Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TREC)
Thursday January 23, 2014 :
For the first time in 41 years, original members of Axiom, Glen Shorrock and Brian Cadd joined guitarist guitarist Chris Stockley and drummer Doug Lavery on stage to capture an Australian music lesson that will not be forgotten in a long while.
Starting with songs from Shorrock’s days with the Twilights including the hit ‘Needle in a Haystack’. The history lesson quickly turned to Axiom and Shorrock’s long-term friendship with co-songwriter Brian Cadd. Although only together for two years Axiom managed to write and record a couple of memorable Australian songs. Beginning with ‘Arkansas Grass’ and ‘Fools Gold’ the journey ended with the classic ‘A Little Ray of Sunshine’ which was very well enjoyed by the 1800 plus Tamworth crowd. Cadd now on stage solo told of his days following the breakup of Axiom in 1971. You can sometimes forget Cadd has been responsible for so many memorable moments in Australian music history. Starting with ‘Ginger Man’ and moving into ‘Your Mama Don’t Dance’, Cadd culminated his solo set with ‘Don’t You Know It’s Magic’, this became a top 20 hit for the artist then known as Johnny Farnham. The song also won the ‘Most Outstanding Composition’ award at the Tokyo World Popular Song Festival. Perhaps one bit of music trivia not know by fans was that song beat a band from Sweden (ABBA) for the award.
Following Cadd’s departure, the return of Glen Shorrock also produced some memorable moments. Taking the crowd back to the 1970’s the audience was exposed to the true song writing genius of Graham Goble and Glenn Shorrock. Collectively with other members under the banner of the Little River Band these musicians took Australian music to the world in 1976. Beginning with ‘Home on a Monday’, Shorrock quickly moved into ‘Reminiscing’ before holding the audience in his hand with the classic ‘Cool Change’. The set was completed with ‘Help is on its Way’.
Overall, a sensational trip down Australian music history. Shorrock & Cadd are both the consummate statesman of Australian music. In the audience I witnessed tears, laughter and an over sense of emotion with people remembering a time and place when the world was not so complicated, accountable or demanding.
Reviewer & Photographer: David Jackson
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