BALLADS OF THE BUSH

Reviewed by Don Grieve

CITY RECITAL HALL

Angel Place, Pitt Street, Sydney

This is fabulous entertainment. Gavin Lockley’s remarkable imagination and creativity as a composer and his panache as a vocalist and piano player combine to make the poetry of Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, C J Dennis and others come to life all over again. The ensemble performers are superb and the Ballads of the Bush Band provides wonderful backing from beginning to end. Standouts for me within a never-a-dull-moment program were Sheridan Harbridge and AnneMaree McDonald’s combination in ‘The Australian Sunrise’, Philip Hinton’s rendition of ‘Faces in the Street’ and Gavin Lockley’s song (based on Banjo’s poem) ‘Clancy of the Overflow’ which has every right to be a smash hit. It is seriously as good as Elton John’s best. Totally recommended as something unique and very special.

Further shows 2 PM and 8 PM on Thursday 15 October and Friday, 16 October

For bookings call 8256 2222