Neil Murray

Neil Murray first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band, which over three albums and twenty years of performing helped make contemporary indigenous music heard in mainstream Australia and yielded such classic songs as ‘Blackfella Whitefella’ and “My Island Home”-( the 1995 APRA song of the year that was performed by Christine Anu at the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics).

He is one of Australia’s most original and respected songwriters and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989 which has seen him release ten albums. Collectively his work describes an inner landscape to the heart and soul of Australia.

Tickets $22 / $20 conc.
Bookings Tel. 8327-1647
Doors open 6.30pm

Support Act:
Fleurieu singer/songwriter Dave Greenslade

Sat 13 March, 2010 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Before returning to Europe for her next concert tour, singer/harpist Hilary O'Neill is back once more at the Singing Gallery with her band Bloom.
This time, it’s to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
If you think St Patrick’s purpose was to give us a reason to over-imbibe in green beer once a year, this cabaret-concert will swing your thinking. In the time-honoured tradition of the Irish bard, Hilary has written a colourful account of the Saint’s life in flowing rhyme.
Joined on stage by whistle player and percussionist Tony Doyle and double bass player Ian Davis, these three musicians promise an evening to remember, with songs and stories from the emerald isle.

So come along on Saturday 13 March. Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8pm. Book a table with your friends and bring a basket supper. Drinks are available at the bar, even tea and coffee.
Bookings: Tel. 8327-1647

(note – St Patrick’s Day is actually on the 17th, but Bloom are offering the opportunity to celebrate a few days in advance, on Saturday 13th March)

Appearing at:
The Promethean, 116 Grote Street, Adelaide
Sunday 6th December. Doors open 7pm. Show starts 7.30pm.
Mt Surmon Wines, Basham Road, Stanley Flat, Clare Valley Sunday 13th December. Doors open 3pm. Show starts 3.30pm.
The Singing Gallery, Main Road, McLaren Vale
Saturday 19th December SOLD OUT !

All tickets $22 / $18. Bookings: Tel. 8327-1647

BLOOM

Last year Tony Doyle and Ian Davis teamed with Hilary O’Neill to do a one-off Christmas concert. The combination of instruments and skills worked such a treat they decided to form a band called BLOOM. From time to time, the trio will perform with special guests (including virtuoso guitarist Chris Finnen and others) to present music that bridges styles and genres to deliver an eclectic mix of lyrical story telling, sensuous rhythms and beautiful harmonies.

BLOOM’s first concert will be at The Promethean on Sunday 6th December, followed by concerts at Mt Surmon Wines in Clare on Sunday 13th December, and The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale on Saturday 19th December. Bookings - Tel. 8327-1647.We hope to see you at one of these concerts.

Sat 23rd May, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Neil Murray

In Concert

Neil Murray is one of Australia’s most respected singer/songwriters and has enjoyed a solo career since 1989. He has released seven albums “Calm & Crystal Clear”, “These Hands”, “Dust”, “The Wondering Kind”, “Going The Distance”, “About Time” (a 2 cd retrospective compilation) and now the new album “Overnighter”. The songs on these albums, from the rollicking “Good Light in Broome”, the prayerful “Native Born”, the work ethic of “Big Truck”, the roots groove of “Long Grass Band”, the endurance of love in “Over the Moon” and “I Can Go On” or the journeyman monologues of “Lights of Hay” and “Drifting Ways” collectively describe an inner landscape to the heart and soul of Australia. His work doesn’t shy from social commentary, nor is he preoccupied with it. His art is driven by a sense of conscience, justice and honesty. For Neil Murray, any truth gained- no matter how bad- is always liberating. Neil Murray first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band which over three albums (Big Name, No Blankets, Go Bush and Too Much Humbug) and twenty years of performing set alight contemporary indigenous music as a force to be reckoned with in Australia. Those who have read his novel “Sing for me Countryman” or poetry book “One Man Tribe”, or listened to his spoken word CD- “Spoken” or seen his play “King For This Place” would know of his affinity for the land and respect for indigenous culture. In 1995, Neil Murray was awarded the APRA song of the year for “My Island Home” originally written for the Warumpi Band and re-recorded by Christine Anu. “My Island Home” has become something of an unofficial anthem and featured in the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Neil Murray performs regularly at festivals and live music venues in Australia and overseas. In 2006 he performed in Nashville as part of the Americana Music Conference and most recently he performed in a free concert for 20,000 drought affected farmers in Horsham, Victoria. He also often appears as one half of a duo known as 2Songmen - fellow songwriter and contemporary Shane Howard being the other half.

Support act for this concert is the dynamic local singer/songwriter Marty Summer.
With 20 years experience and hundreds of self-written songs, Marty delivers a heart and soul performance to really identify with. Moved by the influences of love, politics, joy and madness, he entertains and offers a window into the human experience.

(photo courtesy Ian Fisk)

Sat 9th May, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Eric Bogle
and
John Munro
A compulsive, almost obsessive songwiter for most of his adult life, Eric Bogle has written some songs that have pretty much become Australian classics of their particular genre. Probably his best known song is “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda”, which confirmed it's iconic status by appearing as a question in the Australian version of Trivial Pursuit! Some of his other songs , “No Man's Land”(The Green Fields of France) “Leaving Nancy”, “Now I'm Easy” “Shelter” “If Wishes were Fishes” etc. etc. are now beginning to rival “Matilda” in the icon stakes. His songs have been recorded by Joan Baez, Mary Black, Donovan, Slim Dusty, John Williamson, Billy Bragg, The Pogues and The Furies, just to name a few.
Eric himself has recorded 14 CD's and, together with his long term partner John Munro, has literally taken his music to the world. He has toured extensively over the last 25 years or so, and this includes 8 tours of North America, 10 Tours of Europe and God knows how many tours of Australia. He has appeared at every major Folk and Country music festival in Australia and overseas: Port Fairy, Woodford, Tamworth, Gympie Muster, Philadelphia Festival, Newport, Toronto, New Orleans, Vancouver, Edinburgh, you name it, he's done them all, and many times as well. He has won quite a few awards along the way including the Order of Australia medal for services to the entertainment industry, and a Peace medal from the U.N. for his efforts, through music, to promote peace and racial harmony.

