Bluesfest 2011

This report was written by old mate Len following the Easter 2011 Bluesfest, well not immediately following, the gestation period was elephantine, in fact, it is a whopper of a report, replete with Len's finely tuned sense of humour, it is incisive, perceptive and well worth a geek. Enjoy!

Len’s Review

 

 

Welcome to the Bluesfest 2011

The 2011 Bluesfest, Byron Bay, from Thursday 21st April to Monday 25th April 2011

• Five days and only one downpour.... and that during Elvis, the final act!
• Liqua-fraction …. according to Patrick the Mud was like the NZ earthquake ...
• Ferris Wheel gone after last years accident

We had a great weekend but did miss our ‘Old Mate’ Baz.

We were spoilt Friday morning with Yvonne’s cooking... Michelle

Michelle had me firmly tucked under her wings as we entered the grounds and decided - no - back to the car for the gumboots. Michelle - Oh Wise One!! ...Yvonne

Street Entertainment 

• Lanterns, costumes,
• Floating animal
• balloons:
• The Bluesfest had a more cultural focus this year!

I was a Bluesfest Virgin and approached the night with an innocence of a child UNTIL - the preparation for the journey.  Teenagers have nothing on you lot!  Hip flasks filled, eskies in readiness - in case we get caught waiting in the car park! (a Porto Loo might come in handy next year) I salute you all ...Yvonne Jones

Michelle's Unit

All went gone to plan; Michelle's accom was second to none. Plus every convenience within a few yards. There is a Woollies at the back, the Kingscliff pub next door and the beach across the road…we were all set for the Bluesfest 2011.

We headed down to Kingscliff Thursday afternoon to Michelle's Unit. With five of us camped there at any one time, it was comfort all-round. Michelle issued a room to Patrick and me; unfortunately for Patrick he couldn’t see the TV (cricket) directly from his bed but did have a bed build to suit the guy. 

The digs were world class u living - a precedent has been set.....Yvonne

The boys as expected were good roomies and coped with being out numbered by us girls.... Michelle

The team for the weekend was made up by our accom host Michelle, Nikki, Yvonne, Toni, Patrick & I. We did get a visit from Michelle’s mother and daughter…just checking up on our behaviour.

Thursday Night Car Park Saga

(or the Curious Incident of the Drunks in the Night-Time)

Its looks like Len failed to mention the car park entertainment Niki and I experienced on Thursday night. It resulted in me acquiring a war injury but our flat mates didn’t think it was that entertaining. Thank god Lenny packed the Savlon. Clearly we peaked too early... Michelle

I was only a tad concerned at the end in the car park where I thought Niki and Michelle had fallen into a ditch filled with human waste products never to return.  I insisted that Lennie get out of the car and look for them.  They were eventually spotted returning in the opposite direction talking to random people in cars....Yvonne

The Maddening Crowd

The crew were all there...Baz, you were surely missed by all, but the Bluesfest rolled on regardless 

I was a late entry to the Bluesfest (i.e. arrived Monday morning) to the boys tucked up in their little beds with Michelle entertaining them.... Lynelle was a Bluesfest Virgin and approached the night with an innocence of a child UNTIL - the preparation for the journey.  Teenagers have nothing on you lot!  Hip flasks filled, eskies in readiness - in case we get caught waiting in the carpers! (a Porto Loo might come in handy next year) I salute you all...Yvonne

The Main Act!

Then it's was onto the Thursday evening session; Anticipating was high for Thursday night with the Los Lobos, Ben Harper, ZZ Top, Neil Murray, Xavier Rudd. Thus the Bluesfest began…

Bob Dylan

Bob took to the stage for the most anticipated performance of the festival. Using water as a theme through his set list … ‘Change My Way of Thinking’; ‘Levee’s Gonna Break’; ‘High Water’; and even ‘Hard Rain’…(should have had him there the previous year); shades of Bob’s Theme Time Radio! With the audience straining for a glimpse of the legend who positioned himself at the back of the stage through most of act. However, he did appear to move effortlessly from guitar to harmonica and keyboard, just hearing Dylan’s poetry /distinctive vocals was all that was needed to satisfy most of us. Was it vanity, not wanting us to see the aging Bobness; close up shots on the big screen were strictly out! So only those up the front and centre could enjoy the full performance experience. I overheard someone’s alternative suggestion; said it was due to his ‘lip syncing’ .. If you’ve heard Bob’s usual grumpy vocals (gravel in a blender comes to mind), I don’t think so! His musicianship however was top-notch and first rate throughout his entire set. Despite being disengaged verbally with the crowd, it was clear Dylan had energy and he kept pumping out the tunes to much applause. Playing an array of songs from his recent albums, mixed with some classics, ‘Tangled Up In Blue’, and his encore of ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ Bob efficiently worked his way through his set, as the Bluesfest crowd belted out the chorus.

Rating: 10

 

 

 

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson

Hat was his usual self, and in reasonable humour for a 12 noon start at the Crossroads stage. We had to work hard to get there in time ourselves; being tempted by the Kingscliff Hotel does make an early start at the Bluesfest a distinct challenge…I wondered what hotel had tempted the Hatzman.

Hat & Cara wasted no time in getting as many songs out as they could in the short set. The highlights were Hard Times, his Blind Willie Johnson song, and John the Revelator.

Cara has taken her transformation into Hat’s rustic wife to a new level; by wearing her 1930’s dress and what I later understood to be a ‘snood’. Oedipus complex was Toni’s summing up of the situation. Rating: 10.

Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band

The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band came together, reached success and disbanded when I was just getting out of short pants. However, I have seen and enjoyed seeing Mic Conway before in Jim Conway’s Big Wheels at Woodforde about 3 years ago and at Bluesfest 2009 when Mic Conway’s National Junk Band entertained us in the Juke Joint. As a result I missed the show, but it was great to see that one of our troop forego other more popular acts and venture over to see CMWB…Lynelle reported back with great enthusiasm. Mic Conway taking the centre stage complete with his usual bag of tricks and rack of silly noise-makers and Jim Conway treating the crowd to his brilliant harmonica styling; the CMWB was apparently a sensation; Lynelle said the music was upbeat and happy, on stage gags from the good old days were still present with thought and speech bubbles being held over band member’s heads and the infamous megaphone making an appearance.

And more from our reviewer, "I cant believe a review of the highlight act of the festival has been missed...Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band...Obviously I was the only one of us there…I was front row with others my vintage all saying the same thing...I remember seeing them in the 1970s....They were very entertaining...in fact their "props" were the same as were their gags...loved it! Felt like I was in a time warp! Musically talented too!” ...Lynelle

Los Lobos

Los Lobos, the alternate Tex-Mex; the boys last played for us in 2006. I remember them being a little flat back then. This time round we saw them apply themselves to their work with the systematic professionalism you would expect from 'the hardest working band in LA'. The band was tight, all supreme players, playing all their classics, together with some new ones.

Los Lobos - hip swaying cool dudes... Yvonne

David Hidalgo - vocals, guitar, accordion, fiddle

Louie Pérez - vocals, guitar, drums

Cesar Rosas - vocals, guitar, Banjo

Conrad Lozano - vocals, bass, Guitar

Steve Berlin - keyboards, horns

However, the ‘Wolves’ are aging; looking at the band, if you didn't now them better, you might have mistaken them for cabaret band who wouldn’t look out of place at Southport RSL. David Hidalgo has gone grey since last here. Rating: 10

The Dingoes

- Missed a lot of their act, but what we heard was Great, 

-Sound was strong/powerful, the boys have lost nothing over the years.

