"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light get in"

That quote from one of Leonard Cohen's songs sums up the human quality that inhabits live music. When communicating with passion, a performer can start playing in the wrong key, sing the wrong verse, hit a wrong note, but it is the spirit of the person and their performance that sweeps all of that away and the audience appreciates the beauty of the whole that shines through.
Last Friday night, those beautiful performances started with James Webb, a songwriter who shares perfectly formed flakes of his life in his personal songs. Liora Claff followed, and her serenely powerful voice interpreted a variety of songs, from the beauty of an English folk tune to a jazz number, and Eric Bogle's "I Hate Wogs", an ANTI racism song. The Acapelicans sang a Christmas carol with a difference, a warm rendition of  "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" as well as a couple of other beauties. The Fry Babies sang three songs displaying their exquisite harmonies. Lou Reed's "Perfect Day," was a surprising arrangement. They finished with an audience sing along of The Everly Brothers "Dream, Dream, Dream," one of the highlights of the evening. Fionn Quinlan accompanied himself on guitar and sang three reggae style tunes, one a love song to his girlfriend, now wife. Ah, the power of music. 


But that was only half the story. To celebrate the end of the working year, we pushed back the chairs and danced to the infectious harmonies, superb melodies and great musicianship of The Button Collective  and Ben Wilson and the Jobseekers. These young musicians from Lismore are going to go far. They certainly engaged the audience. They are sure to be warmly received at Byron's Falls Festival in a week or so. Catch them if you can.


Thanks to all the performers for a wonderful evening. Thanks to the attentive audience. Thanks to Bev Singh for her delicious food. Thanks to everyone for helping raise $450 for Camp Quality.


Check the Pics in the gallery.


What a great year we have had. Look forward to seeing you next year, beginning February 14. 
Performers, there are plenty of spots left.

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