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Sunday, April 03, 2005
Fred's Sydney visit . . . part 1
Way back, during one of Audrey Auld's local pub gigs in the 90s, when she was beginning to make her presence felt in the Sydney country music scene, I remember her talking about a Canadian guy who she just "adored" and she then went on to do a version of Fred Eaglesmith's Crazier. I was hooked. The imagery of a tormented ex-lover demanding chaos back in his life appealed to me. It was also a great excuse to have a chat with Audrey after her set and she gave me the run-down on the guy I now consider one of the better singer/songwriters still on the road for around 300 days a year. I've seen Fred every time he's been Downunder and it's been a strong learning curve to hear him in as diverse roles as a solo performer, in music-in-the round concerts and with pick up bands (mostly involving Bill Chambers and Audrey). I was also fortunate enough a couple of years ago to drive Fred on the two-hour drive back to his Sydney hotel after a great performance in Newcastle with Audrey supporting and joining in.
Fred's first Sydney gig on this tour was at the Vic On The Park, the scene of many nights of pure joy and music memories with Bill & Audrey's Hillbilly Jam. We often heard their songs being aired well before they were released on CD and we would also be delighted when Kasey Chambers or Catherine Britt would drop in for a couple of numbers. Fred played this venue with a pick-up band, including Bill and Audrey, on his last tour which saw quite a few Fred converts. This time, however, Fred was showing up with his own outfit, including the legendary Canadian musician, Willie P. Bennett. Being a work-the-next-morning night, I planned to not drink but to take precise notes, take a few photos and be in full control of my mind and my old cassette tape recorder which I usually put on if I want to review a show later.
Dan Walsh and Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers was already up on stage doing his version of Mary Gauthier's I Drink. He was accompanied by a tall, shaven-headed bloke in a check, flannel shirt who was working away on his Dobro. This HAD to be Dan Walsh! Settle in down the front, mindful of leaving room for the early birds to retain their clear vision of the stage as Bill launches into his rockin' This Ain't Your F'n Town No More. This will be one of the features of the upcoming CD. Dan is obviously enjoying himself and takes each solo Bill throws at him with competent ease. Bill then launches into a set of three covers - Steve Earle's Can't Remember If We Said Goodbye, Cash's Big River and Dylan's Don't Think Twice - all very much appreciated by the growing crowd. Then another song I don't remeber hearing before, Colder Than The Winter, before a neat Arlo Guthrie Old Cowboy Song. The final two numbers are for the CD as well - Last Thing I Expected and Poison Blood, the title song for the new CD and co-written With Kasey's roadie, Worm. Bill is honing his story-telling skills with the introduction to this and it seems totally believable to those who know of the infamous "Worm". Another great set from Bill. He and Dan appear comfortable with each other all through.
During the set break, one of the bouncers orders all the people who had been sitting on the floor in front of the stage to stand, giving the confusing excuse that they may block exit space in an emergency! They were still all there and actually made room for another twenty or so to stand as well - effectively blocking the stage view from almost all areas of the room - let alone exit space!. Gotta love these organisers! There was now a giant of man on stage meticulously arrangng his instruments and playing area who could be none other than Willie P. A few minutes after he finished the band wandered in from every direction and began a soft tuning melody which seemed to herald the person we were all there to see. Fred launches straight into I Ain't Ever Givin' In over the top of a tide of whoops and hollers from the better-than-expected crowd. The song electrifies the room and Fred keeps up the momentum by following up with a rocky Rev It Up which, more than the first song, shows us what a force this band is going to be for the rest of the night.
