"The Fulfilment of a dream"
By Barbara Scott.
It's difficult to believe that just a few days ago I was sitting with special friends in the Showroom at the Crown Casino, Melbourne, waiting expectantly for one of the world's best-loved singers, and my personal favourite, to walk out on stage. Fractionally after 8 pm the music started ... it was that song I love ...
Thank you for the music
the songs I'm singing
thanks for all the joy they're bringing
who can live without it
I ask in all honesty
what would life be
without a song or a dance
what are we
so I say
thank you for the music
for giving it to me.
There she was on stage - looking terrific in a deep pink gown - Judith Durham - the magnificent artist, the soloist and consummate performer - and she was singing especially for us - all 1000 of us. What a privilege it was to be there. I just want you to realise how very special this concert was for me. It was the very first time I had sampled Judith's talents as a soloist in a concert of her own. And believe me it truly was magnificent. Backed by a five-piece band, she performed songs from a wide variety of genres, arresting us with her brilliance for about 100 minutes. I think I can remember all the songs. Given time I'd probably be able to recite them in the correct order, but that would mean this mail wouldn't be posted for another week while I contemplated, so here goes ...
As I've said Judith entered singing the chorus of Abba's "Thank You For The Music", followed by:
This Is My Song
You Belong To Me (the old Jo Stafford hit from the 50s)
The Olive Tree
As Dreams Go By (a Bette Midler song)
You've Got A Friend
Judith at the piano
:When Starlight Fades
Getting To Know You (from 'The King And I')
Banana Rag (A ragtime piece Judith wrote while living in Queensland)
Maple Leaf Rag
I Love You (with an added initial verse which introduced the song beautifully)
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine
Let Me Find Love
Colours Of My Life
Medley
:I'll Never Find Another You
A World Of Our Own
Morningtown Ride
Georgy Girl
The Carnival Is Over
Open Up Them Pearly Gates
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Amazing Grace
Australia Land Of Today
Medley
:I Am Australian
Waltzing Matilda
I Still Call Australia Home
Thank You For The Music (chorus)
Encore
: End Of The WorldHer warm and friendly between-numbers chat highlighted Judith's lovely sense of humour. Surprisingly, I was transfixed by "You've Got A Friend". That track is not one of my favourites from the "Mona Lisas" CD, but Judith's rendition on Saturday night communicated its message to every person in the room. "The Olive Tree" lost none of its charm in a different key and "End of the World" was sung with such meaning and expression that one could not help but be moved. Judith played the piano with passion. She's so impressive that it's a shame this talent has not been regularly incorporated into Seekers performances. I'm not going to comment on every song in this astonishing repertoire (even though each one probably deserves it) but I must mention favourites such as "When Starlight Fades" and "Let Me Find Love", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine" and "Australia Land Of Today" which were all so beautifully and evocatively performed. And "Colours ..." my absolute favourite Seekers song - where does one find the superlatives? (And where does Judith find the stamina to stage a non-stop concert of such proportions?)
Something I noticed throughout the evening was Judith's hand movements. She used her hands with such expression, as an extension of the words she was singing. No trace now of those self-confessed inhibitions of the 1960s. There are so many songs I would love to see Judith sing live eg "Body and Soul" and "Adios Amor" - maybe next time. There just have to be more solo performances from this diva!
I had looked forward to this solo event for such a long time, and in what seemed like a moment, it was all over. My fervent wish is for Judith to perform a solo bracket of songs (20 minutes or so) in the next round of Seekers concerts. The singer was in fine voice folks - she richly deserved her standing ovation. I guess all I can say now is ... Judith, thank you for the music.
Barbara
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Barbara Scott
Teacher, Auckland, New Zealand