Keyboardist Rick Melick has played with almost every blues artist of note, as well as writing and performing solo, and with his own band, The Self Made Men. This weekend he plays a series of gigs in Adelaide.
The first one tonight at The Wheaty was a solo performance, with Melick on keys and telling stories from his career, whilst tracing the blues from its earliest beginnings.
Starting with two Blind Willie Johnson numbers, Soul of a Man, and John the Revelator, he then moved into the great Robert Johnson’s Come on in My Kitchen. For a change of pace, he threw in a lesser known number by Sam Cooke, Fool’s Paradise, displaying his ability to do bluesy torch-song. Although a solo gig, local muso Gwyn Ashton was in the audience and joined Melick on a couple of numbers, playing some heart-stopping slide. Other numbers on the set-list included Nobody Knows You (When You’re Down and Out), Night Life, John Hiatt’s Lift Up Every Stone, and Down in Mississippi. Sadly, he only had time to do one original from his new album When Your Room is Ready, which gave the audience a taste of Melick’s skill as a composer. The night ended with a gutsy rendition of the standard, Midnight Special.
In between numbers, Melick told stories of the greats, gave background to some of the songs, and delivered a few great anecdotes from his own career, in working with people such as BB King, Eric Clapton, and Joe Bonamassa.
Melick’s personable stage presence, unquestionable musical skill, and heartfelt vocals together make for a fantastic night of live music, perfect for warming you up on a cold winter’s night.
Catch Melick on Friday 17th at Semaphore Workers Club (along with The Fallen Saints), Saturday 18th at The Gov, and Sunday 19th at Three Brothers Arms.
Click below for further details, and to book tickets.
Click here to read our interview with Rick Melick.
A fantastic night for lovers of blues and just damn fine music! 4 stars
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