Fred says hello and slows down into the creepy ballad, Spookin' The Horses, which keeps the crowd on its toes with some fine lyrical nuances wrapped around yet another "love" song. Then the song which had been going around in my head for days and damned if I could get rid of it - Time To Get A Gun. Of course the mob love the illusion of Fred as a gun-totin', rebel-rouser but most of us know it's not like that. But is sure was good to, at last, have that song heard live and allow my head to move on. Then Fred starts the first of many spiels or stories and this first one entails explaining their visit to a wildlife park during the day and their interaction with the rangers and the lack of kangaroos on display. This seemed to cock the trigger for more than a few smart-arse comments from the drunkening few in the room who always seem to turn up at Fred shows down here, presumably because they believe they can easily interject and piss Fred off when he pauses in his stories. Most of the time Fred shuts them up with a few well-chosen words but it was obvious there was someone down front who was getting right into his face with some infantile comments and blowin' smoke on the stage at the same time. As Fred said a little later: "Here's a guy down here, smoking and drinkin' and all he wants is for me to sing Alcohol And Pills!" The story ricochets from kangaroos to boomerangs ("Ya can't get around them, it seems!") to Canada's trillions of seals. Georgia Overdrive blasted off the stage with solo breaks from all and the first appreciation of how hard Roger works his multiple instrumental duties, swapping from lead guitar to pedal steel and back again, while Willie was stoking up the strings on that little monster of a mandolin. He had already shown his prowess on the harp in an earlier song. All this time Dan was hovering anywhere he was needed and the rhythm section was appropriately understated, allowing the people upfront to get on with the business end of the material.
A song I hadn't heard before but which I now know is from Dusty - Crowds. I've yet to buy Dusty so can't make any reference to what the rest of the album contains. Whatever, if they're all along the lines of this one then that's OK by me. Then the hilarious duologue beween himself and himself and why he doesn't play more of his latest album - out on a Major Label, of course. A few more hecklers and Fred's not entirely satisfied he's got control of what's happening in front of him so he continues on with some more about boomerangs and a story about drive-by harpoonists in Canada! Calls booomerangs "rangs" and harpoonists "poons". Most of the crowd is in stitches. Then it's into Wilder Than Her which will take on a whole new meaning before Fred's visit is over - watch this space. Harold Wilson and the first time I'd heard it live - something beautiful going on in there which is not always evident if you aren't listening carefully - note to loudish, loutish talkers. A couple of more new songs, to me, one of them a song about sand in the gears and Sister Cried(?). Had to take a forced "medication" break so missed the next song entirely and couldn't convince my drinking pals to tell me what it was.
On stage at the Vic . . .
Then the racy 49 tons came roaring out at us and the band was in full flight chasin' Fred's singing all the way. Willie almost strangled that mandolin with actions you might normally associate with Hendrix. The slide work was a bonus but I still felt for those little strings. Ironically, it was Fred who snapped a string and Willie immediately put his instrument on the floor to change it for him while Fred went on a ten-minute laugh-a-thon introducing the band members. If even half the stories are true then he's put together a bloody great band from what appears to have been a bunch of amateurs! The re-start of 49 Tons heralds the end of the band for the night and it's obvious Fred was going to settle the crowd with a few solo numbers as an encore. I should have done it earlier but before he starts his first solo song, Evelynne, I called out politely for Flowers In The Dell - as I do - but I think Fred was thinkin' more of how to deal with his "mates" down front. I've heard the Amaretta story before but it's still up there as one of his classics and those in the room who hadn't heard it were breakin' up all over the place - probably recognition within their own life stories. You could tell Fred was becoming a little strained and he wandered softly and gently into Drive-In Movie which would, unfortunately, prove to be the last song of the night. But what a night. I've heard most of the songs - but there's nothing like hearing 'em from the stage with a red-hot band playin' all over and around them as the songmeister goes about his business. Thanks Fred! Thanks Squirrels!
But wait! There's more! The idiot annoyer down front had gravitated to the merchandise table where Fred was being Fred and began to hassle and berate him up close. Fred wasn't about to take a backward step but neither was he about to make a fool of himself. Around about then, Dan appears from nowhere like a great, dark cloud and gently but firmly propels the guy a few metres backwards with a look that says: "If you go back there, you're not gonna like what happens!" The bouncer eventually listens to one of the promoters and discovers the real reason he's on duty and gets the idiot out the door, closely followed by his mate and girlfriend. Everyone relaxes and the night slowly comes to an end and we all say goodbye with a handshake here and a nod there to the band and friends and a good feeling that all the good music we heard wasn't spoiled by the antics of a drunk.
