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Gerry Hale's Innocent Bystanders
Gerry
has finally formed a new band, after a long rest from the 6-year Popular
Bluegrass whirlwind of 'Uncle Bill'.
The desire to do something a little bit different has again appeared.
GERRY HALE'S INNOCENT BYSTANDERS
What
is the new band and where did it spring from?
The new ensemble - like Uncle Bill - is firmly rooted in acoustic music
styles, but unlike Uncle Bill, much of the influence for Innnocent Bystanders
comes from the seventies… the 1970’s??? That big acoustic void!
…Not true ! The music of Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks sprang from
this period. While it seemed that everyone else was rocking out in make-up,
glitter and platform shoes, Dan was just starting to do his own acoustic
& very cool thing…
A
New band and a new sound!
It’s acoustic swing, flavored by bossa and salsa and even a of bit
country at times. A major feature are two female voices that duck and
weave around a dead-pan smooth jazz-style vocal. Songs range from Payday
Blues to the epic Moody Richard (the innocent bystander himself), and
Canned Music - warning of the dangers of live music where “my baby
left me for the drummer.” Kinda funny songs but often with a darker
side, all rich with harmonies and complex arrangements. He mixes it up
quite a bit, from story songs to just plain jive : the deeper you listen,
the better it gets.
Who
is Dan?
From San Francisco, Dan's music was known in the UK (where Gerry grew
up) on the folk circuit, solely because that was the only acoustic scene
there was! He did get to the front cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in
the U.S and national T.V. but it all ended too soon for his loyal fans:
wrong time, wrong place…and during the 80’s, Dan had a few beers
and waited… Recently however, Dan has been through a revival and
his latest recordings are as cool as ever. Enticed out of semi-retirement
by such mega-names as Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Bett Midler, Willie Nelson,
Brian Setzer and Rickie Lee Jones, all wanting to pay homage to ‘Dan
the Man’. In the 70’s Gerry heard Dan’s records on the
Cambridge music scene and in his early 20’s found himself in a ‘Hicks’
type band known as ‘Telephone Bill’.
“Back then there was nowhere for an acoustic band to play but folk
clubs and even though we weren’t at all folky, generally the folk
crowd loved us - we were different. I want to introduce Dan’s music
and style to a few people in Melbourne. I think it’s very distinctive,
lots of fun and a real challenge to play.” G.H.
So
is there any bluegrass?
“Mmmmmm...… anyway grass is green ain’t it? Hell, I might
get my banjo out somewhere down the track……”
Since putting Uncle Bill on ice in 2001, Gerry’s been doing his sideman
thing, mainly with Deborah Conway, recording and co-producing her current
album Summertown and an extensive national tour just completed to launch
it. Two small film projects : NED and Strange Bedfellows have taken some
time... the recording studio has been busy, and moving next door to longtime
music and theatre comrade Richard Piper [ex. Bouncing Czechs (U.K)] has
meant a few more plans are germinating and an Innocent Bystanders CD is
finally available - 34 guest artists ensure this is a special experience...
Moving
seamlessly through country, latin and jazz rhythms, "Vivando"
features the songs of Dan Hicks, Gerry Hale's vocal and musical talents,
beautiful close female harmonies, 17 tracks, 34 special guest artists,
and lyrics ranging from the sublimely ridiculous to the ridiculously sublime.
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