The rare live gigs that virtuoso keyboardist and soul/blues singer Andy Cowan performs in the vicinity of his home and studio in the Noosa hinterland are like prized gems – to be treasured with heart and soul.
A new album from the veteran, classically-trained “king of the keys” is no different, which is why the hearts of local music lovers are beating faster as we approach the local launch of Undercover, by the Andy Cowan Band, at Porch Blues, Caboolture on 1 June.
A fixture on the Australian music scene for more than half a century, Andy’s style massages the soul-blues-R and B idiom in an acoustic jazz format. Blues has always been at the core of his work, but it is the emotional quality of his earthy voice, soulful piano-playing and the diversity he displays as a songwriter and interpreter that have helped make him one of the best live performers in Australia. Andy was an ARIA nominee for his 10.30 Thursdays CD, and was one of the judges’ favourites at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, back in 2002.
He has arranged and performed on movie soundtracks, including the Australian cult classic Stone and has toured internationally and across Australia for nearly five decades. In the ‘70s and ‘80s Andy was a hired gun for legendary Australian bands, Madder Lake, Ayers Rock, Kevin Borich Express, and Renee Geyer, to name just a few, and also guested with Skyhooks on keyboards as the band exploded on the scene in the mid-‘70s.
Andy’s affinity with the beautiful and artistically inspiring part of the world that he now calls home began in 1973, when he finished his stint with Madder Lake and decided to take a spin north with wife Wendy to check out his grandfather’s favourite fishing hideaway, Noosa Heads. He spotted a hand-written sign on Hastings Street saying “keyboard player wanted” and they ended up staying two years. In recent times Andy and Wendy have finally come “home” to find a creative soup of talented and like-minded musicians. Joining him in the Andy Cowan Band are longtime friends and collaborators Doc Span on harmonica, Christian Durham on bass and Duncan McQueen on drums.
Undercover is a labour of love, a collection of classic covers recorded by musicians and forever friends over six months at Andy’s studio at Black Mountain, and featuring the work of some of the greatest songwriters of the blues/jazz/soul/rock idioms, among them Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ I Put A Spell On You, Brian Wilson’s God Only Knows, Leon Russell’s A Song For You and Randy Newman’s Guilty, recorded live at the Majestic Theatre, Pomona earlier this year. Tenor saxophonist Ric Halstead guests on Leiber and Stoller’s Down In Mexico.
Produced and mixed by Andy and Christian Durham, and mastered at Melbourne’s Crystal Mastering, Undercover is an album full of delightful moods and moments, and another triumph for Andy Cowan at its helm.
Supporting the Andy Cowan Band at the Porch Blues launch is Brisbane-based Zed Charles. Heavily influenced by traditional blues, Zed mixes up his own style with a modern, rock n roll twist. He has been the artist of choice for the Australian tours of The Crusty Demons (USA) as well as working with 8Ball Aitken and Chev Wilson. A strong vocalist with an electric presence on acoustic, lead and slide guitar whether with his band or solo with his stomp-box, Zed Charles brings an engaging energy to the stage.
Undercover will be launched at a Porch Blues event, to be held at The Hotel, part of the Caboolture Historical Village, on Saturday 1 June from 1-5pm. Tickets are $50 plus b/f and available at eventbrite.com.au
