Saturday 1st December, 2007

James Reyne & Mark Seymour

James Reyne and Mark Seymour

In 2005 Mark Seymour and James Reyne played sell out performances around Australia, touring to promote their respective Acoustic Series CD’s “ And The Horse You Rode In On “ and “ Daytime & The Dark “.

They had such a good time in ‘05 and made such an impression on audiences that they decided to hit the road this year and go on tour.

Both James and Mark follow up their initial Liberation Blue Acoustic Series with two new releases, both due out 29^th September 2007.

Reynes' Acoustic series effort, Ghost Ships satisfies those wanting more…. featuring a cheeky reggae based rendition of “ Boys Light Up “ for starters while also traversing his solo repertoire from “ Motor’s Too Fast into “ Fall Of Rome “. James delivers beautiful vocals and atmospheres on “ Always The Way “ and “ I Don’t Get Out Much Anymore“ and a contemporary version of " Beautiful People “ round out a stunning selection of his hits.

Mark’s release “ Titanic “ is named after a song featured on the final Hunters & Collectors studio album, which he cleverly re-interprets. A beautiful version of “ She’s Not Fooling Around “ also from Hunters final album is a surprising inclusion. Mark delivers truly satisfying renditions of many past favourites such as “ Dog “, a tongue-in-cheek “ Say Goodbye “ and, a highlight, “ Talking To A Stranger “ … accomplished acoustically…. Which is no mean feat.

The albums find both artists relaxed with their songs, re-claiming and re-shaping them into how they want to hear them today. These new renditions of their past hits plus the arsenal of material from their first acoustic series releases will jam pack their respective set lists on this new tour.

The shows will have a fairly early kick of time, with both artists doing a 45 minute set each, with a super short break in between. To finish up James and Mark will hit the stage together again and cover some of their favourite classic songs. On this tour they decided to extend their combined set to 30 minutes.

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy two of Australia's finest musicians, performing their own classic hits along with their combined encore that delivers a unique highlight at the end of a fantastic night.

Friday 4th January, 2008

Daryl Braithwaite

Mental As Anything

Daryl Braithwaite

Daryl first found fame as lead singer of Sherbet, a band synonymous with the 70’s and their accomplishments during their long career were many. Between 1971 – 1978 Sherbet produced 20 national top 40 singles and were the first Australian band to top the $1million mark in album sales in this country, with a total of 15 albums and 30 singles to their credit, with songs like ‘Summer Love’ becoming the highest selling single of 1975 and ‘Howzat’ not only a hit in Australia, but also in England & America.

In November 1988 Daryl released the phenomenally successful album ‘Edge’ which spent well over a year in the national Aria chart, peaking at #1 for several weeks. In 1989 it became the highest selling CD in Sony Music Australia’s history, spawning 5 hit singles including ‘One Summer’, written by Daryl which went on to achieve gold status.

 In November 1990 Daryl released his follow up album ‘Rise’, Daryl again proved that he had what it takes to make an album work and both the critics and public agreed. Rise boasted a further 5 hit singles. The most popular was undoubtedly “The Horses’, holding the #1 position on the national charts over 3 consecutive weeks. The unexpected success of this single led to being voted “Australian Song of the year’ at the 1991 Australian Music Awards.

 After 12 years, his long awaited new CD “Snapshot” was released in 2005 to critical acclaim.

Featuring the singles “Where the Poor Boys Dance” & “On Love’s Ocean”.  

Mental As Anything

The World's Greatest Garage Band

They have outlasted four Prime ministers, the death of the vinyl LP, the rise of Microsoft and the Internet, man's colonisation of space, the New Romantic Movement, Pol Pot and big hair. Their career has spanned the flared jean coming in and out of fashion. They have sold over 2 million records world-wide and had Top 10 hits in North America and Europe . They have staged three critically acclaimed art exhibitions. Been courted by Paul Keating. They have written more than a dozen songs about drinking.

