0
0
Charlie Musslewhite
Northcote Theatre
With nearly six decades of rich musical history behind him, Charlie Musslewhite is synonymous with singing the Blues. His harmonica an extension of his body,the blues artist is a relaxed and oozes cool confidence on stage in Northcote for the first of his Melbourne solo shows.
Mississippi-born, Memphis-raised, music legend Charlie Musselwhite doesn’t just sing and play the blues, he is the embodiment of the blues. Having collaborated with many blues legends including Ben Harper, Cyndi Lauper, Noiseworks and INXS, Eddie Vedder, Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Gov’t Mule, Mickey Hart and Japan’s Kodo Drummers, George Thorogood, Eliades Ochoa and Cat Stevens he is a force to be reckoned with, the moment he puts his harmonica to his lips the crowd is entranced. The notes rise above the crowd, only to come back down and grab you right at all the moments, leaving the audience captivated.
Playing alongside Musslewhite is guitarist Kid Andersen, June Core on Drums and Randy Bermudes on Bass. The band communicate in sync for the entire performance. But it’s Anderson’s guitar solos that really light the room up, and with Musslewhite’s perfection on the harmonica the duo bounce off each other creating musical chemistry that is unbelievable, the room resounds in thunderous applause each time the Anderson solos. If only the room wasn’t seated the audience would have erupted into a dance hall, however most are awestruck by the performance.
With elements of Gospel, Dance hall and a little Chicago Blues, Musslewhite’s music transports you to the Mississippi Delta, and takes you on a journey of love, loss, women and heartbreak.Captivating you with his gravelly voice and leaving you wanting the night to never end. As one of the last blues greats still standing, Musslewhite is an exceptional performer, cool, calm and charismatic onstage.
In an era full of auto tuned music and disposable bedroom pop, Musslewhite has earned the title of being one of the greatest harmonica players to ever grace the stage. His music is raw, realistic and loaded with emotion and he is a presence to watch. To say this is one of the most memorable blues performances Melbourne has witnessed would be somewhat of an understatement- it is arguably the best blues performance Melbourne has been treated to in a long time.
Words and images by Amanda Lee Starkey
