A Melbourne CD Launch of 'Look', the new album from acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter, Fred Smith, Folk Alliance Australia 2022 "Solo Artist of The Year".

Although many of the songs were written at a time when Fred was working in Afghanistan, he describes this recording as “a collection of songs that are not about Afghanistan”.
 They are about the stuff of our lives and the world we live in: the speed of modern life, love, isolation, and the internet in a world that seems to be lurching forward by a rolling series of crises.
 This new album offers a warm blend of mirth and meaning, with a squiggly line of the absurd running through it. Absurdity being the only sensible response to being human!

“Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country... Beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” (Bruce Elder, SMH).

“Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.”

Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle

As an ensemble The Blues Bus and its esteemed Guests in association with the Brunswick Ballroom is bringing together a review that enables each of the artists to reveal their passion for Rhythm and Blues.

Each has brought their own interpretation and reading of songs they hold close to their hearts and indeed form the background to their musical passion and performance.

There will be some surprises and a chance to show the influence this genre has had on the work of each guest.

Mae Parker, one of Melbourne great singers and show persons, with her full tilt and forthright delivery will bring some gutsy style to songs that she loves but doesn’t get to play that often.

Chris Wilson with his encyclopedic repertoire has found himself coming back to some standards that are his anchor point in giving us that wicked combination of keys and vocals along with song writing craft

Ash Gaudion with his heritage of swing and jazz brings it all down to some solid provenance of Jordanesque readings of sax saturated foot tapping numbers that have influenced his craft.

Roger Nelson with his passion for melodic harmonica lines and baritone vocals brings to light some eclectic influences on his unique style.

And Bob Thorne ,as the founder of Blues Bus and a stunning guitarist and songwriter , shows us that it all comes back to the origins of rhythm and blues that has fuelled his musical passion now for a lifetime

Together with Roby Corelli and John Manby as the rhythm section that knows how to anchor all this energy into a full tilt exhibition of passion and craft means the Brunswick Ballroom Rhythm and Blues Review will be a wonderful night of big reveals and insights with outstanding performance.