JAMMIN' @ LIZOTTES: April 23 2006
If you really want a peek at what talented musos the Central Coast is harbouring just go along to one of the many jam sessions that are held on a regular basis at many venues around the Coast. You will rarely find as much passion for music as you do from these dedicated artists and performers.

LISS N SWEETIE:
Although I have seen the name on a few occasions I have never had the absolute pleasure of seeing these ladies perform. The girls opened with a version of "In The Arms Of An Angel" that lulled you but also made the hairs on your arm stand on end as well. If you closed your eyes you could picture them in a church with a choir of angels. Beautiful. This talented duo of Helena and Margaret are the base of whatever size band you need. From this beautiful soft duo to a fuller band to suit any venue's tastes. The girls have been performing together for 15 years and have obviously fine tuned their talents and performances over this time.
I hope to have a more in depth review on the girls from another live performance in the near future. In the meanwhile I can only forsee a great night of entertainment if you happen to get the chance to catch them before that time.

ROSS McGREGOR:
Ross is an original country music singer/songwriter who has also been around for a while. He opened with an unusual version of "Nips Are Getting Bigger". The lyrics were registering but the music line had me thrown for a minute. Different but still good. Not detracting from the original version at all, Ross' version gave the song a bit more feeling and dulled the more comedic side of the original version. His performances of a couple of his original songs 'Fade Away' and 'When You Go' showed some potential for a great album. Ross will be a part of the huge Central Coast Country Music Association's 30th anniversary celebrations at the Toukley RSL club on Sunday April 30. This extravaganza will have some of the Central Coast's most respected Country Music performers plus some surprise special guests as well. The show starts at 1 pm and admission is only $10.

NICK RYAN:
I came back inside from chatting to some of the artists to grabbed gently by the heart and drawn to the lyrics of Nick's Ryan's original work 'Oh Angel'.. as if that wasn't enough he followed with another original song 'Make Me A Diamond'.

Where has Brian been hiding these people I ask myself?.

Just a side note to Nicks performance was the extraordinary talents of the base band here.
Just a few tips form Nick to Lenny and Paul (Soul Station, Big Rhythm) and Marty on percussion and they were playing the music as if they had been playing it for years.

Nick said he didn't actually have a CD for sale out there but was gracious enough to give me a copy of a four track home demo.

Even this simple recording with just Nick doing everything is great. The other two tracks only the CD are just as wonderful... the music and the lyrics... I'm hooked.
If you ever see Nicks name on a gig guide, make the effort and take the time, this is one guy that, although music is a passionate therapy, ought to be out there doing the traps more often than he is now.

SHANE BLAKE:
What an interesting few tales this man has to tell. Shane is another country performer and again, I only made it to hear one of his songs. 'Nothing lasts Forever' is another song that proves simply that we do have some amazingly talented people here on the Coast. Shane has a huge collection of original works and there is one song in particular that I cannot mention but am curious to hear. Shane has played with local band The Rockbottoms and is also a regular at Jammin @ Lizottes. Catch up with him next Sunday and see for yourself.