An Evening With The Somebuddies: SomeBuddies To Love at The Wheatsheaf – Adelaide Fringe Review

The Wheatsheaf, Thu 3 Mar The SomeBuddies: Dave Hudson, Ben Ford-Davies and Ria Loof, return to the Fringe with another evening of inspired, harmony-driven music. Opening with The Eagles’ Seven Bridges Road, complete with a cappella beginning and end, the scene is quickly set. The songs largely come from the rich catalogue of harmonic 1970s North American adult-oriented rock; Crosby, Stills and Nash, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers and James Taylor all feature. Unsurprisingly, Cat Stevens and Van Morrison songs also make the list. Pink Floyd’s Goodbye Blue Sky and Cold Chisel’s Janelle are among the more novel selections. Songs by The Beatles are also dotted throughout the evening. Ford-Davies’ guitar is as percussive as it is melodic, and is the major non-vocal instrument. Loof plays ukulele on the opener, and Hudson’s bass adds a bit of punch to songs like Go Your Own Way. But it is the beautiful vocals that people have come to hear, and the trio doesn’t disappoint. Some of the arrangements immediately invoke memories of the original recordings, while others, like Blackbird, take the songs to a different place. Either way, the performances are sublime. The SomeBuddies are also entertaining to watch, and appear very comfortable on stage. The happiness pervades The Wheatsheaf, which is largely patronised by friends, family and musical peers. Allowing the crowd to be part of the show can be hit-and-miss, but the band’s novel attempt to have audience members help build the set list just about works. Over the course of 20-plus songs, The SomeBuddies demonstrate that they are an extremely talented and canny bunch. There’s obviously been a lot of work put into the vocal parts – indeed the entire performance – and it pays off. This is an excellent concert; each band member gets to shine at various times, but the real strength here is in the collaborative whole. David Robinson An Evening With The SomeBuddies continues at The Wheatsheaf from 8pm until Fri 4 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.