Monthly Archive for August, 2007

It has been ages since I have been to Alexanders in Chester. I popped in last week and was very surprised to see some bluesy events in the calendar.

• 13-Sep – Kent Duchaine
• 11-Oct – Chris Farlowe
• 15-Oct – Carvin Jones

Just to whet your appetite for the forthcoming gig at the Harbourside Club here’s a sample from Hans Theessink’s biography.

Hans Theessink is an international blues treasure. He is one of the world’s pre-eminent country pickers and his warm baritone expresses blues … these blues swing, soar and challenge you to find them done any better…….(Dr.Blues – Long Island Blues Society News, August 2003

Mr.Theessink sings the blues with a voice the texture of black molasses and plays guitar as if he were born to it. The overall feel of the music is devastating competent. Theessink is deservedly outstanding in his field – Nobody living does it better. (The Living Tradition, UK)

Like others of his generation, in the early 1960’s a love of the Blues took hold of the man whom Bo Diddley described as “one helluva guitarplayer”, and it has not let go since. Above all, the country blues with its earthy and heartfelt sound impressed Hans Theessink (pronounced Tay-sink) and played a major role in his development as a musician.

In the meantime, one of his world-wide recognised and treasured trademarks is his heartfelt interpretation of acoustic blues. Alongside key influences such as Big Bill Broonzy or Brownie McGhee, Hans was also influenced by the great Leadbelly. The latter was known as a “wandering song archive” who was adept in several styles. This musical variety is also a trademark of Hans Theessink. His roots are unmistakably in the blues, but he has also been influenced by countless other aspects of roots music. Through his own songs he has succeeded in building a bridge to the present and in addressing issues which reflect the reality of the here and now.

Theessink’s first recording was released in 1970. Since then his music has continually developed and has attained a status which is unique for a European. This has been confirmed by numerous invitations to the most prominent North American music festivals such as the “New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival”, the “Chicago Blues Festival”, the “Kerrville Folk Festival”, the “Philadelphia Folk Festival”, the “Toronto Soul & Blues Festival”, the “Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival” , the “Edmonton Folk Festival” and the “St. Louis Blues & Heritage Festival”.

With the solo album, “Songs from the Southlands” he released yet another CD (his 16th) in 2003. His CD, “Bridges”, with the Hans Theessink Band was released in 2004, and he has just released “Slow Train”, also with the band.

Hans has become one of the most sought-after live performing artists of the international blues scene playing around 200 concerts a year. He’s played around the globe at festivals, clubs and on numerous radio- and tv-shows and will most likely continue to do so as long as there’s an audience out there.

As he says – “If the groove is right you can’t go wrong”.

Hans Theessink, the Dutch-born and Austrian-based singer and guitarist, has long been one of our finest blues revivalists. His latest, Songs from the Southland, is one of the best albums of traditional, acoustic blues that I’ve heard from anyone in years……… (MR) SING OUT (USA) Fall 2003; Volume 47, Number 3

Hans has got an instantly recognisable sound. He’s a fine songsmith and a strong, confident composer, often of songs with a social conscience.
(Blues on Air, Australia)

See his website at http://www.theessink.com/