Review: ADELAIDE FRINGE 2017: THINGS OF STONE AND WOOD “THE YEARNING” TOUR at Spiegeltent, Garden Of Unearthly Delights

Reviewed by Ray Smith, Wednesday 15th March 2017

This year has been one of anniversaries in Adelaide.

Kaurna Elder Steve Gadlabarti Goldsmith pointed out that this year is the 50th anniversary of the recognition of Australian First Nation People as human beings, WOMADelaide celebrated its 25 anniversary in Botanic Park, and Things of Stone and Wood "The Yearning" Tour celebrated the 25th anniversary of their first album, "The Yearning", in the Spiegeltent in the Garden of Unearthly Delights as part of the 2017 Adelaide Fringe.

The Australian folk/rock band formed in 1989 in Melbourne and it was their debut album, "The Yearning", released in 1993, that arguably marked a turning point in Australian music. The hit album won awards and generated four singles.

The Australian folk scene at the time was still in its relative infancy as country music dominated the acoustic venues, radio stations and record collections, and folk music was relegated to coffee bars and niche clubs. "The Yearning" broke through and paved the way for other performers working broadly within the folk scene to access airplay and performance venues.

The success of this award-winning album opened the ears of listeners to a new genre and a willingness to embrace Australian folk and folk rock. The door had been opened and performers such as the Waifs, the John Butler Trio, and Angus and Julia Stone walked straight through it.

To celebrate this now iconic album, Things of Stone and Wood decided to play the album live in its full fourteen track entirety, and the first show of the "Yearning Tour" they presented at the Magic Mirror Spiegeltent last night.

There were a few empty seats in the famous venue as the performance time approached, but too few to be of concern to a touring band, particularly during a major festival. While the house lights were still on, I took the time to do a bit of people watching to gauge the audience that had chosen to gather for this event.

A few younger souls were there, but the vast majority of the audience were in their late forties to early sixties and, while the general mood was that of quiet anticipation, there was a distinctly expectant and excited air in the room.

The band took to the tiny stage to an absolute uproar of applause and shouts of greeting, Greg Arnold's grin as wide as ever as he strapped on his 12 string guitar. Michael Allen grabbed what looked like an old Fender Precision Bass, Tony Floyd sat down at his drum kit and, much to my surprise, the producer of the 1993 album, James Black, sat behind a keyboard rig.

From the first song from Things of Stone and Wood had the audience in the palms of their hands, as they played with great enthusiasm and drive, allowing us to relive the days when these songs were fresh and completely new. The songs haven't aged a bit, though. They inhabit some timeless realm where good songs always sit, and the warmth of the delivery denied nostalgia and pushed the music into the present without a backwards glance.

Arnold's energy seemed boundless as he joyfully bounced around the stage like an excited teenager breaking a guitar string in his excitement. The familiar backing vocals from Allen and Floyd sat just behind the lead like a classic Beatles track, as Black swapped between mandolin, keyboards, and electric guitar. The presentation was flawless.

Drummer, Tony Floyd, doubled on the recorder and hand percussion, as Greg Arnold changed his now 11 string guitar for a 6 string, and the songs just kept coming.

The communication between band members was clear and had the air of great familiarity about it as old friends talked to each other through the music as their grins broadened. This gig was going very well.

James Black showed his chops on electric guitar and mandolin, but his keyboard playing was brilliant. From supportive chord washes to snatches of echoed riffs, he wove amongst the songs without swamping them, until he let loose with a piano intro that would have turned Leon Russel's head, and a quick tip of the top hat.

Great players, great songs, a joyous celebratory atmosphere, and an adoring audience singing every line from every track. What more could a touring band ask for, 25 years on.

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