 The story of Mental As Anything is a heroic tale of a pop band that rose from the ashes of Elvis Presley and conquered time itself. It was August 1977 when Mental As Anything debuted their line-up of Martin Plaza (guitar, voice), Reg Mombassa (guitar, voice), Peter O'Doherty (bass, voice), Greedy Smith (keyboards, harmonica, voice) and David "Bird" Twohill, previously known as Wayne "C-Bird" Delisle (drums). At the time, they were art students at East Sydney Technical College and their gig at the CellBlock Theatre became a homage to the dead "King".

The Mentals wore their influences on their sleeve - a little bit of country, some blues, some 60s pop gems by the likes of the Monkees. It was a time when punk rock was reshaping the flatulence of 70s rock and while the Mentals were not punk rockers, they shared a love of simple, sweaty rock & roll.

 Shortly after that first gig I saw the Mentals at their residency on Monday nights in the back bar of the Unicorn hotel where the band squashed onto the legendary pool table. It was eighty cents to get in - if you could squeeze through the crowds.

 In a press release Martin Plaza described his introduction to the band thus: "One day I came across an ad that read 'Famous Art-Rock Band seeks charismatic front man'. Greedy got that part but they let me join because I had a tattoo of Rolf Harris". Reg Mombassa let it be known that: "His unique style was formulated against an aural backdrop of conversation, train whistles, humming, lawn mowers, the grunts of football players and the crunch of hiking boots on dead leaves in the magnificent forests of his beautiful homeland." Wayne (now David 'Bird' Twohill) "likes eating, fishing and the Black and White Minstrels" while Greedy contributed his own brand of philosophy: "To err is human, to umm is unforgivable". 

Jane Rutter and Sarah Macliver

Saturday 2nd February, 2008

Jane will performing for her 8th time at the Weir Festival.

Jane Rutter

Sarah Macliver

Australia's first lady of the flute returns to Mundaring Weir with a brand new concert, "Paris"... delicious French music from 'la Belle époque', interwoven with poems and anecdotes.  Paris the endless city seen through the eyes of the artist/musician.

Jane reminisces about her life as a flute student for 4 years in the most beautiful and romantic of cities.  PARIS glances at lives of other Parisian artists and musicians - Bernhardt, Picasso and Gertrude Stein.  With special guest appearances including leading musical theatre star Peter Cousens, interpreting Azanvour, Maurice Chevalier and Jacques Brel.  Works by Poulenc, Faure, Debussy, Saint-Saens, Baudelaire, Colette, Cesar Franck and many others.

One of the few classical flautists in the world with the ability to cross over successfully into Jazz and Pop, and described by the Sydney Morning Herald as "Australia's only classical pop star", all her albums have entered the FM pop charts.

Since 1990, Jane has been a household name in Australia, appearing on every major television show including a 60 Minutes feature. At the 1992 Edinburgh Festival, she performed her smash hit one-woman show, Tutti Flutti. She was a television presenter on channel Nine's Getaway in 1994.

In 2001, Jane Rutter appeared as soloist with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Leeuwin Estate and in Perth and Melbourne performances of Mozart at Twilight. She will tour extensively with guitarist Greg Pikler for Musica Viva Australia and with vocalist Angela Toohey in the new cabaret spectacular Broadway Babes.

Sara Macliver is one of Australia's most popular and versatile artists, appearing in opera, concert and recital performances and on numerous recordings. She is regarded as one of the leading exponents of Baroque repertoire in Australia.

Sara Macliver trained in Perth, where she was a pupil of the renowned soprano Molly McGurk. During that time she was a Young Artist with the West Australian Opera Company. Her roles for the company have included Micaela (Carmen), Papagena (The Magic Flute), Giannetta (The Elixir of Love), Morgana (Alcina), Ida (Fledermaus), Nannetta (Falstaff) and Vespetta (Pimpinone). She has also performed the role of Angelica in Orlando with West Australian Opera and covered the role of Zerlina in the Opera Australia production of Don Giovanni.

