Songs My Mother Taught Me

As Tina herself says, “Chi si volta, e chi si gira, sempre a casa va finire.” (No matter where you go or turn, you will always end up at home). For Songs My Mother Taught Me, the stage of Her Majesty’s Theatre is turned into a lounge room of sorts; over 30 lampshades hanging from the flies with string lights, a chair and table. This lounge room however, also has a 9-piece band and two backup singers!

After a heartfelt welcome to country accompanied by didgeridoo, the curtains open to the strains of ‘Arrivederci Roma’ and our host for the evening, Tina Arena, well known to audiences as a singer-songwriter, musician, musical theatre actress and record producer. Using the song ‘Our House’, she introduces the rest of the artists.

Her amazing guest list for the evening features none other than Wendy Matthews, Canadian-born Australian singer-songwriter and a member of Models and Absent Friends; Lior, an independent Australian singer-songwriter, best known for his 2005 debut studio album Autumn Flow and for the song ‘Hoot's Lullaby’; Thando, a Zimbabwean singer, song writer and actor, most notable for her appearances in The Voice; Jess Hitchcock,  an Indigenous performer, composer and singer-songwriter and Sophie Koh, Australian singer and songwriter.

Add to this list Musical Director Mark Ferguson with his band and family as back-up singers and you have a music packed evening.

Directed by Johanna Allen, one of Australia’s most acclaimed singers / actors, who has worked within musical theatre, theatre, opera, film, television, and cabaret, Songs My Mother Taught Me focusses on storytelling, family and growing up in a different culture.

It is a clever concept that works well - fascinating stories about their early lives in Australia and of course the performers’ mothers, mixed with some of their favourite songs in their native language. Personally, I would have liked to hear more of the stories that shaped their lives, perhaps with some images of their families to enrich the experience.

Special mention should be made of the backup singers, who were in virtually every number and singing in many different languages, even more impressive when revealed they are a mother/daughter duo!

There are many shining moments - Sophie Koh’s ‘Wo Yao Ni De Ai’ (I Love You); Jess Hitchcock’s ‘Stupid Cupid’, virtually segueing into ‘Baba Waiyar’; Wendy Matthews’ emotionally charged version of ‘Cherokee Louise’ (the Joni Mitchell classic) and Thando’s ‘Golden’.

For me, the highlights of the evening were Arena’s powerful song at the end of the night ‘Caruso’ and Lior’s two songs, the first, an unaccompanied ‘Avinu Malkeinu’ which featured an astounding vocal control over all vocal ranges and his song ‘Shir L’Shalom’ with its accompanying story of political strife.

Playing to an appreciative packed house, Songs My Mother Taught Me is an exploration of culture, family, musical tradition and shared experience full of magical moments and sure to send you off into the cold night with a smile on your face!

Barry Hill

Photographer: Claudio Raschella