Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite @ Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Well, what an amazing end to a wonderful weekend!

I started the day at Pancake on the Rocks for breakfast and the walked around to the Opera House to pick up tickets for tonight's show.  I'm still amazed I have never seen a concert in this room (there was the 1996 Crowded House fiasco on the steps), though I vaguely remember seeing the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform on a Year 10 excursion.  But that was 30 years ago.

A arrived in Sydney just after 1pm and we spent the afternoon walking around the Rocks Market before coming back to our magnificent room (32nd floor Harbour View of the Four Seasons) to relax as she is still struggling a little with the time change.

Our plan was to walk to Otto and meet the Barnes' and Cammells' for dinner.  Unfortunately I forgot about the Botanic Gardens shutting their gates each night.  But a quick Uber rectified that problem and it wasn't long before we were sitting outside catching up for the first time in 4 - 7 years.  The fact we were sitting outside, even though under a gas heater, is a testament to the wonderful weather we're having during the Sydney "winter".  Dinner was outstanding, and the company as fun as always.  Then to top off dinner we caught a water taxi back to the Opera House - acting like that's how we get to every concert.  Many a photo was taken using this spectacular harbour as a backdrop.  I truly count my blessing for the friends and life I have.

We got into our seats and literally moments later Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite and band walked onto the stage.  I had seen them 5 years ago at The Fillmore and had a blast.  Tonight was going to top that.  While it took a few songs for Harper to acknowledge the crowd, when he did, he shared the love.  He seemed happy with the reaction, more than happy to share the adoration with his great band and be completely humbled by the room.  And let's talk about that for a minute.  The sound was shear PERFECTION.  In complete contrast to the mixing disaster that was Tumbleweed last night, I am not sure I have had better sound at a gig before.  So good were the acoustics I, and everyone else in the audience, were afraid to talk in fear of interrupting this most beautiful of sound.  

This set of songs were also amazing.  Between Harper's voice, the unreal band Musselwhite's harmonica and occasion blues-graveled voice each song was better than the last.  The Trump dedicated I Don't Believe A Word You Say received a rapturous welcome and then a fantastic follow up of I'm In I'm Out and I'm Gone were the 2 songs which really set the tone for the rest of the night.  Trust You To Dig My Grave was a great song and of course everyone was super pumped for the finale - When The Levee Breaks.

A five song encore made you wish this night would never end.  Long Legged Woman was fantastic.  A cover of the Beatles Yer Blues was a song I didn't recognize but still very bluesy.  However the show stopper was All That Matters Now.  Like the Charlotte show, Harper sang this without the aid of a microphone.  Unlike the Charlotte show where we fought to hear the song, Harper's voice carried perfectly to all corners of the room and left everyone stuck in their seats when it was done.

When I was home and looking for something to take Amy to the Opera House to see, I was blown away that Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite was an option.  The fact we could get 6 good seats together was more amazing.  But there was nothing that could prepare me for how good the performance was - I'd hate to be the next show I see at the Opera House as standards have been set super high.  I read a review a couple of days later that also summed things up well in another perspective.  People coming to see Harper play his well known Innocent Criminals songs may have been initially disappointed, but would have left with a whole new respect for this great music.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 444th concert.

Concert Hall is the 122nd venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 50th concert in Sydney.

This is my 184th concert in New South Wales.

This is my 187th concert in Australia.
This is my 2nd Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite concert.

Tumbleweed, Pink Fits, Electric Guitars & Enfant Terrible @ Marrickville Bowlo

20 years since I've seen my favorite Australian band, and this my 19th time.  And they happen to tour on a rare occasion that I'm at home.  Too good!

I had come to Sydney from Mum's earlier in the day to spend some time wandering Sydney.  I'm staying at the beautiful Four Seasons, in a room overlooking the Harbour, Bridge and Opera House.  Very Spoiled!  The day took me from the Rocks, to the Opera House, up to my beloved Red Eye Records, before coming back to the hotel to rest before the night, and take in the sights.

A train out to Marrickville made to see a gig.  Home sweet home!  Met Marbs there and we went in search of dinner.  Fortunately Regs and Phil found us and we headed to The Henson for dinner.  A good Aussie pub meal  on top of the day and what was to come.  Talk about trying to persuade me to move back to Oz.

We got to the venue way to early.  I usually try and at least listen to the opening bands, but good company kept me distracted and Enfant Terrible, The Electric Guitars and The Pink Fits came and went without grabbing my attention.