Sara Macliver has is a regularly performs with Symphony Australia Orchestras in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Queensland and Tasmania, as well as Musica Viva, Melbourne Chorale, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Australia Bach Ensemble and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs among others.

James, his band and Emma Pask at last years festival

James Morrison
and his band

Saturday 9th February, 2008 

8.00pm start

James is returning to the Weir for his 4th festival

James Morrison is, by anybody's standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word.

Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano.

James Morrison's career thus far has been diverse and perhaps not typical of most jazz musicians. He recorded "Jazz Meets the Symphony' with The London Symphony  Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. In 1997, James was recognised for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia.

Apart from touring the world for the most of the year James is also head of Morrison Records. an independent label dedicated to the best of jazz. He also spends much time in education, doing master classes and workshops in many countries and running a jazz scholarship.

With interests so broad and a career so filled with highlights it seems that he has done just about everything anyone could want - not so. When asked "What is there left to do?" His reply is typically exciting "This is just the warm up!"

Saturday 16th February, 2008

The Black Sorrows at last year's concert

Joe Camilleri - A Life in Music

I was born in Malta, the third of 10 children. We moved to Australia when I was two.In Port Melbourne, in the 1950s and the start of the 60s, I first heard rock 'n' roll - Hit The Road, Jack, and Frankie Laine.

In 1964, I fell into being in a band - literally. We went to see a band called The Drollies and my friends, wanting a bit of a laugh, threw me up on stage. Suddenly, I was in the band as their lead singer.

Our first gig was at Rosebud. It was incredibly exciting. I think Bobby and Laurie were on the bill. They sounded like a real band, while we were as close to Captain Beefheart as we could get.

Our second gig was a mod ball at Caulfield Town Hall. It was a big bill with, I think, the Easybeats, Normie Rowe and the King Bees. We wer on first - we were always on first - but we were a lot better because there had been three weeks between gigs. The King Bees spotted me and because they didn't have a singer, they asked me to join. The band included the Peter Starkie, who was later a founding member of Skyhooks, and Dave Flett, who later joined the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band. They played all the stuff on the radio, the Beatles and the Stones. I joined the band that night.

Writing is important to me. I didn't write one song on the Sorrows' album. You can do a record where you don't write any of the songs, but you can only do one. Usually, if you haven't got anything to say, you can't exist. I want to write good things and be smart enough to know the difference between a good one and a bad one.

David at last year's festival

Saturday 23rd February, 2008 

8.00pm start

David Helfgott
23rd February, 2008 - 8.00pm start - $48.00 per person

David Helfgott was born in Melbourne in 1947 to Polish-Jewish parents. After moving to Perth when he was 5, David showed extraordinary pianist talent. In his teens, he won the State finals of the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition six times, and cam to the attention of Daniel Barenboim, Julius Katchen and Talas Vassary. Isaac Stern was so impressed with David's playing at 14 that he urged overseas study for the young prodigy. However, it was not until five years later that David went to London to study at the Royal College of Music with Cyril Smith.

In 1970, however, illness overtook David and he returned to Perth and a decade of obscurity. He emerged only in the 1980s, giving his first major recital for twelve years in June 1984. Two years later, David returned overseas for study with the great pedagogue, Peter Feuchtwanger, who summed up his talents:

I am reluctant to use the word genius, but I would certainly make an exception with David Helfgott. He is certainly one of the most exceptional pianists and musicians I have ever had the good fortune to know.

When I purchased the Hotel in 1984 I employed a friend to sing light opera in the restaurant. One afternoon the friend approached me with an idea. 'She said "I have a friend who plays piano, I'll bring him up next Sunday." She brought up David Helfgott.'

David started doing four shows a year and over the years I have developed a wonderful friendship with David and Gillian. February, 2007 we will see him celebrate the 22nd anniversary of his first performance at the Mundaring Weir Hotel.

