Fred Eaglesmith

Fred Eaglesmith & The Flying Squirrels,
with special guest Bill Chambers @ Lizotte’s Restaurant, Kincumber, Thursday, April 5, 2007 Squirrels cut loose in Central Coast eatery After almost five hours’ driving last Thursday I arrived at the Central Coast for a night I’d been looking forward to for some time. I was going to Lizotte’s Restaurant, Kincumber. The act was Fred Eaglesmith and the Flying Squirrels, with Bill Chambers as the opener. It doesn’t get much better than that now, does it? It’s a beaut venue, and I’d read about so many great acts going there previously, so this was going to be a memorable evening. And that it was. Billy Bob is one of the most underrated acts in the country. He just gets up there and does it – from set up to pack down, it’s all Bill. But this time he had company. Willie P Bennett, Fred’s harmonica and mandolin player, joined Bill for his tasty set. From Teresa to Ain’t Your Town No More, it was pure enjoyment all the way. Willie’s mastery of the harp is something to behold and his sheer love of playing shines through in every song. For one song, Bill called on son-in-law Shane Nicholson to take the stage for, and Shane’s soulful harmonies and guitar picking was a real highlight of a fabulous set of Bill Chambers magic. Dinner was delicious – I had the scotch fillet, and it was cooked to perfection – not mooing, of course. Can’t cope with that. But just right, so thanks very much to the chef. Then it was on to the star attraction – Fred Eaglesmith and The Flying Squirrels. I’d only ever seen Fred on his own before, when he came out here from Canada about five years back with a contingent of Canadian and American singer-songwriters for a series of shows at Wests during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The Squirrels were an absolute delight, starting with drummer Kori Heppner’s unadulterated passion for her role in the band. After flirting with a radio career, Kori took a detour onto the drum stool via the merch table – and she’s loving her work. Then there was Luke Stackhouse from Port Dover, Ontario, who opted out of the punk scene to wear a fluffy tail on the road with Fred. Two years ago he swapped punk guitar for Squirrel-style upright bass and hasn’t looked back. Snappy dresser and multi-instrumentalist Willie P had already won a new fan in me during Bill’s set. I was rapt to see him in full flight with his fellow Canadians. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Willie’s skills have ensured he’s travelled far and wide and made some beautiful music along the way. Bill was an honourary Squirrel, which he seemed to relish. Don’t think he could do it for too long though, due to the rib injuries it may incur. Bill laughs so hard at Fred’s jokes he could easily break something. And they call it work? For one song Fred was joined by one of his most ardent admirers – the beautiful mother-to-be (for the second time) Kasey Chambers, and Kasey’s harmonies were exquisite. I think it was Bill, Kasey and Audrey Auld who first championed Fred before Australian audiences almost a decade ago. Now it’s about Fred. He joked, he spoke. He sang, he jeered and his monologues were memorable – some absolute gut-busters. I discovered he’s a totally different Fred with the Squirrels behind him. I’m so pleased I made the trip as it really was a night to remember. Cheers! Anna Rose The “beer-soaked woman in front”… who was barely damp. J