Review: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
The Blues Guitar Roadshow rocked back into town last night, featuring an amazing lineup of musicians on stage bringing joy to a packed house at St Kilda’s Memo Music Hall.
It’s hard to believe that this high-energy revue made its debut at this very venue during COVID restrictions in 2021, with attendees mandated to wear masks and not allowed to dance! However, the shackles were well and truly off last night as the travelling music feast offered up American blues-rock queen Ana Popovic, Geoff Achison going head to head with Jimi Hocking (Screaming Jets), Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band), The McNaMarr Project (Andrea Marr, John McNamara), Bill Barber, Angus Burchall (John Farnham Band), Andrew Fry, Shane Gilbert, Richard Tankard, and Ana’s fabulous bass player Buthel Burns.
First cab off the rank was Bill Barber, armed with his gorgeous Gibson ES-335 in Vintage Burst. Bill ripped into a Chris Cain song in honour of Cain’s mentorship on a tour on which Bill played the support spot. Cain’s best piece of advice, Bill told us, was to “always play Ray Charles on vinyl when cooking fried chicken” because if you don’t, there’s a danger that you’ll burn it! Looking slick in his new suit, Barber dug deep into the blues catalogue and pulled out some ripping classics, including Freddie King’s Going Down, featuring the wonderful house band consisting of Richard Tankard on piano and organ, Angus Burchall on drums and Andrew Fry on bass.
The Blues Guitar Roadshow host John McNamara and his soul sister Andrea Marr then took to the stage as The McNaMarr Project, joined by Shane Gilbert on guitar to deliver some A-grade blues and soul tunes. Save It Til I See You from their second album, Run With Me, was particularly smokin’, followed by the “cheeky” Let’s Take It To The Bedroom, with McNamara’s searing guitar licks being urged on by Marr.
One of the great benefits of these amazing Blues Guitar Roadshow concerts is that you get the opportunity to experience legendary Australian players such as Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band), who probably doesn’t gig as much as your Achisons or Hockings. It’s even rarer that you can catch Brett firing off three cracking Rory Gallagher tunes, as he did last night, starting with an energetic Walk On Hot Coals. Brett told us that he was hooked on Rory’s music from the moment he saw him on TV on The Old Grey Whistle Test. The slow blues of the title track from Gallagher’s Calling Card was up next and perfectly showed Garsed’s deft touch on the fretboard. A fierce Bullfrog Blues finished Brett’s short and soulfully sweet set.
Two of Australia’s busiest and most talented artists, Geoff Achison and Jimi Hocking, then sidled up on stage together and launched into a funky version of Albert King’s Born Under A Bad Sign. Choosing to utilise their signature instruments for the night, with Geoff slinging on his PRS Studio model and Jimi wielding his Les Paul Goldtop, the pair proceeded to demonstrate what electric guitar jamming is all about: listening, leaving space, exchanging licks and coming together at the optimum time to meet at the musical summit. Richard Tankard inflicted some heartfelt and expressive Hammond sounds upon us too, adding to the rich chemistry coming off the stage. All the finest guitar tricks were on show and deployed during this set, with Jimi even using his guitar pickups to mic his voice at one point. In his introduction to B.B. King’s Sweet Sixteen, Jimi was adamant that the song may not necessarily be about chasing young girls but instead a nod and wink to the dimensions of guitar bodies back in the day.
After a short break, international special guest Ana Popovic arrived on stage with her regular bass player Buthel Burns alongside. To their left, John McNamara and Andrea Marr took up positions behind backing vocal mics and were dwarfed by the imposing Popovic, who was wearing incredibly high-heeled, studded shoes. Opening with Power Over Me from her 2023 album Power, Ana took no time in proving why she has become one of the world’s most highly regarded guitarists. Using her signature ‘Foggy’ Strat, Ana offered us some savage licks but also displayed an ability to tug at our heartstrings with some stirring fingerwork on the fretboard. On Rise It, also from the Power album, Ana showcased Richard Tankard’s soulful organ skills, as the band, and in particular Buthel and Angus, locked into an impenetrable groove. Queen Of The Pack continued the exciting, soul-laden blues tunes, with the band clicking so well together it’s insane to think that Ana and Buthel only met their Australian stage mates the previous day. Looking every bit the rock star with her sleek black leather jumpsuit and blonde locks, Popovic’s stage presence was palpable and, together with the rockin’ band, created an electric atmosphere. Revealing her great versatility, Ana took it down a notch with the cruisey Slow Dance, a song from the Like It On Top album, which she recorded with Keb’ Mo’ and Robben Ford back in 2018. Finishing up with a passionate rendition of Turn My Luck, Popovic showed that she is a consummate artist, eternally working the crowd and injecting her heart and soul into the performance.
