News of the Blues in New Zealand
Weblog HOME|NZBlues News|NZBlues website

Friday, November 30, 2007

The night before

There are just a few readers out there that may be interested in the inner world of the artists that create the blues. Not for that reason did I start filming Rick Bryant four years ago, but for another, completely different reason.

And that is a love of good art - art that is going to last the distance. Rick Bryant is famous, sure. Do you follow his music? You are probably part of a sort of musical who's who if you do.

He is one of a handful of artists writing original blues songs. He has worked with Gordon and top sound engineers to shake all the dust off in the studio. At first it was a few songs then a CD then it was a double then triple CD.

Does video make the live events less valuable? No, it makes them far more valuable. I have realised you can not film original experience. The being there is the vital part. Videos retrieve power from the essential experience of the event. My aim is the capture reminders of the experience of the performance in the shoot.

Ticket sales to this show have been better than usual. There are door sales (most unseated).

It is the vital performance of singer - the old music, but done new and very much of the now - like the members of the amazing Dap-Kings behind Amy Winehouse. Consider, there's hundreds of years of blues experience behind her sound. And this twelve piece, The Jive Bombers, has an extraordinary vintage to live up to.

First off the band - it is a very good one with players like Kingsley Melhuish on trumpets and Chris Watts on tenor sax, not to mention Neil Watson (Anika Moa) on guitar, Gordon Spittle and Ross Burge (Mutton Birds, Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashen) on drums and the very safe hands of Tony McMaster on bass. Is that everyone.

Certainly not. Check out the new BVs. Holly has a new song - the blues like it was in the twenties - plenty evil - if you get my drift.

The Jive Bombers is some of the best musicians doing music written by one of our most active musicians. He did two gigs last weekend - not just the Jubilation one - but a Windy City Strugglers one as well.

The Jive Bombers may be more relaxed but rehearsal schedules like this are extraordinarily demanding. Just remembering the words for three completely different shows (plus his other band, The Top Scientists) show a mental dexterity of musical creativity way off the scale).

You may not like all of his songs, but many of them grow on you. The band will concentrate on their recording project to Rick Bryant standards and release this stuff when it is ready. He is a bit of a Kiwi legend.

Hands up who would buy this CD


You can be The Boss


Perfect Woman


Rum Jungle


55


Me oh My


Cruel But Fair


Respect


Laid Low


Dog


Used to be friends


Good Woman


Daddy





I would.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Mailing list updated

The mailing list software was updated in a somewhat rushed fashion as the Government announced changes in the spam regulations. This introduced a problem, but it has since been fixed. Am now reviewing things, but it would help if a few of you just click on Mailing List and confirm your email address today. It really would.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Temple Wire Update

Funding and Grants


Next funding deadlines:
NZ on Air: www.nzonair.govt.nz Friday 11 January 2008
New Recording Friday 18 January 2008
Creative NZ 29 February 2008 www.creativenz.govt.nz
Outward Sound (NZ Music Export) www.nzmusic.org.nz December 17, 2007




Radio Active 89FM presents Thirty years in Thirty Hours, an epic 30 hour continuous broadcast featuring the best of yesteryear with the best of the now.

We are interested in hearing from:

-ex-active staff and DJ's

-current or old school Wellington musicians who have been a part of the Active sound

We'd love to receive any visual / audio archival stuff that exists outside of our offices.

Contact: Clair Urbahn 04 801 9899 / clair@radioactive.co.nz





Looking for DJs and Cover Bands (in particular) to list on my site www.theshowshop.com as available acts for bookings. Send their promo photo (not in poster size!) and a one to two paragraph bio to me at Rebecca@theshowshop.com





Acts Wanted for Aotea Square Christmas (AK)

Opportunities to perform infront of a large audience at 'Christmas in the City' at Aotea Square Markets. In December we're putting together '12 days of Christmas' with live entertainment during lunchtimes. If interested email me at kellyw@the-edge.co.nz



MUSEXPO 08

MUSEXPO is one of the world’s premiere music, media and technology conferences and will host its third annual event at Hyatt Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. April 27 – 30, 2008

The early bird registration of $525 (USD) expires December 31st, 2007.

Registration includes complimentary networking breakfasts, lunches, tea-times and evening buffet dinner/cocktail parties as well as all the interactive panels/seminars and showcase events, as well as the international networking lounge and business centre we’ll have at MUSEXPO 2008 for the duration of the conference for registered delegates.

www.musexpo.net



The Third Annual Art of Record Production Conference Brisbane
December 10 and 11 2007
http://www.arpbrisbane.com/

Temple Wire uodaT

Funding and Grants


Next funding deadlines:
NZ on Air: www.nzonair.govt.nz Friday 11 January 2008
New Recording Friday 18 January 2008
Creative NZ 29 February 2008 www.creativenz.govt.nz
Outward Sound (NZ Music Export) www.nzmusic.org.nz December 17, 2007




Radio Active 89FM presents Thirty years in Thirty Hours, an epic 30 hour continuous broadcast featuring the best of yesteryear with the best of the now.

We are interested in hearing from:

-ex-active staff and DJ's

-current or old school Wellington musicians who have been a part of the Active sound

We'd love to receive any visual / audio archival stuff that exists outside of our offices.

Contact: Clair Urbahn 04 801 9899 / clair@radioactive.co.nz





Looking for DJs and Cover Bands (in particular) to list on my site www.theshowshop.com as available acts for bookings. Send their promo photo (not in poster size!) and a one to two paragraph bio to me at Rebecca@theshowshop.com





Acts Wanted for Aotea Square Christmas (AK)

Opportunities to perform infront of a large audience at 'Christmas in the City' at Aotea Square Markets. In December we're putting together '12 days of Christmas' with live entertainment during lunchtimes. If interested email me at kellyw@the-edge.co.nz



MUSEXPO 08

MUSEXPO is one of the world’s premiere music, media and technology conferences and will host its third annual event at Hyatt Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. April 27 – 30, 2008

The early bird registration of $525 (USD) expires December 31st, 2007.

Registration includes complimentary networking breakfasts, lunches, tea-times and evening buffet dinner/cocktail parties as well as all the interactive panels/seminars and showcase events, as well as the international networking lounge and business centre we’ll have at MUSEXPO 2008 for the duration of the conference for registered delegates.

www.musexpo.net



The Third Annual Art of Record Production Conference Brisbane
December 10 and 11 2007
http://www.arpbrisbane.com/

Friday, November 9, 2007

How to get tickets for less

Pssst ... we hear that members B Reserve Tickets released this weekend are $10 less than A Reserve tickets but table bookings who email NZBlues may qualify for a service upgrade.

Just say "Service Upgrade" in your email subject and send to Nicholas info@nzblues.com (with your ticket numbers).

Not many but I thought you should know. BCard/Student discounts may be available on bookings for a limited time.

I remember last year trying to turn up on the night at a show that still had two weeks to run - to find the whole season had sold-out. I learned my lesson and tell acts who ask me to sell tickets for their gigs.