Fundraiser four the best yet

| Bendigo Weekly | 27-Jun-2011 1.10pm

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Photos by Mick Griffin
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With its three uniquely individual performance areas, the picturesque courtyard, historic cellar and stylish dining room, the elegant and historic Gold Mines Hotel made a perfect host venue for the fourth Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival Fundraiser.

With 19 acts performing at the seven-hour event, this was a musical feast for all, with a line-up that demonstrated the incredible diversity that resides within the Blues and Roots scene.

The Rhythm Kings kicked proceedings off in splendid style on the courtyard stage with a magnificent set of guitar-rich, searing Blues that set the benchmark high for the quality of music and performance that the day ahead promised.

Judy Judy, with the accompaniment on washboard from Gypsy, opened the performance area of the Gold Mines’ ornate dining room with an exquisite show of acoustic folk.

Throughout the day the dining room saw masterful performances from rustic pre-war blues revivalists Dave Austin McDonald, Alawishus Jones and Melbourne bluesman Dave Diprose. These artists are masters of the blues with authentic renditions of material from the likes of Bukka White, Skip James and Sonny Boy Williamson as well as quality originals.

Other performances of note in the dining room included excellent sets from singer songwriter Liam Thorpe and rising local star T.J (Talisa Jobe).

The Gold Mines cellar is a compact venue, but one that lacks nothing in atmosphere. The Old Buzzard Medicine Show put in a typically fun show, while Joel English continues to prove himself a great talent who always impresses. Bones Blackwood rocked this wonderful hole in the ground with a furiously entertaining show that echoed the great John Lee Hooker.

By the time Soul Child hit the courtyard stage the atmosphere at the Gold Mines was electric. The place was packed. Soul Child won the crowd instantly with a set of classic covers they made their own with funk soul passion.

Both The Dirtbusters and MTB had the courtyard cooking with some hot, loud electric blues and sizzling guitar work via the bands’ respective guitarists, Chris DeAraugo (The Dirtbusters) and Marc Leon (MTB), while the Michelle Meehan Band and The Cabarettos likewise enjoyed great receptions well earned.

Melbourne five-piece blues and soul review, Cold Snap drew a high energy close to what was a very special day for many Central Victorian music lovers. Sassy, classy and sheer good fun, Cold Snap proved once more why they are rapidly on the ascent as a live drawcard.

Festival founder, director and multi-tasker Colin Thompson is to be congratulated on his vision, belief and faith in Bendigo hosting a free, family friendly, annual music festival. This is a vision that is well on the way to be realised and he deserves the support of not only the local music community, but the community as a whole.

What must be noted of this magnificent event, other than the sheer quality and variety of music being offered, was the incredible atmosphere generated by all those who attended. With the inaugural Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival set for the last weekend of November this year it bodes well for the festival’s future success.

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