For the Weed, Regs and I moved up front.  They were playing their self-titled debut from start to finish and I wanted to be right there, taken back in time to my early 20's, and see if the band still had it.  They do.  From the opening chords of Sundial, Richie had the arm-waving, hip-swaying, doubled-over, hair-flying moves I can no longer do.  The pace was a bit faster than the record, but the band was into it.  Unfortunately the sound guy wasn't!  It was so ear-piercingly loud (of course I'd forgotten earplugs) even I was uncomfortable.  After God we retreated to the back of the venue where, despite the crowd's lack of interest so far back, sound was bearable.  Acid Rain sounded great, considering I once heard the band say they'd never do that song live.  But I thing the set really kicked on after the album was finished.  The 4 song bridge from album to encore were the magnificent Daddy Long Legs, Stoned, Carousel and Shakedown. 

After hearing Silver Lizard and Hang Around we decided to leave (hey it was after 1am and we're not getting any younger).  I wish I had stayed as I could here Rainbow Waterwillow being played at a cracking pace to finish off the encore.

I can't believe that Tumbleweed can still put on as good a show as when I first saw them 25 years ago at the Zoo in Long Jetty.  I'm glad that they are still together, after a couple of hiatuses, and hope I get to see them again one day.  In the meantime I'll remember the good music and great company of the night.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 443rd concert.

Marrickville Bowlo is the 121st venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 2nd concert in Marrickville.

This is my 183rd concert in New South Wales.

This is my 186th concert in Australia.
Enfant Terrible are the 511th band I've seen.

Enfant Terrible are the 1000th time I've seen a band.
The Electric Guitars are the 512th band I've seen.
The Pink Fits is the 513th band I've seen.
This is my 19th Tumbleweed concert.

Jeff Martin @ Long Jetty Hotel

It's been 4 months shy of 20 years since I had seen a show at the Jetty (Sprung Monkey back when it was the Zoo).  The set up has changed drastically as the pub is rarely used for concerts anymore.  Gone is the larger stage and the bar running along the far wall.  Now a small stage sits in the corner of the room - perfect for The Tea Party singer's solo show.

I love The Tea Party, so to see Jeff Martin in my home pub, when I just happen to be in Australia, was an opportunity I was not going to miss, and the start of my weekend of rock.  It was a mellow night (except for a few in the crowd that needed to fuck it up for everyone).  A great mix of Tea Party songs and covers.  For me the highlight was actually his cover of U2's With or Without You, a song I'm not a fan of, but I enjoyed this version.  

Was surprised that I didn't run into anyone I knew, but after 20 years I may just not recognize people.  This weekend back in Charlotte, Liverpool is playing, and I was devastated that this was announced the day after we booked our trip back to Australia, however if the rest of the weekend goes well, I be more than happy.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 442nd concert.

This is my 22nd concert at Long Jetty Hotel.

This is my 22nd concert at Long Jetty.

This is my 182nd concert in New South Wales.

This is my 185th concert in Australia.
Jeff Martin is the 510th band I've seen.

Disney On Ice @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Before we came out to Australia and we were looking for things to do, K bought all of us tickets to Disney On Ice up at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.  I'm not sure why I've never been here before.  Much smaller than the Sydney Entertainment Centre, and not a bad seat in the house as seen by the fact we were in the last row and had a fantastic view.

The Boys, Nanny and us drove up separately from the K, J, LF & M and we arrived a little early.  But a beautiful winter's day let us sit in the sun while we waited.  A few years ago, a show like this would have been my worst nightmare, but I love taking the boys somewhere where I can watch them take it all in.

The show itself was great.  A bunch of Disney classics were told in a shortened skating version.  LF & M knew all the characters and stories, while the boys and I had no idea who some of these people were.  The kids loved it.  And the performers were fantastic.  The stuff they did in those costumes and on ice, defies all forms of logic.

Never have I seen so many kids in one spot, but no nervous breakdown was had.  Everyone, parents and kids alike, had a blast.  And for me the drive up the Freeway and back home via Swansea and the back way, was a great trip down memory lane.

L, Me & B @ Disney On Ice - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow, NSW

Oxnard, CA to Bateau Bay, NSW

On 30 June we started our journey back to Australia to see family.  Flying out to Los Angeles, we drove up to spend a couple of days with AC before flying out to Sydney on 2 July.  

The fight was just me and the boys.  A would join us in the middle 2 weeks of us being there.  Boys slept well on the fight and when they woke up, they were able to watch 2 World Cup games that took us all the way to arrival in Sydney.  Unfortunately the motion of the plane didn't agree with either of them and L will pretty ill going through customs and immigration.