John Farnham & Lionel Richie @ Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley – 8 March 2014

For not the first time this year, I’m wondering where the time’s gone. It seems like only yesterday that I was grooving out to John Farnham and Lionel Richie in the Hunter Valley, yet another weekend is already upon us. So it seems like the perfect time to reflect on this killer double bill.

He wasn’t announced on any of the posters, but the evening actually kicked off with an unassuming singer-songwriter by the name of Joe Moore. Some Googling tell me this Brit-turned-Aussie actually made it to the Australia’s Got Talent finals a few years back, but these days he spends most of his time busking in Pitt Street Mall. Tempus Two provided a much bigger stage than the Sydney shopping strip, and probably more than a guy with an acoustic guitar needs. However, somehow he held those of who showed up early transfixed. So many people around me were buzzing about his talent, wondering why they’d never heard of him before. Personally I preferred to sit silently, taking in the romantic, poetic words he sang in stunning voice which had just the right amount of edge. He reminded me a lot of Howie Day, one of my favourite American singer-songwriters, quiet but assured and capable of really soaring when the songs call for it. He performed two short sets as the seats filled up, and while he wasn’t the reason I came to this gig, I was definitely sorry to see him leave the stage. I’ll be keeping an eye out for his gigs in future.

I adored Joe, but the show definitely kicked up a few notches when John Farnham took to the stage. He’s the consummate professional who just seems to get better with age. His voice continues to be one of the best in the business, and even in his advanced years there’s such energy about the way he performs. The band contains so many familiar faces who I remember seeing as a kid on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. By surrounding himself with these people so familiar with the songs, John ensures his show is one of the tightest around. And those songs, my goodness. I’ve never considered myself a big John Farnham fan. I own a greatest hits album, but that’s about it. Yet his music just seems to seep into the consciousness of every Australian. I found myself singing along to each and every tune. Belting out “You’re The Voice” with the Hunter Valley crowd in full voice was one of the most powerful concert experiences of my life. There’s just something about that song that makes you so proud to be an Aussie.

Since I don’t consider myself a massive John Farnham fan, I guess I’ve outed myself as a Lionel Richie devotee. Yet funnily enough, when he stepped on the stage I was feeling a little deflated. He started with “Just For You,” an upbeat number delivered with plenty of gusto that didn’t really match how any of us felt about the 2004 release. Let’s face it, the noughties were hardly Lionel’s best years. Thankfully he slipped back into the classics quickly with “Easy.” Sitting down at the piano Lionel seemed to have a lot more control over his vocals, however they were hardly on a par with Farnsy’s. I’m not sure Lionel was ever the best vocalist, but hearing him perform so soon after John made him seem a little subpar.
Happily it didn’t take too long for me to shake off my feelings of disappoint. Pretty soon the songs started to shine through, as did Lionel’s showmanship. Early on his particular brand of entertainment felt a little try-hard compared to John’s easy connection to his audience, yet after a few tracks I started giving myself over to the experience. By “Brick House” I was having a ball. By “Dancing on the Ceiling” I was in my element. I barely sat down all set as I sang myself hoarse. It took a little while for me to ease into things, but by the end of the night I was gushing.

Three great acts, so much amazing music. Does it get any better than that?

Image source: own photos

Lionel Richie and Guy Sebastian Duet for Flood Victims

Tour buddies Guy Sebastian and Lionel Richie have recorded a new version of Lionel’s dance-tastic 80s smash “All Night Long” to benefit Australian flood victims.

The soulful pair laid down the tune in Los Angeles this week, and have pledged all money raised will reach the Flood Relief program.

I love the concept, but as an old school Lionel fan I’m also a little nervous. Apparently the new version was produced by RedOne, the man behind Lady Gaga and that awful Richie-sampling Enrique Iglesias tune “I Like It.” Here’s hoping they ease up on the electronics and preserve the fun of the original!

I can’t wait to hear the song, and am also kicking myself for not getting tickets to this upcoming tour. No doubt Lionel and Guy will perform it for fans at their Day on the Green and theater shows!

Image source: Dwight McCann @ Wikimedia Commons

Lionel Richie, Marcia Hines, and Mahalia Barnes @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 8 December 2007

Attending a concert the day before moving house may be insane to some, but that’s exactly what I did last Saturday. I left the chaotic mess of boxes in my apartment for a little music therapy at one of the Hunter Valley’s famous Day on the Green events. This time around I was treated to the musical stylings of Mahalia Barnes, Marcia Hines, and Lionel Richie.

Jimmy Barnes’ little girl Mahalia proved she’s all grown up with a killer set of original soul tunes and some classic covers. She’s got an amazing set of pipes, and injects such passion into her performance that it matters little whether you know the songs or not. Her closer of “Proud Mary” was every inch as good as Tina Turner’s.

Next up was Australian Idol judge and soul diva Marcia Hines. Miss Marcia’s been doing this for around thirty years, and it shows. She had us dancing in the aisles with disco standards like “Shake Your Groove Thing,” “Disco Inferno,” and her own smash hit “You.” We were also treated to some more reflective moments from her new album Life, including brilliant takes on “Everybody Hurts,” “No Ordinary Love” and “Get Here.”

While Marcia and Mahalia wowed us, it was clear that there was just one person the crowd was there to see. That man was Lionel Richie. He’s not the most handsome man in the world, but there’s something about him that had the females from 15 to 50 on their feet.

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