Anni's book launch went off well, last week.

Today I received a nice folio of photos taken at the CTC@ Robertson last Thursday night, which was the local launch of "Talking to Kinky and Karlheinz" - Anni Heino's new book. The photos were sent to me by Sally McLaughlin. Thanks Sally.

The evening started with Andy Ford giving a talk about the Music Show, which is the background to the book, for Anni was the editor of transcripts from a thousand hours or more of Andy's interviews with guest on the ABC's Music Show. The background is explained more fully in my earlier blog about the book launch (see the link above). Anni also talked a little about her role as editor of the book, but she was a little shy, on the night. I think she also knew that a lot of people wanted to sing and play music, to welcome the new book.

The first shows a local "a capella" group. I would call them a "Barbershop Quartet", except for the fact of their number, and "Barbershop Sextet" is far too controversial a term for this family-friendly blog! I think they might be called the "Highland-Aires" or "Highland-Dares", but I could not confirm either name in a quick Google search. There are international groups which use the first name, and I don't wish to start a legal battle over names. Sally's dad, Graeme (hope the spelling is correct, mate) is one of the singers (second from right).After the boys in red jackets finished warming up the crowd, the wild boys hit the stage. Nick Rheinberger got them going with some old fashioned rock 'n roll. He invited Andy Ford to join the band in a rendition of Van Morrison's "Gloria". That was a natural choice, for Andy has co-authored a book on the songs of "Van the Man". It is called "Speaking in Tongues"
The CTC had hosted a book launch by Andy Ford and Martin Buzacott on 26 May 2005. Gosh, it hardly seems that long ago. Photos of that event are on the CTC website - News Archive for that date. Here you can see the band winding up for a big finale at the end of "Gloria". Nick is about to bring it a big conclusion, and Andy is getting into it pretty seriously, too.Here are two of the members of the CTC house band. Richard, who is one of the co-ordinators of the CTC Music Nights, and Brian, who is a regular performer. Brian was also the stand-in conductor for the "Highland-Dares" as seen in the first photo, above. (He changed out of the red jacket.)Thanks again to Sally, for sending me the photos, as I had come rushing back from Canberra for the book launch, and I did not have my own camera with me.

"Talking to Kinky and Karlheinz" - local book launch

Local writer, and musicologist, Anni Heino has recently published her book "Talking to Kinky and Karlheinz". The sub-title is "170 musicians get vocal on The Music Show".It is published by ABC books. Anni has also created an "on-line companion" to the book, with background information, excerpts and some short "sound bites" as teasers to the full interviews. Although the book was "officially" launched in Adelaide during Adelaide Writers Week festival, in March, Anni has decided to hold a local event, to benefit the CTC@Robertson. This local launch will take place on Thursday 10 April, starting at 5:30pm.

Anni has sifted through hundreds of interviews on ABC Radio National's "The Music Show" (which has been hosted by her husband Andrew Ford since 1995). She has then transcribed the "best bits" - perhaps the funniest, perhaps the most poignant, and hopefully the most perspicacious insights which Andy's subtle interviewing style has prompted from the guests.

Seemingly Anni's favourite interview is with Nick Hornby, for her transcription of that interview has been selected as a sample interview, to be accessible via her website, here.
There are extended transcripts from interviews with 45 famous musicians, and small extracts, often the "pithy one liners" which add charm to an interview, or to a book, from a further 125 other, equally famous musicians. No doubt the choice of which interviews to feature was a subject of much anguish on Anni's part, but the selection of interviews is clearly her own, none-the-less. As Andy comments in his foreword, Anni was able to make dispassionate choices in selecting the interviews to feature in the book, but yet sufficiently close to the source to be able to seek an interpretation of any arcane comments or mumbled responses which might have puzzled her, while listening to over 1000 hours of tapes.

There will be a local launch of the book at the CTC@Robertson this coming Thursday evening, and copies of the book will be available from the CTC for a special price, and sales from there will result in a donation to the CTC.

I confess a slight disappointment in that there is not an extended interview with Kinky Friedman in the book. As regular readers know I am not a musician, nor even much of an appreciator of music, but I did go and see Kinky Friedman in person at Tilley's Cafe in Canberra several years ago. I am fascinated by his character - so full of contrasts. After all, anybody whose trademark is as a Texas red-neck Jewish Cowboy, and is a novelist as well as a musician, has at least got complexity in his favour. But above all this book is about Music, as is the show from which it derives, and I suspect that Kinky is more well-known to the likes of me for his personality than for his insights into music. But his name adds character to the title.

