BRUTHEN
BLUES
BASH
2001

For something that was at the risk of not happening, the 6th Annual Bruthen Blues Bash was another huge success. The Bash is a celebration of the Bruthen Blues Jammers and it was them who kicked off proceedings on the Friday night. Free entry saw a crowd of a few hundred and they witnessed one of the best jams ever. Jay Wagstaff, who took over running the Jams from his parents Trish and Wags, started off the evening. Over the last few years I've seen Jay become a mighty fine performer, tonight was no exception, even giving Geoff Achison's "Don't Play Guitar Boy" an outing (not easy in anyone's language!). Other oldies, Cliffy and Surfie had a bash, nothing like playing slide with a pot glass! The Serious Jims played some blues rag, Sonia Buckley and Tony Luke got together and Terry Lockwood belted out a few solo numbers. Everyone then got together for an all in and all were well pleased. As one punter said, "If this is what you get for free, imagine what you get for $20".

A few bleary eyes awakened to a town abuzz. Street stalls, buskers, activities for the kids and garage sales meant many people were out getting a bargain or having fun. In the past the daytime music has been in the main street, which was unable to happen this year, to the disappointment of many regulars, but the music was still mighty fine in the Bruthen Inn Hotel. The venue has the most scenic setting I have seen for a blues festival and many people came along to hear the music, get out of the sun and to partake in a quiet ale or five.

Regular artist come MC Terry Lockwood was first up. Terry's deep voice takes you deep into the soul of the blues, a great talent but also very entertaining. Quirkie (two female singers) and Surfie up next with some nice renditions of contemporary and standard blues. Nicky Moffat is a local music legend, having played with the great Koori band "No Fixed Address", he is now settled in Bruthen and is a regular each year at the Bash. To start off with a number where Nicky sings and plays 12-string guitar and didge at the same time! Many original numbers captivated the audience. Local lads the Broccoli Brothers followed and soon had everybody dancing with their brand of rhythm'n'blues . Tony Luke from the Barossa Valley with local band Soda Pop likewise kept people dancing with Tony's swinging, T-Bone style.

To follow up two bands as a solo artist is a daunting task, let alone when it's your first ever solo gig. Debi Candlish will be known as the heart and soul of Muddy Waters Café in it's final few years and it was here where she cut her teeth learning from and playing with Skip Sail, Alex Burns and James Bridges. Heading up her own band Dirty Rivers, Debi is making a name for herself as a very good slide guitarist and vocalist. I've always seen something special in Debi and invited her to play solo at the bash, throwing her in the deep end and she cherished it! I can't think of any other woman in Australia who is so accomplished at playing delta slide, add to this her great personality and you have entertainment. It is also encouraging to hear a woman singing about loving her man rather than wanting to kill him! That ended the day session and as a lead up to the night Gippsland Blues man John Mazur played in the front bar. He plays with backing tapes and plays mighty fine with a range from traditional Robert Johnson to contemporary Eric Clapton .

If you mention the word DUTCH everyone automatically assumes Blues Legend and legendary entertainer. Dutch holds a special place in the hearts of people in Bruthen , as it was Dutch who put Bruthen on the map. At its second bash (the first at Bruthen) Dutch played on Saturday night and had 350 people eating out of his hand. It was this night that assured the survival of the Blues Bash. Ironically this years Bash was also very successful at a time when it was at risk of being cancelled, not only did this year assure the Bash will continue it also saw huge support from the local community, which means it will get even better. As for Dutch he was great, as usual!

I had booked Bo Jenkins without ever seeing him. Lot's of great reports and my sources didn't let me down, Bo and his band slayed them. Everyone dance from the first number and it wasn't until Bo had pity on the crowd and had a break that we could relax knowing that no one would die dancing. Bo's great out front, a real showman who knows how to get people moving. He's backed by a powerful, pumping rhythm section that never lets up, fantastic.

So it makes sense to follow an electric power trio with and acoustic trio! I wondered what I had done putting Salty Dog up after Bo! How could they follow that? Well they followed up with what they do best, doing Salty Dog, what a great act. From the first draw of the bow on the fiddle, the first strum of the guitar, the first blow of the harp they had the crowd mesmerized and boogieing. Over the past few years they have stamped themselves as a truly great blues band. They won 3 awards at the prestigious VICTAS Blues Awards 2000 and it was their performance there that saw them come to Bruthen. You couldn't get two more different bands that Bo and Salty, yet both had the crowd dancing to death. They could have played all night if allowed and I'm sure they would have, it's wonderful to see muso's who love playing, Salty did a 75-minute set, plus encore, who needs a break? If the crowd weren't in enough of a frenzy the encore of "Duelling Banjo's" sent people over the top into complete madness.

What a brilliant night and to everyone's pleasure the Bruthen Football Club provided a midnight BBQ, many partook in the bite before staggering home, with people either bunking with friends or staying the Caravan Park less than a 5 minute walk from the venue and a view of the pub on the hill.

Sunday is traditionally a recovery day. The Gospel Showcase was also at the Hotel, which surprisingly started with a church service! The Church meets the Pub, only in Bruthen. The local Church has been very supportive of the Bash as it brings so much to the local community. If the people won't go to you, go to the people and that's what they did. Soul Rights, Terry Lockwood and local church performers strutted their stuff and did it well in front of an audience that consisted of some that have never bee to a pub and others who have never been to church.

The afternoon session commenced with Marco Goldsmith. Hired as a solo act, Marco turned up with a trio, with Pete Howell on bass and Kellie on backing vocals. Marco provided a great laid back set. I like many questioned Marco's mental state when he decided to leave Blue Heat, yet now I think he is marking himself in his own right. Like Jeff Lang and Matt Walker, Marco is far more than a blues player. His original material is taking him to a new level. He can play guitar, harp sing and stomp with the best and that vital ingredient of song writing is now coming to the fore in his repertoire. The trio gives him space to expand his songs, being able to write for a trio certainly allows more scope than just solo. His originals are from the soul and are beautiful, I'm sure Marco will be the next big thing in the blues scene (again!) and the music scene in general.

Well if people were expecting a quiet arvo they weren't gonna get it. 12 Bars From Mars has had some line-up changes with harp coming in for Hammond and the legendary bass man Glenn Suckling leaving the band. The result is a band more blues based without the musical nuances. With harp on board there has been some song changes, perhaps a bit more Little Charlie style.

Well it was coming to an end and the raffle had to be won. Being in the country a lawn mower was first prize and the winner is, BLOODY FRANK CASTLES! Not only had he had a great weekend of blues, ate great food, drank the best beer in Gippsland, stayed staggering distance from the most scenic blues venue in Australia and danced himself to death, he goes and wins the goddamn raffle! It was really good to see Frank there and hopefully the MBAS and Bruthen can strengthen their ties. So ask Frank what he thought and perhaps come down to the Bruthen Blues Jam, the first Sunday of every month, accommodation is available, you won't be disappointed. See you next year at the 7th Annual Bruthen Blues Bash 2002.

....Rooster....