The Black Soap From Monkeyburg – Rick Bryant & the Jive Bombers
(Catalogue No. RRR015)You will hear the latest evolution of Rick Bryant and the Jive Bombers in The Black Soap From Monkeyburg: a dozen new songs, all written or co-written by Bryant, which glance at the classic templates of soul, gospel and rock’n’roll while presenting a witty, wordy, sometimes surreal world-view which is distinctly his own.
Coming soon.
Saint Hilda’s Faithless Boy – Darren Watson
(Catalogue No. RRR014)For Saint Hilda’s Faithless Boy, Darren Watson has returned to his core business – the blues - with a clutch of classy original songs and the hottest band in the land. Drummer Richard Te One and keyboardist Alan Norman had both worked with Watson in Smokeshop, while bass player Elliotte Fuiamaono (Southside Of Bombay) featured on South Pacific Soul. Watson wrote all the songs but one, a bold acoustic reading of the Willie Dixon/Otis Rush classic ‘My Love Will Never Die’. The rest range from shuffles to funk grooves, urban blues to country-soul. There’s even an instrumental with a hint of Weimar cabaret. But it is all infused with Watson’s deep feeling for the blues.
Ghost of Smoke - Bill Hickman
(Catalogue No. RRR013)Ghost of Smoke is the solo debut of eclectic Wellington singer, guitarist and songwriter Bill Hickman. Having played in everything from hard rock groups like Fat Mannequin to country folksters such as The Hobnail Boots and The Shot Band, it was meeting Gillian Welch while opening shows for her in Wellington that got him thinking about what a Bill Hickman record might sound like. Almost four years in the making, the result is this sparse, atmospheric and lyrical set, Bill's country influences informing the writing without obscuring the record's Kiwi core.
Time Comes Around - The Best Of The Windy City Strugglers
(Catalogue No. RRR012)Time Comes Around brings together on one disc some of the standout recordings of one of New Zealand's longest-running bands, Wellington's Windy City Strugglers. Most of the songs have appeared on the Strugglers' five previous albums, have been performed extensively on stage by the Strugglers over the years and are time-tested favourites. Also featured are two hitherto unreleased songs, recorded in 2009 under the guidance of local production legend Ed Cake (Edmund McWilliams).
Purchase CDs from Amplifier.
Shine On - The Windy City Strugglers
(Catalogue No. RRR011)Shine On follows 2004's Kingfisher and 2001's Snow On The Desert Road with a fresh collection of original songs that give a uniquely Antipodean twist to the blues and folk styles on which the group was founded. While never straying completely from the Strugglers' roots, Shine On looks outward to encompass deep soul, bluegrass, Beatle-esque melody… even a tinge of Parisian swing. Shine On brings to disc a number of previously unrecorded songs that have long been staples of the Strugglers' live show, along with hitherto unheard material. As ever, the bulk of the material was written by singer, guitarist and Strugglers' founder Bill Lake and songwriting partner Arthur Baysting, with several contributions from vocalist Rick Bryant.
Inside Stories - Matt Hay
(Catalogue No. RRR010)Inside Stories marks the debut as a frontman for former Cool Disposition founder and harmonica player Matt Hay. On it you will find melodies here that stick in your brain, choruses you'll want to sing along to and lyrics that offer quietly astute commentaries on life's little ups and downs. Co-produced by Hay and fellow Red Rocks artist Darren Watson, Inside Stories is an album that stands proudly alongside the best in roots rock.
Five Songs - Eva and Chris Prowse
(Catalogue No. RRR009)Five Songs is an EP that pays tribute to some of their influences while establishing a musical signature of their own. They offer fresh country-pop arrangements of songs by writers as diverse as Little Feat's Lowell George and New Zealand's own Bic Runga; delve into the blues in a moody treatment of a Little Milton tune, and present a pair of striking Chris Prowse originals - the upbeat, bluegrass-y 'I'll Fly For Your Love' and emotive, Irish-inflected 'Leaving Carrickfergus'.
