BLUES NIGHT FESTIVAL
VIC-SUR-CERE CONCERT HALL
Monday 19th July 1999
BLUE ZINE n°24
On Monday evening Gerry Joe Weise and his girlfriend along with ex Long John Baldry drummer Keith Boyce and bassist J.M., were invited to the restaurant table of Joe Louis Walker, Matt Murphy, Billy Branch and his girlfriend. A charming village restaurant in Vic-sur-Cere. They talked a long time, and Mr Branch expressed interest in playing with Gerry Joe, while Matt Murphy was interested in the number of albums released by Weise. After the menu they had excellent french wine. All in high spirits they were chauffeured back to the concert hall and were ready for the night's exceptional evening of blues, organised by an active local association. The place was packed with a real grooving audience, year 1999 reverting back to some 20 or 30 years agao, there were even a couple of grizzled old fans bootlegging on an old reel-to-reel tape machine. Joe Louis Walker, Matt Murphy and Billy Branch, gave us tight acoustic blues with lots of feeling from the Mississippi. While Gerry Joe Weise starting out on acoustic, quickly switched to electric and gave us an interactive emotional performance that made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up, penetrating our sensibilities.
Maude Atanis.
Gerry Joe Weise - guitar/vocals, Keith Boyce - drums, J.M. Subias - bass.
CONCERT PHOTOS: Joe Louis Walker, Matt "guitar" Murphy, Billy Branch.
Gerry Joe Weise photos: 1) Silvertone, 2) Stratocaster, 3) National Triolian.
Concert Photos: http://www.lesnuitsdublues.com/gallerie.html
Joe Louis Walker, Gerry Joe Weise, Matt Murphy, Billy Branch
CENTRE HEBDO NEWSPAPER
"BLUES INTO THE EVENING"
The Vic-sur-Cere concert hall was boiling over, bubbling with all ages, as a large crowd gathered. The event advertised "The Blues Night".
Hanging onto the low stage protection barrier were the early concert-goers with only elbow-room. Gerry Joe Weise performed the blues on his National Triolian resophonic guitar from the 1930s. Alone he possessed the art to "rock" the venue. "Sing it louder !", Gerry Joe said to the audience, and the crowd acting without restraint, let themselves join in the entertainement. Afterwards Gerry Joe Weise strapped on his old 1960 red Silvertone electric guitar and plugged it in, as his drummer and bassist walked on stage. By then the whole concert hall was singing along with the band. Gerry Joe Weise, a virtuoso on the guitar, entertained and played power blues, while their fine song arrangements never left anyone indifferent. "It's just great, it rocks!", called out delighted fans.
At 11.00pm it was time for Gerry Joe Weise to leave the stage for the next trio formation : the "Acoustic Blues Summit", with lead vocalist and guitarist Joe Louis Walker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy (Blues Brothers) on guitar, and Billy Branch on Harmonica. On stage a more relaxed traditional blues were performed. Some members of the audience, closed their eyes taking them back to the roots, as Walker, Murphy and Branch played them to perfection. Several legendary tunes echoed down the hall, blues that were played way into the night...
J.M.Peyral, translated by Maude Atanis.
1999 BORDEAUX BLUES FESTIVAL
8, 9, 10 April 99
Concert Saturday 10 April : GERRY JOE WEISE and DEBORAH COLEMAN
http://perso.orange.fr/photo-jazz-jmerle/Asso/Historique.htm
SUD OUEST Newspaper
BLUES DES GRAVES FESTIVAL
"The Jazz & Blues Association and the City Council have made this festival successful."
The blues fans were numerous at the 4th Blues Des Graves Festival in Leognan. A quality program was offered Thursday and Friday, but unquestionably Saturday was the best. At 9.00pm a huge crowd gathered at the doors of the Brassens Cultural Centre waiting to get in. By the time the crowd settled in their seats, Gerry Joe Weise came out on stage. The audience were very impressed by his guitar technique and style, described as being grandiose and spectacular; "explosive" when he did a Jimi Hendrix number. Gerry Joe Weise played original blues songs infused with traditional music from his native Australia.
Deborah Coleman was warmly acclaimed by the public. She is a talented guitarist and vocalist with omnipresent "feeling", which didn't cease to amaze everyone. She left a grand impression for her last concert on her European tour at the festival before going back to America. At the end of Deborah Coleman's concert, she invited Gerry Joe Weise to join her for a jam session, where they performed 3 songs to a standing ovation. The Blues Des Graves Festival will certainly continue to be one of the leading events in the South-West.
Laurie Silviet-Carricart