{"id":227,"date":"2018-08-12T22:30:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-12T12:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/australian-blues.com\/history\/?page_id=227"},"modified":"2018-08-13T00:33:53","modified_gmt":"2018-08-12T14:33:53","slug":"reviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/australian-blues.com\/history\/reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1534077533534{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Info from Mr Blues – 1\/12\/1998<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1534082956297{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”]As promised here is the report on the Inagural Hawkesbury Blues Festival<\/strong> and 5th Annual Australian Blues Music Awards<\/strong><\/a>, and apologies for not getting this email to you sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also I have had enquiries regarding if I mind if my newsletters are forwarded on to other friends and so on. GO FOR IT…the blues needs recognition on the information superhighway and the more people any info reaches then the better it is for the blues scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 18th November 1998 in the town of Windsor NSW Australia<\/strong>, saw a gathering of blues fans and musicians for the Hawkesbury Blues Festival<\/strong>.<\/span>
\nTraditionally this weekend has been the setting for the Lithgow Blues Festival<\/strong><\/a> which sadly did not eventuate, instead a great band of enthusiasts, some involved with the Lithgow team, organised a day and night of blues grandeur at the Fitzroy Hotel which also included the Australian Blues Music Awards<\/a><\/strong>, usually held at the Lithgow Festival<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Armed with a video camera, I set off for the 2 hour drive hoping I would not be disappointed and believe me, I left 14 1\/2 hours later astounded.<\/span>
\nFor those who were not there..you missed a sizzling day and evenings entertainment. Those who attended are most probably feeling like me, simply buzzing with renewed inspiration and blown away by the atmosphere inside this little hotel at the foot of the mountains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Derwin\/Jones<\/strong> opened the festival with a rousing display of acoustic blues.<\/span>
\nDerwin on guitar and Jones on harmonica. Patrons were treated to the awesome sounds of harmonica and acoustic guitar as the arrived, Derwin\/Jones letting it be known that they were worthy of being selected to open the festival. That Jones fella really knows how to blow that thang.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next up was The Chicken Pickers<\/strong>, featuring Tony Perry on harmonica and the uninitiated could be forgiven for wondering if this was a harmonica based festival. A great set followed as friends met up again and aquaintances renewed their yearly meetings, but then Steve Edmonds<\/strong> arrived on stage and demolished the airspace. This was The Steve Edmunds Band’s debut live performance, and with a selection of acomplished musicians (names I don’t know) gave Steve the free reign up front to give the patrons what they wanted, a dose of that distinct uncluttered Edmunds style. Steve’s guitar style is one that many could learn from, allowing the feeling to flow through and complement the other instruments within his band. Watch out for the Steve Edmunds Band at a venue near you soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

The legendary Mal Eastick<\/strong> powered in next up and for the next 40 to 50 mins, spun up a typhoon of guitar licks and great ballsy blues.<\/span>
\nMal’s current band of John Mackey-vocals, Ian Lees-bass and Rudy miranda on drums have been running on nitro lately and this performance was no different.<\/span>
\nPatrons who had not seen the band in action for a lengthy period of time were speechless.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next was the 5th Australian Blues Music Awards<\/strong><\/a>, where emotions flowed and cheers abounded as the nominees and winners were announced.<\/span>
\nJust in case I forgot you on my previous mail out here are the winners again.<\/span><\/p>\n