What better way than to celebrate Australia Day other than with one of this countries most beloved bands. Southern Sons are about to embark on a six date Melbourne Tour through February and March to celebrate thirty-five years since the band’s inception, but today Australia Day Southern Songs did a warm up pre tour show and in typical Southern Sons style they delivered in spades.
So, what has changed in 35 years you might ask? Aside from being that little bit older and wiser the main change in Southern Sons is that Phil Buckle is no longer with the band and founding member and drummer Virgil Donati who now lives in Los Angeles is unavailable due to commitments in the USA. Donati’s replacement drummer for this show and the tour is Pete Drummond. Drummond who is possibly best known for his work with Dragon over the last seventeen years. An accomplished solo artist and performer Drummond is a perfect fit and his technical dexterity behind the kit certainly matches that of Donati. I would even suspect that Drummond was hand-picked by Donati to take his place behind the kit.
As a four-piece Southern Sons deliver in spades. Today was a shining example of just how good this band is, how strong the friendships are in this band and how original members Geoff Cain, Peter “Reggie” Bowman and Jack Jones are after all these years.
Jones has made no secret in his solo acoustic shows how important his friendship with Bowman is these days. Bowman a highly in demand producer, is prolific in his own right with his solo material as “Reggie”. Most importantly Bowman was the driving force and motivation for Jones through Covid to write new music. During this time songs were bounced back and forth, one collaboration resulting in Jones releasing the single ‘R U OK?’ In 2021.
Jones donned an Australia trucker cap in the name of today’ celebration. Today’s setlist was a celebration of the last thirty-five years singles, album cuts and some new songs. The chemistry between these four guys is infectious they all seem to have a blast on stage and in each other’s company. They play off each other so well. It wasn’t until ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’ that things slowed down a little as Jones took centre stage with his acoustic guitars. Joined by Drummond on keyboards for ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’; Bowman on backing vocals for ‘Hold On To The Memory’, both songs were eloquently and beautifully delivered. It was the two songs in between the ballads that were new tracks. The first was ‘Gold’ which is more commonly known as ‘Castles In The Sand’ by fans of his solo performances.
‘Gold’ is a magical journey, Jones’ vocals soar and float in this song, the passion and commitment is undeniable. This song has been a favourite of mine since first hearing it. Introduced with his tongue firmly in his cheek as a new song and opportunity to take a piss or grab something to eat by Jones, he truly does sell himself short. I hope to hear this one in a full band capacity at some stage. The second track that was added to the set as being new was ‘Never Gonna Let You Go’. This song was dedicated to a dear friend of Jones’, Stu Fraser. Stu Fraser in this instance was not the Noiseworks guitarist but was a HMV employee that got behind Jones’ debut 1999 solo album “The Evolution Of Irwin Thomas” and elevated it to receiving HMV’s album of the year. It was a beautiful tribute to a fallen friend.
Picking the pace back up the band returned to the stage Jones now back on electric guitar for ‘Waiting For That Train’ and ‘Can’t Breathe’ this was the moment any musician would have anticipated as it really did showcase the technical muscle and ability of this band. Drummond and Cain locked into some serious grooves as Jones simply melted faces with his extended solos in both songs. Whether you understood what you were hearing or not you were just pulled into how good this band is. Finishing tonight with their biggest hit to date and as Jones said the D chord that changed his life, ‘Heart In Danger’ brought the Festival of Sails crowd into full voice.
Commenting throughout the set tonight Jones was surprised at how young the crowd was and for me that is a testament to just how good and timeless this bands back catalogue is. Its’s also worth noting that the guys hadn’t rehearsed together since December 10 and if today’s performance was anything to go by these 35th Anniversary shows will be something to behold. Do not miss out on the chance to see these guys live.
Setlist
More Than Enough
Always & Ever
Which Way
Something More
Sometimes
Hold Me In Your Arms
Gold
Never Gonna Let You Go
Hold On To The Memory
Waiting For That Train
Can’t Breathe
Lead Me To Water
Shelter
Heart In Danger
Gallery by Shot by Slaidins Photography