The entire cast then returned to the stage for an all-in jam on Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, featuring Tank’s finest vintage keyboard licks and a whole array of guitar solos from each player in their own style, adding their individual ingredients to the final bake. If you’ve never been to a Blues Guitar Roadshow, then I urge you to buy a ticket now, particularly for this extraordinary group of musicians currently featuring global superstar Ana Popovic. Congratulations to John McNamara and all involved in presenting a world-class evening of entertainment.
REMAINING DATES
ANA POPOVIC (US)
MELBOURNE/CASTLEMAINE/CANBERRA/SYDNEY/ADELAIDE/ FRANKSTON
THE BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW the thrill of a Music festival in one Unforgettable night!
Headlining the tour Direct from the US is the one and only ANA POPOVIC! An irresistible force in the world of contemporary Blues music. Hailed as “one Helluva guitar-Player” by Bruce Springsteen, the Blues guitar Roadshow is thrilled to have the Award Winning, hard Touring Guitar Slinger coming to light up the stage along side Aus blues royalty.
*See below for the full incredible line ups. The Best in the Scene, performing showcase sets and coming together for Show stopping All Star Jams!!!
Book your tix today to see Live Music at it’s Very Best.
FRI 31ST JULY
CASTLEMAINE THEATRE ROYAL. VIC
ANA POPOVIC (US), GEOFF ACHISON, JIMI HOCKING, BRETT GARSED (JOHN FARNHAM BAND), THE MCNAMARR PROJECT (ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA) BILL BARBER, ANGUS BURCHALL, ANDREW FRY, SHANE GILBERT, RICHARD TANKARD
Tix on sale now https://share.google/54V0AaqSvGD2ThM6X
SAT 1ST AUGUST
CANBERRA HARMONIE GERMAN CLUB. **INTERNATIONAL BLUES DAY SPECTACULAR **
ANA POPOVIC (US), GEOFF ACHISON, RAY BEADLE, THE MCNAMARR PROJECT (ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA) SIMON KINNY-LEWIS, COREY LEGGE, ANGUS BURCHALL, ANDREW FRY, SHANE GILBERT, RICHARD TANKARD, THE SUNBEARS , LIAM MCALLISTER AND STILL MORE TBA….
Tix on sale now https://canberrabluessociety.com.au/event-6618187
SUN 2ND AUGUST.
SYDNEY THE FACTORY THEATRE.
ANA POPOVIC (US) GEOFF.ACHISON, RAY BEADLE, THE MCNAMARR PROJECT (ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA) SIMON KINNY-LEWIS , (SPECIAL GUEST) -SHANE PACEY, COREY LEGGE, ANGUS BURCHALL, ANDREW FRY, SHANE GILBERT, RICHARD TANKARD
Tix on sale Now https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/…/blues-guitar-roadshow/
TUES 4TH AUGUST.
ADELAIDE THE GOV. HINDMARSH
ANA POPOVIC (US) , GEOFF ACHISON, CHRIS FINNEN, THE MCNAMARR PROJECT ( ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA) STEFAN HAUK, ANGUS BURCHALL, ANDREW FRY, SHANE GILBERT, RICHARD TANKARD
Tix on sale Now. The Gov – https://www.thegov.com.au/…/blues-guitar-roadshow-feat…
WED 5TH AUGUST.
FRANKSTON. ART CENTRE -THEATRE. ViC
ANA POPOVIC (US), GEOFF ACHISON, JIMI HOCKING, THE MCNAMARR PROJECT (ANDREA MARR, JOHN MCNAMARA) BILL BARBER, ANGUS BURCHALL, ANDREW FRY, SHANE GILBERT, RICHARD TANKARD.
Tix on sale Now
Frankston Arts Centre https://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/…/Blues-Guitar…