-Broderick was in good form, Patrick tells me this isn't always the case

- Peter Bennett from the Flood was part of band

- Smith looking very much looking like Baz…in fact after seeing Broderick Smith, we saw Baz ‘look-alikes’ everywhere. It made up for his absence.

- Broderick was happy to be in Byron Bay "where the Bong was invented"

- while we didn't witness it all, it was a great show with Broderick at the top of his game, rating: 10.

Jeff Lang

- Usual professional JL performance

- New was the Melbourne Cup song in this set

- Rating: 10

Earnest Ranglin

-Astute professional, happy mood,

-Appreciated being asked back

-Different from the Monty show…better 

-Backing band excellent, they drove out the baseline & amp; Dr Ernest did his thing, mon

- Ernest Ranglin’s precise, jazz-infused reggae set covered much of his incredible Below The Baseline material, Rating: 10, again for the purists 

Little Feat

- the old guys Billy Payne, Paul Barrere put together a great sound ... Losing minimal from the early years

- Song highlights

Day 1: Church fall down; Dixie Chicken; Willin'

Day 2: Put on your favourite shoes

- Rating: 10

ZZ Top

ZZ Top only had the one appearance, being on Thursday night. Patrick and Niki attended the ZZ show, while the rest of us sat back and lapped up Ben Harper

Pat and Niki were very excited about the boys' performance and reported back in the most glowing terms.

ZZ Top are undeniable legends for anyone with even a passing history with rock blues. For three rock gentlemen who might have retired in any other profession, they still pack a pretty solid punch. There’s a tremendous power that comes out of that three piece. They’re still lean and mean, despite the voices sometimes sounding a little on the feeble side on some songs.

- Patrick loved the lined drawn through the ‘beards’ Billy, Dusty, Frank "front" Beard (no beard)

- ‘You could not do ‘legs’ without the fur guitars’ ... 

-Billy single pickin' guitar .. digit work

-Billy played a 1930 blues track

- according to Patrick, the quote from the show: "we been going for 4 decades with the same 3 chords’
(I think John Lee Hooker went for 80 years on less)

Rating: 10

Tim Robbins; The Rogues Gallery Band

The show was not what we expected, but turned out to be a nice surprise. Tim Robbins has a pretty good voice and great skill with the guitar. Unfortunately Niki didn’t agree…‘a disgraceful self indulgence’.  His band ‘The Rogues Gallery’ were a cross between  The Pogues and Johnny Cash. The latter was clarified when they covered ‘Folsom Prison’ with an accordion and saxophone, this rendition was well handled. Tim’s brother Dan was a member of the Band. Sons of the famous Marty Robbins; part of the show was a memorial to his father; Robbins sang a song that his mother used to sing him as a child and a vocal track of Tim’s father was played of Marty singing and the band provided the musical accompaniment. This was made all the more emotive as Tim explained that his parents died 12 days apart and he projected pictures of them onto the screen behind him. The saw player (string instrument) was really ‘whistling’.

- Song highlights: the song following his father’s song was great?...Shorty Trombone played this one; the Billy Holliday song. ‘Oh Mary don't you weep No More, Pharaohs Army Got Drowned’ was a standout. A great set from a surprisingly talented performer. Rating: 9

Grace Jones

Again, according to Niki, “like a train crash it was hard not to look away”…this time she was ‘spot’ on. For us at the back, the show was a disaster, the video screens and the sound played up continuously. Just to add to that, Grace was 45 minutes late on stage before descending from the rafters in her signature headwear. However, at 62 years Grace is still going strong. An intriguing aspect of the show was the notable ‘crutch spot’ that Grace deliberately displaced on her costume (see pictures). Good old Grace she’s still got it! Unfortunately the show was spoilt for us; which gave us the opportunity to leave a little earlier. Considering we had a biggy on the night before, Friday was a much subdued affair. Song here 80’s hits ‘Love is the Drug’, ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ Rating: 7

Elvis Costello

My highlights were Elvis, (great dance music)....Michelle

Elvis Costello set list

Pump It Up Mystery Dance Uncomplicated Either Side of the Same Town Everyday I Write the Book Turpentine Watching the Detectives Good Year for the Roses Slow Drag with Josephine Why Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To Do)? (Hank Williams cover) Bedlam Shipbuilding (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea Less Than Zero Beyond Belief Clubland Alison / Suspicious Minds / Somewhere Over the Rainbow / There's a Place For Us Oliver's Army (What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love & Understanding? (Brinsley Schwarz cover)

Fistful of Mercy

With Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison making music together, would have to be great (along with violinist Jessy Greene) – but just how good was definitely a surprise.

Maybe it was the sight of seeing George Harrison’s son on the stage (a spitting image!), but the set was hypnotising from start to finish. Their songs were strong with depth, 2 or 3 songs from each artist. Fistful played tribute to other headliner such as Dylan, performing a cover of his track “Bucket of Tears”. Harper’s own track “Please Me Like You Want To” made an appearance, as did Arthur’s “In The Sun”. The self-titled track “Fistful of Mercy” was another highlight.

The three members, accompanied by the excellent violin of Greene, worked tremendously well together, great harmonies. At the end of the day, you can tell that these are musicians who simply enjoy making music together, holding a great respect for each other’s craft. This feeling is infectious – you can’t help but admire them all – but most importantly, they simply make impressive music at the same time.

A real find… Rating: 8.5

Xavier Rudd

- Mr ‘Mother Earth’ himself

-The South African guys, Tio Moloantoa (bass), Andite Npubezelo (percussion), were excellent additions to his show.

- Guest appearance a Jamaican? Someone from Toots could have been Toots?

- His best song ... new, need to check out name

- Xavier is all love & heart, and fighting for ‘Mother Earth’, and in it for the long haul…but I do senses some frustration coming through. Rating: 9,

Neil Murray

- Neil was Rockin'

- Song an aboriginal (language) song in set

- His drummer was the son of one of the original Warripee Band drummer.

- Midnight Oils lead guitar Jim Moginie 

- Lots of protest ... and calls for reconciliation 

- I'm a Neil fan, and on both his shows he worked his 'bush' craft well. Rating: 9

John Legend

Then came the Legend, John Legend that is. Mr Smooth indeed; the Legend swaggered and swooned through 90 minutes of modern soul music with most of the audience in rapturous. Legend arranged his night’s activities early in the set...selecting a girl out of crowd & then sent her off back stage…In waiting, I thought.

His playing showed the audience why he has made such a great success, having come from playing piano for Kanye West and session vocals for Alicia Keys. This band consisted much of his new friends, The Roots, they were tight and his three lady backing vocalists were dressed as smokingly hot as they sounded. There was an air of arrogance about his manner however that comes with the territory when you change your name to ‘Legend’. However for me, a rating: 7; not my style, but for those in the audience who love the guy, they would have given him a 10

Indigo Girls

Indigo Girls were pleasant enough. Not knowing much about this band, the female folk duet was an interesting mix, female country-folk version of Simon and Garfunkel… I say duet, however, the roadie appeared to be one of the girls. They could have dressed up a little though... The girls are not much for fashion. They had a lot of guitar changes between songs. Their harmonies were tight and their melodies diverse. They did precious little talking aside from saying “Thanks y’all”.

