Hideaway

We type 1986, While in far away Mexico national soccer team 'The Red Devils' are keeping up the honour of a nation, over here in Belgium four young men decide to start making music together. Nothing startling, one may properly observe, hadn't it been so that out of that co-operation a group would grow that would define, for an important part, the outlook of the blues in Flanders for the next ten years. The name of that band: HIDEAWAY (after blues legend Freddie King's 1961 classic).

In a first stage, the repertoire of singer-guitarist Ralph Bonte, guitarist Jean-Marie Herman, bass player Hennie Monballieu and drummer Johan Guid?e is confined to playing through 'obligatory' covers with as main-stop 'Sweet Home Chicago'.

In no time numerous performances in Bruges, Hideaway's hometown, provide the group members the status of local heroes. The self-confidence grows and, step by step, Ralph Bonte starts to supply their playlist with self composed songs.

I. Rockin' and Bluesin'

In the beginning of 1988 Vincent Pierins replaces Hennie Monballieu. That change in personnel gives Hideaway wings. Immediately Pierins proves not only his bass-chops but also his talents as a songwriter. Together with Ralph Bonte he forms a composer's duo which brings grist to the group's mill. In 1990 radio-composer Frank Van Rampelberg introduces Hideaway to Parsifal. And in that same year their first (titleless) CD is released on Blue Sting, a sub-label of that local record company. Van Rampelberg, who constitutes himself as the group's mentor, signs for the producing of that CD.

The straight approach of the CD, that contains eleven own songs and three covers, is regaled with applause from the blues audience as well as from the press, To promote the album, two 45's are released: 'Sweet Baby and 'My Blues'. Both become radiohits.

With a CD in their pocket Hideaway conquers Flanders completely. And today the band members still treasure up the most pleasant memories to the supports of Magic Slim, Koko Taylor, Diz Watson and Doug MacLeod. Climax of this extremely successful period Is the opening-spot on Belgium's most important Blues Festival in Peer. Head-liner on the festival that year was BB King.

Tracklist:
01. Mean Machine (4:12)
02. (I Could Love You If You Wouldn't Bite Your) Fingernails (3:30)
03. Sweet Baby (3:11)
04. Nothing You Can Say (3:04)
05. Red Dress (2:48)
06. Bo's Stew (3:31)
07. Blue Parade (3:36)
08. My Blues (3:54)
09. Week-End Off (2:09)
10. I'm Alone (4:38)
11. Bud's Blues (2:59)
12. Driving Down The Highway (3:16)
13. TV Maniac (3:25)
14. Hideaway (3:31)