Gigs

KRISTINA OLSEN (USA) ALBERT PARK FRIDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2012

10 February, 2012 (19:30)

  

KRISTINA OLSEN

http://www.kristinaolsen.net/   

Kristina Olsen

FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2012 AT ALBERT PARK YACHT CLUB PORT LOUNGE 7:30pm

BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES TO CLIFF
PH: 03 96901233 
SHOW  $25 ($20 Con

Kristina Olsen is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers on the international music circuit. A fine instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steel-body slide guitar, saxophone, concertina and piano) as well as a powerful songwriter with a big bluesy voice, Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more.Her mix of strong songs in the troubadour tradition, some jazz-inspired sounds and powerful bottleneck blues (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage and on disc. Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Asbury during the 1960’s, Kristina’s approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences. She now calls Venice Beach, Los Angeles home but rarely sees it from touring ten months a year

Fairport Convention has recorded her song ‘Dangerous’.  Kristina performed on Michelle Shocked’s album ‘Short Sharp Shocked‘ and also won the Kerrville Songwriting award with her song for battered women ‘I’m Keeping This Life of Mine‘. Kristina isn’t easily pigeonholed. What can’t be denied though is her enthusiasm for her craft. “I love writing songs, but my favourite songs don’t seem to come from me, they seem to come through me, like maybe I am the channel for that song - It is an absolutely euphoric feeling when it happens,” (Interview with ‘The Performing Songwriter’.) “I couldn’t say what I was feeling so I had to write songs to keep from exploding, there was no choice in the matter, I had to write.” 


“A joy to watch and hear.” Maddy Prior (Steeleye Span)

“Kristina once seen and heard is not easily forgotten. Her skills in writing and performance along with the charm of her musical personality have always ensured this - miss them and miss out.”. Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention“A magnificent singer who talks about rude things!!” Les Barker     

“A magnificent singer who talks about rude things!!” Kristina not only reduces grown men to quivering wrecks with her songs, she also knits socks between sets.. That’s talent for you”. Caz Graham

Kristina Olsen - The Creme de la creme. Kristina is the business, if you don’t know her work or haven’t seen her shows; we strongly suggest you make it your mission this year to seek her out. Say hello, you won’t regret it. Chris While and Julie Matthews 

“This is no kind of formula entertainment. After hearing it I’m in love with the lady.” Acoustic Musician Magazine

CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS (UK) HARMONY ROW VINEYARD SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2012

25 March, 2012 (12:00)

C & J

http://www.whileandmatthews.co.uk/

HARMONY ROW VINEYARD

SUNDAY 25 MARCH 2012

LUNCH FROM NOON - SHOW FROM 2:30PM

(LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM THE CITY)
$65 LUNCH & SHOW (PREFERRED SEATING), $35 SHOW ONLY
BOOKINGS TO DENNIS 0400 804855 or 03 54235286 or harmonyrowvineyard@bigpond.com

One of the World’s most powerful female duos returns after a three year break to Harmony Row. Teo of the best musicians and songwriters around today and Harmony Row is privileged to be able to stage them. . Chris While & Julie Matthews are officially the UK’s best acoustic Duo.

I have been a fan of While & Matthews for about thirteen en years now. I was immediately captivated by their songwriting skills and talent as performing musicians. Each time they have visited Australia they have come back stronger, richer, and more powerful than ever. If you are not already a fan you will be once you have seen them perform.

Internationally acclaimed, Chris While & Julie Matthews continue to be a leading force on the acoustic/roots arts circuit around the world. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial wastelands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between.

Their songs are covered by numerous revered singers the world over but it is While & Matthews’ musical partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really brings their songs to life. As performers they are unrivalled and their audiences leave their concerts having been through every emotion possible. Chris and Julie already have six Duo albums and a songbook to their credit as well as several solo albums.

Julie Matthews has been described as “Awesomely talented” by FRoots Magazine (UK), and is recognised as one of the most talented songwriters to have come out of the British Isles. She has been compared to Richard Thompson and Mary Chapin Carpenter but Julie’s powerful style puts her in a class of her own, and her songs have been covered by Fairport Convention and Mary Black to name but a few. Matthews is a dynamic performer, vocalist and multi instrumentalist. (Piano, Guitar, mandolin and Bouzouki).

Chris While “… rises like an angel from the ashes with a voice to match” (The Guardian) and has been described a singers singer. Even though many other artists around the world have covered her songs, she is the definitive interpreter of her own powerful and extremely personal songs. People will try to compare Chris While’s voice to others but as FRoots wrote of her, “She learns from many, takes from few and comes away her own woman”.  While is also a multi instrumentalist. (Guitar, Banjo, Dulcimer, Bodhran / Percussion).

I am overjoyed that “the girls” (as I lovingly call them) are returning to Australia. It has been three years too long between gigs.

