Andy Fairweather Low leads Berry celebration
Andy Fairweather Low makes a welcome return with his Hi Riders to lead a cast of singers from home and abroad in Rock ‘n’ Roll Music: The Songs of Chuck Berry at this year’s Southern Fried Festival of American roots music in Perth.
The show on Thursday, July 27, in Perth Concert Hall launches the tenth Southern Fried Festival which takes place in venues across Perth city centre until Sunday, July 30.
The guitarist’s guitarist, Andy Fairweather Low’s CV reads like a who’s who of music - Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Roger Waters, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and many more. From the early days of Amen Corner to solo hits including Wide Eyed and Legless, he always delivers.
A prime architect of rock ‘n’ roll, a massively influential singer-songwriter who was covered by and inspired both the Beatles and The Stones and an artist who fused rhythm and blues and country into his unique sound, Chuck Berry shaped much of the music we hear today.
Lining up to explore his extensive songbook are award-wining Canadian soul singer and songwriter Cyndi Cain, bluegrass, folk and country band Flats and Sharps, “the English Bob Segar” Steve Gibbons, Southern Gothic all-country blues singersongwriter Amythyst Kiah, American country singer-songwriter Angaleena Presley, country music legend Doug Seegers, ex-Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart and Welsh pianist and accordionist Geraint Watkins.
Andy Fairweather Low said: “It is beyond words to sum up the effect that Chuck Berry’s guitar playing and life have had on my life and guitar playing. Listening to Radio Luxembourg on my transistor radio, the intro to Johnny B Goode blasting out, I was done! Finished!! No - born!!!
“When I then got to hear Memphis Tennessee I have to tell you I couldn’t figure out what was going on - musically or emotionally … like I said beyond words.
“So I am honoured to be asked back to the Southern Fried Festival. Together with my own band The Hi Riders who will be the house band and with some great guests involved it will be a fantastic evening to honour Chuck.”
Andy Shearer, Southern Fried festival director said: “We’re really excited to open this year’s festival with this fantastic celebration of an American music icon – even more so since we’ve got a world-class musical director in Andy Fairweather Low and his eight-piece soul revue to anchor proceedings. We’re also really pleased with the quality and diversity of the featured artists.’’