Inspired by the likes of Dr John, Rickie Lee Jones, Johnnie Johnson and Little Feat Owen Gray's organic style is a potent mix of Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Soul, Country and Roots music that refuses to be bound by the restrictions imposed on artists in the 21st century. From the good-time bar-room blues of the title track, the rollicking shuffle of Coo Ca Choo and the funky Do The Do through to the tongue-in-cheek, brassy jazz of Henry The Hippopotamus, the country inflected Stay With Me and gospel soaked album closer The Womb (one of 5 tracks recorded live on Queensland's Sunshine Coast) MUMBO JUMBO is melting pot of musical styles and rhythmic ingredients which is surprisingly familiar yet refreshingly new at the same time.

Owen composed nine of the album's eleven tracks: Everyday Living and This Side Of Paradise were penned by US composer (and member of legendary funk band The Time) Monte Moir whose writing credits include Gladys Knight, Janet Jackson, Patti Austin and many more.

A musicians' musician who is proficient on bass and guitar as well as piano (his main instrument of choice) Owen has been plying his trade within the confines of the Australian music industry for many years. After establishing a reputation in the country field (including a stint with RCA recording artists Saddletramp) Owen found his calling with the release of his blues album Hanging At Harv's Joint in late 2002.

Recorded on a 100 year old piano in just under two hours Hanging At Harv's Joint was a 40 minute snapshot of an artist stripped back to the barest of basics. Sold only at his gigs throughout South East Queensland Harv's Joint was eagerly hunted down by blues fans keen to hear Owen's raw piano licks and gritty vocal stylings. Respected Australian roots music magazine Rhythms managed to get their hands on a copy and said "this recording demonstrates a fully formed blues talent with real depth and originality" whilst comparing Owen to the legendary Champion Jack Dupree.

Owen was subsequently invited to join Brother Goose by the late Barry Sullivan, an original member of Chain. He would play with the group for almost a year and features on their debut album as the piano player and lead vocalist on six of the CD's nine tracks.

With all roads leading to the birthplace of the blues Owen figured it was time to listen to the signs and is eagerly anticipating the release of this project.

MUMBO JUMBO WAS released on Revenge Records on Monday 5th September, 2005 and distributed by Only Blue Music.

To hear Audio Demos please CLICK HERE

Mark Doherty
October 2002
Rhythms Magazine - ISSUE 123
Australia's Roots Music

Question: When does one piano sound like two?
Answer: When Owen Gray cuts loose.

The man behind the moving St Vincent De Paul theme song "Crying in the Streets" has stripped back to the roots from which his illustrious music career first sprang almost thirty years ago.

Owen Gray's new 'raw and uncensored' sound, featuring himself on vocals and piano, reflects not so much a change in direction as a celebration of spirit. Owen says his new album 'Hanging At Harv's Joint' is all about honoring his inner feelings.

After a decade of creating music for his former publishing company, Owen says the "raw and uncensored" sound on this album represents who he really is and where he's really at. "I'm now prepared to take the risk of letting people hear the real me," he says.

The real Owen, it turns out, is a one-man musical phenomenon. A gifted ivory-tickler in his own right, Owen has the singular ability to play broad and beautiful chords, pumping bass runs, and brilliantly sparkling melodies simultaneously. You would swear two pianos (and sometimes three) are going at the same time.

While the new album is essentially Owen's take on the blues, it also showcases an amazing variety of jazz, roots and gospel influences as well - all awash with the honky tonk stylings that run through this album like a freight train.

He is the musicians' musician, the showman's showman. His ability to take audiences with him, wherever his musical journey travels, is powerful testimony to his conviction, his enormous natural talent, and his unearthly gifts as a complete musician.

Owen Gray is the real deal.

To hear Audio Demos please CLICK HERE