - 4:03
10. Amazing Grace - 3:20
11. Blood On The Ducati - 3:06
12. Hat's Lament - 2:34
13. No One's Allowed - 2:53
14. Whispering Rain - 4:00
15. 10 O'clock Call - 2:57
16. Writers Curse - 2:07


Notes: Award winning Blues artist, Brian Fraser, releases his 3rd, and most complete solo album to date.

Brian hails from the Geelong region of Victoria and was the former lead singer and guitarist with popular regional Victorian act, Turning Blue.

As the title states, Brian's new album is filled with both fingerpickin' guitar playing and Blues, all sung in his easy-going vocal style. Also of note is Brian’s moody slide guitar playing (check out his version of Driftin’ Blues).
Brian’s own observations range from the joys of life as a touring musician (10 O’Clock Call) to the protest at the demolition of a historic homestead (Well's Station). All are slices of the life of a travelling musician, which Brian most certainly is. His touring schedule is exhaustive and takes him to all corners of Australia.

Recorded by award winning Blues recording engineer, Robert B. Dillon, "Fingerpickin' Blues" is an album that highlights the talents of yet another major Australian Blues talent.

Finger Pickin' Blues



• Billyblues - Blind Date •
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Oznake: Brian Fraser, Folk-Blues, Acoustic Blues, australia