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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!

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?

Posted on 9 April 2007 at 10:56 AM by Ray | Permalink
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