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| "Cactus" - The CD | |||||||||
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'CAJUN COWBOY BLUES'
You cain't get that stuff no more...
....you need to experience this mysterious throw-back to a timeless almost non-existent acoustic musical style that's difficult to translate into words... it features finger-picking delta slide blues, with a country tinge, jumped up with the odd lashing of western swing, and with some hot cajun honky-tonk accordian to add a little spice...
Slim’s father was a guitar player and music teacher,and so during his early childhood in the 1950’s Slim was surrounded by music and musicians. He retains strong memories of hearing songs by Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, Jimmie Rodgers and the cowboy country legends of America and Australia. Later influences were blues players Josh White, John Hammond and especially Ry Cooder and Flaco Jiminez (the tex-mex accordion star).
Doctor Baz meanwhile brings to their sound a background in honky tonk piano, some full-tilt cajum accordian playing and can open up with his tasty gypsy swing acoustic guitar playing, adding unusual colour to their rootsy musical blend …. creating a musical style for which they have coined the phrase ‘Cajun Cowboy Blues’.
The live show: Two accomplished multi-instrumentalists work together seamlessly as a tight unit - combining classic “roots” blues styles, some old-timey country pickin blues sounds with a good swag of original songs that are accessible, and fun. The accordian provides an unexpected Cajun flavour, producing a “good-time”, danceable sound that is authentic, easy to listen to, and has appeal for a wide range of age-groups.
Their original songs have grown out of an exposure to the great american blues storytellers, but tempered by the definitive stamp and humour of the Australian experience, culture and imagery. As well as their original material they perform songs by early blues / folk storytellers such as Leadbelly, Charlie Patton and Woody Guthrie. These songs came out of the life experience of itinerant workers. Their repertoire reveals the parallel between the values of depression-era American rural workers and the culture of the Australian outback.
Slim has a 2nd solo album “Pass it On” in progress which includes 5 originals, and his interpretation of 2 songs by cult 1970s Melbourne band “The Dingoes”. These capture a glimpse of Australian outback life in sound and word.
Overall the Slim Pickens & Doctor Baz sound is authentic blues with a distinct 'rootsy', old-time quality, strong rhythmic feel, polished vocals, unusual instrumentation, and is tinged with an Australian flavour and humour that sets their music apart from heavier styles of blues music .
(To download some great examples of Cajun Cowboy Blues, return to the main menu and choose "Cajun Cowboy Music Store". )
Slim & Dr. Baz's debut album of 2004 'Cactus' creates a nostalgic aura, reminiscent of a music and a time that never really existed, except maybe in the movies. It has a timeless artistic vision which resonates with a broad range of people. Their authentic feel puts their work outside contemporary music fashions.
...transporting the listener to a foot-stomping, ee-haa world of good-time cajun cowboy blues...
Check out the Cajun Cowboy Music Store
©2006 Slim Pickens & Doctor Baz - Australian Acoustic Blues Artists
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