MAGIC HAPPENS

On Sunday 13th October Tim Parr and Penny Levi played at The Bistro in Bathurst. It was Tim’s second performance there in as many months, having previously appeared there with Dave Goldblum on the 18th August to a sellout crowd. This time there were unfortunately, and disappointingly, far fewer people ............. but those who did not attend will sadly never know what they missed. Tim (previously of the 80’s Rock Band EllaMental), and his partner on bass, Penny, provided us with almost three hours of Tim’s original songs hugely enhanced by his extremely extensive and satisfying ‘self-taught’ guitar accompaniment. 

Penny Levi and Tim Parr at the Bistro

The highlight of the evening for the exclusively Bathurstian audience however, was when he invited owner of the Bistro Anne Katz and husband Barry to join him and Penny on stage………. where, with no warning whatsoever, they suddenly launched into a rendition of Van Morrison’s 1970 hit, Moondance. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but a certain kind of magic happened - and it blew everyone who was there away. They then followed up with Annie and Barry’s  now almost signature rendition of ‘Dance me to the end of love’, always inclusive of their own very special sense of each other and Barry’s very soulful scat trombone which never ceases to surprise.

Penny, Anne, Barry and Tim

On both of Tim’s visits we were fortunate enough to have him stay with us at No.6 York Road, and this time round he and Penny decided to stay an extra night. We decided this would be the ideal opportunity for the two of them to get to know Anne and Barry better so Pat prepared a curry followed by her always special bread pudding and the evening got going.  Anne’s 14 year-old son Tainn joined us, much I am sure to his ultimate musical delight. He is learning to play guitar at the moment, and as the evening progressed Tim decided that they should all fetch their instruments and begin jamming. It is absolutely apparent that the man quite simply loves music and can never get enough.

Anne, Barry, Tainn, Pat, Penny and Tim on the deck at No.6 York Road - playing beautiful music and getting to know each other

Immediately another kind of magic began to unfold with five very relaxed musicians blending and metaphorically holding musical hands - Anne’s oh so soulful accordion  pushing out sounds reminiscent of various Grappelli violin solos seemed to lay a soft and welcoming bed for the three guitars to rest on, with Tim all the time coaching young Tainn along divergent paths to new sounds as they played. Sitting on the outside listening and watching, Pat and I felt extremely privileged to have been a part of the magic that surrounded us. Thanks you guys - all of you - we must be sure to do it again sometime.