Songs from the Canyon, at Hamer Hall and touring

Alex First

6 minutes ago

3 min read

Such a special sound at an unforgettable concert that is well worth travelling far and wide to see and hear.

Melifluous vocals reach deep into your soul.

In short, it feels like a warm embrace of gentler times – of yesteryear.

Every one of the 24 songs is simply so enticing in the hands of this nonet.

Songs from the Canyon* is the brainchild of artist manager Rick Chazan.

Rick had an inspired moment after he listened to a Crosby, Still & Nash cover at the Brisbane Troubadour nearly two decades ago.

He envisaged a show that captured the magnificent harmonies of that era, before calling upon Husky Gawenda to form a group to do justice to his vision.

My has Rick, Husky et al succeeded … and how!

Notwithstanding an interruption for COVID-19, Songs from the Canyon finally saw the light of day at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran in 2022.

I had the good fortune to witness that concert and was mesmerised.

Sell out shows across the country followed. I went again, this time to the Palais Theatre in St Kilda last year, and it was just as great.

And now, with the sensational acoustics at Hamer Hall, this is the pinnacle of Songs from the Canyon.

A superb, nine strong line-up includes Husky Gawenda, Dan Kelly, Charm of Finches, Alma Zygier, Stephen Grady and Dan Challis.

All are supreme artists in their own right. Together they are extraordinary … transformative.

Liquid gold vocalisation, adept on multiple instruments – among them so many guitars – constantly changing in formation.

It matters not whether we are hearing a soloist with a backing pianist, a duet or the full complement and further variations thereof. They are magnificent.

This is no ego-driven concert. All readily move from lead vocalist or vocalists to back up singers and musicians.

Their repertoire is the stuff of legends, as they weave stories about the life and times of Laurel Canyon and the artists thereof into their distinct offering.

I speak of paying homage to the likes of The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Mamas & The Papas, Joni Mitchell, Carole King and The Beach Boys and more.

Their rich and redolent songs live on in perpetuity, realised with a loving lilt by these extraordinary modern-day musos.

From California Dreaming, Mr Tambourine Man, Everybody’s Talkin’ and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow to Too Late Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, Big Yellow Taxi and Love the One You’re With … and that is only Act I.

After interval, it is Monday Monday, God Only Knows, Old Man, Both Sides Now and Dedicated to the One I Love, before a three-song encore.

I have but given you a taste of what is on the menu – five new songs for 2026 on their playlist.

Superlatives don’t do justice to what I was privy to. To me, this is the ultimate cover band – mellow and magical – that leaves the audience in raptures.

Set off by eight period lamps, prolific mood lighting and stellar sound engineering, they deliver a silky-smooth concert experience well worth revisiting time and again.

My heart swelled.

Songs from the Canyon can next be heard on the following dates and venues:

FRIDAY, 23RD OCTOBER

THE PLAYHOUSE, GEELONG

FRIDAY, 30TH OCTOBER

LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL

SATURDAY, 31ST OCTOBER

HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, BALLARAT

FRIDAY, 6TH NOVEMBER

ULUMBARRA THEATRE, BENDIGO

SATURDAY, 7TH NOVEMBER

GIPPSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, TRARALGON