Geoff Achison, The Souldiggers - 20th Anniversary Concert (1994-2014) (2014)

Tracklist

01. Tell Me Something I Don't Know (Live)
02. Crazy Horse (Live)
03. Rule the World (Live)
04. Natch'l Fax (Live)
05. Adam & Eve (Live)
06. Jungle (Live)
07. One Ticket, One Ride (Live)
08. Magic Belt (Live)
09. Help Yourself (Live)
10. Living in Fear (Live)
11. Be Careful What You Wish For [Bonus Track] (Live)

Guitarist Geoff Achison is a self taught musician inspired by the great blues guitarist such as Freddie King, Albert King and Buddy Guy. Impressed by the individual technique each of these players possessed, he worked hard to develop his own unique style. Whether he is with his Souldiggers group or simply solo with an acoustic guitar, Geoff’s infectious and inventive approach has earned him fans around the world.

He began playing in his father's dance band at the age of 13. He developed a passion for American blues and learned the rudiments of the art form. In his early 20s he moved to Melbourne and joined with legendary local bluesman 'Dutch' Tilders. After several years with Dutch he departed to focus on his own music and embarked on an international campaign.
His first stop was the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA where he won the 'Albert King Award' and was offered an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars. This led to further US visits eventually linking him with management in Atlanta GA. Excursions to the UK resulted in tours there also with great success. To combat the difficulties of keeping a band together in those lean, early years, Geoff began to develop a system of hiring local musicians to create his Souldiggers group wherever he found himself. It was this method that made acceptance of international offers possible and Geoff’s tri-continental touring schedule increasingly included regular jaunts throughout Australia, Europe and the USA.

He re-located his family to the USA for a time and he spent many months on the road performing countless live shows and recording his One Ticket, One Ride album there. Turning up regularly in clubs all over the eastern states, a 2008 Guitar Player magazine reader’s poll listed Geoff as one of the Top 10 ‘Hot New Guitarists’ on the US scene. He adores jamming with other musicians and has developed close musical relationships with many other artists including Georgia based songwriter/musician Randall Bramblett with whom he shares a ‘live’ album release, Jammin’ In The Attic. His annual Boxing Day Blues concert with Australian bluesman Chris Wilson has also resulted in a shared album release titled Box Of Blues. The passion for impromptu music making has paid off on a personal level too with Geoff being invited onstage at various times with some of his musical heroes such as Hubert Sumlin, Delbert McClinton, Jorma Kaukonen, legendary bassist George Porter JR, the Allman Brothers Band and even the great Les Paul.

Geoff also enjoys teaching. He presents guitar workshops on request and has been a regular guest instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s famous Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio since the ranch began in 1998.

In recent times his album releases Box Of Blues (with Chris Wilson), the acoustic Live at Burrinja Café and the electric Live at Guitars Across The Bay scooped the pool at both the 2012 & 2013 ‘VicTas’ blues awards. Meanwhile, his Little Big Men album has been re-issued in the US & Europe to renewed critical acclaim. Also in 2012 Geoff was named as one of the Top 50 Australian Guitarists in Australian Guitar magazine. Geoff’s awards include trophies from organisations such as the Australian Songwriters Association; ‘Chain’ Blues Awards and the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. (Geoff was named their official ‘Patron’ in 2011)

Geoff and The Souldiggers celebrated 20 years in the business in 2014 performing a concert in Melbourne, Australia filmed and recorded for a double-disc DVD-CD release.

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