8 Ball Aitken Plays Memphis Slim's Adelaide

8 Ball Aitken is back with a brand-new sound, a self-produced laidback soul album ‘HEART AND SOUL’. The recording was mostly completed in Nashville right before he re-located back to Australia twelve months ago. The album debuted at #3 on the Australian Blues & Roots Charts.

The musicians on ‘HEART AND SOUL’ include Grammy winning drummer/producer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy), saxophone legend Buddy Leach (George Thorogood & The Destroyers), Sydney soul singer Taya Chani and 8 Ball’s younger brother Dillion James on Hammond organ and piano. Michael Caruana (Melbourne Ska Orchestra), Tim Carter (Hayseed Dixie) and indie singer Pepper Jane also guested on some tracks.

8 Ball toured the world for more than a decade performing his swampy-blues-rock across twenty countries to date. He’s earned a loyal fanbase from his live shows and internet videos, while paying his dues as a singer, songwriter, slide-guitarist and producer.

8 Ball relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, USA in 2012 and worked for nine years with many of the best in the blues business today. 8 Ball won second place in the 2021 International New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival hosted by blues woman Samantha Fish. His previous album release ‘ICE CREAM MAN’ hit #1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Charts in March 2021.

‘HEART AND SOUL’ CDs and vinyl are available now from the ‘SHOP’ page on 8ballaitken.com along with tour dates, news, videos, merch and more.

“8 Ball Aitken demonstrates that the blues are alive and well Down Under with this deep-in-the-pocket collection of modern blues and blues rock that’s built atop a swamp blues structure.” Chicago Blues Guide

“For a guy from Australia, 8 Ball Aitken really has the Delta in his bones… I wouldn’t be surprised to find Mississippi mud on the soles of his shoes.” - Gonzo Okanagan

“A lovely, enjoyable collection, start to finish, with the inevitable few songs that stand out, and invite you to hit the replay.” Blues In Britain – Graham Munn

“A mixture of balladry, wordplay, and cutting edge guitar, Swamp Blues 2 from 8 Ball Aitken deserves to be in everyone’s collection.” American Blues Scene

"Ice Cream Man is a splendid listen from start to finish. I highly recommend it.”

Philly Cheeze’s Rock & Blues Reviews

"I first saw him when he was young, hairy and straight outa Brisbane. Now he’s all growed up and going global. Unstoppable!”

Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock), Melbourne, Australia

"8 Ball is not an act any band wants to follow! ....even a 5 piece band will have to do some quick and serious note pounding to get 8-ball's vibe off the stage, it just hangs in the air long after he is gone.....he's a freakin solo red headed infector...!"

Mitch Lind, owner/promoter of the Riverhawk and Stringbreak Music Festivals, Florida, USA

“This is outstanding. The way it should be done. You have a new fan.”

Ray Wylie Hubbard (Snake Farm), Texas, USA

www.8ballaitken.com

Event Venue

Memphis Slim's House of Blues, 22 Gilbert Place, Adelaide, Australia