"Talking to Kinky and Karlheinz" (the book) consists of 45 long interviews (in bold) and short extracts from 125 other interviews, and the list is available via the web, on Anni's webpage here, as part of the "On-line Companion for Talking to Kinky and Karlheinz". So you can scan the range of interviewees, prior to purchasing the book.

Better still, go along to the Robertson CTC this coming Thursday evening. You will be able to talk to Anni about the book, or to Andy about the program, and get yourself an autographed copy of the book (and help the CTC at the same time). The evening will start at 5:30pm, Andy will say a few words about The Music Show from 6:00pm, and then, with "formalities" (very informal, no doubt) completed, people can relax and enjoy the evening, which will then transform into the CTC's regular (every second) Thursday "Music Night" from 7:00pm onwards.

No doubt a good evening will be had, and it is special because it is our own local talent which will be on show - through Anni's book, through hearing Andy talking about the legendary Music Show on ABC Radio National, and with the home-grown live music to follow.

Do come along and show your support, and make the event even more local, and more satisfying to all concerned.

Bruce Mathiske's concert in Mittagong

Tonight I went with John Hughes to a "Sizzling Strings" concert in Mittagong by Bruce Mathiske, and friends Greg Young (GY), and Nick Rheinberger. What an eye-opener, or should that be "Ear-Opener"?

Photo by Richard Bartlett,
courtesy of Bruce Mathiske Music website.

As regular readers know I am no music critic, but I was stunned by the virtuosity of Bruce (in particular) and also the other two musicians with him. Bruce literally seemed to be able to coax enough music for three instruments from his single, beautifully-tuned steel string guitar. And I am not talking about his sampling box, where he can lay down 5 brief "samples", and then "jam with himself". That is pretty amazing, but of course, some of the credit is due to the technology. But, I hasten to add, not all of it. He is still playing "live", and how he manages to "read" these complex musical rhythms and beats and melodies simultaneously is totally mystifying to the likes of me. A brief biography of Bruce may be found here.

Greg Young is a self-styled "Ukulele Dynamo", and clearly has worked for some time with Bruce Mathiske. Greg comes from Stawell in western Victoria.

Nick Rheinberger, playing at a CTC Music Night last year.

Nick Rheinberger is familiar to regular readers, through his appearances at Music Nights at the CTC, and also as the ABC Illawarra Morning Show presenter. Nick played his beloved "Charango", as well as a Dobro resonating guitar, which he played as a "slide guitar", and a tiny little Ukulele with which he concluded the concert playing his ironic number where he bemoans the problems of "playing the Blues on a lousy little Taiwanese $29.95 Ukulele".

I can say that as a member of a fairly full house, complete with a number of other Robertson residents, I thoroughly enjoyed the performances. Great music, and an enjoyable night out.

Good to see Robertson people prepared to travel 50 Kms each way to support live music.

Boobooks calling through the mist.

Boobook Owls are calling through the shallow mists of Robertson tonight.

The CTC@Robertson has its Music Night on Thursday nights, from about 6:30pm, till about 10:30pm. I went there to night, and Nick Rheinberger (of ABC Illawarra's Morning Show) came along with his charming and talented daughter, Eva, and her friend Rocky. They started off with the opening number from the Rocky Horror Show ("Damn it, Janet"), and within a few minutes, the tone had lowered to "Black Betty".

Wow - complete naiveté to depravity within about 5 minutes!

Nick Rheinberger, performing, some time ago, at the CTC@Robertson.After a break in proceedings, Nick played along in support to Aneik and Stu's son, doing an acoustic guitar version of Greg's (CTC Music Night) standard "Wild Thing", with his little sister Grace dancing up front, (under the encouragement of Monica), the CTC's manager. The whole show was a hoot!

Greg performing "Wild Thing", some time ago.

It was a very pleasant night for all concerned.

*****

After I left, I came home through a shallow fog, and walked down my driveway, to the accompaniment of Boobook Owls calling loudly. It is, after all, breeding season for the larger raptors (including the nocturnal ones). Certainly they were keeping in touch with each other tonight, out there, on a mild winter/spring evening. No wind, fortunately. So their calls were echoing up the Belmore Falls Valley, where I live.

Mist is no impediment to avian romance, it seems. Nor should it be!

*****

I was teasing Nick, as he left tonight, that I would tune early tomorrow morning, to see how bright an chirpy he would be tomorrow morning, on ABC Illawarra, at 8:30am. For I know Nick lives at Welby (near Mittagong) high on the highlands, and he has to drive along the "Picton Road" to Wollongong, to appear, "Bright eyed and Bushy-tailed" at 8:30 am, for the ABC 97.3 FM Morning Show.

