Last week Pistol Pete took off to the USA, blithely disregarding all the news about floods, hurricanes and tornadoes in the south and the various forest fires further north and west.
Hopefully, he’ll come back with some new food ideas for the restaurant, and encourage some blues musicians that there’s good reasons for stepping outside of the capital cities. Inevitably he’s going to have fun, and good luck to him with that!
On Fathers Day, I was abducted by family and forced to go down to Pistol Pete’s for the afternoon, and Catfish Voodoo were playing. It was a really great afternoon, and we had the best table, right up next to the band.
This did cause some difference of opinion between us as to whether this was a good thing (two votes) or a bad thing (two votes) – I got the casting vote, as I said, the best table. Catfish Voodoo consists of “Wailin” Aaron Gillett (harmonica), Julian James (vocals, guitar), Benny “Chicken-Shack” Gerrard (drums), “Juke-Joint” Jordan Hyde (bass) and Luke “Mad Dog” Miller (guitar).
It was nothing short of miraculous that they all fitted into that little alcove but fit they did, and the blues poured out. Catfish Voodoo keeps their sound deeply rooted in the early 1950’s Chicago-blues scene. Their sets consist of their own material and original takes of classic blues songs such as; ‘Mojo Workin’, ‘Smokestack Lightnin’, and a high energy, crowd pleasing version of the John Lee Hooker classic, ‘Boogie Chillun’.
Catfish Voodoo released their six track EP “….down the road” in 2010, and followed up with a self-titled LP in August 2011, both to favourable reviews and healthy local radio play. In 2016 they released a live album, Live at Way Out West Blues Club.
They have played many of Melbourne’s premier live music venues such as the Espy, Revolver, St. Andrews Hotel, Cornish Arms, Royal Standard Hotel (for the MBAS), Radcliffe’s (Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival) and a show at the Avoca Cup country races as the live band for the day, as well as playing many private functions and local events.
Catfish Voodoo has a high energy, low-down boogie sound. Staying true to the masters of classic Chicago blues, Catfish Voodoo’s live shows and studio work are sure to delight and impress even the most discerning blues enthusiast.
Now something a little different.
Sleepy Hollow Blues Club is having a Sunday cruise aboard the MV Hygeia cruising Corio Bay listening to great blues music. It will be held on the afternoon of Sunday October 8 and the cost is $45. The cruise lasts three hours.
Salty Dog will be filling the air with their dulcet tones! I’ve been on one of these, and it’s great fun. Corio Bay is smooth enough to satisfy even the greenest non-sailor!
Tickets have been going fast, so if you are interested call Barbara on 0431 44 04 04 or (03) 5254 1111
Catfish Voodoo will be playing at Sleepy Hollow on September 24.
By John Lamp
Image sourced via Catfish Voodoo socials
