Ian Collard Vocals/Harmonica/Guitar
James Bridges Guitar
Anthony Shortte Drums
Influences
Fred McDowell, R.L Burnside, Jessie Mae hemphill,T Model Ford, Black Keys,John Lee Hooker,little Walter,Robert Pete Williams, Doctor Ross, Juke Boy Bonner,Jaybird Coleman,Alfred Lewis,Junior Kimbrough,Bob Log,Muddy Waters,Howlin Wolf,Bo diddley,Skip James,Son House,Frankie Lee Sims,Joe Hill Louis,Jerry Mc Cain.
Sounds Like
A rockin' night at Junior Kimbroughs Juke Joint after too much corn liquor.
Collard Greens and Gravy
Formed in 1995, The Melbourne-based trio have established themselves as one of
Australias leading blues bands with their lhypnotic, foot stomping country blues.
Collard Greens and Gravys Silver Bird album won the Best Self-Produced CD
award at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in February 2005.
Silver Bird, the bands third album, builds on the success of More Gravy, which won
an ARIA Award in 2001.
In 2001 they placed overall runner-up at the IBC then successfully toured the
United States. The IBC is an annual competition held by The Blues Foundation in
Memphis, Tennessee to unearth outstanding independent blues musicians.
Collard Greens and Gravy is Ian Collard on harmonica, vocals, diddley bow and
guitar, James Bridges on guitar and Anthony Shortie Shortte on drums and
percussion.
Legends like Muddy Waters,jessie Mae Hemphill , R.L. Burnside, T-Model Ford and Fred
McDowell inspire their guitar, harp and percussion combination.
Collard, a gifted blues vocalist, won the Australian Harmonica Championships in
1996. A Hohner Harmonica endorsee, he has featured on many other recordings
including Baz Luhrmans UK number one hit, Everybody's Free (To Wear
Sunscreen).
Bridges' playing stands out among today's legion of blues guitarists; with taste and
economy he creates an eerie style and feel that harks back to names such as Blind
Willie Johnson, Son House and Robert Johnson.
Shortte completes the trio on drums. His technique is all his own; he plays
intensely and dynamically on a one-of-a kind modified drum kit.
Collard has dug deep into some wellspring of blues... and dug out a sound similar in
trance-like rhythms to north Mississippi hill country blues. - Jeremy Loome, The
Edmonton Sun (Canada)
Collard Greens and Gravy have tapped into some deep subterranean stream that
connects us all to the source of the blues. - Mark Doherty, Rhythms Magazine
Eerie, haunting blues...it reminded me of a dark night on the Delta.
Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer describes Silver Bird
Discography
2007 Devil In The Woodpile (BMM 00)
2004 Silver Bird (BMM 284.2)
2001 More Gravy (BMM 240.2)
1999 Collard Greens and Gravy (BMM 227.2)
Hey guys! Will definitely try to make it to some of the shows this month. It's been way too long, we miss you. Devil in the woodpile is still on my permanent blues playlist, what a killer album man. See you guys soon. Cheers
Hi guys, missed you last time you were in WA, so I hope you are coming back soon. Heard you in Tasmania though, as my brother was getting into your gig so much he rang me on his mobile so that I could listen too! :-) Got some new songs on my profile if you want to have a listen. Peace and respect, Chris.
Hey guys loving you music, if nothing else comes from the IBC, I am happy just to found out about you all..... Hope to meet you all down there, Ian I got a CD for you take to Dom for me if you would??