History repeats

It just goes to show that my interests have long histories.  It's a Blues weekend for me and a guitar trio was playing Hendrix and heroes and I soon realised I'd seen this very trio in this very place only 18 months before.  Someone mentioned it was better this time.  That gig had the drummer playing a first or early gig.  This time someone specifically praised the drummer.  They were all good.  Drums in a rock band of the period is not central but what he did was solid and pushy and right.  Neither is bass, although his role was taken a bit further than Noel Redding on my LP with a several solos and a little slap and some front line singing.  First half was Hendrix with one SRV; second half was ZZTop, Canned Heat, Steely Dan, ACDC, Stones, even the Beatles, in a series of medleys.  I loved the takes on The Beatles, the best of the bunch in my estimation.  No Led Zep, Deep Purple.  There was even Zoot and an end with Stevie Wright Evie Pt.1.  Ah, I remember Stevie Wright singing Evie Pts 1,2,3 at the Irish Club years back playing with CBS members.  In a wheelchair, as I remember.  He died in 2015.  But good to hear the Aussie classics, too.  As for Hendrix, capable cloned lines at times or otherwise interesting takes on Watchtower, Hey Joe, Manic depression, Purple haze, Wind cried Mary, Foxy lady, Little wing, Voodoo chile and a string of others.  It's a stunning revelation of Hendrix' genius.  Wonderful night done by authentically interesting and respectful musos, primarily, of course, guitarist Steve Edmonds.  Great fun and given the grey hair all round, great memories!  And a pic of the slab of Berlin wall outside the Germo.  Bought when the Wall was being dismantled and now a significant piece of history right here in Canberra. 

Steve Edmonds (guitar, vocals) led his trio with Graham Burns (bass, vocals) and Ben Elliot (drums) at the Harmonie German Club under the auspices of the Canberra Blues Society.

Returns, day 1

It's a blues weekend and the fact that I had to renew my membership to the Germo reveals how long it's been since the last one.  Saturday was a show-cum-cover band playing Hendrix and musics of his era, late-'60s, early-'70s.  Hendrix was first up and the band was a trio as expected with plenty of driving bluesy riffs and blaring strat and it was a doozy.  I loved it.  All Hendrix except but with a few SRV tunes towards the end.  Then a short break and more blues.  I'd expected some Led Zep, Cream and the like, but we got perhaps some more SRV blues, ZZ Top, lots of Stones, then even some ACDC and even Stevie Wright's Evie, and it seemed pretty apt in this company.  So heavy on blues and less on the prog-leaning side, but nicely done with committed, searing guitar, two interesting bass solos, one with unison voice, and solid, heavy percussion from a new drummer on his first or second gig with this trio.  For the Hendrix set there was some stage dress, especially from guitarist/singer Steve Edmonds wearing a historical military jacket and scarf which looked great, but the second set reverted to standard blues black.  Nothing unexpected here, but I'd liked the dress-up.  The Hendrix was more for musical appreciation, but the SRV and ZZ Top and Stones had the audience up for the dance floor.  Sound was good with a house PA and busy soundman.  So all round, a great outing with memories, if just a little disappointing to miss the expected Zep and Cream and Deep Purple which were core influences to my earliest bands, but the field of classic rockers is too big for one set.  What's not to like with a power guitar trio ... other than ringing ears?  (PS. Sound did not exceed 90dB)

Steve Edmonds (guitar, vocals) led his trio in a Hendrix tribute at the Harmonie German Club and arranged by the Canberra Blues Society.  The other performers were Graham Burns (bass, vocals) and Ben Elliot (drums).