BIG BOSS BLUES

Hey hey, it's your 'Blues Boss' back with another episode!

Here's an interview I did with lead singer/guitarist for Los Diablos Blues Band, Phil Roberts. It marked the beginning of NZ music month (May) on my radio show, The Blues Room.

Los Diablos Blues Band are one of New Zealand's great power trio blues bands.

Their high level of musicianship, deep feel for the blues and uncanny unity between the band members forms an infectious music to be lost in.

Los Diablos Blues Band was officially formed in Auckland in April 2006. It plays a 3 hr blues set including original and bluesy numbers by artists as varied as Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Santana.

This blues band is made up of 3 very experienced ex UK & NZ musicians. Phil Roberts on Electric / Slide Guitar & Vocals, Glen Child laying down the rhythm on Drums & BV's and Steve Sussex on Bass & BV's.

Los Diablos Blues Band is actively involved in gigs around Auckland, but not exclusive to area. If you require a professional blues band for your function, event or venue then please contact them through their myspace site.

Watch and listen to Los Diablos Blues Band on their Myspace page. You Tube Videos:

* 'Long Train Home'
* '5 Long Years'
* 'Oye Como Va'
* 'Temptation'

What types of venues?
Bars, Functions, Events, Weddings, Parties, Pubs etc....

Where? Auckland, North Shore, Rodney, Whangaparaoa, Hibiscus Coast, Northland, South Auckland, West Auckland, Auckland City, Hamilton, Whangarei and more....

Enjoy!

See you next time.

The last few years have seen the return to the music scene of one of the hardest swinging blues bands in New Zealand today.

Guitarist/singer Peri Kohu, veteran of well-known ‘80s Auckland band The Bluesbusters, takes his influences from 1940’s swing bands and filters them through the jumping electric sounds of T-Bone Walker, Freddie King and Gatemouth Brown.

Here's an interview I did with Peri Kohu over Easter 2008. This episode features Peri Kohu playing acoustically in the studio and also some LIVE tracks of Peri Kohu with his Blues Busters.

Midge Marsden's career is unparalleled in New Zealand. His professional career spans almost 50 years. He has played thousands of concerts to thousands of fans and has performed with a list of artists that reads like a definitive whose who of NZ music luminaries. Named NZ entertainer of the year in 1990, his many recordings include the critically acclaimed 'Burning Rain', which achieved gold status.

More recently he has released albums with The Rodger Fox Big Band, , NZ Harmonica sessions and his latest semi acoustic album TRAVEL 'N TIME.

Midge has been fortunate to have toured internationally and has toured the USA four times focusing mainly on the southern states Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. It was during one of these tours that Midge studied at the university of Mississippi where he graduated with a diploma in southern studies. Midge has played such famous venues as Ronnie Scott's in London, Tipitinas in New Orleans, Antones in Austin and Beale St in Memphis.

Midge recently was awarded the honour of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to New Zealand music. Shortly after he was also awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts from the Waikato Polytechnic.
Midge remains New Zealand's pre-eminent rhythm and blues artist. His combination of excellent musicians and unstoppable energy combine to guarantee a great show every time.

On this episode of Big Boss Blues, Midge takes time out from his band rehearsal to chat with me LIVE on air (The Blues Room) about BluesFest 2008 in Whitianga, his classic song 'Travellin' On' which he recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughn, and his latest CD TRAVEL 'N TIME.

It was an honor to have time with Midge, his harmonica playing had a strong impact on me when I first met the blues, and it still does.

Featured songs in this podcast include:
Travellin' On - Midge Marsden
Sunny (Sample) - Twin set
Carry My Blues Away - Midge Marsden

Here's the classic video which featured as an advert on NZ TV for a petrol company. It features Midge Marsden and Stevie Ray Vaughn (Thanks to Kiakaha4eva for posting it on YouTube)

Heres an interview I did with Manolo, the director of the first BluesFest in New Zealand 2008.

Stay tuned for Manolos review of BluesFest ... coming soon!

(Picture: Paul Ubana Jones)

Here is part two of an interview I did with Peter Noble, Dec 2007. Here he talks about the FIRST ever BluesFest in New Zealand as well as the 19th BluesFest in Byron Bay. Enjoy!

During the interview you will hear music samples by:
John Fogerty : Down By the Bayou
JJ Grey Grey and Mofro : A Woman
Buddy Guy : Now You're Gone
KT Tunstall : Suddenly I See
Bunny Wailer : Fighting Against Convictions
Hollie Smith : Bathe in the River
Keb Mo : Suitcase
Charlie Musselwhite : Black Water

!!BLUESFLASH!!
BluesFest NZ is proud to announce the third and final line-up!

The final line-up has now been confirmed. With the addition of five more New Zealand artists, Bluesfest NZ now completes an outstanding and musically diverse Easter weekend music festival, comprising 18 bands over two stages. From the traditional blues master himself Buddy Guy, Grammy award winning Keb Mo, and the legendary Ian Brown, the 12 hour festival programme now includes Paul Ubana Jones, Herbs (Unplugged), Darcy Perry, Kokomo and Twinset.