Saturday 1st March, 2008

Kate and her band will be playing at the Weir for the third time

Kate performing for the second time at the Mundaring Weir Festival

Australian Singer, Songwriter, Actor, multiple ARIA award winner. Renowned for her soulful and powerful vocal style, singer/songwriter Kate has won almost every entertainment award in Australia. She has released five Platinum albums, four Gold albums, selling in excess of 1 million albums in Australia alone, performed countless sell-out tours, starred in acclaimed feature films and hosted her own television show 'Kate & Friends'.

Kate first came to prominence as lead vocalist at 15 years of age, for the funk band I'm talking. The group's album produced three top ten singles, went Platinum and won Best New Talent (1984) at the Countdown Awards. Kate won Best Female Vocalist (1985) at the Countdown Awards as well as Best Female Singer (1985) at the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Awards. However after just one album, the group broke up and Kate went solo.

Kate's first solo album was the live set Kate Ceberano and Her Septet (1987). Her following album You've Always Got The Blues (1988) earned her an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist (1988). One year later, Kate won another ARIA for Best Female Artist (1989) as well as one for Highest Selling single (1989), which was Bedroom Eyes. At the end 1990, she received three prestigious MO Awards for Jazz Performer, Female Rock Performer and Contemporary Concert Performer of the Year.

In 1992, Kate performed the role of Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar (1992), which toured Australia and also featured John Farnham. Kate followed this with her own late-night cabaret-style show on ABC TV called Kate Ceberano And Friends (1993-1994). In 1996 Kate released her next album Blue Box, which went Gold and saw her nominated for another Best Female Artist ARIA. In 1997 Kate wrote and released what has become an Australian classic - 'Pash'. It went Gold and established Kate as one of our leading female song-writers.

Saturday 8th March, 2008

The Whitlams

The Whitlams are one of Australia's favourite bands, whose appeal reaches audiences of all ages and tastes. With lyrics described as having a "charming cynicism" and enhanced by an instinct for poignant melody, they won Best Group at the 1998 ARIA Awards, as well as Song of the Year and Best Independent Release for their 3rd album 'Eternal Nightcap'.

The current lineup has remained unchanged for the last 6 years and 4 albums, and consists Tim Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Warwick Hornby on bass guitar and Terepai Richmond on drums.

The Whitlams' recorded output spans 6 studio albums over their decade-long existence, with the last album Torch The Moon debuting at Number 1 and becoming the third consecutive Whitlams album to go platinum. Their latest album, produced by J. Walker of Machine Translations, is due for release in March 2006 on Black Yak Records through Warner Music.

Saturday 15th March, 2008

Deborah Conway

Deborah Conway

After playng with bands such as the Benders and some modelling while at university Deborah Conway burst on the Australian Music scene in the 80's with the surprise Do-Re-Mi hit Man Overboard.

After a second album, The Happiest Place in Town, Do-Re-Mi disbanded and she worked on a variety of projects such a Peter Greenaway's film Propero's Books, The Iron Man with Peter Townsend, and an album of Deborah Conway dance music that never saw the light of day. For the curious a single, Feel Like Makin Love, can be found for sale sometimes in rare music stores.

Her debut solo album String of Pearls, recorded in Melbourne and Memphis, was released in 1991. This folky sounding records contained a number of hit songs including It's Only The Beginning, Under My Skin, and Release Me and won Deborah an ARIA award.

In 1993, Deborah and collaborator Willy Zygier produced Bitch Epic, the title coming from "random words, cut up and pulled from a hat". The album cover has Deborah covered with chocolate spread and little else. Compared to String Of Pearls, Bitch Epic featured a raw sound and a harsh edge. Hits Alive and Brilliant and Today I'm a Daisy came from this album along with fans' favourites She Prefers Fire and Madame Butterfly is in Trouble. Bunded with Bitch Epic later on was the live EP Epic Theatre which is as close as there is to a live Deborah Conway album.