A year ago Oz McGowan, or Ozzy McG to the music world, faced a challenge by a friend. To compose a ‘Boogie-Woogie’ song that took in modern day techniques. To write an up to date ‘Hybrid’ that spanned nearly 100 years of musical history. For the songwriter, this was something he couldn’t resist and ‘Atomic Boogie’ is the result.
I still have my Mothers collection of 78’s, I used to play them on an old wind-up gramophone in my teens. Among the best were the ‘Fats Waller’ records, he played ‘honky tonk’ like nothing I had heard before and I always consider him one of the founding fathers of modern Jazz piano. I even think that the ‘Harlem’ style eventually led to the Blues and Rock we are familiar with today. Just listen to ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ and try and keep your feet still ! So when Oz contacted me and asked for my thoughts regarding his latest song, a modern ‘Boogie-Woogie’ with, not only piano but guitars and Synth, I wasn’t going to refuse his request.
The single begins with spoken words from a distant age, defining the ‘Blues’. It’s an introduction to the next four and a half minutes, as ‘Atomic Boogie’ traverses the years. ‘Rag’, ‘Boogie’ or Blues the first slice is all about the origins. It’s not long before the keys are dancing and then there’s a jazz element thrown in. Where have we landed ? I believe it’s a speakeasy in the 1930’s. Moving swiftly forwards, the tone is deeper and slower, with ‘heavy’ synth of the more modern decades. Then it’s almost full circle, the ’Swing’ returns, it’s upbeat and classy. The contemporary and multi instrumental ‘bars’ take us to the end and even after the final notes ‘Atomic Boogie’ lingers in the air.
It may have taken a year to complete, as Ozzy McG is a busy man, but what a brilliant piece of instrumental music. I have added the social links below where you can listen to ‘Atomic Boogie’ and learn about this incredible artist. There are also more songs on Spotify, both originals and covers, that are well worth delving into.
Oz has a career that has been consistent for over 35 years. The man has played over 4500 gigs and held several residences, these day’s he’s a regular ‘in-house’ pianist at Birmingham’s ‘Jam House’. He also plays with the’ Eighty-Nines’ around the Midlands, covering classics from recent years. Whereas his own work is influenced by legends such as Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Bruce Hornsby. Put all this together and you have a talented musician whose style is remarkably varied, Oz dips his fingers into a lot of genres from Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues, Soul and even Indie Rock, not forgetting ‘Boogie’ of course. His versatility and skills, mean Oz is always in demand, over the years he’s played solo shows, with trios and original bands, right up to 10 part soul bands.
Ozzy says “There are many genres of music I love, so I don’t let myself be too constrained as a songwriter/producer to fit into one particular niche. When people ask “what sort of an artist are you?” I reply “I’m an artist who tries to write good songs, that’s it………”
Oz McGowan – Songwriter, Producer, Pianoman
Recorded at Mojo Records
Website: https://ozmcgowan.wixsite.com/ozzy-mcg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EXvJygKzE1mmfZctz4DTM?si=LbiKlQejSpynh6SB3eDRcA
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ozzymcg
