Collard Greens & Gravy

Collard Greens & Gravy are an Australian blues band, which formed as a trio in 1995, by James Bridges on guitar and fiddle, Ian Collard on lead vocals, harmonica and guitar, and Anthony Shortte on drums. Their second studio album, More Gravy! (2000), won Best Blues & Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2001. James Bridges died in September 2016 of pancreatic cancer, aged 57. Collard Greens & Gravy reformed in 2017 with Collard joined by Sean "Juke Boy" Emmett on guitar and Jason Liu Soon on drums.

Collard Greens & Gravy
L to R: Jason Liu Soon, Ian Collard, Sean Emmett; June 2017
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresBlues
Years active
  • 1995 (1995)–2016 (2016)
  • 2017–present
LabelsBlack Market Music
Associated acts
  • Three Kings
Websitecollardgreensandgravy.com
Members
  • Ian Collard
  • Jason Liu Soon
  • Sean Emmett
Past members
  • James Bridges
  • Anthony Shortte

History

Collard Greens & Gravy were formed in Melbourne in 1995 as a blues trio by James Bridges on guitar and fiddle, Ian Collard on lead vocals, harmonica and guitar, and Anthony Shortte on drums.[1][2] The group's name refers to a fictitious meal, Collard explained, "When we went to America we discovered that... everywhere we went people would say, 'You can't put gravy on collard greens. Your name doesn't make any sense'."[2]

Their debut self-titled album appeared in 1999 via Black Market Music and was recorded live-in-the-studio at Soundhouse Studios.[1][3] Benoît Felten of Planet Harmonica felt, "It is a very dark and haunting record, it has a kind of mean edge to it, not unlike some of the eeriest Robert Johnson stuff, although using different tools."[4]

The group's second album, More Gravy! (2000),[5] won Best Blues & Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2001.[1][6][7] Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described how the group's, "energetic foot-stomping, country blues sound tapped into the very roots of the genre."[1] Patrick Donovan of The Age observed, "[their] local brand of swampy countrified electric blues has earned them a reputation as the best blues band in the land."[8]

At the International Blues Challenge (IBC) competition in February 2001, Collard Greens & Gravy represented Australia in the International Blues Performer of the Year category and finished second.[1][9] The group undertook tours of the United States.[1] Their third album, Silver Bird (June 2004), was produced by John Durr.[1][10] At the IBC competition in 2005, the album won Best Self-produced CD – tied with Robin Rogers' album, Crazy, Cryin' Blues.[1][11]

The group's fourth album, Devil in the Woodpile, appeared in November 2007.[1][12] Sharon Kennedy of ABC South West WA, described their sound, "The music is Mississippi but from the hill country rather than the delta."[13] Collard discussed Bridges' playing, "a really heavy, strong, deep sound... He puts a lot of thought into the guitar and amplifiers and the type of reverb."[13]

At the Australian Blues Music Awards of 2009, held in March, they won Album of the Year (Devil in the Woodpile), Duo or Group of the Year ("No Love"), Male Vocalist of the Year (Ian Collard) and Producer of the Year (John Durr for Devil in the Woodpile).[14][15] They were also nominated for Song of the Year ("No Love"), but lost to Ash Grunwald's "Fish out of Water".[14][15] McFarlane declared that this album and their follow up, Juke Joint Boogie! (September 2010),[16] were, "considered to be their best releases."[1] According to McFarlane, the group broke up in 2011.[1]

In 2011, Ian Collard formed another trio, a supergroup called Three Kings, with Benny Peters (ex-Benny and the Fly by Niters) on vocals and guitar, and Jason Liu Soon (ex-Chris Wilson, the Detonators) on drums.[1][17] Meanwhile, Collard continued to perform with Collard Greens & Gravy, including at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April 2011[18] after being announced as part of the final lineup in March.[19] They performed at the Deni Blues and Roots Festival in March 2013.[20]

Collard Greens & Gravy, and Collard as a solo artist, performed at the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival in May 2014.[21] During that year they released a compilation album, Greasy Greens;[22] while Ian Collard released a solo album, Swamp Stomp & Boogie.[23] In February 2015 Collard Greens & Gravy appeared at the Goulburn Blues Festival.[24] In the following December they celebrated their 20th anniversary with a performance at Spotted Mallard.[25]

James Bridges died on 22 September 2016 of pancreatic cancer, he was aged 57.[26][27] Shortte organised a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the funeral.[28] Collard Greens & Gravy reformed in 2017; the new line-up had Collard joined by Soon on drums and Sean "Juke Boy" Emmett on guitar.[29] They issued their sixth studio album, Luedella, in 2018.[30] By June 2019 Shortte was working with Kerri Simpson on guitar and lead vocals and Alison Ferrier on guitar in a blues group, Opelousas, which released their debut album, Opelousified, in that month.[31]

Members
  • James Bridges – guitar, fiddle, slide guitar (1995–2016, died 2016)[4][22]
  • Ian Collard – vocals, harmonica, guitar (1995–2016, 2017–current)[22]
  • Anthony Shortte – drums (1995–2016)[22]
  • Jason Liu Soon – drums (2017–current)
  • Sean Emmett – guitar (2017–current)

