This year, the South Australian leg of The Day on the Green tour was held at Peter Lehmann Winery in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. The setting is a grassed clearing in a heavily wooded area, with good views of the stage from anywhere on the grass. Those seated close to the stage had an intimate experience, while the rest spread out on low chairs and picnic blankets, still with an easy view.
Vika and Linda Bull were the opening act in the glorious mid-afternoon sunshine. The two sisters’ sunny disposition was a perfect start to the day. Songs such as “Feeling Good” and “Chained to the Wheel” helped the audience settle into the groove admirably.
After a short changeover, Mark Seymour and the Undertow took to the stage. Drawing on songs from Hunters and Collectors and his more recent solo work, he kept the upbeat pace going. “Holy Grail” was an early crowd favorite as was “Say Goodbye”.
Mark Seymour’s songwriting comes from typically Australian places and events from extensive touring over the years. A reflective mood for “The Dogs of Williamstown” was soon lifted with the classic H&C “Do You See What I See.” Cameron McKenzie on guitar was a standout performer, while Peter Maslen on drums and John Favaro on bass guitar proved that the band is a tight knit group. Finishing the set with “Throw Your Arms Around Me” was like a virtual hug from the band to the audience.
Boy and Bear continued the trend of quality Australian music. With a back catalogue of some five albums that spans from 2009, there were plenty of memorable tunes. Singer Dave Hosking has a soulful gentle voice that easily lulls one into a sense of comfort. Killian Gavin on guitar, Tim Hart on drums, Jonathan Hart on keyboards, and David Symes on bass, the band is tight as they delve into their musical history.
Chris Isaak was the star of the show, larger than life as he strolled on stage in a sequinned, woollen suit, studded shoes, slicked-back coiffured hair and a neat bow tie. He immediately connected with the crowd, chatting about the beautiful setting, the weather (how cold it gets at night in Australia) and the Gather Round football event.
After opening with “American Boy” and “Somebody’s Crying”, he stepped off stage to wander through the crowd as he sang the next couple of songs. Before you know it, he was back on-stage with his hot single “Wicked Games.” His band members, including bass guitarist Rowland Salley, guitarist Hershel Yatovitz, and drummer Kenney Dale Johnson were clearly enjoying themselves as much as Isaak was, playing up to each other as well as to the audience.
With almost forty years of experience as a singer/songwriter, Isaak knows how to entertain a crowd. Although he admits that he’s no Taylor Swift, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He told us how he’d met Roy Orbison early in his career and described him as a genuinely nice guy, before launching into a classic rendition of “Oh, Pretty Woman.” The audience would also agree that Chris Isaak is also a genuine nice guy. A cover of “Only the Lonely” and an Elvis cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” were also standouts.
Isaak’s forte is in composing sad songs; “Forever Blue”, “Let Me Down Easy” and “Blue Hotel” for example. But he’s not without his cheeky side. After a short break and a costume change into a sparkling mirrored suit, he launches into “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” which had people dancing in the aisles, with several ladies invited up to dance onstage. For the audience mainly in their autumn years, this Day on The Green was truly a memorable performance of quality Australian artists and the exceptional showmanship of the rockabilly crooner that is Chris Isaak.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Check out the Day on the Green at their website
