|
CD34
The Midnight Howlers
Howlin'
(Independent MHCD1)
Popular alternative/metal bands Silverchair and Segression hail from Newcastle. But the home of the NRL Knights also has the blues. The Midnight Howlers are one of the local, blues bands. They are fronted by John Baillie (lead vocals, guitar and slide) and the two remaining members of the
Witchdoctors, John's brother Robert Baillie (electric and acoustic bass) and Robert Coxon (drums and vocals). The Witchdoctors had some lengthy residences in both Newcastle and Sydney.
Howlin' was recorded during 1999 at Overhead Studios in Newcastle. Mark Tinson and John Baillie produced it. John wrote seven of the songs. Simon Chapman (ex Witchdoctors) adds organ to Blues River Rising and piano to Bottom Dollar and Home Grown. Rex `Honeyboy' Hill adds some tasty harp
to Willie Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man and Johnny Otis' Hand Jive. The other songs are Settle Up (Before I Settle Down), What Goes Around, Since I Ain't Got You, Mustang Sally and the title track.
The result is a unique and powerful mixture of swing, blues and R&B. Newcastle has definitely got the blues. On the strength of this release, I believe the guys should have used more of their own material. Howlin' CDs are available for $25 (including postage) from John Baillie, 5/14 Ordnance Street,
Newcastle NSW 2300 or by phoning John on (02) 4926 3950.
BASEQ member, John Bates
|