Animatronics

Animatronics: of, relating to, or being a puppet or similar figure that is animated by means of electromechanical devices.

(Merriam-Webster)

Suzuki Blues Man

Geoff Peterson

Speaking of animatronics, I did love watching a bit of Geoff Peterson back in the day. When I first began on radio (grave-shift), I would love getting home to bung the telly on and view the entertaining Late Night Show with Craig Ferguson.

Then there were Geoff’s impersonations like the Jay Leno Fly. Ah Carumba!

Down Under

Three for free from the antipodes (sort of), as the first for review is an expat. Mitch Grainger has released another stellar single from his forthcoming, delayed album ‘Plug It In’ entitled Shake It Up. It’s a call to arms to view the world with fresh eyes, to see the possibilities and to strive for positive change. Mitch apologizes for the album delay and explains, “I want to deliver an album that truly represents who I am as an artist, and I need a little more time to do that.” A double album has been promised containing both band and acoustic versions – I’ll let Mitch take over from here. “I’ve always loved playing acoustic versions of my songs, and I wanted to give fans a little something extra to make up for the delay,” he said. Previously I had proclaimed how I’ve preferred the acoustic versions, but on this tune I think the band has raised the bar. I hope a vinyl copy will be available in Oz.

Brisbane based Drew Russell has a ripper single Deliverance. An uptempo, driving country folk tune that pays homage to the duelling banjos scene from the 1972 film of the same name. It’s finger pickin’ good with bit of harp and hand clappin’ thrown into the mix.

Victorian group Bones and Jones are back with a catchy country rocker entitled Castlemaine. Written by Jasper Jolley about a childhood memory of racing sticks in the rain. Finn Chappell provides the distinctive harmonica riff that pervades this toe tapping ditty.

Up Over

Fabrizio Poggi’s 2022 album Basement Blues is now available on Bandcamp. I’ve been a big fan of Fabrizio, in particular his work with Guy Davis. Many a tune of theirs was on high rotation on my radio show. There’s three of theirs on this album, which is a collection of outtakes and rarities.

Andy Welsh’s debut single Feel Good has been available on Bandcamp for some time as a solo acoustic version, but now a band version has dropped and wow, does that elevate the tune to greater heights! It features some nice harp from the guru Pat Missin. I’ve been in contact with Pat recently and he informed me about Andy and his tune. “Andy and I came from the same part of England and played in a band together in the early 80s. We were very popular on the local circuit, but never made the big time and broke up in 1982. Andy moved down South and a couple of years later took over lead vocals for The Scene and recorded and toured with them for quite a while. They played their final show in 2022 and Andy moved back up North, started work on a solo project. Andy wrote the song and sings lead. Backing vocals are by Lyn Acton (an amazing singer with whom I had the pleasure of working many times in the 80s and 90s) and she brought along the bass player from her band Pearl’s Cab Ride. The other musicians have some serious credentials too.” Pat missed out on the solo, which was a brilliant guitar lead from Tom Kay. Limited Edition copies of 150 on Black vinyl and 100 copies on Neon Purple vinyl are available from Detour Records.

Coming Up (like a flower)!

This might be ‘a familiar cliche’, nonetheless it’s been a long time, a long time a comin’, but it’s really close now. The Selby Folk Club is hosting Benoit’s official launch of his third album ‘Mountain’ on Friday June 30th. Looks like the tunes are having a full band treatment on the night and I’ve heard there’s even been rehearsals. ‘Mountain’ represents the second half of a number of songs recorded at David Miller’s Fret Wire Studio in 2020, appropriately high on the scenic Mt. Dandenong. The first half was released as ‘Valley’ to great acclaim in 2021. Benoit asserts, “It will certainly be a night not to be missed.” Get your tickets here! Keep an eye over on Bandcamp for your copy.

Rory Phillips

American Boomerangs

You may remember from a previous blog that Boomerang Mouth Organs were sold in the US in 1924 by Landau’s Music House. Well, even earlier than that, Jos. W. Stern & Co. of New York City were offering Boomerang Harmonicas in 1908.

Riff Raff

In next month’s feature we’ll pursue a few markers of the Cobber in a quest to find the creator. Pat ‘The Guru’ Missin has been assisting and we’ve had a another peek at the Topnotcher, The Bugler and the Monarch. They will follow a little later.

If you missed last month’s feature here’s a quick link Jailhouse Jive.

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