VARIOUS ARTISTS

LIVE AT ST ANDREWS Cat# SV0109

This is a CD born out of love and obsession. A love of music and an obsession with capturing it for the archives. It’s a tribute to the people who make such great music and to Kel and Stan for persisting through thick and thin in keeping that music coming.

St Andrews is a trip in more ways than one and once there, you’re in another culture. Tradespeople, hippies, locals, intellectuals, artists, musos, trendies, ferals, lost and found people, people in love, people in feud, people who love Harleys and people who love music. Winter nights by the best fireplace in the southern hemisphere, summer out on the deck in the bush listening to the bellbirds and nights listening to the fine music by the best musos in the country.

To me this is what music is all about - community, sharing ideas, sharing energies in a place that’s warm, welcoming and understanding of the many variables involved with an ever flowing river of people, punters & performers of every conceivable variety.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE AT THE CLIFTON HILL HOTEL VOL 2 Cat# SV0387

A great followup to the first compilation from The Clifton Hill that every blues enthusiast will want this in their CD collection.

"Wednesday Live At The Clifton Hill Hotel" featuring some of Melbourne’s Premier Artists Broderick Smith, Tiffany Eckhardt, Dutch Tilders, Mike Rudd & Bill Putt, Enda Kenny, Geoff Achison, Andy Cohen, Kerry Simpson, Cyndi Boste, Dave Steel, Ian Collard & Anthony Shortte (Collard, Greens,& Gravy), Nick Charles, Tim Hancock & More.

The Wednesday Night Acoustic Session at the Clifton Hill Hotel has now become a Melbourne Institution. It is one of the few venues left in Melbourne where musicians can perform their new and old songs to an appreciative audience. The Clifton Hill Hotel has been the launching pad for many upcoming musicians. It provides the platform to showcase new material, revamped oldies and more importantly the opportunity to network with fellow musicians. Indeed, it has often been referred to as the family home for musicians. These gigs may be the only chance to catch up and find out what people are doing and importantly, it’s always been a receptive environment to try out new material and jam with other musicians.

Over the years the Wednesday Night Gig has been supported by many of Australia’s leading artists including Ross Wilson, Broderick Smith, Tiffany Eckhardt, Geoff Achison, Mike Rudd, Bill Putt, Joe Camilleri, Chris Wilson, Marie Wilson ,Enda Kenny, Matt Walker and Collard Greens & Gravy. The list is endless but it does indicate the respect Wednesday at the Clifton Hill Hotel commands within the music industry.

The Wednesday Session was always about local original and roots music. The support from the more established musicians was not from a monetary angle but to ensure that Melbourne artists could still have a venue to perform their music. More recently the Clifton Hill Hotel has been extended and now includes the Emerald Lounge where this album was recorded.

A quick insight into a few of the acts.

Geoff Achison
With a cult following which extends from Melbourne to Memphis, Geoff is internationally recognised for his mastery of blues-rock guitar and songwriting, and his energetic live performances. The sound is a unique blend of rock, blues, soul, jazz and gravelly vocals, and he excels in both acoustic and electric modes. Winner of the prestigious Albert King award for most promising guitarist, The Times (UK) labeled him "... one of the most gifted musicians to arrive on the scene...". Last year he toured the US with the legendary Hot Tuna, and recorded a live album in the UK.

Collard, Greens and Gravy
Producing a distinct, moody, edgy sound which contains elements of Mississippi Delta and early Chicago blues, combined with the swampy feel of their own original material, this band have won a number of blues awards, including the 'Herald-Sun's' best album in 1999, Australian Blues award winners 2000, song of the year and runners up at the International Blues Challenge U.S.A. 2000. In 2001, Australian Blues award winners, Album of the Year, Group of the year and Best male Vocalist. Need we say any more?

Spectrum
Mike Rudd and Bill Putt, of Spectrum, have been around for a long time and would have to be considered icons of the Australian music industry. Since 1995, along with drummer Peter Robertson, they have re-emerged to do what they have always done best - playing live and having a great time (we have had a few opportunities to witness these shows at the Clifton Hill over the years). In demand on the national live circuit and regulars at many festivals, the band plays a mixture of their new songs and old classics. For those of you who are trying to recall their biggest hit, we will take you out of your misery. It was called 'I'll Be Gone'. And not "One Day I’ll have Money".

Visit: www.mikeruddbillputt.com