Queensland may be a hell of a long way from Louisiana, the sound of the New Orleans Mardi Gras and Saturday night fish fries but Australian singer-songwriter Owen Gray has drawn on the spirit of The Big Easy for his new album, ‘Mumbo Jumbo’.
Inspired by the likes of Dr John, Rickie Lee Jones, Johnnie Johnson and Little Feat, Owen Gray’s organic style is a potent mix of Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Soul, Country and Roots music that refuses to be bound by the restrictions imposed on artists in the 21 st century. From the good-time bar-room blues of the title track, the rollicking shuffle of ‘Coo Ca Choo’ and the funky ‘Do The Do’ through to the tongue-in-cheek, mellow jazz of ‘Henry The Hippopotamus’, the country inflected ‘Stay With Me’ and gospel soaked album closer ‘The Womb’ (one of 5 tracks recorded live on Australia’s Sunshine Coast) ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ is melting pot of musical styles and rhythmic ingredients which is surprisingly familiar yet refreshingly new at the same time.
Owen composed all but two of the album’s tracks: ‘Everyday Living’ and ‘This Side Of Paradise’ were penned by US composer (and member of legendary funk band The Time) Monte Moir whose writing credits include Gladys Knight, Janet Jackson, Patti Austin and many more.
A musicians’ musician who is proficient on bass and guitar as well as piano (his main instrument of choice) Owen has been plying his trade within the confines of the Australian music industry for many years. After establishing a reputation in the country field (including a stint with RCA recording artists Saddletramp) Owen found his calling with the release of his blues album ‘Hanging Out at Harv’s Joint’ in late 2002.
Recorded on a 100-year-old piano in less than two hours ‘Hanging Out at Harv’s Joint’ was a 40-minute snapshot of an artist stripped back to the barest of basics. Sold only at his gigs throughout South East Queensland ‘Harv’s Joint’ was eagerly hunted down by blues fans keen to hear Owen’s raw piano licks and gritty vocal stylings. Respected Australian roots music magazine Rhythms managed to get their hands on a copy and said, “this recording demonstrates a fully formed blues talent with real depth and originality” whilst comparing Owen to the legendary Champion Jack Dupree.
Owen was subsequently invited to join Brother Goose by the late Barry Sullivan, an original member of Australian blues legends Chain. He would play with the group for almost a year and features on their debut album as the piano player and lead vocalist on six of the CD’s nine tracks.
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