A Fresh Breeze.........

I dig didge. The thing that makes Blue Mountains based band 'The Reluctant Friends of Steve' novel is the inclusion of didgeridoo in the band. The player is pseudonymously known as 'Breezy' and he adds a distinctive tone to the sound of the band which might otherwise be dismissed as celt-rock. The didge is entirely appropriate, in a modern context, to a place as environmentaly significant as the Blue Mountains. Given the world heritage value of the place and the indigenous harmonies the sound of didge has come to evoke contemporary Australia. If I could ask for more from this band it would be less rock and more space to explore the juxtaposition /juncture of the celtic Australian culture and a modern Australian culture, aware of it's cultural location, symbolised by the band's elements. But that is a personal inclination to instrumental experiment & innovation, not a Pub band's perspective. A Pub band is usually faced with the realities of getting people up and thirsty. Which the 'Rels' do. Everytime I have seen them they have had the locals up, on the floor and dancing. The 'Rels' should be given credit for doing this with the driving sounds of didge included in its line-up. There is opportunity for guest recordings of native voice perhaps and instrumental space even in the performative realm. This challenge, to create a local idiom free of false accent that still pays it's way, is the greatest one facing local talent. I hope this band continues to evolve and suprises us. More power to the didge!

The Good Oud

Moroccan, Sufi and Gaelic an improbable combination. But what a beaut buffet the stage of the mountains provides us. By turns rhythmic and searing, melodic and intoxicating the music this impressive ensemble worked it's way through at the Claro was swoony. A collection of sets that proves the point of Katoomba as one of the stop-offs and stays in the alternate world.

MtVM