Almanac Music: Key Grip at the Murray Delta Juke Joint

 

 

I didn’t say I was right
I didn’t say I was wrong
I didn’t say I wasn’t there
But I sure was gone

(‘Family Law‘ – Leo Joseph)

 

 

Goolwa, on the south coast at the mouth of the river Murray, was the scene for the recent appearance of Canberra group Key Grip. Unlike the Mississippi Delta in Paul Simon’s Graceland, the Murray Delta wasn’t exactly shining like a National guitar – more like the metallic blue-grey, galvanised iron of a resonator guitar made by local Adelaide singer, songwriter and luthier Don Morrison.

 

Venue for the gig was the Murray Delta Juke Joint, not as it may sound, a ramshackle joint on the riverbank but a large, converted shed, situated streets away from the river, in what could be termed the industrial estate part of town.

 

Two of the main requirements for a successful concert are a decent venue and a good band. The Murray Delta Juke Joint and Key Grip delivered in spades as they united to produce a great afternoon of music in an ambient atmosphere.

 

The Juke Joint is a purpose built, well-appointed entertainment facility. Much thought and care has gone into the interior construction and fitting out. After experiencing a few issues related to the downturn in live events during the onset of the pandemic, the place is now booming with performances every week. ‘People are eager for live music’, said Dave, one of the founders and co-host of the establishment.

 

Inside, the room evokes images of a saloon of former days – wooden beams, corrugated iron, rustic tones, soft lighting. Pictures of southern American architecture and gig posters adorn the walls. A full-size replica in the form of a bluesman seated in a chair with guitar in hand watches over proceedings from a ledge high on the side wall. Alongside him, the front bonnet and grill of an old car. The bar is well supplied. ‘Tis the season for a dark ale or a glass of malbec from a long-established Langhorne Creek winery. The sound system is excellent and the friendliness of hosts Greg and Dave and the staff matches the homely décor and warmth of the room.

 

 

 

 

 

An acknowledgement of country was followed by the no-nonsense announcement, ‘We’re running this as a live theatre event. If you want to talk about the footy, that’s OK, but it would be best if you went somewhere else.’ Fair enough too.

 

Then the five members of Key Grip who, in the words of keyboard player and leader Leo Joseph, have ‘sashayed to SA’ are into the music. Soul and blues with touches of jazz and gospel. A wondrous sound. Leo, deft on the keyboards, his dexterous fingers moving smoothly and easily, his groovy red suede shoes never still. Angela Lount’s vocals are strong and soaring or soft and gentle as the song requires. Evergreen Mitch Preston, solid on drums with an occasional sortie on the brushes – the ‘new technology’ – and Alec Coulson on his brand spanking new bass purchased at Derringers just the day before form a supportive rhythm section. Providing neat touches and longer breaks on tenor saxophone is Lauren Thurlow.

 

While most groups of this genre would be supplemented by an electric guitar, the combination of the choice of material, arrangement of the music and proficiency of the players all came together in splendid manner.

 

 

 

The setlist featured songs from the likes of Ray Charles, Little Willie John and Jon Cleary (a particular favorite of Leo) as well as original compositions of Leo and Angela. Mitch chimed in with a shout of ‘Goolwa’ during the name check of American towns ‘Atlanta, Alabama, Cincinnatta, Chattanooga…’ on Busy Woman’s Blues. A classy slow blues, Last Tango on Sixteenth Street (Boz Scaggs) was a highlight. So were Come Back Baby (Ray Charles), Brother I’m Hungry (Jon Cleary), Love, Life and Money (Little Willie John) and Hell To Pay (Boz Scaggs again).

 

A belting version of Money (Barrett Strong) followed by Hit The Road Jack (Ray Charles) with the obligatory, almost enthusiastic audience response chorus brought proceedings to a close.

 

All in all, an excellent afternoon.

 

Backbeat: I have always admired talented local musicians who, besides working their day jobs, produce such stirring sounds in the performance of their art. The members of Key Grip, ‘the band we play in when we are not playing in other people’s bands’, are no exception. By day Mitch works for Veterans Affairs, Angela for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra while Leo is a scientist with the CSIRO. He has performed solo piano shows to raise funds in support of the conservation of the Golden-shouldered Parrots of Cape York Peninsula. If ever you visit our national capital, the Canberra music scene is well worth checking out and Key Grip are an integral part.

 

And, many years after the demise of the Goolwa Folk and Steam Music Festival, the Murray Delta Juke Joint provides an excellent reason for a visit to the Murray’s mouth.

 

 

Key Grip’s Take My Love at the Murray Delta Juke Joint

 

 

 

With thanks to Jeff Parham for sage advice, photographs and video.

 

 

 

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