Originally from Jarrow on Tyne but now living in Colne, Lancashire, Graham has been a blues devotee since he was 14 years of age. Originally inspired to learn the guitar, and drawn to the blues by the brilliant playing of Peter Green in his days with Fleetwood Mac. This initial inspiration led to a voyage of discovery into the magical world of the blues via B.B.King, Freddie King, Otis Rush, T-Bone Walker and then on to the earliest recorded performers such as Blind Lemon, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller and others.
Graham's playing reflects the styles of the early blues masters particularly the east coast, syncopated styles of Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller. However, other major influences include Bo Carter, Lonnie Johnson, Rev. Gary Davis, Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Bill Broonzy, Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, Mississippi Sheiks, Delmore Brothers, and the Memphis Jug Band to name but a few. A typical performance includes impassioned renditions of a selection of songs from the above artists played with energy and conviction on a very old Stella, and National resonator guitars.
Graham has played at the Colne, Burnley, Dundee, Maryport and Upton-on-Severn Blues Festivals. He has played support to blues performers as diverse as Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, The Spike Drivers, Steve James, The Cadillac Kings, Rag Mama Rag, Michael Roach & Johnny Mars, Olli Brown, Ian Siegal, Hans Theesink and Nine Below Zero at venues throughout the north of England.
Playing 'Jivin' Woman Blues' by Blind Boy Fuller
Playing 'Early Morning Blues' by Blind Blake
Playing 'Jitterbug Rag' by Blind Boy Fuller
Playing 'Who Broke The Latch?' by Bo Carter
| Step It Up and Go | |
| Early Morning Blues | |
| Mississippi Blues | |
| That'll Never Happen No More | |
| Dallas Rag | |
| Who Broke the Latch |
"...the only person I know who plays (Blind Boy) Fuller as good as that!!"
East coast, Piedmont Blues Artist Michael Roach
"... nice to see Graham Robinson getting some recognition too - all you Brit posters and lurkers should check him out - nobody in GB does better Blind Boy Fuller. A mean Blind Blake too, and Lonnie Johnson."
Allan Jones, (aka Professor Scratchy), Blind Man's Blues Forum 2008
"...The show also included a very enjoyable bonus in the shape of Colne-based duo Graham Robinson and Dr Ross ('the Washboard Boss'), who provided a great start to the evening on finger picked steel guitar and washboard respectively. Their closing version of "Rag Mama Rag" was particularly impressive."
Lionel Ross, Blues In Britain 2007
"...Graham played an excellent half hour set on a lovely old Stella guitar. Graham is a tremendous finger-picker and this set allowed him to demonstrate his skill. He delivered material from Blind Blake, Big Bill Broonzy, The Delmore Brothers and even gave us a rendition of a Lonnie Johnson tune which required great digital dexterity. Almost every number was a 'finger-buster' played with great style............ he really is one of the best acoustic players around".
You can contact Graham via email at : frams369@uk2.net