Mr Black and Blues

Mr Black and Blues is currently putting the finishing touches on his new album recorded @ Toerag studios in London showcasing the band linup with Lorne Stockman on harmonica, Miles Danso on double bass, and Zeke Manyika on drums... ..Mr Black and Blues started out late in 2006 when Michael asked Lorne to join him for some showcase solo gigs. Having previously worked together in Barefoot, the pair had plenty of common ground in their love for the likes of Kelly Joe Phelps through to Led Zepplin, the blues sound weather mellow and acoustic or upvibe and rocking. They quickly had a set together from Michael's back catalog of soul folk country blues to R.L. Burnside-esque rock. The first show together was at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch playing with David Ross Macdonald and Winston but Michael then broke his neck in a freak surfing accident and the project was shelved. Recovery time proved fruitful as Michael wrote the material for their first album and despite Michael still being in a full neck brace, the boys played a gorilla busking spot on Brick Lane..... ..Just a few days out of his neck brace in late November 2006 Michael landed a spot at the Vibe Bar with The Occasional String Band and The Tailors at the Bulleit Frontier Sessions. The show was a hit and they were asked back a week later to Support Alabama 3 at the same event, then again to support David Viner on the Sunday.......Backstage the boys meet up with Nick, harp player from Alabama 3, who liked their sound so much he invited them to support again at the Bamma's monthly residency at the Jamm in Brixton in Feb 07. The 2007 New Year brought a spurt of new material added to the set, including a cover of the Bamma's own Woke Up This Mornin (Sopranos theme tune) and as a result the boys packed the Jamm with friendly faces and the diary filled up.....Michael hooked up with Marco from The Occasional String Band who invited him to play the Glad behind Borough Station, the most magical little venue on the night of the peachy lunar eclipse. This was followed by a headline at Rythym Factory, then an amazing gig for Greenpeace onboard the Artic Sunrise hiding out at Independent Newspapers in the docklands fresh from their "Tony loves WMD" stunt before the Trident renewal vote. Mr Black and Blues also sat in on two sets with another band on the night, Cheap Sober and On Time fronted by Greenpeace Director Charlie Kronick, with Lorne on harp and Michael on Bass for the first time. Just as they had finished the first set the band were on the helipad at the back of the boat and around the corner hoovers a large battleship flying French colors. It seems Tony couldn’t pass up the opportunity to remind them on the NZ incident. Fortunately the show was the only explosive feature of the night.....The legendary pioneer of Rockabilly and Rockin Blues in the UK, the great Jim Carlisle, asked Michael to sit in on his set @ the Theromettes 16th birthday. The boys cooked up a storm and repeated the performance at the Gramaphone bar on May 12th. Michael also asked J.Bo to guest on their album currently being recorded at Toerag.......After ten years of touring the world Michael has returned to his roots back in Bendigo and Melbourne and is preparing to launch an extended Australian tour with his Australian band featuring Aria winner Jason McGann (ex JBT) and Joel Smithard. Watch this space for more details! !