THE INAUGURAL BLUESFEST NZ PRESENTS

Buddy Guy, KT Tunstall, Keb Mo, Wilco, Ian Brown, Xavier Rudd, Newton Faulkner, Sugarland, Midge Marsden, Hollie Smith, Herbs (Unplugged), Paul Ubana Jones, Pluto, Little Bushman, Darcy Perry, Kokomo, Twinset and The Checks.

BluesFest NZ

The Coromandel Peninsula Blues & Roots Music Festival

Saturday 22nd, March, 2008

Dakota Fields, Whitianga

Gates Open from midday. Plenty of on site parking available. Campsites available from Fri 21 March

Tickets on sale now

Tickets from 0800 Ticketek (0800 84253835) http://www.ticketek.co.nz & http://www.bluesfest.co.nz/

OR Real Groovy Records, CD's4Nix, Golddiggers, Blackjack Surf Shop, Funktion and the Whitianga Information Centre.

For full festival information - http://www.bluesfest.co.nz/.

FYI: the photo used for this episode was taken by *ME* on the second to last night of BluesFest Byron Bay 2007.

Katy Soljak is getting a name for herself around the country and taking a listen to her brand of blues you'll see why. She told me last year that she was coming to Hamilton on February 10th to play at Diggers Bar on Hood Street.

Before her Hamilton gig I caught up with Katy, Wed 6th February, during my Blues radio show The Blues Room. I tried phoning Katy at least 3 times to get her on air and each time I came up against some technical problem but when I finally got Katy on the line it was well worth the wait.

This episode starts with Katy's song "Sweet Lovin' Daddy" from her album "Morning Rain Blues". She chats with me about her album, her upcoming Hamilton gig and band, her musical tastes and even some cool brushes with famous blues legends Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.

Also mentioned during the interview:
Upcoming tribute to Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix with Billy TK Senior
Johnny Stash
Waitangi Day
Hamilton Blues Society Blues Jam at Biddy Mulligans, Hamilton
Smash Palace, Gisborne, NZ

Keep up to date with Katy by visiting her myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/katysoljakband

Kia ora everyone! Greetings!

Happy New year!

Here's the first part of an interview I did with Peter Noble (the director of BluesFest Music Festival), in Dec 07, just before Christmas. At the time, what Peter shared with me was hot-off-the-press! In fact Peter was sharing info with me that hadn't reached NZ newspapers at the time, woohoo!

At the start you'll hear Maia (my niece) and Manawai (my nephew) playing with my harmonicas. I recorded them while I stayed with them and my cousin, Joselle, in Byron Bay last year while attended BluesFest 2007. They are so cute when they answer my questions : )

Then you hear a sample from a song by Seasick Steve called 'Cut my Wings'. He'll be at BluesFest 2008 in Byron Bay.

Part way through the interview you'll hear Spearhead's rendition of Bob Marley's song Rebel Music (3 O'Clock, Road Block).

The next song you'll hear is Ben Harper recorded LIVE at BluesFest, the song is 'Nobody's Fault But My Own.'

Ending the interview is a plug for my Blues radio show, The Blues Room, from Kerri Simpson, an Australian artist whose voice I love.

Then you'll hear a profound statement from Willie Dixon, the Great late Chicago Blues Man. What he says rings as true today as it did back when he said it. Following his words the band Blues Experience with Cash McCall featuring Willie Dixon's grandson, Alex Dixon perform the song 'Helluva Time'.

I particularly like this song as it pays homage to some of the greatest Blues People ever, plus it gets me excited now that I'm counting down the days until I attend BluesFest 2008 in Byron Bay, Australia. And although Alex Dixon's band have not yet attended BluesFest I believe (hint hint, nudge nudge) they would be great!!!

Stay tuned for part two where Peter talks more about BluesFest and the first ever NZ BluesFest being held at Whitianga, Coromandel, New Zealand on Saturday 22 March, 2008.

Yeehaa my first podcast, ever! Sure hope you like it. I'll post more when I get to it.

Please, please, please post a comment with any feedback for me. I will greatly appreciate any feedback. And visit my profile and send me a shout out. Let me know what you *honestly* think!

Track listing
1. Andy Just : My Babe (with sample of Laurel Atiken)
This track just plain rocks. Featured on the "THE BEST OF THE WEST COAST BLUES HARP PLAYERS, “Got Harp, If You Want It” album, Andy stays true to form and that high end playing, woohoo, go baby!

2. Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown : Got My Mojo Working
He was a highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, who played an impressive array of instruments such as guitar, fiddle, mandolin, viola as well as harmonica and drums. Here Gatemouth does one of my favorite Muddy Waters tunes. And whats more he even toured New Zealand!

3. Rosco Gordon : No More Doggin'
Rosco Gordon (1928-2002) not only placed many a hit on the rhythm & blues charts in the 1950s, he is also remembered as one of rock and roll's founding fathers and a key figure in the formation of Jamaican ska.

For more Blues Roots and Fruits tune into The Blues Room at
Community Radio Hamilton