Review by Katrina Couzens of Songs of Michael G. Jones
Sitting down to listen to Michael G. Jones (or, as my husband dubbed him, Johnny Cash in Aussie dollars) was like stumbling into someone’s campfire session at a music festival. Warm, welcoming, with tunes you can’t help but bop along to. It felt like a hug and a hot chocolate.
Michael is a fantastic musician and an even better storyteller. His songs, grounded in life experience, are filled with striking imagery, fun wordplay, and the occasional line that makes you go “oof”. He says age has given him perspective on what is important in life, and his work reflects that, exploring small-but-significant moments; sitting in the back of the bus with friends, the small pang of loneliness when someone you love is away and their chair is empty at dinner time, leaving the pub at dawn and watching the sun rise, running out of sugar.
He’s backed up by friend and mentor Mike on guitar, and boy have I been thoroughly schooled on my guitar snobbery. Mike picked out melodies like an aye-aye extracting bugs from a tree—with mesmerising concentration and precision. I also thoroughly enjoyed guest appearances by Pete on harmonica and vocal harmonies.
When I asked Michael during post-show nibbles how long he had been doing this, I was absolutely stunned to learn that this was his first concert (though he has been playing regularly at open mic nights for “a few years” and has made recordings of his work). He just has such confidence and skill as a performer and songwriter.
I feel very privileged to be one of two people in the Raven Cellar on Sunday that Michael didn’t know personally (the other being my husband). Stumbling on his show, meeting him and his community, and bopping along to more drinking songs than I can count on one hand has been a real highlight.
Thank you very much for the compliments Katrina. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the show and it was my privilege to meet you both.
They are lovely sentiments expressed about my songs and music. It’s always good when people that one doesn’t know expresses their liking for songs they have never heard. Again, I thank you.
For the record, my accompanists were my good friends MIchael Barber on guitar and Peter Wood (Harmonica and harmonies)
PS. it was a tremendous venue to play at.