These ladies appeared to have a swathe of dedicated fans in the crowd who sung every word. Rating, again for me a 7

Wolfmother

- Poor sound according to Niki, who is an expert on the ‘mothers’.

- Lead guitar has great potential

- Their stage presence was excellent.

- One old guy we were standing next to, suggested “these guys are a lot like Led Zepplin”

- Demonstrated their unique ability to sing one verse and play 7.5 minutes of improvised guitar.

- Dear Prudence (Beatles cover) sounds great

- ‘Joker’ ‘Woman’ and ‘Mind’s Eye’ were played but I’m not sure they were three separate songs. Rating: 7

Ben Harper - Relentless 7

The Zen master of the Coastal Blues set! Byron has a long ongoing history with Ben Harper – the festival was one of the key launching platforms for his career, so there was a feeling of ‘love’ in the crowd, as he opened with “With My Own Two Hands”, and followed that with “Diamonds on The Inside” – leading to some speculation about which band Ben had actually turned up with… In a surprise finale, Ben reunited the original line-up for the Innocent Criminals to close the show.

Harper has recorded an album with THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA and written some songs for them. There was an expectation that they would perform together. Sadly this did not come to fruition.

Ben Harper set list

Mutt Lifeline Don't Give Up On Me Now I Will Not Be Broken She's Only Happy In The Sun Rock N' Roll Is Free Fell Love Pray That Our Love Waiting On A Sign Dirty Little Lover Skin Thin Another Lonely Day Amen Omen Diamonds On The Inside Number With No Name

Ben Harper - I wanted to take him home, maybe next time...Yvonne; Rating: 10

Blind Boys of Alabama

The Blind Boys of Alabama graced the stage, ‘stoking the spiritual fires’ once again with their opener Perfect Peace. I picked up the 2nd show on the Sunday, and it was sensational. Have seen the Blind Boys a few times and they always give their all; but this time they appeared to be not so much playing for us but this time they where play for themselves and loving it. The introduction of Aaron Neville on their version of Amazing Grace took the power of spiritual music to an even greater level… Neville’s unmistakable falsetto voice was the perfect addition for these ‘angels of heaven’. We were absolutely captivated, and before we realize it, we’re jumping up and down to the rousing Spirit in the Sky.

A sensation was the big guy of the group, Bishop Billy Bower; they were battling to keep him in his seat; Michelle was concerned that he would tumble off the front of the stage on a couple of occasions; the ‘minder’ was kept busy restraining him.

Founding member Jimmy Carter, singing lead vocals, continues to be the mainstay of the group; his enthusiasm is infectious, and like his good mate, Clarence Fountain, the group's former long-time lead vocalist and founding member (limited his touring for health reasons), Jimmy is doing an outstanding job. Rating 10.

B.B. King

Surprisingly allocated the Crossroads stage, it was near impossible to get anywhere near the stage, though BB’s purple shirt could have possibly seen from outer space. We did hold our ground and landed in front of the sound cage and a good spot to view the show. It was an honour to see the legend in action, performing snippets of his well known tracks such as “Rock Me Baby”.

He certainly doesn’t play the guitar like he used to, but when you hear those riffs you know that this is the man that made a festival like Bluesfest possible. At 85, BB is one of the last remaining members of the pioneers of blues music – so many of whom have graced the Bluesfest stage over the years, but have sadly passed on. To witness BB gracing the stage, in what will no doubt be his final Australian tour, was something special.

The band were solid and tight. We had the whole ‘big band’ grace the stage. BB is understandably getting old and a bit weary. BB at 85, what do you get? A cranky old bluesman; which resulted in a lot of tension in the band. This was evident in his performance as his ability is not what it used to be and the fingers don’t find the notes like they used to. There majority of BB’s angst was targeted at the poor ‘blameless’ drummer (to the relief of the other band members), who tried to the best of his ability to anticipate the great man but to only to receive his wroth and likely sacking or as BB threatened, stabbing (‘I carry a knife’)…(the picture above tells a thousand words). With King it’s about being in his presence though and that’s something that will never happen again so in that respect it was nice to witness the legend.

BB King set list included, See That My Grave is Kept Clean Every; Day I Have the Blues; When Love Comes to Town; Rock Me Baby; The Thrill Is Gone When; The Saints Go Marchin' In. Rating: 10, for the real legend’s live show

C.W. Stoneking

CW Stoneking, was his immaculate self, dressed in his all whites. However, didn’t enjoy CW as much as his show a couple of years ago; a highlight at the time. This time around he was a little down on his previous efforts and his set list was becoming a ‘wrist cutting affair’.

The song highlight for me was ‘Handyman Blues’

I thought CW has lost a little too much weight; getting a bit too thin.

The band went off for a break during the show but didn’t come back on queue, which brought the reprimanding comment from the CW; ‘beer is more important to the boys than playin’. Rating: 8.5, all the usual great elements that are CW, but little flat this time.

ROCKWIZ

ROCKWIZ was the usual entertaining show; the difficulty must be in getting a live studio vibe to gel well in a festival environment. They managed to do it well. The format was similar to last year, each group of contestants was allowed one round on stage and there were musical breaks and crowd participation moments interspersed with witty one-liners from the ROCKWIZ MC (what’s her name?) that kept up the pace.

Trombone Shorty

Trombone Shorty; if you like the ‘bone’ and brass this is your thing; this guy is your man.

Shorty was dynamic, with a red hot backing band that; gave a sensational performance. A highlight was Louis Armstrong's Sunny side of the Street.

Like the HBO TV series Treme, this was New Orleans sound with lead by Shorty and plenty of brass.

Rating: 10, you had to like a lot of brass action, but this guy is the complete package.

Peter Rowan

These good old boys have been around for awhile, Peter and Keith Little are clearly old time vets.

Singing Bill Monroe songs as their stock standard; the traditional bluegrass could not be heard any better.

The Ralph Stanley song by Keith was a highlight

Rating: 9 (for the purest, 10).

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band

Put on a great show with Susan Tedeschi’s vocals as a real stand out. Great band and combination and epic songs

Sue has a great voice/guitar and gels well with Derek

Rating: 10

 

 

 

 

Warren Haynes

Warren Haynes & His Allstar Band was a good pick up. Warren’s music is pretty much about the music, not so much the vocals. This guy is a very professional and experienced muso. The crowd seemed to well aware of Warren’s work. Haynes mentioned that he hadn’t been to Australia since 2000 and was enjoying his return. We enjoyed it too. Rating: 10

Lisa Miller

- just released her second set of covers, Car Tapes vol. 2

- super Aust sessions band: Shane O'Mara lots of time in PK's bands (Coloured Girls)

Ken Gornley

Lisa has strong vocal presence and provides good interpretations of the cover songs + her own songs are excellent in there own right

Rating: 8.5

 

 

 

 

Claire Bowditch

-Her music sounds good live, a pleasant communicator who was at ease with her audience. Her voice is jazz infused and sultry but the folk overtones delight the ears. She doesn’t sing pop songs, she tells stories and not the conventional way. Bowditch’s music is not something that can be judged after one listen. So perhaps she is an acquired taste, but one befitting of this festival. It’s music to enjoy over a bottle of wine.

