News - March/April
Around the traps

Visited Acoustic Brew for the first time in March, thanks to Cassy's encouragement. The Burrinja Cafe Gallery hosts a number of musical events throughout the month and is a great supporter of local artists. The 'Acoustic Brew' night is a monthly evening of music where a lot of locals (visiting Canadians permitted also) play either solo or together with a backing band led by Michelle Chandler. Cassy had some great Jazz numbers including classics like 'Georgia' and I played a mix of tracks including songs by Gordon Lightfoot and Ben E. King.
Verandah Music in Dromana, is a great community based music venue and was a lot of fun. Ron can play harmonica to just about anything and got up on stage to support me at short notice. There's always people you can jam with or willing to accompany you on Bass or other instruments (helps if you have tabs/sheet music). If you live in that area and like acoustic music, I'd highly recommend dropping by on the third Saturday of the month. Visited 'Coronet Bay Unplugged' or the Coronet Bay Concert night in April for the first time and met a thriving small community who appreciated good music. Despite the local focus in the region of Phillip Island, there were a lot of visitors from far and wide and even several familiar faces including Pat De Leo from Morwell (a remarkable man) who played some of his classics, as well as a newer original piece. I had the pleasure of meeting some fine people interested not just in music, but also in building community including Barry who did a good job as MC and Wayne who worked the sound.

Maggie's Fiddle Group continues on with their regular fiddle workshop where you can learn traditional tunes by the old fashioned method of listening and and playing by ear. The first part of the evening is a teaching workshop and the second part involves playing tunes suggested by the participants. I took my fiddle along and managed to scratch out 'Angelina Baker' (a first for me). Played at Peninsula Folk Club prior to the main act - Dave McFarlane (his 'Travelling Man' song is really good!) and also took part in Robyn's Tin Whistle workshop. Club members regularly run workshops on various instruments and encourage an environment of participation and skills development. Next month, it's violin with Maggie.
March saw me play at Newport RSL again. This time I pulled out the ukulele for a change and did a couple of songs by Hawaiian, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The monthly Bluegrass Jam at Mahogany House is always good value. Jamming with others is always a good way to practice, learn and develop Bluegrass and general musical skills.
March saw me play at Newport RSL again. This time I pulled out the ukulele for a change and did a couple of songs by Hawaiian, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The monthly Bluegrass Jam at Mahogany House is always good value. Jamming with others is always a good way to practice, learn and develop Bluegrass and general musical skills.

On the 30th of March, Tracey Roberts launched her new CD 'Shades of Blue' at the Ranges Burrinja Folk Club. I found Tracey's music contemplative, born of personal experience and filled with mood and imagery. I particularly liked her original song about a 'Selkie' whose fur coat was stolen, forcing her to live on land with a human family. Apparently, according to Celtic folklore, Selkies look like seals but upon reaching land, take on the human form. Anyway, it was a nice song which could have done with a tin whistle or similar to give a high haunting sound in the live performance (I think there is one on the studio recorded version.)

Sally Carter agreed to record some songs for YouTube and I was very pleased about that. If you go to my YouTube Channel, you can check out 'Wildwood Flower' and 'Safe and Sound'. There's a bit of a queue of material (including requests) I'd like to get on YouTube, but time is an issue. I'll get round to some more Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot songs but I'd like to re-record some originals first. I deleted an old Music page last month as part of upgrading the site and need to re-post some of my own, before expanding on other artists.
Sadly, I've had to withdraw from the National Folk Festival in Canberra this April due to family reasons, hopefully next year I can make it.
PAVE Festival, Emerald
The township of Emerald was busy with music from 17-22 April and was fun. My favourite part of the festival was the Forest of Voices concert held at the Mechanics Institute, supporting the Uniting Church's efforts for a nursing program overseas. That was a great afternoon with many talented musicians taking part. I loved the choirs that took part and was happy to be a part of a vibrant musical community that is very much alive and thriving. There was too much talent to mention all, but I must mention some. The Sweet Sassafras choir impressed me early in the afternoon with some of their traditional renditions. VoKallista was an important part of the event with directors Barb McFarlane and Libby Price organising the concert. For me, the standout-act was the Shaking The Tree Choir. Their energy and humour were unbridled and I must admit - I was absolutely compelled to buy their CD 'Ripe'. It was a privilege to be part of this concert as a performer and even play a small part in helping Stax with the sound.
PAVE Festival, Emerald
The township of Emerald was busy with music from 17-22 April and was fun. My favourite part of the festival was the Forest of Voices concert held at the Mechanics Institute, supporting the Uniting Church's efforts for a nursing program overseas. That was a great afternoon with many talented musicians taking part. I loved the choirs that took part and was happy to be a part of a vibrant musical community that is very much alive and thriving. There was too much talent to mention all, but I must mention some. The Sweet Sassafras choir impressed me early in the afternoon with some of their traditional renditions. VoKallista was an important part of the event with directors Barb McFarlane and Libby Price organising the concert. For me, the standout-act was the Shaking The Tree Choir. Their energy and humour were unbridled and I must admit - I was absolutely compelled to buy their CD 'Ripe'. It was a privilege to be part of this concert as a performer and even play a small part in helping Stax with the sound.