Discography
  • Collard Greens & Gravy (1999) – Black Market Music (BMM 227.2)[3]
  • More Gravy! (2000) – Black Market Music (BMM 240.2)[5]
  • Silver Bird (June 2004) – Black Market Music (BMM 284.2)[10]
  • Devil in the Woodpile (November 2007) – Black Market Music (BMM 327.2)[12]
  • Juke Joint Boogie! (September 2010) – Black Market Music (BMM 357.2)[16]
  • Greasy Greens (compilation album, 2014) – self-released[22]
  • Luedella (March 2018) – Only Blues Music[30]

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (2017). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Collard Greens & Gravy'". The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Jenkins, Jeff (Foreword) (2nd ed.). Gisborne, Vic: Third Stone Press. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-9953856-0-3.
  2. Bylok-Collard, Avrille. "Collard Greens and Gravy". Beat Magazine. Furst Media. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  3. Collard Greens & Gravy (1999), Collard Greens & Gravy, Black Market Music, retrieved 1 September 2018
  4. Felten, Benoît (2001). "Collard Greens & Gravy – UK". Planet Harmonica. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  5. Collard Greens & Gravy (2000), More Gravy!, Black Market Music, retrieved 1 September 2018
  6. "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 2001: 15th Annual ARIA Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  7. Donovan, Patrick (14 September 2001), "Sticky Carpet", The Age, Fairfax Media
  8. Donovan, Patrick (14 July 2004). "Blues Finds Its Rhythm". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  9. Eliezer, Christie (28 November 2000). "Music & Media Business News: Collard Greens & Gravy Head Stateside". In Music & Media (236). Archived from the original on 30 January 2001. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  10. Collard Greens & Gravy (2004), Silver Bird, Black Market Music, retrieved 1 September 2018
  11. "2017 Finalists: Best Self-Produced CD" (PDF). Blues Foundation. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  12. Collard Greens & Gravy (2007), Devil in the Woodpile, Black Market Music, retrieved 1 September 2018
  13. Kennedy, Sharon (3 November 2008). "Ian Collard Blues". ABC South West WA. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  14. "Industry News: 2009 Awards Finalists Announced". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 28 January 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. Eliezer, Christie (4 March 2009). "Eight Days a Week: Grunwald, Collard Greens & Gravy win at blues awards". In Music & Media. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  16. Collard Greens & Gravy (2010), Juke Joint Boogie!, Black Market Music, retrieved 1 September 2018
  17. "freetime: Three Kings in Grove". Ocean Grove Voice. 10 June 2015. p. 15. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  18. Nolan, Mandy, ed. (19 April 2011). "The 22nd Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest Special Liftout Guide" (PDF). Byron Shire Echo. 25 (45). Byron Shire, New South Wales: Echo Publications. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  19. "Latest news: Take a deep breath – this is IT folks! FINAL artist announcement for Bluesfest 2011's outstanding lineup of star performers" (Press release). Byron Bay Bluesfest. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
    Ritchie, John (17 March 2011). "Bluesfest final line-up announcement". News. Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
    Condon, Dan (22 March 2011). Mast, Andrew; Neilsen, Mark; Smith, Michael; Fitzsimons, Scott; Curley, Adam (eds.). "Blues and Roots with Dan Condon". Roots Down. Drum Media. No. 1052. Surry Hills, New South Wales: Street Press Australia. p. 52. Retrieved 4 September 2018 – via issuu.
  20. Pascuzzi, Carmine. "Deni Blues & Roots Festival 2013". Mediasearch. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  21. "Blues on Broadbeach — all you need to know about acts, prices, transport and road closures". Blues and Boating. Gold Coast Bulletin. News Corp Australia. 20 May 2014. ISSN 1321-3830. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  22. Collard, Greens & Gravy (2014), Greasy Greens, Collard, Greens & Gravy, retrieved 3 September 2018
  23. "Ian Collard on Harmonica Riff Raff". News. 3MDR. Melbourne, Victoria: Mountain Districts Radio. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018. Old Shep and Ian will cover Ian's time in Collard Greens & Gravy, The Backsliders & Three Kings and also Ian's solo album Swamp Stomp & Boogie, which was released last year.
  24. Spencer, John; Scarlett, Kerry (9 February 2015). "News – Page 4 of 7: President's Message February 2015". Canberra Blues Society. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  25. "Have You Heard Collard Greens & Gravy". theMusic.com.au. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  26. "The Ryerson Index". Ryerson Index. Retrieved 14 June 2018. Note: User must add 'Bridges' into the Surname search parameter and 'James' into the Any Given Name(s) parameter.
  27. "James Bridges Death Notice – Bendigo, Victoria". The Age. Fairfax Media. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  28. Shortte, Anthony (28 September 2016). "Fundraiser by Anthony Shortte: James Bridges Funeral". GoFundMe.
  29. "Collard Greens and Gravy". Forté. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  30. "Collard Greens & Gravy – Luedella". Amazon.com. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  31. McCartney, Rory (4 June 2019). "[Album Review] Opelousas Opelousified". BMA Magazine. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
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