NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND

When Martin Scorsese says he wants to feature you in a documentary, you can be reasonably sure you’re doing something right.

Mississippi country blues guitarist Alvin Youngblood Hart didn’t necessarily need that sort of validation when the film director called in 2002 about filming him for the encyclopaedic series, The Blues, but it must have been a nice moment, nevertheless.

Hart was born in 1963 and was never going to be anything else but a muso. These days he is rightly regarded as the best blues exponent of his generation: a big, dreadlocked man with fire in his belly and magic in his fingers.

He’s won a Grammy, a WC Handy award and a Down Beat award. His five albums have won rave reviews. Wim Wenders put him in a movie. Perhaps the greatest accolade accorded him, however, is the least public: whenever blues legend Taj Mahal feels too ill to do a show, he calls Alvin Youngblood Hart to fill in for him. In blues terms, that pretty much like being tapped on the shoulder by God.

Alvin Youngblood Hart plays The Basement on Thursday, August 25. We have four double passes to give away. To score one, call the venue’s box office on 9251 2797 during office hours.

Now, Cat Empire need no introduction. Take away half the band’s members, however, leaving the rhythm second and pianist Ollie McGill, and you have a stunning Empire side project called The Genie.

The Genie do an amazing fusion of jazz, pop and roots genres – not to mention a stonking version of the Doctor Who theme. The band will launch its new album, Here Come The Scissors, at The Basement on Wednesday, August 31. It will be a hoot of a night, and a rare opportunity to see a great combo more usually busy fulfilling the Cat Empire’s global touring schedule.

We have four double passes to give away. To score one, call the venue’s box office on 9251 2797 during office hours.

For a full list of shows at The Basement: www.thebasement.com.au

Contact the writer: amasterson@thebasement.net.au

BY ANDREW MASTERSON