Good Times @ Civic Theatre, Newcastle – 31 May 2017

I feel far too young to attend concerts sponsored by APIA. But when the over 50s insurance specialists keep assembling quality line-ups for their annual Good Times shows, it’s hard to resist. And Deborah Conway, The Black Sorrows, Colin Hay, and Mental as Anything is a quality line-up in anybody’s language. Add in the allure of the beautiful Civic Theatre in Newcastle and I knew I needed to be there.

I didn’t realise just how many Deborah Conway songs I knew until she was right in front of me. Or quite how much I love her music. She has such a spirit about her, a presence that is impossible to ignore. She stands strong without bells and whistles. There’s a way about her that draws you in, encouraging you to really hear the music and appreciate even the unfamiliar. One song in particular, “Serpent’s Tooth,” about the love and pain of parenting a teenager, really rocked me. It’s one of the greatest songs I’ve ever heard, and I’m so glad the first time was at a show like this.

It’s just a shame that her performance was marred for me by the woman who narkily tapped my husband on the shoulder before he could even take a photo, telling him to stop snapping. There were no signs about not taking photographs, no warnings on the tickets. In fact, on the Good Times ads flashing on the screen before the show we were encouraged to tag the tour on Instagram! I should have stood up for myself, but I was so shocked I put the camera away, not wanting to make waves.

The Black Sorrows might not have introduced me to as many new songs, but it was wonderful to take a trip down memory lane with them. There’s such a natural chemistry between Joe Camilleri and Vika and Linda Bull. It’s clear how much they respect one another and enjoy playing together, perhaps more so after years apart. The Bull sisters have some of the best voices in the country. The songs haven’t dated one jot, and I loved singing along to each one.

Next was the intermission, enough time for my parents to ask me why I wasn’t taking photos. Appalled at this woman’s attitude, they told me to keep taking photos or give them the camera and they would!

I’m kind of thrilled they gave me that confidence, because it meant I at least captured this photo for you of Colin Hay. His set was the one I looked forward to most and he didn’t let me down. It was one-part stand-up comedy routine, one-part moving musical performance. A strange blend to be sure, but somehow whenever Colin switched gears he brought us right along. His set was largely made up of solo material, unfamiliar to me but breathtaking. I really do need to listen to more of it. However, a couple of Men at Work hits, “Overkill” and “Down Under,” made appearances. The latter is such an Aussie anthem, but it took on a new complexion without the full band. I loved it.

I was less enthusiastic about seeing Mental as Anything after a fairly disappointing performance at last year’s Jazz in the Vines. Martin Plaza was also absent due to his cancer battle, so I didn’t have high hopes. Perhaps performing in a theatre rather than an outdoor venue made all the difference, but they sounded markedly better than they did when a caught them last year. Greedy Smith also performed with so much enthusiasm that there wasn’t the hole left by Martin’s absence I might have expected. Mental as Anything are also responsible for some of Australia’s best party anthems. Having said all that, the band still isn’t one of my favourites. I enjoyed the hits well enough, but the set dragged a little in places for me. No photos because security told me to put the camera away before I got a decent shot. Because the woman behind me had tattled? Perhaps.

The night ended on a high when the Mentals brought back the rest of the performers. Seeing all of these gifted artists on stage just made me marvel at how much talent we have in Australia. I loved watching Deborah Conway singing along with Vika and Linda, like the long lost Bull sister, and seeing Colin Hay join the guitarists from the house band and the Mentals for a jam. I’ve always appreciated Joe Camilleri’s sax prowess, but watching him wail in this section of the show was next level. Needless to say, I needed one more photo. Cranky security and patrons be damned! The performers join in for one last song from each of their careers – “Rock and Roll Music,” “It’s Only the Beginning,” “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Never Let Me Go” – before one last song, the Aussie rock classic “Friday On My Mind.”

This was a superb night of entertainment and one that will see me at the next year’s Good Times show, whether I’m ready for APIA insurance or not! I just hope I don’t sit in front of that woman next time!

Image source: own photos

Awesome Aussie Acts front Up For 5th Apia Good Times Tour

I’m not sure whether seeing a concert sponsored by Apia is an indication of my advancing years, but I’m hanging out for this year’s Good Times shows.

I like to think it’s more to do with the awesome line-up of Aussie talent assembled. We’ve got The Black Sorrows with Vika and Linda Bull, Colin Hay, Deborah Conway, and Mental as Anything. Just take a moment to ponder how many amazing songs these local artists have produced!

I also love that this tour doesn’t just stay in the capital cities. It’s a good thing too, because I’m already booked in for the I Love the ‘90s show the night of the Sydney gig! Along with my hometown of Newcastle, you can enjoy a Good Time with some of Australia’s most enduring talents at the following shows. General sale tickets are available from Monday 6 February at 10 am.

17 May 2017 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
19 May 2017 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Theatre Mode), Adelaide
20 May 2017 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
21 May 2017 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury (4pm matinee)
26 May 2017 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
27 May 2017 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
28 May 2017 – Costa Hall @ Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
31 May 2017 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
1 June 2017 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
2 June 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 June 2017 – Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads
9 June 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Enmore
10 June 2017 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
11 June 2017 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
16 June 2017 – Princess Theatre, Launceston
17 June 2017 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart

Deborah Conway Brings Broads Together

Now in its third year, Deborah Conway’s traveling celebration of female music, Broad, is hitting the road again.

This time around rootsy Anne McCue, R&B diva Jade McRae, blues queen Abbe May, and folkster Sally Seltmann (aka New Buffalo) will join Ms Conway on stage.

The idea behind Broad is simple: put five eclectic local musos on stage together, and see what happens. The performers play their own material and a few choice cover versions, making the experience truly one to remember.

The concept may seem like a clever marketing ploy, and it is. Yet Broad’s goal is a deeper one, allowing women to play together and celebrate their craft.

“Since I stopped playing with Do-Re-Mi I’ve never really played with other women,” Deborah admitted to The Australian. “And I miss it. It’s not like there’s a glass ceiling for women in the music business any more.

“I’m not taking any pride in busting open this imaginary glass ceiling, which I’m sure no one believes exists, but the fact of the matter remains that it’s very unusual to see five women on stage together. It just doesn’t happen.”

Bringing together five very different singers is a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, experience for Conway.

“You have to think about what part of the octave range you’re going to occupy,”she said. “Hopefully when we start singing harmonies everyone will be comfortable with it. It has been a fantastic learning curve for me. I was never much of a harmony singer up until the time we started this whole process, and I’ve become a better one because of it.”

Deborah Conway is currently focusing her attention on the current Broad tour, although she can’t help but think ahead to next year’s event.

“This is a concert that’s unlike any other. It has been an absolute joy to work on. It’s always a privilege to play with all these other wonderful women, and I think I walk away having learned something every time.”

Broad 2007 begins in Brisbane this Friday. The tour will play selected concert halls around the country. See the Broad website for a complete list of dates.

Image source: Kwanie @ Flickr.com