It’s no surprise that the prestigious Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado USA describes Australian guitarist, Nick Charles, as “a world class stylist and composer”. His dazzling, melodic fingerpicking on 6 and 12 string guitars, stinging slide and a lifetime’s stories and songs from the musical highway has him labelled by the Melbourne Age as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”.
During an extensive and acclaimed career, Nick has released many albums on major roots and guitar music labels. This recognition has succeeded in having Nick signed to the Grammy award winning label, Solid Air Records USA (“Home of the world’s finest guitarists”). Averaging 150 shows a year in Australia, New Zealand the USA and the UK, his music encompasses an eclectic mix of acoustic roots including blues, folk and early ragtime jazz.
Anyone who has read his contributions as a regular scribe for Rhythms, has seen him perform live over the last 25 years, or has listened to his recorded output would appreciate the extent of Nick Charles’ musical knowledge and expertise over a wide range of roots music. His guitar virtuosity is best exemplified, however, in blues expression.
From his warm, expressive vocals to his dexterous fingerpicking and earthy slide, Charles’ mastery of the country blues in its various shapes and forms is striking. Whether it’s pre-war jazz inflected picking in the style of Lonnie Johnson, folk blues, Delta or Piedmont, Charles is the consummate talent.
Harmonie German Club
49 Jerrabomberra Ave
Narrabundah
$15 CBS members; $20 General
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