Tonight, I discovered a venue that was close to home that I didn’t know existed. Even though it has been around since the late 90’s. Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey Victoria. The theatre has a large flat stage which the seats then rise above. Every seat has a great view and the facilities and acoustics are top notch. It is a fantastic venue for viewing live music and as it says in the name a cultural hub of music, art and exhibitions. Burrinja was the home tonight for the Black Sorrows Quintessential tour and guest performance by Sarah Carroll and Shannon Bourne.
Sarah and Shannon opened the show. Shannon is a critically acclaimed blues and roots founded guitarist/singer/song-writer who tonight was the rhythm behind Sarah Carroll. Sarah is fondly known as the “Ukulele Queen of the Bellarine”, but she is more than that. Sarah is a multi-instrumentalist, but tonight she was front and centre, swapping between her acoustic guitar and ukulele. Sarah and Shannon opened the show at 8pm and played a 30-minute, 7 songs set of Sarah’s original music and songs.
Sarah reminded me of an Arts/Drama teacher that would have been everyone’s favourite class to take. With her denim jumpsuit and red (Dorothy inspired) sparkly shoes and bubbly banter. She is a story teller with great humor and insight and this is evident in her heartfelt lyrics. Her voice is clear and easy to listen too. When you add in Shannon on electric guitar you have this groovy, jazzy, bluesy crisp sound. Shannon is the perfect pairing for Sarah’s music and at times you get the hint that Shannon’s guitar wants to break free into a big blues solo and in the last song of the set he did. I thoroughly enjoyed this short set and if you are a lover of the style of “Paul Kelly” I think you will love Sarah’s sound, she is the female version of his style.
My favourite song of her set was dedicated to her late husband Chris Wilson (blues harmonica and singer) and written for their 20th anniversary. The honesty in the lyrics would ring true to anyone who has been in a relationship for a long time. Sarah’s latest album NQR&B is well worth the listen as well as her extensive back catalogue.
The Black Sorrows. I haven’t seen Joe Camilleri perform for a very long time and I was wondering whether he would still sound the same. I was not disappointed, if anything Joe has got better with age and has found the fountain of youth. He still has that distinctive voice and sound and after performing on 57 albums he is the ultimate performer. No need for pyro techniques and gimmicks. He is charming, funny and cheeky. Put him in front of the current line up of the Black Sorrows with Claude Carranza (Kids in the Kitchen) on guitar and vocals, Mark Grey (Indecent Obsession) on bass and vocals, James Black (Russell Morris, Jo Jo Zep, Rock Wiz) on keyboard and vocals and Tony Floyd (Vince Jones, Men at work) on drums and vocals and I was taken back to 1984 when the band first formed.
The Black Sorrows opened with “Hold on to me” to the great delight of the audience and then over nearly 2 hours and 17 songs they covered all their hits. “Never let me go”, “Harley and Rose” even throwing in a Jo Jo Zep hit “Shape I’m in”. To quote Joe “Trying to fit in as many songs as possible, so not too much chit chat. My chit chat is shit anyway”. I hate to tell you Joe but your “chit chat” was just as entertaining as your music.
Musically the Black Sorrows are incredibly talented and they all give the best musician faces I have ever seen. From the funky keyboard to the guitar solos and driving drum beats and bass rhythms, every note is a pure joy to the ears. Not to forget Joe’s iconic pink sax and harp playing. The only thing missing was the sound of the Bull sisters on back up, but then on the 5th song of the evening Joe brought out Alanta Coogan (top 24 Australian idol, Bjorn Again, 2006 vocalist of the year) on backing and sharing vocals. Alanta stayed on stage for the rest of the performance and was the icing on the cake.
By the end of the evening the crowd were out of their seats and down dancing in front on the stage. To quote a audience member who was dancing her heart out and without offending I would say she was close to 70 years of age “Well that f**cking beats morning melodies”. Black Sorrows closed with “Shape I’m In” and no-one wanted the show to end.
The Quintessential Album will be released on the 26/10/2025. It is a greatest hits double album that can be pre-ordered from the links on their social media and if it’s half as good as tonight’s gig, it is a must for your collection.
Check the Black Sorrow’s social pages for more tour dates. Ozgreeny Photography and I would like to thank the Black Sorrows and Luna Live for the media access and as always The Rockpit.
