| Cited by Downhomer magazine as "rising stars," PowerHouse Blues has generated great excitement amongst blues fans in the province. A literal "Power" house, the band is comprised of lead singer Karen Power and three of her sons—Brad (lead guitar), Chris (bass), and Luke (drums and keyboard), who also plays with Mopaya, Newfoundland’s first African band. Veteran bluesmen Steve Hussey (lead guitar, arrangements) and Peter Narvaez (blues harp) round out the group. Newfoundland blues artist Mark Green first took notice of the Powers' blues prowess when he visited the family in their home in Chamberlains in 1994. To his astonishment, the boys, then aged 11, 13, and 14, could play all the songs on his CD release, Preachin' the Blues. For a time Mark became blues mentor for the group, a role he relinquished to Steve when he relocated to Halifax. Specializing in pre-1960 early urban blues, the band adds their unique flavour to the songs of such blues greats as T-Bone Walker, Johnny Guitar Watson, Little Walter, and Magic Sam. With her full toned gutsy vocals, Karen provides a commanding presence on stage. In September of 2004 PHB was particularly proud to be on the the same bill as Big Bill Morganfield at the CLB Armoury in St. John's. On hearing the band, Bill, the son of Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) and a winner of a W.C. Handy Award for "Best New Blues Artist," voiced his pleasure to band members, saying that he was "impressed" by their blues. The band has not cut a CD yet, but a demo has received extensive recogintion as well as some airplay on CBC. PHB plans on going into the studio in the Spring of 2005 and their many fans eagerly await the results, for as artist promoter June Hiscock observes, the Powers "have the blues in them!" | |