PS: A few things, apart from my brain, have gone haywire over the past two days and I've lost the Bridge review to the black hole of the mysterious cyberspace. I'll try to get another one up tomorrow and add a few more pictures to my photo album. (I think if you click on the photos above you'll be directed to the host page where there's already a few pics for your perusal). If not, try this.
Fred's first Sydney gig on this tour was at the Vic On The Park, the scene of many nights of pure joy and music memories with Bill & Audrey's Hillbilly Jam. We often heard their songs being aired well before they were released on CD and we would also be delighted when Kasey Chambers or Catherine Britt would drop in for a couple of numbers. Fred played this venue with a pick-up band, including Bill and Audrey, on his last tour which saw quite a few Fred converts. This time, however, Fred was showing up with his own outfit, including the legendary Canadian musician, Willie P. Bennett. Being a work-the-next-morning night, I planned to not drink but to take precise notes, take a few photos and be in full control of my mind and my old cassette tape recorder which I usually put on if I want to review a show later.
Dan Walsh and Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers was already up on stage doing his version of Mary Gauthier's I Drink. He was accompanied by a tall, shaven-headed bloke in a check, flannel shirt who was working away on his Dobro. This HAD to be Dan Walsh! Settle in down the front, mindful of leaving room for the early birds to retain their clear vision of the stage as Bill launches into his rockin' This Ain't Your F'n Town No More. This will be one of the features of the upcoming CD. Dan is obviously enjoying himself and takes each solo Bill throws at him with competent ease. Bill then launches into a set of three covers - Steve Earle's Can't Remember If We Said Goodbye, Cash's Big River and Dylan's Don't Think Twice - all very much appreciated by the growing crowd. Then another song I don't remeber hearing before, Colder Than The Winter, before a neat Arlo Guthrie Old Cowboy Song. The final two numbers are for the CD as well - Last Thing I Expected and Poison Blood, the title song for the new CD and co-written With Kasey's roadie, Worm. Bill is honing his story-telling skills with the introduction to this and it seems totally believable to those who know of the infamous "Worm". Another great set from Bill. He and Dan appear comfortable with each other all through.
During the set break, one of the bouncers orders all the people who had been sitting on the floor in front of the stage to stand, giving the confusing excuse that they may block exit space in an emergency! They were still all there and actually made room for another twenty or so to stand as well - effectively blocking the stage view from almost all areas of the room - let alone exit space!. Gotta love these organisers! There was now a giant of man on stage meticulously arrangng his instruments and playing area who could be none other than Willie P. A few minutes after he finished the band wandered in from every direction and began a soft tuning melody which seemed to herald the person we were all there to see. Fred launches straight into I Ain't Ever Givin' In over the top of a tide of whoops and hollers from the better-than-expected crowd. The song electrifies the room and Fred keeps up the momentum by following up with a rocky Rev It Up which, more than the first song, shows us what a force this band is going to be for the rest of the night.
Fred says hello and slows down into the creepy ballad, Spookin' The Horses, which keeps the crowd on its toes with some fine lyrical nuances wrapped around yet another "love" song. Then the song which had been going around in my head for days and damned if I could get rid of it - Time To Get A Gun. Of course the mob love the illusion of Fred as a gun-totin', rebel-rouser but most of us know it's not like that. But is sure was good to, at last, have that song heard live and allow my head to move on. Then Fred starts the first of many spiels or stories and this first one entails explaining their visit to a wildlife park during the day and their interaction with the rangers and the lack of kangaroos on display. This seemed to cock the trigger for more than a few smart-arse comments from the drunkening few in the room who always seem to turn up at Fred shows down here, presumably because they believe they can easily interject and piss Fred off when he pauses in his stories. Most of the time Fred shuts them up with a few well-chosen words but it was obvious there was someone down front who was getting right into his face with some infantile comments and blowin' smoke on the stage at the same time. As Fred said a little later: "Here's a guy down here, smoking and drinkin' and all he wants is for me to sing Alcohol And Pills!" The story ricochets from kangaroos to boomerangs ("Ya can't get around them, it seems!") to Canada's trillions of seals. Georgia Overdrive blasted off the stage with solo breaks from all and the first appreciation of how hard Roger works his multiple instrumental duties, swapping from lead guitar to pedal steel and back again, while Willie was stoking up the strings on that little monster of a mandolin. He had already shown his prowess on the harp in an earlier song. All this time Dan was hovering anywhere he was needed and the rhythm section was appropriately understated, allowing the people upfront to get on with the business end of the material.
