Beating the Blues

1999

When you've 'got the blues' there's certain things you just gotta do. You've gotta get out (preferably travel somewhere) and get something good to eat and drink. No better way to get rid of that low feeling.

The sound of the waves, while sitting on the dock of the bay, both evokes and soothes the blues. So travel to the water, maybe to St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel) or Queenscliff (where you can hop on the Blues Train); you could go west - Yarraville's Commercial Hotel; south, in Prahran - The Continental or Muddy Waters or North, Fitzroy's Rainbow and Rochester Castle Hotels. In all directions, you'll find some great blues music, food and drink - the best solution to the blues.

If you can get yourself as far as Queenscliff, the Blues Train does it all for you. This is a vintage narrow gauge steam train which next Saturday carries musicians (Chris Wilson, Dave Steel, The Bibbits and the Rockn'R's) in each of the four carriages and about 180 blues' fans. It runs just a few times each year from Queenscliff to Drysdale and back. The train sets off in the evening from Queenscliff station, stops at Suma Park siding for the soup starter and the opportunity to buy some wine to take on board and then onto to Drysdale for supper. The food comes from Pasquinis Deli, Portarlington. Rick Rogerson, who was previously at Suma Park (from whence the Blues Train was created) is now a partner at the deli. He was anxious to make sure people did not think they were going on the Orient Express. "ours is an old (98 years) train, not done up, but great for a terrific party. The food is simple (vegetable terrine, arancini, chicken skewers), we started off doing a 'proper' dessert but found that (by dessert time) people were too busy dancing and ignored it."

The Espy Kitchen in St Kilda has a strong following for food alone and the hotel's blues fans concentrate more on scotch, brandy and beer than on food. For the past nine years, on Monday nights, the band Dianna Kiss has been providing a quintessentially Melbourne version of the blues and a lot more. The music of this band (also on Tuesdays at the Rochester Castle Hotel) defies labels, it comes from specific musical genius (Ross Hannaford, Russell Smith., Jex Saarelaht - amongst others) and the influence of many musical mentors. Just like Melbourne food - the input of many cultures on our menus. But what's so important is the 'taste' - and the D. Kiss guys (like great chefs) have really got it.

The feeling amongst the operators of the good music venues already mentioned is that a lot more people are now trying to experiment with music (just like they do with food) so blues and roots music is coming into its own. Bernard Galbally of The Continental says that the people who come to hear blues bands in the upstairs room, rather than mainstream music, are more appreciative of good food and service. The Continental's customers have plenty of reasons to feel secure, the operators here have extensive hospitality experience, Food and service for all the varied music evenings held here maintain a more than reliable standard as set by the cafe downstairs, one of Melbourne's most recommended.

At Muddy Waters, and at the Commercial Hotel, the menus reflect the eclectic style of blues fans. But none of the venues mentioned here (with the exception of the Blues Train) are dedicated exclusively to the blues. They all offer a range of music.

However, an affinity with the blues does help to make them special, to be acutely sensible and sensitive to influences - be they in food or music and so get that flavour and taste which beats the blues.

For bookings and further information on the Blues Train, call the Queenscliff Music Festival Inc. Infoline 1900130060

These places will be part of the updated Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne. For more information, visit Mietta's web site. www.miettas.com.au