From Carpenters from Kempsey to Tehillim

Well rather a mixture of tastes this week. With the Carpenters from Kempsey, a tribute duo performing at the cabaret room in the AB in Glebe, through to more highbrow contemporary classical with work by Reich, Ligeti etc.

The Carpenters was a fun night out, cabaret appears to be alive and well in Glebe. It seemed as though just about everyone in the room knew enough words to sing along.



The performance of Steve Reich's Teihillim was a very moving and rich musical landscape comprising of Ensemble Offspring, Halcyon and Synergy Percussion.

However finding a park, when it was footie night at Parramatta was a scarey experience!

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Tania Libertad

What is it about so many artists that their publicity photographs bear little resemblance to what they currently look like. I was expecting a young girl, it was more a mature woman, with appropriately aged accompaniment.

Sydney Opera House was in world music concert mode. I did feel very sorry for the Martinez brothers who were serious background music, not even a support band status, with the houselights staying firmly on during their performance and people ambling in and chatting. It certainly didn't do them justice.

The excited fans of Libertad were merrily flashing away with their cameras and mobile phones - despite the announcement in English that photography was prohibited. It added to the Carnival atmosphere, though I must say that the annoying thing with digital cameras is not just the flash, but also the back light from the camera viewing screen.

As for the music, to me, not knowing any of the songs, I thought I was seeing the equivalent of a pop spanish version of Nana Mouskouri, however I believe I am quite wrong as Tania was a protest singer! Oh well - lost in translation!

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

International Music Market Brisbane

It was a great week in Brisbane attending the Australian International Music Market. There were lots of showcases, lots of networking, some fantastic music and definitely some dance beats, as evidenced by Marguerite and Kate bopping away to the The Scientists of Modern Music. Seriously infectious dance music.

Other highlights were the Wantok Foundation's Sing Sing. A fabulous blend of music and dance, both contemporary and traditional . Serious yet joyous and very moving at the same time.

Of course there were jazz highlights, for me the best live performance was Alistair Spence. Though I don't think the beauty of his live set is matched on the CD.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cross cultural work

Hi well this week it is Brisvegas for a week of showcases and networking at the Music Market.

The week started with seeing a Queensland Music Festival piece, Crossing Roper Bar. A fusion of indigenous with contemporary music. Not too sure that the work hangs together at this stage.

Just wondering with a lot of the cross cultural work, that if in the anxiety to do the right thing and be inclusive, that the natural flow of things is forced, ending up with stilted and to me meaningless and often patronising work. In our rush to be supportive of specific sectors that we accept the mediocre disguised as feel good, do the right thing stuff.

Is it fair, to other artists who are outstanding in their craft?

Joanne
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Erth - Gondwana

So there were only 12 performances for the July school holidays and guess what? they sold out. Children's theatre is alive and kicking.

This show was beautifully staged and executed, featuring Australia's amazing prehistoric creatures and land brought to life with full body puppets and large-scale inflatable plants.

The journey was a bit scarey for some of the younger children, you need darkness for puppets, which can be frightening. However it was a lovely journey seeing giant dinosaurs, insects, indigenous plants, life-size rocks and mammals.

The land masses changed shape, there was a bit of death and murder with flesh-eating dinosaurs nesting, feeding and fighting for survival.

Plus for my daughter the best part was the interactive session at the end, where Basil, featured as a performing animal. He was given eye drops, and fed leaves by various audience members. Plus we now know that his wife and kids live in New Zealand.

Performed by Erth Theatre Company, it was educational and great entertainment.

If you were one of the lucky ones to have seen the show, it was also great value.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Gerard Masters Trio @ Jazzgroove

Fabulous performance by Gerard playing new material at the Excelsior last week.

Apart from that it has been more activity for school holidays. The special effects exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum was fun.

We did get a chance to do the one hit wonder video ourselves.

www.ceressolutions.com.au

Caroline Ninn and Cafe Carnivale

For the final Cafe Carnivale of the year, it was a night of dancing and celebration, which featured South American music. The dancing didn't quite compare to these natives from Argentina.

Interesting vibe in the place, along the lines of place to hang out, music was in the background and incidental. Probably just as well, the music was OK, but not great and there was the odd schmalzy classic thrown in.

Then it was off to a more European style to see the cabaret performance of Caroline Ninn at the Opera House in an hommage to Piaf. She was good, not great, with a wonderful European presence. I reckon Greg's marketing efforts were the stars!

www.ceressolutions.com.au