The Shot Band - The Shot Band
(Catalogue No. RRR008)One of New Zealand's best alt-country bands, combining the spirit of Johnny Cash and the swagger of Keith Richards. The Shot Band features 12 originals, with each of members contributing songs and sharing the harmonies. The result lands this CD somewhere between The Band and Ryan Adams, with a touch of Paul Kelly thrown in for good measure.
South Pacific Soul - Darren Watson
(Catalogue No. RRR007)These ten all-original songs make a powerful case for Watson as one of this country's top singer-songwriters. The album is virtually a roll-call of the Wellington musical fraternity, featuring members of such well-known Wellington outfits as Trinity Roots, Twinset, Southside of Bombay and the Windy City Strugglers on a set of ten brand new originals.
Purchase CDs from CD Kiwi or Smoke CDs.
Purchase downloads from iTunes.
Kingfisher - The Windy City Strugglers
(Catalogue No. RRR006)The Strugglers fourth album Kingfisher finds the band moving away from their jug band origins towards an eclectic and at times electric sound. In this all-original set you will hear harmony and heartbreak, laughter and loss. Kingfisher is a mature work reflecting the years of collective experience, both musical and personal.
Purchase CDs from CD Kiwi or Smoke CDs.
Purchase downloads from iTunes.
Big Water - The Best Of Wellington Blues
(Catalogue No. RRR005)A sampler of the best blues you'll hear today, in Wellington - or anywhere. The album features recordings by well-known Wellington blues artists Marg Layton, Darren Watson, and the Windy City Strugglers. Includes Dave Murphy's "Cigarette Machine" available on CD for the first time.
Purchase CDs from CD Kiwi or Smoke CDs.
Purchase downloads from Amplifier.
Snow On The Desert Road - The Windy City Strugglers
(Catalogue No. RRR004)Snow breaks new ground for the Strugglers as it consists entirely of originals written by singers Rick Bryant and Bill Lake (in collaboration with songwriting partner Arthur Baysting). Not only are the songs new but also the sound. Folk and blues like you've never heard it before.
Purchase CDs from Amplifier.
Time - Rick Bryant and the Jive Bombers
(Catalogue No. RRR003)This is Rick at his soulful best. This album features a number of Bryant originals and a scorching cover of Eddie Hinton's "Everybody Needs Love". Classic Kiwi soul.
Our very own King of Soul . . .
Purchase CDs from CD Kiwi or Smoke CDs.
Purchase downloads from Amplifier.
On Top Of The World - The Windy City Strugglers
(Catalogue No. RRR002)The Strugglers second album mixes the jug band and rural blues for which they first became known, with calypso, gospel, Cajun and classy originals. Highlights include Bill Lake and Arthur Baysting's much-requested "Can't Get Back", and a rustic rendition of the Mississippi Sheiks' "Sitting On Top Of The World", from which the album takes its title.
Home Truths - Bill Lake
(Catalogue No. RRR001)Home Truths is Bill's debut album as a solo artist. It features 14 original songs penned by Bill alone or in collaboration with songwriting partner Arthur Baysting. Although the songs maybe the focus Bill's singing and guitar playing are equally impressive. Includes live favourite "The Way Of The World".
Purchase CDs from CD Kiwi, Smoke CDs or Amplifier.
Affiliated Releases
The following are independently released recordings by Red Rocks artists:
Struggle No More - Windy City Strugglers DVD by Costa Boates
If you missed seeing Costa Botes' feature-length documentary about the Windy City Strugglers, Struggle No More, at the film festival or on Sky's Documentary Channel then you can purchase the DVD from the address below......
"Rewards with its intimacy, the modesty and commitment of its musing musos, and a quiet sense of humour" - Philip Wakefield, Dominion Post
To order the DVD of the documentary, send $40 ($35 for the DVD plus $5 postage) by cheque payable to:
Costa Botes at 80 Hataitai Road, Hataitai, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.
