IT was billed as the Good Times Tour and, apart from some modern-day intrusions and ageing bodies, it was good indeed.
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Warrnambool was the starting point for the month-long national tour by music legends Russell Morris, Joe Camilleri, Richard Clapton and Leo Sayer.
At the end of the near three-hour long performance which grew increasingly energetic, they jokingly threatened to make it their first and last appearance.
The team of rockers from the 1970s strut their stuff on the stage to a full house at the Lighthouse Theatre while the city buzzed outside with May Racing Carnival patrons celebrating the end of another long day at the track.
The show started with a short video with footage from rehearsals and interviews with all the players, hosted by former television music host that every young girl once adored, Glenn Ridge.
First to face the audience was Morris, beginning in subdued style with several tracks from the recently released Van Diemen’s Land album as well as Sharkmouth, launched in 2012.
It was enjoyable to watch the rapport with his extremely talented lead guitarist as he slowly warmed the fans and then hear the songs that brought him to fame, including Wings of an Eagle.
Next on was Camillieri who bounced onto the stage in his usual fashion, belting out favourites such as Harley and Rose andChained to the Wheel, encouraging people to leave their seats to head to the front of the stage, as well as numbers from his new album Certified Blue.
A highlight of the night came when Camillieri introduced a special singer to the line-up and Vika Bull appeared, her strong voice leaving you in no doubt she could hold her own in the all-male line-up. Her mammoth version of Never Let Me Go even had some in the crowd reaching for tissues to rip up and use as impromptu earplugs.
Many were looking forward to hearing Richard Clapton and he didn’t disappoint. He was well supported by his backing vocalists (and fans) during hits including Girls on the Avenue and I Am An Island. Yes, his voice is not quite what it used to be, but that didn’t matter as you relived the era remembering just how good some of these songs were.
Dancing was once again encouraged as the effervescent Leo Sayer took to the floor in his sparkly jacket and matching sneakers performing More Than I Can Say, When I Need You, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and a rocked-up version of his song Cliff Richard made famous, Dreamin’.
The four main players returned at the end of the show, each performing a favourite song and then returning for a massive encore of Deep Purple’s Hush, backed up by a generous band and two female vocalists including Bull.
Morris, Camillieri and Sayer are all 65, and Clapton only admits to being in his 60s. Their energy grew as the night went on, providing an escape back to the good old days of flared jeans, platform shoes and Countdown.
Maybe I’m getting old (and less tolerant), but the only distraction was the ever-present mobile phones sported by fans who think that videoing an entire performance, without regard to the people around them, is more important that watching it live.
Overall, the four main performers – and Bull - were all stunningly good musicians who played raw, unfiltered rock just like it was meant to be played.
…now to dust off those old LPs again…
The Aria Good Times Tour will play across Australia, finishing with a final performance in Geelong on May 31.