Rating: 8.5, goes ok, will check her CDs out

-I sensed a biting wit

- a highlight…had the runner decked out in his 80's running gear (note short shorts, head band), who ran a couple of circuits of the tent while she played her song called "runner"

Mavis Staples

Looks like the Doctor out of Grey's Anatomy

Big highlights came from the soul/gospel contingent. When Mavis Staples cried out “I wanna get through to you. You’re not alone!” heartfelt and loaded with emotion, I felt the shivers and really believed her. In the presence of this woman, 72 years old, who was right there with Martin Luther King Jr in the beginning of the civil rights days, you can only be in awe of her resilience and her unabated passion to the cause. She reminded us of passed prejudices and the need for racial tolerance. She speaks of her family’s dedication to the movement, and I wonder if she could have ever imagined being in a place called Byron Bay singing to us. She breaks into Freedom Highway, her voice charged with power and conviction. “I’m determined to keep on walkin’. I’m still on that highway, and I won’t stop until we reach freedom. Hallelujah!” The song was written by Pa Staples, she informs us, and the crowd goes nuts, hands waving in the air, shouting out as if we are in Sunday morning service. Rating: 10

Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas, undisputed queen of soul and the embodiment of all that New Orleans’ music is loved for, had the Crossroads audience completely entranced with her golden classics and personal stories of surviving Hurricane Katrina. Her voice was flawless and as perfect as on her first recordings, which she revisited in a set that played like a catalogue of the golden era of soul and r n’b. Rating: 10

Michael Franti

Michael Franti set list highlights: Love Don't Want Hello Bonjour Shake It Anytime You Need Me Sweet Little Lies The Sound of Sunshine I'll Be Waiting Say Hey (I Love You)

- Franti then told the crowd of the plight of Sarah Gapp, a fan who had suffered a stroke and become a victim of locked-in syndrome. After a meaningful and heartfelt appeal, he brought Sarah and her mother on to the stage, again to wild applause.

- Leaving his band on stage, Franti wove his way through the crowd, singing Hey Hey Hey, to a platform in the centre of the tent, as the band watched on from the stage.

- As he began to close the show with its sing-along chorus, the crowd bellowing along, the band produced a birthday cake – turns out that it was Michael’s birthday. The crowd sung a resounding, boozy, exhausted and loud “Happy Birthday” as Michael blew out the candles on what was one of the most incredible shows.

Straight into Michael Franti - fantastic - dancing and jumping around.  Love him.

- ‘I’m going to downloaded his music when I got home’….Yvonne

- ‘My highlights were Elvis, (great dance music), Michael Franti (could replace Jack Johnson)’....Michelle

• Birthday cake, locked in syndrome, marriage proposal
• Coming up in crowd...next to us
• Looked older and has put on a little belly on

Rating: 10

Buffy Saint Marie

-in her 60's and still going strong. like Grace Jones she's looking remarkably good for her age

-from her songs and attitude she is a very strong advocate for her causes and all minority groups being ravaged by big business -pretty angry about it all 

-gives us a song called "bury my heart at wounded knee" .. Protest, protest, protest 

-this is a smart lady with a lot of kick in her

-her songs were vg and she and her (North American) Indian band performed well

Rating: 9, different, constructive protest with subdued anger. Has good history to boot.

Michelle Shocked

-another who is still in good order after all these years

-another protester; big business ripping off the little guy, i.e. the right to collective bargaining ... under threat in USA

- Unaccompanied 

- ok but not outstanding 

Michelle Shocked is celebrating 25 years since her first album release.

- handful of stories about politics and rebellion and running away from home, to backfill her tunes. There was more talking than singing but her set was pleasant. The voice was strong and whimsical and well worth a listen or two. ‘The Campfire Girl’ as she is apparently known, can certainly use her guitar and has a lot of heart behind her words.

- long biographical stories: how she ran away from home in East Texas at 16, her bad acid trip in San Francisco that put her in a mental hospital; her life in New York as a "skateboarding punk-rocker" and feeling homesick in Amsterdam. Shocked also told the story about her long, long fight in the European courts to regain the copyright and royalties to her "first album" Texas Campfire Tapes, originally released in 1986 as a bootleg recording, something Shocked was completely unaware of until a friend complimented her on her album. Hence, Shocked won't allow anyone to record her performing. In a nod to the YouTube era, she told the audience that if anyone did post her performance on the video-sharing website, then they should put up the solidarity song, Hope in Hard Times, which she dedicated to the workers of Madison, in the US state of Wisconsin, who were fighting to keep their benefits. The frankness and passion in her Bluesfest performance is what has marked Michelle Shocked out for special mention. She may have only performed five songs but when Shocked hopped off stage in the final minutes of her set and perched on the top of the security barrier between the stage and crowd, the crowd took a sharp intake of its collective breath. "Bear with me", Shocked said as she started playing Bob Dylan's Blowing in the Wind. After the first verse, she began passing the microphone around punters at the front and each sang a few lyrics from the song. Now that's how you do a Dylan song. A rare moment. Rating: 8

Kasey Chambers

Patrick's feedback from Kasey Chambers show; a quote from Kasey, speaking of her Banjo player:

"You have too many teeth to play the banjo". Kasey delivered an entertaining show for her die-hard fans. Full credit to her and her band for their playing talents. Her father Bill was there, looking every bit the ‘Willy Nelson’. As you know Kasey likes to talk, one story she told us was of her friendship with her roadie “Worm” who she had known and been friends with since high school (she was best man at his wedding and he was ‘mate’ of honour at hers). Worm actually co-wrote the track “barricades and brick walls” off the album that launched her career so she unashamedly says she might just owe her success to her roadie.

Her husband Shane Nicholson joined her for a song as expected and the two sounded great together. She paid homage to Bluegrass as a kind of encore and performed ‘not pretty enough’ and the Bee Gees ‘Stayin’ Alive’ in said fashion. The straight version of Pretty had the audience singing in full voice and her commentary on how the record industry wanted her to change but she resisted, another story…rating 8

Shane Nicholson

-Top backing band ... Same as Kasey's but change of fiddler/mandolin player who was voted top in both instruments at CMA

Rating: 8.5

 

 

 Other Artists

“Kate Heike Miller (voice of an angel); Irma and the chubby guy from blind boys. Ash Grunwald was great but I slept through the lot despite the loudness”. ...Michelle

Gurrumul warmed his vocals with SALTWATER band earlier but took to the stage for a solo set. His music is soothing and being blind and playing the guitar as well as he does…he is fantastic. Being the son of one of the members of YOTHU YINDI put him in the spotlight, being blind focussed our attention…

Niki was supposed to report on the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Cat Empire, etc…all the bands she loves; but didn’t come through.

The Last Say!

