Song Circle

Imagine sitting around a campfire with some of Australia’s best singer-songwriters! That was QPAC’s Song Circle, a passion project for Troy Cassar-Daly, featuring Shane Howard (Goanna), Dan Sultan, Neil Murray (Warumpi Band) and Sara Storer. The 3-hour gig included a warm and welcoming opening set with Jem Cassar-Daly, her keys and a bunch of original songs. The evening drew together a key theme that, despite the vastness of the Australian landscape (a reality these travelling musicians know only too well) it is the stories and songs that draw us all together. With so many high-calibre performers in the circle, there was space for only a few songs each to tell each individual tale, and it must have been difficult to whittle down the choices. Shane Howard’s iconic 1982 hit for band Goanna ‘Solid Rock’ threw down the musical gauntlet, the song’s themes as relevant as ever. And it was a difficult act to follow. I agree with Dan Sultan who suggested that they should have saved that one ‘til last!

It may have been difficult to choose just a few songs in Sara Storer’s case. But Troy made it a bit easier for the multi-Golden Guitar winner. It was his request that Sara perform her song ‘Katherine’ about the flooding river. Her other quirky love songs such as ‘Lovegrass’ and her personal tales about teaching in the outback were very welcome in the blend of styles in the song circle. One love song I eagerly awaited hearing live was Dan Sultan’s ‘Wait in Love’. I’ve been ‘waiting in love’ for Dan Sultan’s new tunes since his Blackbird album nearly a decade ago. During that time, he’s experimented with a few different styles, all honing his craft. His even earlier song from 2009 ‘Old Fitzroy’, performed on the night, shows how well he captures time and place for such a young songwriter. His new tunes are heartfelt, honest and heart-breaking:  it was wonderful to hear ‘Wait in Love’ and ‘Story’ with five acoustic guitars, letting Dan’s unique voice shine through (which is not always captured in the same way on recordings).

These are all hard-working singer-songwriters but I doubt that there is one more dedicated to his craft that Troy Cassar-Daley. His songs are honed from his musical influences, from work with collaborators, and always strengthened by his love of country and connecting with his audience. He is a warm and welcoming frontman and he really should have his own variety show in the freewheeling style of Daryl Hall’s ‘Daryl’s House’ where he could welcome his musical mates and mentors as a regular gig. His ‘Shadows on the Hill’, ‘Born to Survive’ and ‘Freedom Ride’ tell our First Nations story so clearly in song. One of his collaborators has of course been Shane Howard, who also has a way of making our Australian story iconic. The songs ‘Razor’s Edge’ and ‘Let the Franklin Flow’ are part of the musical DNA, particularly for those who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. Equally important are the songs of Neil Murray and the Warumpi Band, the ground-breaking act that included a mix of Indigenous and non-indigenous performers over the years. Neil’s ‘My Island Home’ is practically our alternative national anthem, and ‘Blackfella/Whitefella’ was a pertinent reminder of when Neil met a tribal elder from Papunya in the Northern Territory who told him that it didn’t matter what the colour of his skin was, as long as he was a ‘good fella’. This song’s closing refrain ‘stand up and be counted’ had the whole Concert Hall audience up on their feet singing in unison.

Song Circle had an easy, impromptu flow but a local guitarist added a steady hand to the mix. It was a great idea. It was also nice to hear the performers thanks the backstage crew at QPAC, as there are many people behind the scenes who contribute to the success of events such as the Clancestry Festival. So, the only catch for me was seeing a couple of Fender electric guitars curiously left standing on stage unplayed. I wonder if time got away and we missed out on a rollicking encore. Nevertheless, this was a singular and outstanding performance and one I hope that the QPAC team considers making a regular annual event in years to come. After all, we certainly have a back catalogue as well as plenty of upcoming local musical talent to celebrate.

Find out more: www.qpac.com.au/past-events/fnsongcircle_23

Beth Keehn

Images: QPAC and Claudia Baxter