the reluctant friends of steve

up in the mountains...up near the border
well not quite but not drowning, waving is in the head
part of my nomadic lifestyle at this time finds me in the blue mountains
staying with a friend and his partner in their house at faulconbridge
lovely part of the world really - clear air, bush, quiet, easy-going
have done quite a bit of walking in and around the area
to my surprise have seen the extent of established housing in the area
lots of tree lined streets with large properties and houses
heading off in all directions on the side of hills and cliffs
all well serviced by local facilities e.g. an aquatic centre
and in this case a great little town (springwood)
it's a bit off the beaten track - the blue mountains highway
so you're only there on a mission for supplies or socialising
in this case on this saturday night i was there for the later
my friend also plays drums in a band based in the mountains
and so this was a great opportunity to see the band perform at the local
they have a good local following so a respectable crowd was in place
as i walked in with the band playing the first of 4 sets
which in itself is very impressive - they do all originals
so there are a huge number of songs to be played
the band is based around steve - singer/guitarist/songwriter
and has a further guitarist, singer, bass-player and drummer
you can always tell a band that is very well-rehearsed
and this band is that as well as great musicians
even more so an often missing element was on stage
fun - enjoyment of the moment - play for pleasure
all this helped the band deliver 4 great sets of music
i stayed propped up at the bar till the end
mostly taking in the music and enjoying it very much
a very distinctive blues/pop/rock feel to the music
vocal harmonies a standout from the 2 lads up front
the lead guitarist at back supplying some excellent noises
drum and bass solid as you would want in the rhythm department
so all in all a very well balanced band with good original material
a guest harp (mouth accordian) player on stage for a few tunes
letting it rip with some fine noise-making there
and imploring the crowd down front to join in
including a lady (girlfriend) in the excitement of the moment
stripping to her waist to provide a spontaneous floor show
all done and taken in great humour and style
there was something about the atmosphere on this night
presumably the easy-going lifestyle in the mountains
found it's way into the bar that night
and made for a most pleasurable time
on a sad note...
this hotel is intent on booking original bands
but it seems popular opinion may be against them
hope not - nothing quite like this
good live original music
thanks to the rels