22nd annual Byron Bay Bluesfest; the line up was stellar and will never be repeated. Seeing Ben Harper with his original band, Bob Dylan, BB King, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Los Lobos, Blind Boys of Alabama with Aaron Neville, Grace Jones, Mavis Staples, ZZ Top, Kasey Chambers, Warren Haynes, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Cat Empire, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Fistful of Mercy, Mavis Staples, Tony Joe White, Indigo Girls, Kate Miller-Heike, Washington, Jethro Tull, ZZ Top, John Legend , Grace Jones, Gurrumul, Toots & Maytals, Wolfmother, Irma Thomas, Buffy Sainte-Marie, George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic, Luciano and the Jah Messenjah Band, Ernest Ranglin, Fishbone, Tim Robbins & The Rogues Gallery Band and Michelle Shocked. possibly the best musical line-up in Australian festival history, a brilliant community atmosphere and terrific weather (for the most part). Bluesfest 2011 was without a doubt a resounding success, the year will be very hard to beat!

Fox Encounter

The fox sprang down from the hill to my right

barked at my intrusion and bounded

onward downhill, leaping over the ground

gracefully, its magnificent tail

flagging disdain,

towards the suburban citadel.

I laughed and yelled oh yes surprised and jolted

from reverie, as the fox had been jolted

momentarily from flash descent

and sharp intent

the distinct scent of purpose

perhaps of prey

or mischief,

focussed from brain to snout

snout to tail

and as I descended I heard a clamour

behind the fences

as dogs aroused from sunny slumber

had sniffed the scent of intent

the full brush of wildness from

the bush beyond

as the fox just stood there proud

and taunting

and they sensed it in themselves

and we envied the fox,

and howled.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2012

BLUESFEST 2012

The Big Chief, Pat's old mate

I must admit that I had misgivings about this year's Byron Bay Bluesfest. I thought the governors of the fest had taken the easy way and stayed with the tried and true. Len, Pat and I discussed this if memory serves me and we concluded just that. If I'm wrong correct me. My memory could be dodgy after the last 6 weeks.

Many of the major artists had performed in previous years – John Fogerty, Keb Mo, Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle, Angelique Kidjo to name a few – and although their calibre cannot be denied I was somewhat disappointed by comparison to the previous year's superb line up. I was unable to attend the 2011 fest. I may have mentioned this. Such is the measure of my sacrifice to the missus. I did enjoy romping the hills and dales of Yorkshire, but Elvis (the true Elvis!) Costello, BB King, Ernest Ranglin, Dylan, Los Lobos, Toots, Tull, C.W., Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples...oh my aching conjones.

Regardless, we move on. Where was I? Oh yes, and YES, but we'll get to them later. Now, despite the apprehension about the line up I have to say that I did thoroughly enjoy it, as we all did and I feel that it's the total experience, the vibe that draws you in and gives you that finishing lustre.

Len providing Justin with advice

All photos at  http://picasaweb.google.com/barry.mcgloin

Len's most entertaining report for 2011 was delivered prior to the deadline for this year's commencement, just. We waited and we were not disappointed. No. It was probably the best report yet and would be up here in Blog but for the PDF format. Anyway the man has promised to send a word version and we can assume that it will arrive when it does. You will not be disappointed when the report for 2011 is up there in 2015.

 

Total experience. Well Michelle's accommodation was top notch. It certainly beats wading through streams of water in cyclonic conditions trying to secure a tent when some angry beastie thrusts its stinger into your toe and 13 feet of Carty lie secure, dry and snug in their respective vehicles. OK move on.

Michelle's unit was smart, modern and glamourous in fact we all felt like shampoo poodles according to Pat. The sleeping arrangements were great and the Snore Factor was kept to a minimum by the placement of various offenders, in fact I didn't hear a thing. Niki being sober helped immensely. 

sober Niki??

A dip in the Pacific each morning was the perfect balm for a cobwebbed head, followed by coffee on the bustling Kingscliffe beachfront, followed by the Blues Brekkie and a few primers and a bet or two for Len and Michelle. A mangificent start to the day. My phantom bets would have put Len in the $$$$$$ had he not placed it on the wrong neddy. Such is life for the punter..., precarious and exhilarating. The Blues Brekkie reached new heights as Niki and I strove for new gastronomic visions with the gourmet sausage and various other epicurean bangers.

The pub provided just the right ambient atmosphere for the sort of philosophic discussions in which we all became engaged. Such as Art being created through discomfort, pain. Discuss. ''Hat Fitz is losing his edge'' says Len,''too much comfort, marriage is smothering the art. You've got to have that pain factor. Hat used to come down from the interior in his horsehair shirt, bellowing his blues, his eyes rolled back flailing on his guitar, pretending he could see. What's in the next race Michelle? Now, he strums away crooning behind Cara. Pain is missing... Another Snowy Mountains Ale for me bro. As a motivating force discomfort can't be denied. What do think about this race Baz? You don't have to say anything, just point and nod. Just look at Donovan. Gone to seed mate. Lucinda. Another one.''

                                                           Guess the YES fan??                                                             

Then Lynelle dropped a real clanger when she said that she was a YES fan. This was met with howls of derision by certain sections of the troup. ''Bloody arty farty prog wankers'' was one uncharitable comment, as I recall. But to give her her due she stood by her allegiance and said that they were indeed prog rockers of the highest order. Then, not one schooner later she proclaimed herself to be a Saints fan. Well, this was unfathomable. We scratched our noddles, glanced at each other, took a sup and looked at the form guide. But apparently she went to school with a girlfriend of the drummer, from recollection. So, more a fan by association it seemed, and we started chatting again. An odd one. But she is a self proclaimed 'nutter'. And she couldn't be sued for defamation or definition of character (LOL!!). 

Keef's autobiography brought some lively chuckles into the discussion. My own favourite was the bit where Mick rang Charlie at 5am, against Keef's best advice, and asks 'Where's my drummer?'' Fifteen minutes later Charlie appears at the door dressed in his best Saville row suit, grabs Mick by the lapels, ''I'm not your drummer'' and king hits Jumpin Jack Flash onto a silver salmon platter which slides along the table towards the open window and canal below. Keef was chuckling away at this conflag when he suddenly realises that Mick is wearing his (Keef's) wedding jacket and grabs the jacket, thus saving Mick from a watery demise.

Yes, the conversation was spirited and amusing and Len was keen to maintain a polite level. Any wayward expressions such as 'poofs', 'wankers' or disparaging comments about seniors or women for example were quickly pounced upon by this staunch arbiter of political correctness. ''Bosoms mate...'' he'd correct with that eyebrow arched. And rightly so. And Pat would reply ''Well, did you cop the bosoms on that?'' And Len would admonish ''She's some mother's daughter Patrick''. And Pat would say ''Well they'd both be happy with those tits...''

Pat had suggested that we adopt blues names, he being Little Paddy I think it was, which had a nice ring to it, Niki being Muddy Muddy Murphy, me being Lightnin' (which I was quite happy with), Len being Red Hot Ole Man Moses, Michelle being Wailing Sister Chelle, Lynelle being Blues Belly Nelly or some such, and I think that's as far as we got. 

Talking about Pat, the picture at the top of this report is The Big Chief, a large portion of humanity who has his own post code. If you stand behind him, forget the performance, even the screens are blotted out. Well you've got to give it to Pat, the man has class - yells out ''Hey you, Shorty!'' Well the Chief turns around, looks to the left, looks to the right, shakes his head and looks over at Pat with disdain. I mean, Pat must be close to 6'6"', Chief close to 7' and about twice Pat's girth, all muscle. And then Pat lays the blarney on him, has him chatting. What a performance, what nerve!

