Geoff Achison has a reputation as a guitarist’s guitarist.Having taught himself to play in the isolation of rural Australia, he has developed a blues/funk style all his own that can be delicate one moment and explosive the next. Unaware of how the sounds he was hearing on his limited record collection were produced, he invented some of his own techniques - without the aid of pedals or gadgets. As a result, watching this guy wrench sounds from his simple set-up can be something of a spectacle.Geoff also possesses a gritty, soulful voice that has sometimes evoked favorable comparisons to Joe Cocker or Warren Haynes. An award winning songwriter to boot, Geoff’s live set features an infectious mix of catchy original tunes, improvised jamming and inspired versions of blues & soul classics.Years of touring, recording and relentless gigging has seen him share stages with scores of artists including Jorma Kaukonen & Hot Tuna, John Mayall, John Mayer, Levon Helm (of The Band) Hubert Sumlin, Clarence Gatemouth Brown + aussies Tommy Emmanuel, Dutch Tilders, Phil Manning & Jeff Lang. (this is just a few) Collaborations with rock, jazz & even classical musicians have added spice to his personal musical vision and experience.Growing up in the small town of Malmsbury, Geoff somehow developed a passion for American blues music and taught himself to play on his mother's beat up acoustic guitar. In his early 20s he found employment as lead guitarist with Melbourne's top blues band Dutch Tilders & The Blues Club. Geoff departed in 1995 to pursue his own musical ideas forming the first incarnation of his own band, "The Souldiggers" and releasing the first of many CDs of his own blues/funk flavoured materiel.Geoff started his worldwide explorations back in 1995 with his first trip to the US. He was representing Melbourne at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Geoff won the coveted Albert King Award and went on to score an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars USA. He formed a US Souldiggers band in 98 and recorded his Gettin Evil CD. He returns regularly to America playing clubs & music festivals. Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna fame has invited him each year since 1998 as a guest guitar instructor at his legendary Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio.Moving to London in 1997 Geoff established a UK following eventually recording a live album with a British version of the band. He returns regularly playing festivals, clubs and theatres winning more fans to his cause with each visit. His tours have extended throughout Australia, the UK and USA playing either his immensely popular Solo Acoustic shows or hiring the best musicians available to form The Souldiggers as he goes. He and the band have won a swag of awards over the years. Most recently The Souldiggers won the Group Of The Year trophy at the 2007 Chain Awards in Australia.The Souldiggers' Little Big Men album was released in November 2005 showcasing 14 new compositions. More recently an all acoustic album, Acho Solo, was released in February 2007 showcasing Geoff's solo acoustic guitar work. The footage featured above is an exerpt from Geoff's SOULDIGGIN' DVD In November 2007 a CD version of this same concert was released as a live album and simply titled SOULDIGGIN' CD.
Geoff Achison is one of Australia's finest musicians. If you've not heard Geoff's music yet now's the time. The groove is infectious! Click the image above to visit Geoff's profile and listen to his music.
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