On any given day the lineup would include...Richard Bray - Drums/traps, Matt Nightingale - Double Bass, Phil Daniel - Banjo/mandolin, Fiete Geir - eletrical guitar.
Special guests have included: Dan Eprhamsen (Fiddle), Gregor 'Blind boy' Murray - guitar, Deane Toohey - Bass & guitar, Ben Wilson - Drums & vibes, Sam from 'One Night Jam' on guitar...
Influences
Son House, Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rodgers, Lefty Frizzell, The Louvin Brothers, Woody Guthrie (& Arlo too!), Lightnin' Hopkins, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Carter Family, Cash, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Hank Williams, Missisipi John Hurt, Josh White, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Lucinda Williams, The Byrds, Gram, Townes Van Zandt, Calexico, Neko Case, BB King, Albert King, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Paul Burch, the BrianJonestown Massacre, Jimi Hendriks, Lloyd Cole, The Congos, Burning Spear, Joseph Spence, Rory McCleod, The Dirty Three, Yabby You, Smog, Gregory Isaacs, Wilco, Son Volt, Desmond Dekker, Marley, Nick Cave, Will Oldham, Ron Sexsmith, Neil Young, Michelle Shocked, The Pogues, Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers, Emmylou Harris, Mick Harvey, Robert Cray, Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys,PJ Harvey, Doc Watson, Lonnie Johnson, Chuck Berry, Sonny Terry, Brownie Mcgee, Rev Gary Davis, Dylan, Tosh, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Robert Johnson, Mahalia Jackson, Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Christian, Roy Orbison, John Lee Hooker, Scott Joplin, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Washboard Sam, Pavement, Ray Charles,Steve Earle, Giant Sand, Wil Eisner, Harvey Pekar, Cormac McCarthy, Italo Calvino, Ishmail Kadare, Melville, Twain....too many more to mention.
The Wedded Bliss is a labour of love for singer/songwriter Randall-Blair. The band places its faith in the holy trinity of music – blues, country & jazz – and delivers it in an intimate & acoustic setting.
His songs blend old school country, blues & swing with the skewered sensibilities of a modern troubadour. He weaves honest tales of love, drunkenness, poverty, desire, faith & hope.
After appearing as a busking finalist at the 2004 Tamworth Country Music Festival, he formed the Wedded Bliss. Since then, he has performed solo & band shows at events such as:
* THE NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL 2009
* CORINBANK 2009
* 2009 MULTICULTURAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
* The 2008 AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF BLUES MUSIC (Goulburn)
* The 2007 CANBERRA MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
* ‘Music at the Creek 2005/06’ - The Major's Creek Folk Festival
* The ‘2006 Weereewa Festival of Lake George’
* Canberra's Multicultural Fringe Festival (04/05)
* IndyFest (04/05/06)
* ‘Sunday in the Park’ (05/06) Festival
The band has also played countless pubs gigs and supports with acts like Lior, The Kill Devil Hills, Conway Savage (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds), The Angels, Lloyd Spiegel, Maurice Frawley & the Yard Hands, King Curly, Gina Villalobos (USA) and Mad Violet (Canada).
Randall-Blair has recently collaborated with contemporary dance choreographer Vivienne Rogis of the Miramu Dance Company. Vivienne used seven of R-B’s songs to create ‘Cry Baby’, a work that was performed - with live backing from the Wedded Bliss - at Canberra’s 2007 MultiCultural Festival.
‘Tattoos & Tail-lights’, the band’s debut album has been featured on various public (666 ABC, Radio National) & community radio. The album was also ‘Feature album of the Week’ on Melbourne’s PBS FM.
'Triple Truth', a tune from that album was recently a featured song on Triple J's 'Unearthed' website, where it received some airplay as well.
Randall-Blair is currently recording a follow album, under the working title of 'The Swingin' Arms Hotel', and will be released in 2008.
‘Tattoos & Taillights’ and the second album, 'Swingin' Arms Hotel' are available now through Longhaul/MGM and iTunes. Click below if you wish to order from Waterfront Records, Sydney.
Hi guys, Cheers for the add. Your music sounds great! I just loved 'Save Your Bitchin 4 the Old Folks Home'! Just gold! Keep those sounds happening. Don't forget to drop by for a listen.
Mate - thanks for the note - but you're too kind. Much work to be done out here before I can re-enter the capital. The GFC has struck my sabbatical pretty hard, so the process of getting a product-in-hand and show-on-stage has slowed somewhat.
You fellas still look to be hard working as always. I'll give notice of my next trip south.
You were broadcasted in the Nambucca Valley this afternoon. "Saturday evening, Sunday morning" was the chosen song. It will happen again. Excellent work.
Falloe launch their long awaited debut album... Wednesday 30th of September. The Corner Hotel. 57 Swan St. Richmond. Just next to railway bridge Cnr Stewart St. Doors 7:30 Special Guests tessa and the typecast. and The Diamonds (String Duet)
Save Your Bitchin fills me with joy. Thanks again RB for another great album. Got a new one not far off too, some previews on our page. All the best, Dan.
Hey Blair, sounding great! Love the ragtime backup band. If you ever want a honkytonk cimbalom in there, give me call :) Hope to hear you live soon. Tim
Yeah I was there, lending my hussy of a guitar out to Teddy and Lloyd. But I had to run shortly after, as much as I wanted to see you guys again.
Bummed I can't make it to the launch on Saturday, but I hope it goes well and I'll hopefully cross paths with you soon and get my li'l paws on a copy of the rekkid.
Maurice died of liver cancer on Friday...to paraphrase Laughing Lenny..."his body is gone, but back here on the lawn, his spirit continues to piss...".
His funeral is later today in Elmore.
Be a helluva send off at The Greyhound...why is everyone around me dying???
Hey I just wanted to say hello. .I hope alls well Stop in check out a song or video and leave me a comment. Next Show April 4th at The Carolina Entertainment Complex in Marion SC Tickets just $10 plus taxes and fees Camping Availible For Tickets Goto www.entertaincarolina.com or call 843-423-0077 I'm 29th in the Myspace Country Charts!! Drop me a line anytime. Jeff