OK, The Ratings

A drawing of our tired Monday enthusiasts

The Highlight of this year for me was The Pogues.

Also Len – see his report below, and Pat I think – Pat from memory was enjoying it. I'd seen them play at the ANU in the early 90s, promoting the Peace and Love release. Shane promoted it for four numbers then must have decided that the band could do a champion job by themselves. Dressed in his long black coat he launched himself from the stage into the crowd and was carried away and laid on his back on a table where the roadies put coins on his eyes while the band played the wake. The band appeared to be totally pissed off but showed what a great group they were. One particular lady stood by the ante room where Shane lay and berated yer man with non stop gob shite ''McGowan you hopeless bastard get your slack arse back up there'' etc etc infinitum. My cousin Chris McGloin's band White Nellie supported them on the same tour in Adelaide where Shane-o performed the same vanishing trick. According to my other cousin Andy this was assisted by a ripe bottle of plonk being sent to Shane's table courtesy of White Nellie. There you go. Be aware. Always someone ready to sabotage your show.

This time around Shane performed the whole gig, and what a performance! Some songs I wasn't familiar with, and I count myself a fan, yet the audience sang along. Shane now looking like Brendan Behan, and Behan contemporary Barney McKenna from The Dubliners had passed over to that great session in the sky a few days prior so The Irish Rover, on which Barney had played and fellow Dubliner Ronnie Drew had sang, was dedicated. Pat and I were discussing how The Dubliners were the punk folk of their era. Last one gone now. Raise your glass. Slainte.

There seemed to be some arrangement whereby Shane could shuffle off after a few songs, probably to rehabilitate himself. Anyway, a jig later and ole Shane-o would shufty back on again looking pleased. He'd managed to do the business, whatever that was.

Len's verdict: The Pogues...they were so good they were almost ordinary; with Shane'o we expect the worst. The terrific thing about the Pogues was the quality of the guys in the band; they are so good that they take the focus away from McGowan; Highlight act of this years Bluesfest.

More Len:

The acts this year were up to the expected high standards; as we observed, the big standout acts (which means they have to be especially big) were not evident this year (i.e. Bob & Elvis last year). However, the worst rating of all the acts that I could give was a high 7; thus reflecting the quality.

Top Raters max 10

Lucinda...she graced us with a sensational coughing fit....instead of detracting from the show, it did give us a human insight to the performer. Here 'Fruits of Your Labours' brought tears to my eyes, perfect!

Justin Townes Earle...Justin can do no wrong; wears the heart on the sleeve; but I did detect a cunning sarcasm from Justin this time; his intro comments to some of his songs appeared to be harsh compared/contra to his words of the songs...was he challenging us?

John 'CCR' Fogerty...an increadible guy; great to hear the full albums: 'Cosmos Factory', one of my first/fav albums I ever had; and 'Green River', with it's lesser known tracks...great, great, great!

John Hiatt...This guy just fantastic interpreter of the classic travelling man...his songs are either about leaving town, the trip, or coming home (loves his automobiles). His has a strong voice and booms out his tunes with ease.

9 Raters

Ziggy Marley; Trombone Shorty; Crosby Stills Nash; Keb Mo: Ziggy, Trombone, & Keb are the ultimate professionals and could do this stuff with their eyes closed. CSN was a pleasant surprise, would go out of my way to see Crosby/Nash individually but together they still have something.

Acts that we didn't see quite enough of to rate but on what we saw were at least 9s: Kenny Wayne Shephard; Zappa Plays Zappa; Seasick Steve; Seasick has gone up a notch since we last saw him; the addition of John Paul Jones may have assisted in this. Kenny Wayne Shephard was great and only wished we had seen the whole show. Zappa Plays Zappa was a huge surprise...good!

Michelle gave 11 out of 10 for Melbourne Ska - I heard them, the tent was chokkers but...no way.
Also to Harry Manx and Foggo (see below). Old Harry never fails, he's such a comfortable sound, eloquent and cool - too cool for Hendrix's Voodoo child in my (humble) opinion.

Baz – Ratings

Surprises

A surprise was that I missed The Specials – how? And I saw Crosby, Stills and Nash who I didn't rate back then in the early 70s. That said, their performance, despite a shaky start, and despite Nash's singalong poppy songs, and despite Crosby's 'weird' (as he called it) pretentious meandering stuff, was good. Crosby's vocals were excellent, Stills' guitar was good, Nash thought he was McCartney, but then I have reservations about him too. Have you read any interviews where Crosby, McCartney, Beachboy Mike Love and Donovan are humble, self effacing? Naaaaah. These blokes are the biggest pump it up wankers ever, not counting Liam Gallagher who is in a class of his own.

Zappa plays Zappa was very good, an ear cleansing on the final day. It made me realise just how inventive Dweezil's dad Frank was. Tight time signatures, turn on a note stuff, unpredictable harmonies and great guitar. Of course all Frank's stuff was orchestrated – no room for error.

Keb Mo goes electric. So good, a great lead player. A down home funky groove and Keb has charisma, he was dripping with it.

Check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0et4eyVX0V0&feature=related

Check Keb with Bonnie Raitt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iMadZk9o_U&feature=related

Bettye Lavette.

Such a passionate voice, such a forceful personality. She performed Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come at President Obama's pre inaugural Lincoln Centre concert. Check out her reading of Pete Townsend's Love Reign O'er Me with Townsend, Daltry and Barbara Streisland looking on. Masterful.

She performed All My Love one of Zepplin's songs, and Robert Plant commented that she'd changed his  lyric. She replied that she'd done it so that adults could understand it!! Howl!! She said he was gracious about it. Len and I heard her being interviewed by Rhythm's Brian Wise in the Q&A sessions, an intelligent feisty woman with attitude ''all my music friends are millionaires, sure I got attitude.'' Brian Wise seemed a bit overwhelmed.

http://oregonmusicnews.com/2012/04/24/sould-out-festival-2012-bettye-lavette-closes-the-festival-with-beauty-pain-energy-artistry/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kbAaTiSkmE&feature=related

Seth Lakeman

Wow. Seth Lakeman from Cornwall or Devon – West country UK anyway, is a fabulous entertainer, fiddle player, guitarist and writer. And his band was tops, with a fine sense of dynamics. I saw them twice and the joint was jumping each time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRoDe80_XPw&feature=related

Justin Townes Earle

Well we saw him in 2010 and Len and Pat saw him last year somewhere and I think there were signs of health issues – also he sang downer songs and 'looked like Hank Williams on the way out' anyway some similar comment if my memory serves me. It may not. In fact it has been awry in the past. Well Justin was truly on form here, we watched him twice; fine finger pickin' with his two backing musos on double bass and mandolin/guitar, he was just mesmerising. Such an animated performer, facial expressions and his wandering about doing his lanky, leaning shuffle forwards, back one, sideways. This is an honest song writer, his heart on his sleeve as Len said, his defeats, his hopes, his family and his memories, he 'tries to move on' but it just keeps coming back. Len bought the latest with the longest title ever 'Nothing's Gonna Change The way You Feel about Me Now', and it is a very good album. I think we decided Rick Nelson meets Hank Williams. Check out the
February Letterman appearance with different band plus horns:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF6xMpHlgEk&feature=related

YES the band. Well, what can you say and I think I've said it. Check my last blog.

