Albums
"The first thing you notice about this record is the fantastic sound. With just the right mix of dirt and clarity.. (this record).. creates a sonic atmosphere that sets it apart from its contemporaries." - Matt Fredricks, PBS
2013 BEST LIVE ALBUM (WORLDWIDE)
Canadian/USA Blues Underground Network's Year End Review 2013
2013 BEST AUSTRALIAN BLUES ALBUM
Canadian/USA Blues Underground Network's Year End Review 2013
2013 BEST DEBUT ALBUM
VIC/TAS Blues Awards presented by Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society
2013 BEST AUSTRALIAN BLUES ALBUM
Rhythms Magazine Reader's Poll
#1 Australian Blues Roots Airplay Chart
Debut May 2013
#1 Canadian/USA Blues Underground Network Chart
Sept-Nov 2013
On September 8th, 2012 MR BLACK & BLUES attempted a
world-first: To make a live record on a moving train.
The result is a sensational new LP BLOW THESE TRACKS.
"brilliant player.. brilliant album.. 3/3 stars" - Jeff Jenkins
"an absolute cracker" - Maxwell Von Crawdaddy
"truly righteous Blues" -Tony Jaggers
"Its fantastic.. believe me"- Geoff Pegler
"an absolute corker, really fabulous live sound & beautifully produced" - Basement Discs
"stops you in your tracks.. get yourself a copy of this ASAP" - Barry Maxwell
Having returned from London after 10 years abroad and having played together a number of times on the Blues Train with explosive results, Mr Black & Blues asked Australian Blues music legend CHRIS WILSON to make recording history on one of Australia’s live music institutions. Not just any train, Queensliff’s own LEGENDARY BLUES TRAIN.
As anyone who has experienced the electrifying atmosphere of the Blues Train will understand, the endeavor was lofty in its ambition and also fraught with challenges.
“Blow these Tracks”, is a follow on from debut EP/DVD, “The Morning Light”, and includes songs from this first record as well as yet to be released albums, “Long Road Home”, “Live this Moment” and “Velvet Love” which are already completed and slated for release in 2013 and 2014.
No-one was quite sure what the results would be but after sensational live performances from these two fine professionals, and a roaring contribution form the audiences and train alike Michael set about editing and producing this record with the help of Sonic Architect genius Colin Wynne.
After three months of dedicated production work the album is now ready to be launched in Australia, Europe, and the Americas by Michael’s own BREAKNECK RECORDS.
The Australian Launches were held at CHERRY BAR on May 19th, two SOLD OUT shows on THE BLUES TRAIN on Friday May 24th, and Saturday May 25th and then a final Melbourne show on May 31st at Basement Discs.
The launch was also proudly supported by PBS RADIO as a “PBS Presents” event
The Morning Light
CD + DVD
ROUGH TRADE UK REVIEW
After suffering a near fatal surfing accident, Michael Pollitt, aka Mr Black & Blues, spent his recovery time writing and recording this startling debut in London's legendary Toerag studios.
A driving, foot-stomping album of traditional blues, propelled by Pollitt's immaculate guitar and lap steel playing as well as some exquisite backing from a crack band, this is a fantastic essay in re-working traditional forms into something vital, original and honest.
On legendary London venue the Spitz' own imprint, Spitz Records, in the UK, AltMusic @ SONY, and Black Market Music in Australia, under exclusive license from Michael's own Breakneck Records.
2013 AUSTRALIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Rhythms Magazine Reader's Poll
2013 AUSTRALIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Rhythms Magazine Reader's Poll
#1 Australian Blues Roots Airplay Chart
November 2013
Hot on the heels of the Australian Blues and Roots Chart #1 debut, VIC/TAS awarded best debut, and Canadian Blues Underground Network #1 smash album, BLOW THESE TRACKS – Live on The Blues Train with special guest Chris WiIson, comes MR BLACK & BLUES second full length album and third release: LONG ROAD HOME.
This is a feel good roots blues rock "band in a room".
"So hot it melted my car stereo!" - Lloyd Spiegel
"One hot album! Usually the follow up album to a number 1 charting album is a hard act to follow, but with 'Long Road Home' Mr Black & Blues hits top gear with this very fine album of blues. World class, every track!"”
- Geoff Pegler from BluesBeat Radio
“Matt Taylor invented Oz Blues & Michael Pollitt is cut from the same cloth. Long Road Home is a gritty, heartfelt work of wonder.” - Duncan Smith at TOP SHELF MUSIC 89.7FM
"The new album is fabulous. Great feel, sparse rootsy Banjo and smokin blues delivery. This one is up two more notches. Love it!" - Salty Dog - Blues N Roots Radio
Recorded by ARIA winner Jason McGann, and Michael himself, in a house in Colac, country Victoria and mixed at OneMusic Asia by sonic architect genius Colin Wynne, the record is a feel-good roots blues rock "band in a room” and features founding John Butler Trio drummer McGann on kit, piano, and bass, as well as session hero and former Giants guitarist Tony Forbes on banjo and guitar, and ARIA winning Waifs bassist and Stillsons producer Ben Franz on double.
Michael Pollitt features on guitars, vocals, bass, and harmonica, as well as handling production duties.
The album is also the first full length release hot off the desk of production legend Mark Opitz's OneMusic Studio in Melbourne and was mastered @ 301 in Sydney by Steve Smart.
“Long Road Home tells the story of my journey to find the true meaning of the word “Home”.
The songs are forged out of the transition from living in London for 10 years then suddenly moving back to Australia.
The change was driven by some brutal and unfortunate circumstances, which is always cause for reflection, but life is never all good or all bad and as I found my feet back in Australia my journey gave me “silver lining” moments which culminated in the formation of the friendships that would eventually come together to make this record.
They say ‘home is where the heart is’. Home is my friends and family to whom I am eternally grateful, regardless of time and distance. Home is knowing I can be myself regardless of what anyone else thinks. Home is a state of mind, it is the ball of light in my chest I have learned to go into and grow each time I play. Home is the stage on which I stand that night, the flash of light between everything else, wherever I am in the world. And the long road that leads me there is my journey.
The subject matter takes in all the relationship shifts and the emotional rollercoaster that any major life change will drive but specifically tells the story of my move back to Australia and the process of making a new Home again here.”
Mr Black & Blues MUSIC SAMPLER
CLICK an album cover to SELECT ALBUM to sample
CLICK the PLAY ARROW to SAMPLE each track
use SLIDER to move down track list
Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records Breakneck Records
Mr Black and Blues Mr Black & Blues Breakneck Records Blow These Tracks Long Road Home The Morning Light
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Long Road Home
Mr Black and Blues Mr Black & Blues Breakneck Records Blow These Tracks Long Road Home The Morning Light