In the heart of the Yarra Valley is the Memo Theatre. Located in Healesville main street. An approximately 250-patron venue with tiered seats so every music lover gets a great view. Tonight’s gig was an intimate show by the legendary Dave Hole. Now, I have never been lucky enough to see the late great BB King play live, but tonight I had the privilege of watching the Australian version of a blues legend. Dave Hole is our BB King of the Blues.
With the smoke machine and the band set on stage, once the music started I felt like I was in the home of the Blues New Orleans at a juke joint.
Dave Hole performs with three other musicians, Roger McLachlan (Little River Band, Star, John Farnham band) on the bass, Gerry Pantazis (Larry Carlton, Richard Marx, Tommy Emmanuel) on drums and Richard Tankard (Albert Lee, Goanna, Russell Morris symphony shows) on keyboard. To quote Dave “I am very privileged to play with these band members”. Everything about this performance was high quality. A couple of times I closed my eyes and let the music soak in. It was a magical experience .
Dave and the band played a two set stint. Starting at 7.40pm to 8.40pm and again at 9.00pm to 9.50pm. Then a ten minute encore – eighteen songs in total. The song list included tracks from all the Kings : BB, Freddie and Albert. Dave had three guitars on stage. One he played with a steel slide bar in his trademark over the top of the guitar neck technique. The second was a brand new cherry red guitar that he had just purchased that morning and the third, another cherry red old faithful. Each guitar had their own sound and Dave’s fingers flying over the frets made the guitars sound like they were talking. This concert was a master class in blues guitar and vocals.
During the nineth song of the evening ’56 Mercury Blues’, 75-year old Dave even threw in some dance moves and throughout the night there were glimpses of Chuck Berry’s “Duck walk”. Dave has an old style of blues vocals that compliment his style of guitar and song choice. Songs like ‘Rock Me Baby’, ‘Crossroads’, ‘Who Do You Love’ and ‘Muddy Water Blues’.
The encore was a pure joy to witness with solos from all the band members. Richard’s boogie woogie fingers played across the keys, Gerry was let loose on the drums and Roger and his legendary bass playing all topped off with Dave’s magical strings and rifts.
Residents of Yarra Valley who didn’t come to the performance, you missed out on a real treat and a national treasure. All I heard from the audience and I quote “Best concert I have seen in ages”, “Fantastic” and “Very, very good”. If you ever get the chance, go and see Dave Hole and his band. It is a night you will be talking about forever.
With thanks to Dave Hole and his band, The Yarra Valley Council and The Memo Theatre in Healesville.
Photos by Oz Greeny Photography.
