ian moss

it's been a good number of years since i was on the sunshine coast in queensland
came up to brisbane for a one-day conference and through to noosa today for another one
driving up and the signs of continuing development are all there
the instant towns and suburbs the billboards and significantly
the number of places selling rainwater tanks which appears to be a boom industry
most curious place i saw however was a home removal company
which had rows and rows of old houses parked like caravans ready for sale
the sunshine coast it is not at this point in time
they have had lots of rain and serious flooding recently
which probably means at least the rainwater tanks will be full for the long hot summer ahead
the conference i attended today was for a client and chain of music shops
they laid on a special guest performer for the dinner tonight
none other than the living legend of probably the most highly regarded of australia's bands
mr ian moss performed a set in solo mode with just guitar, voice and a p a system
he has a new album out and a quite extensive national tour coming up
his current performance and recording covers songs of the cold chisel days
and some of his own previous material and newer songs and covers
tonight we heard telephone booth, tucker's daughter, saturday night and choir girl
and another new tune titled better day off the latest album
the big climax came with a very willing crowd singalong to bow river
he seems entirely comfortable and totally capable as a solo performer
in this mode his guitar-playing skills come to the fore
and the way he tapped, slapped and knocked on his guitar for percussive effect was particularly impressive
similarly his voice rang loud and clear and hit all the notes with ease
couldn't help but thinking who needs a singer in the band when you have that gift of a voice
i was introduced to the man after the set as he willingly chatted to the audience after his performance
got the impression even after 3 decades or more of australian public adulation
he's a very nice, down-to-earth, humble and seemingly quite shy kind of bloke
the girls of course all loved him and were seen to be swooning
much like the boys really going ga-ga and reliving days gone by
out-doing each other with stories of gigs in odd places
they'll be talking about this one for a few years to come also
ian moss in a cafe in downtown noosa
nice