By Brian Wise.
It could not have been more perfect weather for the opening day of the Port Fairy Folk Festival set in Southcombe Park near the beachfront in this delightful seaside town. With a slightly adjusted layout and minus one stage this year, the festival events sprawl out from the site to venues in the town such as the church and the theatre.
The act that started it off for me was Bonny Light Horseman featuring some extraordinarily talented musicians including Anais Mitchell, who not only has eight of her own solo albums out but has won awards for her musical Hadestown. While Mitchell might be considered to be the focal point of the group it is really collaborative effort with singer/guitarist Eric D.Johnson and guitarist/backing vocalist Josh Kaufman.
Kutcha Edwards is definitely following in the footsteps of Archie Roach, particularly in the terms of the subject matter of his songs. Edwards’ entrance was rather special in itself with dancers leading him on stage and his voice is also special in its rich and sonorous tones. Songs about his upbringing as part of the stolen generation, his mother, his late brother and other aspects of his life are tinged with sadness. Other songs such as ‘Singing Up Country’ and ‘I Know Where I’m Going’ add to the mood. ‘Mrs Edwards’, a song about his mother visiting him in the home he spent years in separated from his family, was compelling. Edwards’ story about the experience was riveting. Edwards is also supported by a terrific five piece band and a backing singer who really bring the songs alive from their recorded versions.
It was almost as if Troy Cassar-Daley knew I was in the audience when he started with Bob Dylan’s ‘You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’. After mentioning that he was about to play a guitar/banjo he was gifted by Anthony Wiggle and playing a bit of a Wiggles music, followed with his great co-write with Paul Kelly, ‘I Wish I Was A Train.’ Caesar-Daley’s set, like that of Kutcha Edwards, was also a journey through his life but in a country rock setting. He also paid tribute to some is his heroes: Willie Nelson (‘Mothers Don’t L:et Your Babies Grow Up Got Be Cowboys’), Charles Perkins’ (‘Freedom Ride’), his grandparents (‘Back On Country’), Slim Dusty (‘Light On The Hill’) and more. ‘Slim will always be the King,’ he declared.
There are not many things that would keep me from leaving early to watch the final half of the Hawks vs Sydney AFL match but Cassar-Daley managed that. The 45 time Golden Guitar winner pretty much demonstrated while he has won all those kudos.
With just a trio – Troy on vocals and guitar, drummer Mick McCartin and bassist Soni Pocock – the sound was fabulous give the fact that they were in a very large tent. At first it had me checking that there was not a fourth musician I couldn’t see! The closer was a terrific rendition of ‘People Get Ready’ in which Cassar-Daley showed that he was also a great guitar play.
If Bonny Light Horseman started the evening brilliantly, then Troy Cassar-Daley ended it the same way.