Fri 24th April, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Peru In Concert
The Inner Temple Chantress

"The voice of the mother earth."
- Open Up Festival Holland.

Sat 18th April, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Chris Finnen
Blues and Beyond

In this concert Chris Finnen will take you to the blues, and beyond

Chris is a virtuoso guitarist, percussionist and singer with roots in Mississippi Delta Blues, Indian, Celtic and South African music. Fusion of these elements and his personalized approach to playing result in an extensive repertoire of original songs and powerful interpretations of traditional music. Chris has a great passion for the blues and world music and for the value of music within the community.

He is a virtuoso guitarist and acclaimed percussionist and plays many instruments including Dholak (drum), Noal (drum), Berimbau (didley bow), Djembe (drum), Darrambuka (drum), Banjo, Tambour, Cumbus (fretless banjo), Clay Pot and the African Talking Drum.

Sat 28th March, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Legendary Blues Man Dutch Tilders
with special guest Chris Finnen

Dutch Tilders made his first record in 1972 and it was released one year later. His collaborators were Brian Cadd, Phil Manning, Barry Sullivan, Barry Harvey, Laurie Prior and Broderick Smith. In 1975 he started recording for an independent label, Eureka and consequently recorded two direct to disc records with greats Jimmy Conway and Kevin Borich. During the seventies, Dutch fronted such Blues and Boogie bands as the Elks, the Cyril 'B' Bunter Band and Mickey Finn. In 1980 he formed the 'R&B Six', a band that included Charley Elul (drums), Peter Frazer (sax), Suzanne Petersen (flute and vocals), Mick Eliot (guitar) and Dave Murray (bass and vocals). This band toured Australia extensively. In the meantime, Dutch also worked solo and toured with John Mayall, Taj Mahal, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. In 1976, having only heard Dutch, B B King assumed that he was black. Brownie and Dutch became best mates simply because Browney believed that the Dutchman was a genuine bluesman, regardless of his racial origins. Since then, Dutch has been honoured with many awards, most notedly for his performances with his band, 'The Blues Club'.

Nowadays he mainly performs as a solo artist, though he does enjoy getting together with Geoff Achison doing amazing duo chops. Dutch also likes to get together with Ken Hatton and Rob O'Toole forming a group called his 'Blusicians'.

Fri 30th January, 2009 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

Jeanette Wormald & Neil Murray
TWO OF AUSTRALIA'S GREAT SINGER/SONGWRITERS ON THE ONE BILL !

Take a journey inland with SA's own Jeanette Wormald joined by respected song-man Neil Murray (writer of "My Island Home" and founding member of the Warumpi Band) as these two consumate performers weave a rich tapestry of original songs celebrating
the colours, stories and textures of Australia.

Sat 20th December, 2008 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale
Celtic Christmas Cabaret

An Evening of Seasonal Songs and Blarney
with Irish singer/harpist Hilary O'Neill and her new group BLOOM
Hilary O'Neill - songs, stories, celtic harp
Tony Doyle - whistles and percussion
Ian Davis - double bass and vocal harmonies

Wed 10th December, 2008 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

PORTRAIT OF A MAN TOUR

James Blundell

Supported by:
Bec Lavelle (the voice of McLeod’s Daughters)
Jeff Mercer and "special guest" Peter Denahy

Sat 22nd November, 2008 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale
Cabaret Cappella in conjunction with the Fleurieu Biennale and Country Arts SA presents:
An Evening with Mal Webb & Friends

Fri 31st October, 2008 at The Singing Gallery, McLaren Vale

The Outhouse Orchestra

Glamour with gusto. They’ll frock-up to dress you down. Original roots, rock, pop, fun!

The trio has taken Ronnie Taheny’s originals and arranged them for voice, cello, flute, harmonica, piano, guitar, percussion, drums, a bit of comic theatre and your refined ear. At last, a fresh sound in contemporary songs.
Think enthusiasm, irreverence and energy not stodgy classical deliveries. Beneath their larrikin exterior there beats four hearts of sheer class, arse, talent and shameless glamour. Catch a glimpse of what they will be inflicting upon the European masses before their ticket prices skyrocket.

The Culinary Life of Marlene Dietrich
Featuring German actress and cabaret artist Sibylle Hellmann
with musical accompaniment by Kathy Townsend and Dave Clark

Songs of Kurt Weill,
Cole Porter & Gershwin
with Irish mezzo soprano Hilary O'Neill & pianist Brendan Fitzgerald
Puppetry: David Erskine

While her roots are firmly in the Irish tradition, Hilary’s performance style has a very classical edge. She is a trained classical singer and brings together these two diverse music genres in a unique fashion. Her repertiore also includes jazz, and in particular songs from the 20's and 30's. Hilary has recently returned from concert touring in Europe and brings with her a richness of experience and a swag of accolades.