Music / “The Back Track Concert”, John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew. At the Street Theatre, February 16. Reviewed by IAN McLEAN.

Laconic John Schumann opened this rather fascinating concert with a simple statement that “for the next two hours I want to prove I didn’t just write I Was Only 19”.   

And prove that he did as he embarked on a journey of songs and stories from childhood days, listening to songs on an old radio in his Adelaide home, and dreaming that he’d one day write similar material, right through to conversations with the then Chief of Army, David Morrison, which ultimately led to “On Every Anzac Day”, a potted history in song recognising the contribution of indigenous servicemen and women to every conflict and mission in which Australia has participated. 

In his laidback style, which ranges between poet and philosopher, and from risqué to deeply emotive, he regaled with yarns as contrasting as how his great grandfather planned to board a ship heading from Adelaide to Sydney but was unceremoniously locked up by his employer and so literally “missed the boat”, to how native Australians saved the lives of explorer John Stuart and his team by advising them to “follow the birds” in their quest to find water. Those stories resulted in him writing Thunder Across the Reef and Just Fade Away.

Schumann is a devotee of Henry Lawson, his settings to music of Lawson’s poems are many and varied and quite lovely – The Bush Girl, Scots of the Riverina, Glass on the Bar and Second Class Wait Here amongst the highlights.  

Sprinkled amongst the songs were sad stories of Lawson, including his battle with alcoholism, which resulted in him begging for coins around Circular Quay ferry commuters. The NSW government granted him a stipend to transport him to Leeton to “dry out”.

Many of the little known Schumann songs were poignant. He left his band Redgum in 1986 after noticing the sadness on his 18-month-old son’s face when the boy saw his suitcases packed and ready to depart on another tour. Schumann subsequently wrote For the Children while on that tour, his last with Redgum.

Another lovely moment was the beautiful If I Close My Eyes, a song he wrote in the ’90s to protest against the development of a resort in the wilderness of the unspoilt Flinders Ranges. He won with the SA government completely shelving the plans.

Schumann was backed by a fine six-piece band, the Vagabond Crew. There was tight vocal harmony as well as slick instrumental playing with all musicians both happily enjoying their work but also deeply involved in the emotional content of the songs.

There were shortcomings. The sound mix was biased towards the instrumental playing rather than the vocal lines so it was difficult to decipher lyrics on many occasions. This was disappointing, particularly as most songs were new to the ear with the words of utmost importance.   There was also no printed program, or even a set list, which was an annoyance given the number of lesser-known works.

Overall though, this was an enthralling and satisfying concert of many moods and emotions. It is little wonder John Schumann has found his way into Australian hearts – he is a most talented songwriter and quintessential story teller.