Laura Collins & the Back Porch Blues Band
Wellington’s Laura Collins and the Back Porch Blues Band are bringing their ‘show’ of high energy, cheek, musicianship and vocal strength to Hāwera on the 7th of October. Laura is the star of the show, developing her vocal and performance style over many years as a singer songwriter, she has become a real powerhouse of the female blues scene, this chick knows how to rock!
Nevertheless, Laura celebrates her band, giving them licence to shine and shine they do, they have musical pedigrees akin to the Queen’s corgies! Wayne Mason, of course well known for being one of New Zealand’s much-lauded singer songwriters, is the master of boogie, burning it up on the keys and adding his iconic voice to the vocal mix. Think Fats Domino, think Dr John, think Professor Longhair and you’ll be well in the right honky tonk.
The understated John O’Connor will eat it up on lead guitar, never self-indulgent – just soulful and astonishing. He’s played with everyone along the way, from BB King to Kiri Te Kanawa.
The rhythm section brings a warm acoustic volume with George Barris who has played extensively in Europe on tasty upright bass and Peter Cogswell on his signature ‘back porch’ drumkit, proving you don’t need to be loud to groove. This is a back line most artists would sell their soul for.
The lads offer up many a four-part vocal harmony to Laura’s lead, often combining for a lush gospel blues sound. Expect to hear a little Francine Reed, Catherine Russell, Fats Domino, Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, some of Laura’s own compositions and others she puts her stamp all over, including a version of Hound Dog that will leave you wondering why anyone including Elvis bothered to cover it!
This band are dynamic, masterful, tight and all about entertainment. A band of ‘old hands’ who have been making music a long time, absolutely revelling in the playing.