Collard Greens and Gravy

Formed in Melbourne in 1995, Collard Greens and Gravy quickly established themselves as one of the country's leading blues acts with their unique style of stripped down swamp blues. Performing a mix of original material and covers by Mississippi blues artists such as R.L Burnside, T Model Ford and Fred McDowell, the band have created a sound which saw them win the 2001 ARIA award for best blues and roots CD. In February 2001 Collard Greens and Gravy, competing against more than 50 bands from around the world were awarded runners up in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. To qualify for entry the band representing Australia won the local Blues Performer of the year competition held by the Melbourne Blues Society. Since then the band have returned twice to tour the US, playing festivals and bars from New Orleans to New York. Ian Collard is a gifted vocalist and harmonica player and winner of the Australian Harmonica championship in 1996. James Bridges' playing stands out among today's legion of blues guitarists; with taste and economy he creates an eerie style and feel that harks back to names such as Blind Willie Johnson, Son House and Robert Johnson. Anthony "Shortie" Shortte completes the trio on drums. His approach to drumming has seen him develop a style all of his own, his eclectic drum kit is one of a kind. Playing dynamically yet precisely, his intense and passionate performing style has many an audience member transfixed. Since its release in 1999, their self-titled debut CD won Album of the Year, Band of the Year and Male Performer of the Year at the Vic /Tas Awards and Best Song and Best Band Awards at the Goulburn Festival Australian Blues Awards. Their second release "More Gravy" won the ARIA award for best Blues and Roots CD and won the Best Band, Best Album and Best Male Vocal Awards at the Australian Blues Awards in 2001 as well as best band at the Vic/Tas awards. "Collard Greens and Gravy have tapped into some deep subterranean stream that connects us all to the source of the blues." Mark Doherty, Rhythms Magazine "This is blues with serious intent." Lee Howard, Sunday Herald Sun Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.