Powerhouse Blues News

Blues Clubs Jams

what a great response the band received from the Sleeply Hollow Blues Club (Geelong) on Sunday th 10th of June. It was the first we played for the club and they made us most welcomed. we hadn't played with Travo for a couple of months, but it was like slipping on some old favorite slippers.
Today Ken,Ped and I will be at our own local jam playing many different players all great in their own ways. Lotsa different blues from hard edge british to low-down dirt.
On the 3rd of July the Powerhouse Blues Band will be featured at the MBAS jam hope to see you all there.

Back playing the Blues

After a busy month (March) where Powerhouse Blues Band were invited to play at a folk festival (Boolarra) and a Jazz festival ( Moe) we're back playing a blues gig. The Latrobe Rhythm and Blues Festival at Silks albert st Moe 21st and the 22nd April the Saturday night headliner is Jimi Hocking with many great supports. Sunday afternoon we're playing around 3ish with Screaming Stewie & the Blues Cruisers headlining. Throughout the festival there will be great local and Melbourne talent on show for more details go to www.grbc.org.au

DVD review by Chris Spencer

This DVD could have a lot of interest to the Maldon Blues Club and its members. Apparently the Powerhouse Blues Band have been together for 25 years and have been the mainstay of the Gippsland Blues club for the past 10. Can you imagine The Croakers still playing at the Maldon Hotel in 10 years' time?

This double DVD documents the achievements of the PBB by recording a gig on the 4th March 2005. The PBB have previously released 2 cds of (mostly) original material over the past 25 years. Not a large legacy of recorded work but a commendable effort for a blues band based in rural Victoria, and I assume all working full time during that period.

While I admit to a liking of hearing my favourite blues covers, the PBB do their own songs in the blues' genre. The band tread the r 'n' b vein, featuring the two pronged lead guitar work of Peter Gray and Travis Winters. There's some tasty solos from both guitarists, including slide guitar but only one track, Crosscut Saw, do they doing any dueling!

The video/ film work is very good despite the obvious budget considerations as the band went to some trouble to get a good sound, extensive lighting and 3 cameras to film the night. My favourite tracks are See Me Cry, a slower number featuring Peter Gry on guitar and vocals, Let's Go Rolling Tonight,, Destination Hollywood which is boogie in the ZZ Top mould. All tracks are originals except three written by Albert King, Junior Wells and Wait on Time by Kim Wilson [of the Thunderbirds]. Most of the songs are written by Peter Gray, but the bass player, Ray Woolley writes one, unfortunately the drummer, Ken Mactaggart, missed out this time!

I recommend this dvd for any of you who are collectors of Australian blues, and I encourage the committee to invite them up one Sunday this year. Apparently, they don't mind travelling!

Moe Jazz Festival

The Powerhouse Blues Band Jazz Connection made a huge impact at this years Moe Jazz Festival playing a selection of swinging numbers by Louis Jordan and bringing to the band some keys, sax and trumpet - that's a whole horn section.

To rave reviews the band played on each night of the 'fest and have been encouraged to get their act together again for next year. Here are some photo's from the event;

JAM : As always - a ball-tearer

I managed to make a (now rare) appearance at the GRBC blues jam on Sunday and it was a blast. I even got to be the barrel girl.

As usual, all the 'Valley jammers are in scintilating form and it's always a pleasure to get up and have a squeak with those guys. Not to mention Karl Radford who was in killer form, burning it up and making a wailing sound on his axe that is truly unique. Some genuine old school chops. Love it!!

Thanks to all who purchased DVD's on Sunday too - your support is much appreciated. Apologies to those who have had some troubles getting their DVD's from the website, we've had some problems in our supply chain management system that have now been sussed out.

We've got a gig this weekend in Morwell at a secret location (it's a private party / function as far as I know) and in a fortnight we'll be back at the Prince Albert Hotel for another fun Friday night. Stay tuned for more details.