STEFAN GROSSMAN - GUITAR LEGEND - AT ALBERT PARK FRIDAY MARCH 30TH 2012

30 March, 2012 (19:30)

STEFAN GROSSMAN

Stefan Grossman 2

www.arelmedia.com.au

ALBERT PARK YACHT CLUB PORT LOUNGE FRIDAY 30TH MARCH 2012 - 7:30PM

Finger food included in price

SHOW ONLY $ 50 at door, $40 pre-booked online at www.trybooking.com.au/19445

NOTE!! Members of our email list may book online for the special discount price of $30. Email me at address in next line for a concession code to insert at point of payment..

BOOKINGS CONTACT CLIFF ELLERY ON taxman@bigpond.net.au or PH: 03 96901233

The last opportunity on this tour for Victorians to see Stefan Grossman in a warm, intimate venue and limited capacity. The Albert Park Yacht Club is the perfect place to soak up the brilliance of Stefan Grossman.

Stefan Grossman’s name is legendary. He witnessed Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Skip James, Bukka White and learned from them all. Most of all Stefan Grossman learned from the great Rev Gary Davis and he acquired his ‘Kid Future’ nickname from being able to play Willie Brown’s arrangement of Future Blues. He met John Fahey, Ry Cooder and Steve Mann. “If you could play guitar,” says Stefan, “you were accepted anywhere.

Stefan Grossman pioneered guitar teaching materials and has taught millions of people worldwide through his Kicking Mule Records, Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop and Vestapol Videos.

Last seen in Australia in 1978, Stefan Grossman brings ‘Fingerstyle Guitar - Blues, Ragtime to Beyond’ to Australia in 2012.
Stefan Grossman makes it look easy; his laid back humour abets his brilliance and one is apt to forget that the man on stage is playing some of the most difficult pieces.

Stefan has played with Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Eric Clapton and Paul Simon. After 33 years, the excitement is building throughout Australia. Stefan Grossman returns to play for you.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Herbert and Ruth Grossman. Grossman described his upbringing, in Queens, New York, as “lower middle-class”, and his parents as “very leftist”, valuing education and the arts. He began playing guitar at the age of nine, when his father bought him a Harmony f-hole acoustic guitar. Later he moved on to an archtop Gibson guitar which he played between the ages of nine and eleven, taking lessons and learning to read music. For a few years, he gave up playing but resumed again at the age of 15.[1]

Grossman’s interest in the Folk revival was sparked by attending the Washington Square Park “Hoots”, and he started listening to old recordings of artists such as Elizabeth Cotten, Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly, Josh White, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Son House, Charlie Patton, Skip James, Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Woody Guthrie.[2]

He took guitar lessons for several years from Rev. Gary Davis, whom he later described as “one of the greatest exponents of fingerstyle blues and gospel guitar playing” and “an incredible genius as a teacher”.[3] He spent countless hours learning and documenting Davis’s music, recording much of it on a tape recorder, and developing a form of tablature to take down his teacher’s instructions.

In the folk and country blues revival of the 1960s he was listening to Broonzy, Brownie McGhee and Lightnin’ Hopkins and beginning to collect old 78 rpm records from the 1920s and 1930s. This brought him into contact with other collectors, including John Fahey, ED Denson, Bernie Klatzko, Tom Hoskins and Nick Perls. Collecting the 78s developed into searching for the artists who had recorded them, with many successes: during the mid-60s, Grossman met, befriended and studied guitar with Mississippi John Hurt, Son House, Skip James, Mississippi Fred McDowell and other major blues artists.

In 1987 Grossman returned to live in the US. He toured much less and began to consolidate his various teaching and instructional materials under the roof of one company, Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop, working at first in cooperation with the Shanachie Records company .

Stefan Grossman resumed touring in 2006, since when he has appeared in Europe and Japan as well as the US. He is a frequent visitor to England (where he has family) and conducts well-attended guitar workshops as well as giving concerts. He remains a market leader in making instructional materials available in many formats, most recently online: the Guitar Workshop has its own YouTube channel where clients can sample the wares available. Music CDs and DVDs now come with a pdf file of the music and tablature instead of a booklet.

In 2008 C. F. Martin & Company honoured Stefan Grossman with a Custom Edition guitar, the HJ-38 Stefan Grossman Custom Signature Edition, adding his name to an illustrious list of guitarists who have been so honoured.

Grossman’s principal (acoustic) guitars are a 1930 Martin OM-45 and a Martin HJ-38. In the past, he has also played a Martin OM-28, “Euphonon” and “Prairie State” guitars.

HARRY MANX RETURNS TO HARMONY ROW SATURDAY MARCH 31ST 2012

31 March, 2012 (12:00)

HARRY MANX

http://www.harrymanx.com

Harry Manz Guitar
HARMONY ROW SATURDAY MARCH 31st 2012

12 NOON LUNCH & 2:30PM SHOW

Cost $75.00 lunch & show,  
(preferred seating, the Region’s best Porterhouse with Pepper or Mushroom Sauce, yummy desert to follow, or if you’re a vegetarian we can look after you too, just let us know when you book)

or  $ 45.00 Show Only.
Drinks from the bar at reasonable bar prices

BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES TO DENNIS harmonyrowvineyard@bigpond.com

or 0400 804855or 03 54235286

Harry has become a “regular” at Harmony Row when he tours approximately every two years. We love him and he loves us. It’s a great day always, a great vibe, great music and great sound. The audience increases every time. Last two concerts in 2010 were sold out.

