Wheelers and Dealers at the Zenith Theatre
3.30pm, Sunday 5th September 2010
Posted Saturday, July 24, 2010
Even up in the mountains where Christ Wheeler now lives, the daffodils, cherry blossoms and early rhododendrons are out now so it’s safe to say that Spring has sprung.
Willoughby Council is celebrating spring with the Wheelers & Dealers at Zenith Theatre with an afternoon concert, comfy seats, drinks from the bar, home in time for tea – what could be nicer?
Wheelers and Dealers is a multi-award winning folk band with a uniquely exciting and contemporary approach to Celtic and Australian traditional music. Their powerful sound is forged from top-shelf players of the Australian acoustic music scene.
Fiddle player Mike Kerin played with Slim Dusty's band for more than 20 years and has featured as a soloist with Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Mike brings his consummate musicianship to the musical arrangements in this group. Guitarist Ged Corben is the original guitarist from classic 80s rock bands The Cruel Sea and The Lime Spiders. His unique guitar style, delivering both extremes of delicacy and drive, is a key to the signature sound of this award-winning band. Bass player Michael Vidale counts The Whitlams, Don Walker, The Bushwackers and The Flying Emus amongst his current and past band memberships. A highly sought after player, Michael tours with internationally acclaimed country rock guitarist Albert Lee in the final week of August. The skilful and evocative accordion of Tinker Duffy has been finely honed since childhood lessons with her uncle Rolf Harris, through a lifetime of involvement with and teaching of Celtic traditional music. Together they provide an ideal setting for the malt whiskey vocals of acclaimed folk singer Christine Wheeler, who "brings a certain class and quality to a song without compromising the simplicity and naturalness that folk music is all about" (Kim Salisbury, Dept of Education).
The band's repertoire consists of classic songs and dynamic instrumentals. Feel the pain of a drover's wife during a drought through the words of Henry Lawson set to music. Travel alongside a rogue Irishman with a Robin Hood complex. Sit outside a rough hut in the Appalachian mountains listening to the fiddle dance.
Offering a musically rich and intimate tapestry of songs that tell tales of love and celebration, of grief and longing, of emigration and adventure, these exceptional musicians will provide a wonderful afternoon of entertainment.