A song I hadn't heard before but which I now know is from Dusty - Crowds. I've yet to buy Dusty so can't make any reference to what the rest of the album contains. Whatever, if they're all along the lines of this one then that's OK by me. Then the hilarious duologue beween himself and himself and why he doesn't play more of his latest album - out on a Major Label, of course. A few more hecklers and Fred's not entirely satisfied he's got control of what's happening in front of him so he continues on with some more about boomerangs and a story about drive-by harpoonists in Canada! Calls booomerangs "rangs" and harpoonists "poons". Most of the crowd is in stitches. Then it's into Wilder Than Her which will take on a whole new meaning before Fred's visit is over - watch this space. Harold Wilson and the first time I'd heard it live - something beautiful going on in there which is not always evident if you aren't listening carefully - note to loudish, loutish talkers. A couple of more new songs, to me, one of them a song about sand in the gears and Sister Cried(?). Had to take a forced "medication" break so missed the next song entirely and couldn't convince my drinking pals to tell me what it was.
On stage at the Vic . . .
Then the racy 49 tons came roaring out at us and the band was in full flight chasin' Fred's singing all the way. Willie almost strangled that mandolin with actions you might normally associate with Hendrix. The slide work was a bonus but I still felt for those little strings. Ironically, it was Fred who snapped a string and Willie immediately put his instrument on the floor to change it for him while Fred went on a ten-minute laugh-a-thon introducing the band members. If even half the stories are true then he's put together a bloody great band from what appears to have been a bunch of amateurs! The re-start of 49 Tons heralds the end of the band for the night and it's obvious Fred was going to settle the crowd with a few solo numbers as an encore. I should have done it earlier but before he starts his first solo song, Evelynne, I called out politely for Flowers In The Dell - as I do - but I think Fred was thinkin' more of how to deal with his "mates" down front. I've heard the Amaretta story before but it's still up there as one of his classics and those in the room who hadn't heard it were breakin' up all over the place - probably recognition within their own life stories. You could tell Fred was becoming a little strained and he wandered softly and gently into Drive-In Movie which would, unfortunately, prove to be the last song of the night. But what a night. I've heard most of the songs - but there's nothing like hearing 'em from the stage with a red-hot band playin' all over and around them as the songmeister goes about his business. Thanks Fred! Thanks Squirrels!
But wait! There's more! The idiot annoyer down front had gravitated to the merchandise table where Fred was being Fred and began to hassle and berate him up close. Fred wasn't about to take a backward step but neither was he about to make a fool of himself. Around about then, Dan appears from nowhere like a great, dark cloud and gently but firmly propels the guy a few metres backwards with a look that says: "If you go back there, you're not gonna like what happens!" The bouncer eventually listens to one of the promoters and discovers the real reason he's on duty and gets the idiot out the door, closely followed by his mate and girlfriend. Everyone relaxes and the night slowly comes to an end and we all say goodbye with a handshake here and a nod there to the band and friends and a good feeling that all the good music we heard wasn't spoiled by the antics of a drunk.
PS: A few things, apart from my brain, have gone haywire over the past two days and I've lost the Bridge review to the black hole of the mysterious cyberspace. I'll try to get another one up tomorrow and add a few more pictures to my photo album. (I think if you click on the photos above you'll be directed to the host page where there's already a few pics for your perusal). If not, try this.