It's easy for me - I can lie in bed, and listen to Nick, whereas, he has had to rise before 5:30am, to drive for 45 minutes to the ABC studio at Wollongong, to start his day, leaving time to have read the morning papers, and got his brief from his producers, and still manage to sound friendly and sensible, and interesting, on the radio.

The guy is something of a genius, for he is truly driven to perform, (as a "muso") hence his voluntary appearance at the Robertson CTC's Music Night. Nick is a born performer, musician and entertainer. We love him.

BJ and Boney farewell Music Night

Tonight was the last time that Boney was in the chair, as keyboard player (and/or drummer) for Thursday Night Music Night at the Robertson CTC. It may never be the same.

BJ and Bones posed for this fare-thee-well photograph.



There was a good crowd, which was very pleasant.

A warm sticky night, followed by a heavy shower made for pleasant conditions sitting outside, under the weather-proofed awning at the back of the CTC.

Lucy and the kids posed for a photo with Boney, as they were going out the door.







As anticipated, BJ did her rendition of "Fever" which was a popular song. For some reason the female members of the audience all get a buzz, when she sings this number. Monica, Jodie and some of the other ladies were dancing around.

"Perfect Day"

Last evening, Boney rang to invite Zoe and myself around for a glass of something. When I got there, I discovered that Zoe and Boney had hatched a plot.

Today is my birthday. Last night was the eve of my birthday, and I was not anticipating any celebration then, so I was taken by surprise.

We had a glass, and went on to record Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" - a song which I fell in love with when in Glasgow. I used sing its heavily ironic lyrics when walking about in Glasgow, often with a throbbing headache (the kind one ought really describe as a "hangover"), while getting "Scotch Mist" sprinkles upon my jacket.

"Scotch Mist" is such a fine fog that it can bead up on one's clothes, without one getting wet. Of course, Robertson can produce similar effects on one's clothes.

But in Robbo, the irony of "Perfect Day" is lost, as one really can say:

"Oh It's such a Perfect Day,
I'm glad I spent it with you".....

Zoe sang the main lyrics and we doubled up on the chorus. Bones was on keyboard, Deb on Bass, and BJ helping out on backing vocals. Thanks to Zoe for thinking up the plan, and for keeping me in time (when singing).

I am now the proud owner of a CD of us all playing and singing "Perfect Day".

A nice surprise. A nice idea, Zoe. Thanks. And thanks to Bone for the technical know-how, and the keyboard playing and the encouragement to sing my favourite song - over the years we have known eachother, at the CTC's Music Nights.

The Nature of the "Wild Thing" in us all.

Last night was the biggest night in the history of the CTC.

It was a Thursday Night Music Night, of course. But this one was special, as it was being filmed by the volunteers of the CTC, with assistance from a training crew from MetroScreen.

The word had gone out to help make it a big night - and it surely was, with approximately 60 people in attendance, at some stage or another.

Here is BJ, working behind the camera, early on in the night.



As a matter of record, we ordered no less than 15 Pizzas, from Thomas and Belinda at "Pizzas in the Mist". Normally we would order 4 or 5, or possibly 6 - but never 15 before!
The Pizzas were great, of course - as usual!

I will show a sequence of shots of Greg's party piece "Wild Thing", with Celeste accompanying Greg, when she was not "setting the scene" for the song, by dancing with and around him.

The musicians rocked it out hard, and the whole room was singing along. The drummers, in particular, were going crazy. A great finale to the evening's filming.


After such a high, of course, the place took a while to calm down, so we hung out and sang, and did some more drumming (on the table) - in my case.

A great night was had by all.



Wild thing
You make my heart sing
You make everything
Come on, wild thing

Wild thing, I think you move me
But I gotta know for sure

Come on and hold me tight
Oh you move me









Wild thing
You make my heart sing
You make everything
Come on, wild thing












Wild thing, I think I need you
But I gotta know for sure

Come on and squeeze me tight
Oh I need it

Wild thing
You make my heart sing
You make everything
Come on, wild thing

The Finale:















"Wild Thing" - Lyrics by Chip Taylor.
Apparently first recorded by The Troggs, but covered by just about everybody, notably Joan Jett!
*****

Music Night

I have written before of the joys of Music Nights at the CTC (every Thursday night, from 6:00pm). Well, last night was a big night.

