OK, So what exactly IS good-time 'CAJUN COWBOY BLUES' ?
Well to be honest, we don't rightly know how to pidgeon-hole this mysterious, magical and elusive, if not almost non-existent musical form into mere words ... it has an acoustic country blues tinge, lashings of western swing, a solid core of delta blues, and is spiced up by some hot cajun grooves...
(We hope this page may help.)
Slim’s up-bringing has had a huge influence on the genre of music that he is now playing. His father was a guitar player and music teacher and so in Slim’s early childhood in the 1950’s he 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, along with later influences, blues players Josh White, John Hammond and especially Ry Cooder and Flaco Jiminez (the tex-mex accordion star), which have melded into the style that Slim and Baz have brought to life…. A style for which they have coined the phrase ‘Cajun Cowboy Blues’.
The live show: two (sometimes three) highly accomplished multi-instrumentalists working seamlessly as one unit ; original music that is immediately accessible, yet quirky; our combination of “roots” blues styles and Australian “story” songs with an unexpected Cajun flavour (suggested by the introduction of the accordion) produces a “good-time” sound that is easy to listen to and dance to, and appeals to a wide range of age-groups.
As a duo, Slim Pickens & Dr. Baz have begun to record and perform original songs that have been developed to work within and expand their vision of an Australian style of country/cajun blues. Their work aims for a high standard of vocal and instrumental quality in performances and recordings. As well as their original material they perform songs by early blues / folk storytellers such as Leadbelly, Charlie Patton and Woody Guthrie, which came out of the life experience of itinerant workers. They consciously attempt to highlight the strong parallel between this source of inspiration and Australian outback life. By including songs which reflect and celebrate this connection/parallel, they are evolving a unique and authentic blues style with a distinct Australian slant. Their original songs have grown out of an exposure to the great blues storytellers, but tempered by the definitive stamp and humour of the Australian experience, cultural heritage and imagery.
At the time of writing this, (March 2005), Slim is adding finishing touches to his 2nd solo album “Pass it On” (which includes 5 original songs, and his versions of 2 songs by high-profile 1970s Melbourne band “The Dingoes”, which specifically reflect Australian outback life). These songs were presented in Europe on the 2005 tour.
The Slim Pickens & Doctor Baz sound is authentic blues with a distinct 'rootsy', old-time quality, strong rhythmic feel, confident and polished vocals, unusual instrumentation, and all tinged with a distinct Australian flavour and humour that sets their music apart from “serious”, heavier styles of blues music .
On the 2004 tour in Norway, audiences were fascinated by the idea of an Australian Blues outfit, and the duo fielded numerous requests for - you guessed it - “Waltzing Matilda”. They have now evolved a sophisticated instrumental version of this classic folk song, played in an up-beat, rhythmic, fingerpicking guitar style, with the melody taken by the steel resonator slide guitar.
As Doctor Baz says : "'Cactus' makes a clear statement of our artistic vision and resonates with a broad range of people, because it’s authentic feel puts it outside of contemporary style issues, yet in fact clearly states a style that is our own invention. We create a nostalgic aura, reminiscent of a music and a time that never really existed, except maybe in the movies."
...just good-time cajun cowboy blues...
©2004-6 Slim Pickens & Doctor Baz - Australian Acoustic Blues Artists
