| The noises of the night blended in well with the gentle ambience of this beautiful venue, with Bedouin-like draping, fairy lights wrapped around pillars, crickets and frogs adding to the vocals, and the wind gently fanning our brows! The delights of the home-brewed Robson’s ale and healthy fruit juice went down well, and the tantalising smells of Debbie’s delicious soup and curry wafted along the rows of chairs interspersed with comfy lounge sofas. All this was going on in the same space, yet not obtrusive at all, with Shaun quietly manning the sound, ensuring local music played in the background. What amazed me about the venue was the trusting tranquillity – it is a long time since I have got up from my seat, and not worried about leaving my bag behind on the chair! There is safe off-street parking with a friendly car-guard and a setting that almost takes you back in time. Soothing to the soul.
These are real people who deliver real music – and deliver Fiona did.
Fiona’s music is rooted in folk, and her return to University eight years ago has resulted in her achieving her Masters in Composition. This gentle, talented, unpretentious lady shared her journey with us. There was even a 16th century poet’s influence in one of her songs, a ‘look back on your life’ lyric that really made you do just that. Joni Mitchell’s influence was evident, and everyone sang along to a cover version that Fiona made her own. A suggestion for her future gigs would be for her to do a few more covers in between her own. She has the ability to draw you into that space she occupies on the stage, and it is gently done, like a beckoning, and yet at the same time you do not want to crowd it. Truly unique with a profound humbleness. Her guitar playing is true and a wonder to watch and hear, and even though she had a painful shoulder and the humidity teased her guitar strings to need frequent tuning, her professional attitude and light banter had us all eating out of her hand.
My personal star of the set was ‘Music without words’ – with Anton on electric violin and Keri on flute. Here her experimental shift came to the fore. Fiona had tried in the weeks leading up to this gig to find a cellist, but no one stepped up to the platform, and I reckon with that addition, that song would have been more than perfect. Lovely! In total we were treated to 19 songs. The last song came after a hearty encore, and even though Fiona must have been tired, she turned up the guitar volume and it was just great – once again!
So, look out for FIONA TOZER wherever she lays her hat – this is a musical journey you do not want to miss.
Check out her website: fionatozer.com. and the marimba composition on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u7flRLzMu0 . Watch out for her at the Snap Wine Bar in Jan and Splashy Fen at Easter.
‘Be sure to sing it well – that song you have inside’
For upcoming events, keep browsing on Luna Lounge’s delightful, artistic page: www.lunalounge.co.za
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