Halls Gap in the heart of the Grampians is developing a unique micro blues and roots scene with a select group of progressive local venues luring quality acts off the western highway into the funky cafes and bars. Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co have continued the mission focusing on stripped down blues and roots shows in their brewery, this time catching Lloyd Spiegel during his epic world wide touring schedule, celebrating 30 years on the road.
With just enough room in the corner for Lloyd on a stool and his guitar, the performance was incredibly personal and close. Despite the minimal setup Lloyd filled the room with sound and personality, having grown up in blues clubs and travelling the world we are taken on a trip through both his musical and personal life, the loves and losses and legends met along the way.
Favourite songs like King With No Crown bring together a blend of heartfelt personal lyrics, signature finger picked blues guitar riffs and a unique smooth masculine vocal delivery that has every listener enchanted. We sit and wait on the final verses to hear how these stories end while marvelling at the fast fretwork filled with melody and dynamics, rising and falling as the fluctuating emotions are portrayed. Slides and bends, tapping and percussive slapping forming an orchestral movement all from one acoustic guitar.
This collection of songs interwoven with little anecdotes and funny stories from decades on the road combine to form a chilled out evening of real blues, done right by one of the true masters in one of the cruisiest venues around.
When: 31 Oct 2019
Where: Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co, Halls Gap Vic
Reviewed by Jason Meehan
Photos by Rick Wood