We were transported.

No surprises

John Fogerty

The old Foggo just keeps on keeping on. Michelle gives Foggo 11 out of 10 and says that she and Niki were complaining because he was late, how rude of him, then discovered that someone in the marquee had died... 11 out of 10 is NOT ENOUGH MICHELLE!!
His vocal and guitar skills are better then ever and to hear him perform Green River and Cosmos Factory in toto was just great. There are so many tracks which are so good and just don't get played. Foggo was in his own class – and in his own shirt – the same one but this time ironed by his ever loving wife who was by the side of the stage ready with slippers, pipe and pamper. What more does a poor boy need?

Lucinda Williams

Lucinda was in a slightly larger shirt but her voice is still languorous, vulnerable, bitter and

honey hued. She can rock with 'Joy', and she can ache with a tender melancholic mood.

A wonderful song writer and singer, good band too! Bettye Lavette also sang a fabulous funky version of 'Joy'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfdoeNnuEV8

Ziggy Marley

Ziggy was Bob updated with variations of reggae, ska and dub all thrown in to make a most enjoyable performance.

Donovan

The Celtic Bohemian Manifesto Man manifested before us. He came, he wafted, he blessed us and he

took us to his fairy castle and did things with us. Not really. We departed before it all became too much. His finger picking was good, as you'd expect from one who had taught The Beatles. As he has often proclaimed in interview, his finger picking is all over The White Album. All over it. His vocals with the wavery affectation transported us out of there.

The Bottom Line

A most enjoyable fest and I agree with Len that a more relaxed approach increased the enjoyment factor. Way to go. I do think that the organisers need to think seriously about their future and incorporate more modern pop, rock, roots acts. Tie it in with Big Day Out or similar. Their future is the young, not a disappearing audience. My top raters this year were:

The Pogues

Justin Townes Earle

Keb Mo

Bettye Lavette

John Fogerty

Zappa plays Zappa

Lucinda Williams

Seth Lakeman

John Hiatt

Ziggy Marley

For Robert Burns

If words could sing like yours bold Rob

With wit like glittered waters

To kiss an auld grey Scottish day

And woo her wives and daughters



A man could be a prince with that

A plowman of all pastures

From high to low they'd come and glow

Sweet lassies, words departed.

Yes - Byron Bay Bluesfest 2012

Yes, Yes and Yes again. As the soft finger picked notes seemingly drifted through the ether accompanied by a tinkling bell a blue light surrounded us all and we appeared to be enveloped. No man...we were conceived in a soft blue cuckoon of a world as Steve Howe sang those immortal words, 'A man conceived a moment's answer to the dream/ Staying the flowers daily, sensing all the themes' and we all looked at each other and thought 'wow, is it that long ago we stayed the flowers daily?' And the answer is Yes and No. And perhaps if we are honest, we've stayed the flowers daily On and Off. You know, you drift away and Life beats like a bellicose baboon around your head, and you lose focus, so the honest answer is Yes and No, but mainly No because we all fool ourselves, On

 and Off, but to be honest mostly Off. But I digress from Yes The Concert where possibility wafted before us, no... Us, like an electrical banana before an electrical bellicose baboon and we were soothed and 'Emotion revealed as the ocean maid/A clearer future, morning, evening, nights with you' and we thought about the Ocean Maid and what indeed she was revealing - well to be honest I did, it flashed before me..., and put a lift into my day, and probably flashed before Len and Pat although I can't say for sure and didn't want to ask but nonetheless 'A clearer future, morning, evening, nights with you' became clearer, in fact the whole day gained some sort of perspective and suddenly it was clarity in buckets as the percussion gathered momentum courtesy of Alan White and a figure appeared to the left of the stage and then hovered about two metres above the head of Howe. It was a kaftaned figure sitting in the lotus position -remember the

lotus? Oh man, those were the days. Now? More bloatus than lotus LOL!! Anyway Len said 'It's HIM man' and holy patchouli I kid you not, it was indeed Donovan, with a beatific smile and in the palms supplicant possie chanting 'I embrace you all, and oh yes I taught YES everything I did I did, as I, the Alpha and Omega, am the source of all musics from the dawn of the Celtic time, or the time of the Celtic Dawn, whichever man. '  And Steve Howe with a halo around his head and with Donovan floating above sang those immortal lines again

Coins and crosses/ (Turn round tailor, assaulting)/ Never know their fruitless worth

and Len, Pat and I looked again at each other in absolute awe as the meaning slowly dawned on us.

    

National Treasure

NATIONAL TREASURE

Gina and Twiggy and Clive went a rooting

Into the ground for their root a toot tooting

''Snouts in the trough, snorting snouts in the trough''

Says Wayne ''my disdain is for snouts in the trough.''

Clive is indignant, being tainted by pigment

''He's larded the truth and glazed us with fat

A National Treasure by any lean measure

Is gilded and lauded, not lampooned like that!”

“You may envy the riches we ease out of ditches”

Says Clive “it's no crime you can whine your swan song

If you sludge us with tax we'll sue your slack backs

With more than a deena 'tween finger and thumb.

Swan the distorter would upset our order

But Murdoch and Gina and Jones on the bone

Buys public opinion, our purchased dominion

The Lord himself has appeared, for a loan.

When laid to rest in each gilded sarcophagus

Watch the finger of history poke at the lot of us.

But I tell you this, all you mugs who would moan

This National Treasure brought the bacon home.''

Swan has a point. These billionaires should pay tax

in accordance with their ever burgeoning income. 
What income?

Gina between 10 and 18 billion.

Twiggy 6.9 billion. Clive between 3 and 6 billion.

Today. No mortgages here son. No rent to scrape up next week.

Risk, what risk? No chance of penury.

These people buy media, climate sceptics,

they buy opinion, public opinion.

They should pay their share.

Employment in mining is a mere 2% of total employment in Australia
but may be less if the CIA undermines [lol] the structure

iaw Clive Palmer's loopy conspiracy theory.

THE DOG WALKER'S DELIGHT

THE DOG WALKER'S DELIGHT

As chuffed as three old dogs,

two leads,

huffing through the wide bright morning

mouths full of sun

bathed in bliss

lolling tongues

being nothing more

than this

sweet wag of a moment.

Christmas 2011

Well here we are in 2012 and I'm getting vertigo.

This Yuletide has been tragic with the death of Ian Mattingly, husband of Ros, Denise's sister.

Ian was only 49 and the father of five children. It was totally unexpected and happened in 1 week.

Our hearts go out to Ros and her wonderful children, Alice, Megan, Michael, Clare and Jack.

Wagga Cathedral was packed to the max with people standing en masse at the sides of the altar and at the rear of the church. Four priests officiated including Archbishop Carrol, a cousin of Ian's and Monsignor Frank Marriott, Monsignor Lane from Corowa and Wagga's Father Paddy Sykes. Father Paddy made the ceremony as light as such a sad occasion can be with amusing comments on Ian's larrikin leanings and sporting propensities – football is a winter sport, Cricket a summer sport but betting knows no seasonal boundaries. Ian's cousin gave an excellent eulogy – picture a young Ian galloping full tilt around the house while loudly calling the race. The rainfall container placed beneath the eaves is the sort of thing anyone might do...