Harry Manx has been called an “essential link” between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the Blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. He has created a unique sound that is hard to forget and deliciously addictive to listen to.

Manx is a prolific artist, releasing seven albums in a six-year span with no signs of stopping. His first album Dog My Cat (2001, NorthernBlues Music), captured the attention of new fans, musical peers and media with favorable reviews and awards, including Best Blues Album of the Year from the Canadian Independent Music Association. The Juno-nominated follow-up Wise and Otherwise (2002) garnered nods from the American media with excellent reviews in the Chicago Sun Times and The Washington Post.

Jubilee (2003), Harry’s collaboration with famed Canadian guitarist Kevin Breit (Norah Jones), has become a critical favourite, receiving a Juno and Maple Blues Awards nomination, and helped to establish Harry as an innovator in Canada’s Blues music community. Road Ragas (2003), a collection of Manx’s live performances recorded around the globe, captured the essence of his mesmerizing solo shows and cemented a solid reputation for this artist amongst fans and musical peers.

Harry Manx’s much anticipated fifth album West Eats Meet (2004) signaled the launch of his independent label Dog My Cat Records. Produced by Jordy Sharp (Dog My Cat, Wise and Otherwise, Road Ragas) Harry’s serene solo sound is enhanced with decorative elements of tabla, dholak, keys and backing vocals. Its release generated his third Juno nomination, this time in the Roots and Traditional Album of the Year (Solo) category and accolades across Canada.

His most recent solo release, Mantras for Madmen (2005), is blindingly unapologetic when it comes to even greater use of instrumentation. The groove level is kicked up a notch with the addition of bass, drums, and gospel-laden backing vocals with killer harmonies that enrich the ten original tunes. Indian instruments for the two ragas are also thrown into the mix.

Manx’s latest CD, another collaboration with Canadian guitar wonder Kevin Breit called “In Good We Trust”, was released on Stony Plain Records in the spring of 2007. It has received glowing reviews and a number of award nominations, including two three Maple Blues nominations (Acoustic Act of the Year & Recording of the Year), two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for “Best Ensemble” and “Pushing the Boundaries”. In addition, “In Good We Trust” has been nominated for a Western Canada Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording (duo).

Born on the Isle of Man, Manx spent his childhood in Canada and left in his teens to live in Europe, Japan, India and Brazil. He honed his hypnotic live show on street corners, in cafes, bars and at festivals. But it was Indian music that captured Manx and in the mid 80s he began his five-year tutelage with Rajasthani Indian musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Grammy winner with Ry Cooder for A Meeting by the River). He also received the gift of Bhatt’s custom-made, self-designed Mohan veena-a 20-stringed sitar/guitar-that was the catalyst for Harry to forge a new path with his now signature east-meets-west style of music.
A successful touring performer, Manx has brought his “breathtaking” solo shows across Canada, into the USA, Australia, France and most recently to Singapore and Spain. He has appeared at many prestigious festivals, world-class theatres, concert halls and infamous Blues clubs around the globe. Playing the Mohan Veena, lap steel, harmonica and banjo, Manx quickly envelops the audience into what has been dubbed “the Harry Zone” with his warm vocals and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of his original songs. “The live performances have become the most exciting part of the music business for me,” Harry says. “And it’s not only the playing; it’s all the other magic that happens between myself and the audience. My goal has always been to draw the audience as deep as possible into the music.”
Blending Indian folk melodies with blues, a sprinkle of gospel, and compelling grooves, Manx’s “mysticssippi” flavour is hard to resist, easy to digest and keeps audiences coming back for more.

MUNRO O’CALLAGHAN TITCHENER ALBERT PARK FRIDAY 4 MAY 2012

4 May, 2012 (19:30)

MUNRO O’CALLAGHAN TITCHENER

(EX COLCANNON)

www.mot.net.au 

MOT

ALBERT PARK YACHT CLUB PORT LOUNGE FRIDAY 4 MAY 2012

Doors Open 7:30pm   $20 Adult, $15 Concessions 

Bookings: email Cliff on taxman@bigpond.net.au or Phone 03 96901233

Melbourne’s best Turkish Bread and Dips on arrival. Hot finger food at interval all included in price. 

What can be said of John Munro, Mike O’Callaghan and Pete Titchener that hasn’t already been read out in court?

Well, they have many things in common – they have all played with internationally renowned band Colcannon, they all own guitars made by Adelaide luthier Bryan De Gruchy, they all have grandchildren and they all wear glasses.

Recognising an opportunity to knock Crosby, Stills and Nash from their mantle John, Mike and Pete decided to form a trio (duh!) to showcase their collective song-writing and musical skills to fulfil their musical desires to perform quality songs with layered harmonies and musical arrangements.
Using 6 and 12 string guitars together with mandolin and mandola allows Munro, O’Callaghan and Titchener to create acoustic textures that form the bedrock to their ‘acoustic’ sound.

Spokesman for the trio Pete Titchener said “Our debut recording will be out as soon as we get our cassette recorder back from the repairers”