Amanda Dweck

    Building a “scene” involves lots of facets.  It involves recognising that a “scene” should exist when there is no real organisation.   Australian blues music has a “scene”.  It began in the 1950s with musicians playing coffee shops, pubs and some jazz venues.   It then became more organised in the 1960s with radio, record shops, concerts and music magazines.  By...

"Scars Of The Soul"  During the 1960s and 1970s, the protest song focused mostly on Vietnam.  At the time there were other little known protest songs by other little known blues singers.  There were activists motivated to bring the soldiers home. The following story journeys through some of these experiences and conveys attitudes at the time 5 Dec 69.  2150HRS SVN...

Further research is needed for this study on the roots of Australian folk music.  According to Keesing and Strathern (1998) in Cultural Anthropology: A Contemporary Perspective, England had banned the slave trade to the Caribbean in 1807.  Citing Williams’ (1944) notes “before African slaves were economically advantageous in the Caribbean, poor whites had been sent from England in virtual...

The language of blues music is extemporization, a conversation between the instruments, musicians’ and audience.  Adrian Keating performs electric violin with Geoff Achison on Classically Blue DVD.  Adrian’s day job is Principal Violin at Opera Australia.   When describing the dichotomy between classical and blues, he suggests that blues music is “speaking in tongues” his analogy of when you join...

American blues music in the beginning represented the oppression and suffering felt by freed slaves and African-American people.   Among other things, I suggest blues music communicates feelings of rejection on a deep emotional level primarily unrequited love.  However, paradoxically, because of these very human connections this renders blues music inclusive.   As this title suggests, blues music is a conversation...

Rupert Murdoch is an American Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Rupert Murdoch or his media organisations but I despise that he treats his audience and readership as idiots in order to make money I first heard of Rupert Murdoch's "power" when I worked at the Advertising Standards Authority in London.   The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is, in my...

“KEEP THE FAITH” Anon and Dutch Tilders What does it mean to “Keep The Faith”? My initial thoughts about the function of early blues music on the creator/musician through to the audience, was that it connotes a feeling of freedom Through my research that initial hypothesis was proven correct.  I put these thoughts to Dr Len Oakes and a number of musicians when...

Speaking In Tongues The Australian blues music community is a family.  I have been incredibly privileged to have interviewed some of Australia’s professional musicians.   The following interviews tell another aspect to blues music.  More about instruments other than the core harmonica and guitar.  This blog is also about family and the way in which family influence a musical career from...

Blues for Lost Souls* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpCoEv9X2tU Downhome Duo - "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" Instrumental Gospel music represents “hope”.   Hope for a better life to come, hope for salvation, hope for redemption.  Gospel music is evolving.  The traditions are still there, the meaning is profound, but the experience is changing …  incredibly ... through bands like The Turner Brown Band.  Gospel music...

"There's no problems, only Solutions"   John Lennon "Watching The Wheels Go Round" On Saturday 3rd August, several blues bands have donated their time and will be "Playin' For A Cause" at Newport Bowling Club from 3pm. Along with the phenomenal talent of Lloyd Spiegel, Jesse Valach and the Testaments, Blues Roulette, Dan Dinnen & Shorty, T.K. Reeve & Band, Bitches Brew,...