Shot Notes
Legendary Pat Powell (Patou) with the awesome Melbourne Ska Orchestra at the 2014 Blues on Broadbeach Festival. Patou is a British-born Jamaican who moved to Australia. We have likely spent a similar amount of time in all 3 countries. That is all I can claim to have in common, as no matter how much roots music I listen to, I’m still a short skinny white guy. His globe-trotting did not end there. He has sung on the biggest stages and recorded all over the world. Only a legend can get paid to watch Kylie Minogue dance. His voice is as deep, warm and smooth as he looks. You have probably heard him without realising. He is like the James Earl Jones of singing.
This photo is from the early stage of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra when they had just released their first album. Since then they have released six more studio albums, including in 2018 when they released one song a week for a whole year. Impressive for a 34-piece band. That 1 year produced 4 albums which are a homage to the original Ska movement which grew from sound system culture in Jamaica.
The speed of music production is phenomenal.
This website started 20 years ago with reggae festivals in Jamaica. Every week before we knew the No.1 US song, a local band would have arranged and recorded a reggae/ska version and had it in the shops before anyone heard the original. New tunes were just as quick. When Hurricane Ivan passed by. The song telling the story of that hurricane was on the radio before the hurricane made landfall. Since MSO mastered the ska skill of rapid recording, they created a large body of work in a short time. Now they are out of the studio and ready to party.
I highly recommend you see them live if you get the chance.
The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have been confirmed for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.
UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.
UPDATE: I had a chat with Pat. He told me he met the Melbourne Ska Orchestra at Bluesfest as he was hired by Bluesfest to drive the artists bus. Proof it is more than a festival, it does change lives. One more reason to #savebluesfest
That line up is starting to look damn fine
Love this guy!
Great Voice
#savebluesfest
One of the amazong voices in australoa at this time sharing
Music of raggea ska rythym and blues bkues fest is iconic and shoukd
Contunue to be that destival we.all look forwardd to once a year