A great crowd of people, great musicians, and, as usual good companionship. Of course, we ordered pizzas from Pizzas in the Mist. Thanks, Thomas and Belinda for the good food.

But the music is what it is really about. So many artists, so much good music. BJ, seen at left, shows how to rock it out.

The evening started out with some Rock and Roll, then moved on into some drum (percussion) work, with people banging, shaking or rattling whatever they could find.

Then they moved back into classic songs, lead by people like Steve, or Niall, with Boney backing up on vocal, or harmonica, or from the keyboard. Boney is like that, he can do more than one thing at a time! Melinda did a few songs too, which was great.

I am forgetting to mention the new-comer, Marty, who is obviously a great fan of Lou Reed, but who also sang some original songs too.

*****

Zoe and I did a duet of my favourite song: "Perfect Day" (also a Lou Reed number)

*****

The whole house sang with us (a great feeling), and with all the people with instruments helping out too. It was just great.

Thanks to everybody for your support - vocal, instrumental, and in every other way too. You know what I mean by that, and you know what it means to me!

Celeste and Greg brought the house down with a rendition of "Wild Thing". It was fabulous, and much appreciated by the crowd. Steve then brought the evening to a sentimental close with his rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". It was a great finish to a lovely evening.

HELP NEEDED

The guys from the Lions Club run the BBQs at the local Robertson Markets, and occasionally at the Moss Vale Markets. They also do BBQs for graduation ceremonies at Triple Care Farm, and for other events in the local region.

Bob Cupitt (seen at left), Roy Heyhorn, Ron Johnson, Jenny Cupitt and a few other people have been carrying this project for years. Bob and Roy's wives, Joyce and Thea (respectively) regularly help out too. However, things have been tough recently. Some of these events, especially the Moss Vale Markets, are such a large operation that it is physically challenging to these people.

To put it bluntly, Bob, Roy, Ron and Jenny need help.

Without some regular assistance, they may have to simply give up doing the Lions BBQ.

What would the Robertson Markets be without these cheerful people knocking out almost endless supplies of sausages, with or without onion, on a roll (or bread), all for $2:50?

*****

Can you offer a couple of hours this coming Sunday morning and once each month? It would be helping to keep a local institution alive. And I am here referring to the monthly Robertson Markets themselves, not just the Lions BBQ. This is not an appeal for help from old men, by the way. Younger men, and women of any age would be welcomed.

You do not have to join the Lions Club, just be prepared to help. You can talk to me, on 4885 2725, or see me at the CTC on Thursday night (Music Night), or just turn up on Sunday morning.

Music Night at the CTC

Every Thursday evening, the musicians of Robertson (well, maybe not all of them, but...) descend upon the Community Technology Centre at Robertson.

"Bone", (photo at left) is the resident pianist, as well as sometime drummer and exponent of the "Blues Harp" ("mouth organ" to the rest of us). A number of other people turn up - different people from week to week. But there are a few regulars. Dave is a guitarist, and vocalist, as are both James, (photo at left) and Niall. Royce brings his drum kit, and also has developed his own Piano routine, when everybody else joins in and does their bit to make it a complete performance. Greg has developed his own act, singing "Wonderful World" in the style of Satchmo. Ritch brings his drums for a bit of hand drumming, and singing. BJ is a regular vocalist (although we missed her last night). Nobody does "My Canary has circles under his eyes" like BJ does. Aniek has been coming along a bit recently, and last night she had stint on the piano, as well as singing. Stu also brought his guitar along last night. The guy in the blue tennis hat, who occasionally sings back-up vocals, is me. Monica and Taz are regulars too. Other occasional visitors and performers are Pip, John H, John G, Steve and Celeste, and Lucy. Apologies to any people I may have missed out on.

Kate is in charge of the orders for Pizzas, (from "Pizzas in the Mist", of course). Last night I had a Robertson Supreme, but the Meatlovers, and the BBQ Chicken are regular favourites with the crowd, as is the Potato Pizza.

Watching Bone, or Aniek or Royce playing the piano, I am constantly bewildered how their hands know where to go, which notes to hit (and NOT to hit). How do they do that? I assume there is a kinetic memory system which tells their fingers where to go. But Bone is also beating time with his feet, and often plays the Blues Harp at the same time. The world is full of amazing people. It is just that I find their talents quite bewildering. I have a hard time keeping the beat with one of those little shell-rattle things. I feel like one of those people who is challenged by walking and chewing gum at the same time.

I love going along to Thursday Music Nights at the CTC. It is open to anyone to come, listen, & join in (or just eat pizza). We are a friendly mob!