It was the culmination of a year’s hard work; the launch of Dave Anderson’s self-financed CD which, due to full-time work commitments, he lovingly crafted in the dark of night, at weekends and during stolen moments here and there. Opening the set alone, he was soon joined by a full band for an upbeat run-through of songs from the aforementioned long-player, Wish It All Away.
Clearly knowing his way around an acoustic guitar, his songs were intelligent, well-written and delivered earnestly and went down very well with the crowd, although trying to instigate a singalong with a bashful audience who were still sipping their post-dinner coffees was always doomed to failure (but then I always have hated The Vanguard for the way the music seems secondary to the food. After all, how an artist can give their all amid the clinking of plates and the round-the-table chatter is beyond me).
The highlights of the evening included a barnstorming rendition of standout track, Sing Me A Song, and most songs that involved the lovely use of viola. While Damien Rice is clearly an influence, ending the set with a slightly unsubtle cover of Volcano seemed like an odd choice, so it was pleasing that Anderson encored with a couple of his own tunes because, ultimately, it was great to see someone performing tracks that they care so very passionately about. Dave Anderson is these songs, and these songs are him.
As he finally removed his flat cap, his face opened up and revealed a winning smile which suggested he had had the time of his life. I’m sure he will have plenty of further opportunities to display his music in Sydney, as he is certainly worthy of a place on the live circuit.
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