Ian had a finely tuned sense of irreverent humour. The irony of such a magnificent send off would have provided great mirth for this man who, to my knowledge, had not a religious or spiritual bone in his body. He would have appreciated it. Vale Ian.

Our heartfelt thanks must go to Monsignor Frank Marriot who has selflessly officiated at family weddings and funerals, often involving long journeys and breaks away from his own heavy schedule.

Life never ceases to amaze with its twists and turns. Always expect the unexpected. Our son Jamie was attacked in Krakow, Poland at 2:00am by skinheads who jumped from a car, and put the boot in. He lost one tooth and his front teeth were misaligned. He managed to flag down a police car and was taken to Casualty. It could have been much worse, he could have suffered brain damage.

As he philosophically put it, it was random, pointless, but could have been anywhere. He'd travelled across the USA, South America and Europe. We have had a similar stupid attack here in Canberra, one recently upon an Irish tourist, a tragedy which did result in brain damage. Yet Canberra is a relatively peaceful city. There are elements of idiocy anywhere. The irony is that he went to Poland to visit the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, a place of remembrance of those murdered by a system built upon the evil proposition of a mutant. A system which cultivated and licenced brutality and murder not only by the dregs, the worst elements of humanity, but by common soldiers, promulgated through fear and silence.

We were also saddened this year by the death of Kathy Snashall, wife of my cousin Glenn. It was another sudden death and we were fortunate to have spent a lovely evening with them during our trip to London earlier in the year.

Christmas

Christmas was spent in Melbourne at Cara and Greg's home in Box Hill with Greg's parents Erika and Brad. It was wonderful to catch up with our children, their spouses and grand children, each one beautiful and unique. The Christmas eve seafood was excellent as was Christmas Day's roast salmon, roast turkey and roast pork on the barbecue. Accompaniments were also fab. There was lively discussion and music, as you might expect at a family Christmas. Photos are on Picasa. 

When in Melbourne a visit to second hand bookshops and CD shops is a must. This visit I was pleased to discover a number of bargains including, from the $2 bin at The Searchers, Collingwood, The New Gothic, a compilation of gothic short stories by Patrick McGrath and Bradford Morrow and essays by Judith Wright called Because I Was Invited and The House of The Mosque by Kador Abdolah. I also bought a biography of D.H. Lawrence by John Worthen, almost new for $8.

My best reads of 2011 were

Disgrace by J.M.Coetze

Lovesong by Alex Miller

Conditions of Faith by Alex Miller

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

All four most enjoyable reads with superb prose. I have reviewed Alex Miller's Lovesong on Amazon. I'll have to obtain his latest Autumn Laing which has top reviews. He rates it as his best yet.

Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. A brave woman speaks out against a medieval culture. Let's hope Islam can modernise, divest its crippling, inhumane doctrines.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Background to Afghanistan, the plot overly contrived but

none the less entertaining.

Speaking With the Devil by various authors. Short stories edited by Nick Hornby. Risky and some hilarious.

Romulus My Father by Raimond Gaita Autobiography with great depth and passion. The troubled relationship between father, mother and son as each comes to terms with their new country and each other. Also wonderful prose. I must see the film.

No Surrender by Johnny Rogan. A biography of Van Morrison. Rogan dislikes The Man, yet appreciates aspects of his art. Morrison has said he'd like to do a book on Rogan... A good read but I have doubts about Rogan's taste and honesty, he skewed the book to his own agenda.

The biggest disappointment this year was Parrott and Olivier in America by Peter Carey. I've always admired Carey's writing – True History of the Kelly Gang, Illywacker, Jack Maggs and Oscar and Lucinda are all fabulous. My Life As A Fake was also enjoyable. The prose here is up to his usual standard but the plot for me was too artificial. Ok others liked it, critics among them, and maybe I expected too much, but I read half and had to abandon ship. Should I have persevered?

CD Bargains found over Christmas

I found the following CD bargains also at The Searchers, Collingwood. The Stooges Fun House remastered double for $8, Ernest Ranglin's classic In Search of The Lost Riddim (which went up with our house in the 2003 fire) for $4, an absolute bargain, a union of Senegalese musos with Ernest's jazz, reggae, funk groove. Also from Dixon's Recycled in Brunswick St I found Tinariwen's latest Tassili+10:1, which I'm unsure about so far - it is more laid back and acoustic than previous albums, and Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep Mountain High, the 1966 album, some of which is (over) produced by Phil Spector (also lost the LP in the bushfire) but it contains some good R'n B numbers.

Finally I bought The Doors' 2007 remastered re-release of The Soft Parade with the extra tracks. Must admit I had heard a few tracks but never the whole thing – it had such a poor reputation. Well the reputation is warranted by comparison to their other fine albums, and in fact all of the other albums are worthy additions to any collection despite what critic Dave Marsh wrote in the second edition of Rolling Stone Rock and Roll Guide. Yes The Soft Parade was misguided. However, there are a handful of good tracks which, had they been issued as an EP would have enhanced the group's reputation, these being Touch Me, Shaman's Blues, Easy Ride, Wild Child, Runnin Blue and from the additional tracks Version 2 of Whiskey Mystics and Men. OK, a 6 track EP but good material.

Best Music for 2011

CD highlights for 2011 include most tracks from the Songlines magazine's Top of The World Cds which accompany each issue. Also the additional Cds from various countries are often as good as, if not better than, the Top of The World issues. Of particular note this year are Dutch Delta sounds, Bleu Blanc World, Brazilian Bahia and Shetland Music.

The Best of Van Morrison Vol 3, a double Cd was selling new for $10 at JB Hi Fi and could not be ignored. There are a number of live tracks, re-mixes and collaborations to make it special. I expected a number of indifferent tracks but surprisingly most tracks are well chosen (by Van) and quality material with about six being excellent – Ancient Highway, Raincheck, Blue and Green, Shenandoah (with The Cjhieftains), Help Me (with Junior Wells), Lonely avenue/ 4 O'Clock in the Morning (w. Jimmy Witherspoon) and Early In the Morning (with B B King).

The Hendrix family finally released a remixed and reconfigured Hendrix In The West, originally released as a posthumous collection of superb live performances. This version has added three tracks and replaced Little Wing and Voodoo Chile (Slight Return). In my opinion this is a stronger

compilation, but of course there are moaners on Amazon. I had to place a review.

Sony's Original Album Series are excellent value in that they contain a box set of five albums which sells for $20 at JB Hi Fi. I purchased Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Los Lobos. I have reviewed the Wilson Pickett set on Amazon which is excellent apart from the reprocessed stereo on the Wicked Pickett album.

Other highlights include two live albums recorded in the 60s with the Muddy Waters Band backing John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton. Also James Brown live in Dallas from 1968 and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys La Toussaint, great cajun/zydeco from 1995. The Byron Bay Bluesfest is not looking particularly inspired this year at this point but there are artists to be announced.

Our U3A short story group is growing stronger, 2011 had about 15 members and this year should have 20. Paul Humphries generously organised a publication of our output with two stories from each person. It is wonderful to see the variety of styles and this grass roots talent displayed in print.