Australasia's Premier Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Show

Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute Show

Talk about sticking your neck out.
The moment you decide as a band to pay tribute to any artist you are opening yourself up to instant comparisons and worse ridicule. One thing for sure no matter who the artist you had better be able to carry it off or be prepared to be slammed by every fan who see anything less than perfection as a slight on their particular musical hero.

Why Stevie Ray Vaughan. Well if you are going to do a tribute show you might as well start somewhere near the top. Stevie Ray Vaughan is as any self-respecting SRV fan will loudly proclaim “The best guitarist of his and probably anyone’s generation”. Along with Jimi Hendrix the most influential guitarist of their time.

Of course, this poses a problem, how do we do this artist justice, at least in the eyes of his many somewhat obsessive fans to whom nothing short of absolute note perfect delivery will be tolerated. Well it all starts with the guitarist and thankfully Tony Painting is that guitarist. There are very few guitarists in New Zealand who would come close to Tony or has the pedigree of this UK born guitarist. If anyone can pull off Stevie Ray Vaughan then its Tony and he does.

There is a reason why no one has tried to pull this off before. It’s bloody difficult. Many guitarists have tried and given up preferring to leave the memory unsullied. Of course as any musician will tell you it’s not just the frontman, it’s the whole package. The musicians who stand behind need to be every bit as outstanding as the one in front and they are.

Tony Painting and The Power have become firm favourites with the music loving public and musicians alike. Fronted by UK born guitarist and vocalist Tony Painting, their special brand of blistering guitar based boogie blues/rock is a real show stopper. But don’t make the mistake in thinking this band only plays it fast and loud. There is a liberal sprinkling of songs with soft melodic blues, jazz fusion undertones that can’t help but impress the hardest rockers. Every show also includes a sprinkling of originals pulled from Tony’s UK released “Band of Gypsys” album.

Notably known for their blues/rock styling's, Tony and The Power can and do cover a wide range of musical genres or styles, and depending on the venue or function for which they have been hired, you could expect to hear them play anything from Stevie Wonder to Dire Straits, Santana to The Beatles. Unlike other blues stylized bands the depth and collective experience within The Power means they can just about play anything. The key to this is a lineup of seasoned musicians with diverse musical backgrounds (see bios)

Tony Paintings UK roots are well known having spent the better part of the 70s, 80s and 90s as a working musician, (see bios) touring the many pubs and clubs in the UK, and later after the release of his “Band of Gypsys” album where Tony penned all but two of the songs, was invited to either support or play with some of the Uk’s best known artists including, UB40, Jools Holland Big Band, Ozzy Osborne, Ruby Turner and Robert Plant.

Reviews:

Tony Painting is fantastic
Legends Bar, Auckland - Fri 24 Sep 2010
Posted 26/09/2010 by shah
This Fan's Reviews
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
I had never imagined, anyone could play Stevie Ray Vaughn's songs. To me Tony Painting is a genius and it was a great privilege for me to meet him and his professional band. It was a fantastic night.
Favourite moment: When he played Texas Blues and Mary had a little lamb

Tony Painting was amazing at Stampede
Stampede Bar and Grill, Auckland, Sat 11 Sep 2010