russell morris

Can you define psychedelica? Behind punk, it’s probably the most over-used term in the musical genre lexicon. That won’t change with this sprawling two-disc exploration of Australian psych, past and present.

Mixing ‘60s and ‘70s tracks with contemporary ones is an approach that could have gone horribly wrong.The wonder of this is how well the old tracks blend seamlessly with the new. Compilers Gaz Cobain (aka The Amorphous Androgynous) and Brian Dougans have done a splendid job of unearthing lost, forgotten and current nuggets and the mastering is great. It’s the fourth edition in a global series.

Blues Portrait Volume 2 by Pauline Bailey 
Blues Portrait Volume 3 by Pauline Bailey

If you want to pick an argument, get into a discussion with a professional musician about what constitutes blues music.

There are those who regard themselves as “blues players” and those who do not, and never the twain shall meet.

There’s a mindset among some self-described blues players that they’re the “real deal” and everyone else is not. It must really rankle for them to have seen the annual Bluesfest evolve into a (mostly bland) celebration of the mainstream.

Some of Australia’s most beloved musicians are being brought together by one of Australian punk rock’s seminal figures for a one-off concert to raise funds in the fight against child abuse.

X frontman Steve Lucas is organising The Child Wise Benefit Concert on Tuesday, May 12 at the Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne. It's his second year and he's pulled together an impressive bill.

It includes ‘60s psych legend-turned-bluesman Russell Morris, Beasts of Bourbon and Cruel Sea frontman and solo artist Tex Perkins, ex-Queen of Pop Debra Anne Byrne, blues singer-harpist Chris Wilson, bassist Jerome Smith (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Rufus Thomas, Divinyls) and MC Brian Nankervis (Rockwizz.)