Arts

Review: The AMC ‘Bears’ All At Ninth Session

It’s hard to believe that the Adelaide Music Collective has held nine sessions and inductions since beginning early last year, and they just keep getting better and better. The latest offering saw the likes of John Reynolds, Trev Warner, Eric Bogle and none other than Patsy Biscoe inducted into the South Australian Music Hall Of Fame

Patsy Biscoe gets a Bear Hug

Patsy Biscoe gets a Bear Hug

It’s hard to believe that the Adelaide Music Collective has held nine sessions and inductions since beginning early last year, and they just keep getting better and better. The latest offering saw the likes of John Reynolds, Trev Warner, Eric Bogle and none other than Patsy Biscoe inducted into the South Australian Music Hall Of Fame. Hosted by MC Gary Burrows and John Pemberton, Friday night’s ceremony and music acts were first class and gave further weight to Adelaide’s endless supply of creative talent.

Tara Carragher, with Richard Coates on piano accordion, was the first act to perform. Carragher’s vocals were beautifully calm, serene and dulcet, providing a ‘chamomille tea for the soul’ effect with its gentleness, with Coates backing being the perfect compliment. Her final number called ‘Wicked World’ was dedicated to her ill father, with Carragher showing amazing courage in opening up and sharing such personal details of her life through her songs.

The lovely Julia Henning and her band, who appeared at this year’s WOMADelaide Festival, was hauntingly beautiful and melodious with a part lounge/part Debbie Harry (Blondie) feel to her act, although definitely in a class of her own. A songwriter since the age of 7, Henning is fast becoming recognised for her sheer talent and presence, a true SA star on the rise.

Harmonica legend (and Christmas Pageant float designer) Dave Blight, known mostly for his work with Cold Chisel, performed with Mick Kidd with a kick ass blues set that included Robert Leroy Johnson and Steve Winwood covers. Both masters of their craft, they let loose with a wall of thunderous blues that set the place on fire.

The induction part of the evening saw music identity John Reynolds, Folk legend Eric Bogle, country musician Trev Warner, and veteran entertainer Patsy Biscoe being awarded their rightful places amongst fellow Hall Of Fame inductees by John ‘Pembo’ Pemberton. All spoke candidly of their careers, shared some highlights and of course anecdotes that spanned decades. There was a special appearance during the inductions by a rather large, hairy, pantless individual named Humphrey B Bear, who presented the induction medal to Patsy Biscoe for her years of service to children’s entertainment. For many of us, this was a welcome trip back to our childhoods, and seeing the ‘fun loving bear’ once again was a lovely experience.

The most comforting thing about these inductions is the realisation that Adelaide has nurtured so much creative talent over the years, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the years to come given the amazing lineup of new, emerging acts that are forming each day.

The final acts for the evening were Trev Warner and friends, who were fantastic and showed true mastery with their tight versions of songs like ‘Jambalaya’, and then Eric Bogle supported by Peter Titchener closed off the evening with a moving set that showed Bogle’s depth as not only a songwriter, but also as a political commentator. Lyrical, haunting, emotive, and a story in each of his songs, Bogle finished up with the anti-war classic ‘And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’, a song covered by over 100 different artists, to wrap up yet another finely crafted evening of old and new.

If you love music, or even if you don’t, the AMC is an experience in musical education with its fantastic support of emerging artists, and recognition of those from yesteryear who have paved the way.

Session 10 will be held on Friday August 21 and will be another stellar lineup including Mick Pealing, Mal Easterlick, The Stars, Ian Nancarrow, The Others and many more. Go to http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=145164 for bookings but be quick because these sell out quickly

 

Reviewed by Darren Hassan

Twitter: DazzHassan

 

 

 

 

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