The Age from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia • Page 47

10 Friday 6 March 1998 THE AGE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE JS)H(C5 Jansch lets his Biloon go man CTe(te inventing folk baroque in the '60s eschews hype, but turns out works of sheer virtuosity, writes Terry Retlly. VJC, Nina Ferro Quartet. Alma Club. Wilks VJC, Nina Ferro Quartet. Alma Club.

Wilks Nick Charles Open Stage, Cafe. Fitzroy. 8. free. Ode To a Goldfish, Sub Terrain, Nth Fitzroy, 9, $3.

Schwarz Bros, House of Fools, Footscray. MONDAY The Lonely Guys, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton, 10.30, free. TUESDAY Acoustic Tuesday, with John S. Williams. Jo.

Greg Kew. Petra. Arthouse, city. 8pm. Dave Steel, Sub Terrain, Nth Fitzroy, 9, $4.

Fang, Dan O'Connell Hotel. Carlton, 9.30, free. WEDNESDAY Acoustic Night, Clifton Hill Hotel. Baby Boomers; Dan and Lynell, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton. 9.30, free.

New Acoustic Collective, Sub Terrain, Nth Fitzroy. 9. $3. Straight Ahead; Cool Grass, Clifton Hill Hotel. THURSDAY Acoustic Overdrive, Tudor Inn, Werribee.

Jody Henry, Renown Tavern, Fitzroy. Music Workshop, for acoustic guitarists, singer-songwriters, Windsor Castle Hotel, Windsor. Straight Ahead, Blarney Stone, Port Melbourne. Whirling Furphy Trio, Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick. 10.

free. Bert Jansch: shrugs off praise from guitar heroes like Jimmy Page. DF BERT Jansch were a car salesman, he would never notch up a sale. It's not in his nature to be slick and persuasive. But if he were a car, the name Jansch would be breathed in the same hushed tones as such names as Lamborghini or Porsche.

Bert Jansch's agenda is music. No hype, Just sheer virtuosity, moving lyricism and memorable melodies. The Edinburgh-born musician made such an impact with his eponymous debut album in 196S recorded on a Revox tape recorder that Its impact remains. But Nicola (1967), recorded with an orchestra, did not exactly crackle with feeling. One writer went so far as to lay the blame on the orchestra leader, a Royal Academy graduate, saying Jansch's custom-made electric guitar sounded awful and looked like a frypan.

"It's an obscure one," Jansch says in measured tones. "It was the head of the record company's Idea of where I should go with my music." Straight back to the Revox machine, in fact, for Birthday Blues In 1968, the year that gave birth to Brit-folk quintet Pentangle, with fellow guitarist John Renbourne and bassist Danny Thompson (recently here in the company of guitarist Richard Thompson). Pentangle, described as "folk disbanded In 1973. "The folk baroque tag was latched on to because of our Instru-. mental album, The Bert and John Album.

They were Just short pieces strung Having overcome alcoholism, Jansch maintained a consistent recording output, mainly on independent labels. When the Circus Comes to Town (1995) won the same sort of high acclaim as Rosemary Lane, recorded 23 years earlier. "I've got a thing about my. early stuff," Jansch murmurs, alluding to Rosemary Lane. "I can't really listen to It because of the youngness of my voice.

But it's one of my favorite albums." Led Zeppelin founder and British folk-guitar enthusiast Jimmy Page saw him perform in London, In December, but Jansch, typically, shrugs off the praise from the likes of Page, Pete Townshend, Neil Young and Jiml Hendrix. "Praise is St. Caulfield Nth. Zoo Twilights Jazz Sessions, feat. Airforce Show Band, Melbourne Zoo, Parkville, 7-9.

SUNDAY Alex HutcMnsoii Trio, Savoy Park Plaza, city. 12 noon. Annemarie Sherry Quartot, Firestation Cafe. Ivanhoe, 3-6, free. Bamaby and Oianni Quartot, with Geoff Hughes and Frank Dissario, II Primo, Carlton, 10, free.

Frank Oows Jazz Stuff, with guest Bob Venler, Oasis Oz, Nth Melbourne, 12-4, free. Fraddio Frostoador Jazz Combo, Star and Garter Hotel, Sth Melbourne, 6-9. Kan Schroder Emanon, Bennett's Lane, city, $86. Kan White Footnotes, Retreat Hotel. Abbotsford, 5-8, free.

New Melbourne Jazz Band, Manningham Club. Bulleen, 7.30-10.30. Smithy, Withers and Friends, Rydges Riverwalk Hotel, Richmond, 1-4. Some Like It Hot, Rising Sun Hotel, Sth Melbourne, 2-5, free. Steve Sedergreen Mistaken Identity, lawn stage, Victorian Arts Centre, St Kilda Rd.

2.30pm. free. Swingin Sidewalks, McCoppins, Fitzroy, 4pm. Tim O'Dwyer and Lucky, Spleen Bar, city, 8. free.

Zoo Twilights Jazz Sessions, feat. Swingin Sidewalks and Swing Sisters, Melbourne Zoo, Parkville, 7-9. MONDAY Allan Browne Trio, Bennett's Lane, city, $75. Dirty But Happy, Truffula Tree. Nth Fitzroy.

Paul Williamson's Hammond Combo, Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy, 9, free. TUESDAY Debbie La VWIe and the Karl Hlrd Trio, II Primo, Carlton, 10-1, free. Rob Burke Quartet, Bennett's Lane, city, $75. Swingln Sidewalks, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda. Ted White IB-PI see Big Band, Rising Sun Hotel.

Sth Melbourne, 7.30-11, free. The Wombat Jazz Band, Elstemwick Hotel, 7.45-10.15. WEDNESDAY Joe CMndamo Trio. Bennett's Lane, city, $75. THURSDAY The Band Who Knew Too Much, Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy.

9.30, free. Cocoa Lunch, Brunswick Music Festival, Town Hall, Brunswick, 8pm. David Rax Quartet, Bennett's Lane, city, $75. Festa, McCoppins, Fitzroy, 9.30, free. JazzNett, Atomic Bar, Williamstown, 8-11.

Lost in Clave, (Latin jazzfunk), The Stage, Fitzroy, 9, $3. Melbourne Dixieland ass Society, Imperial Hotel, city, 7pm. New Melbourne Jazz Band, Bridge Hotel, Richmond, 8-11. Patrice Lajoie Quartet, II Primo, Carlton, 10.30. Pol scats, Cafe Zarnto, Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 8.

Swingln Sidewalks, House of Fools Hotel, Footscray. dasSaCnl Auditions: Tenors and basses required for May concert feat. Brahms, Liebeslieder and gypsy songs, Southeastern Philharmonia. 9808 0835; Box Hill Choral Society is rehearsing songs from shows with musical director Andrew Wailes, new members are welcome. Box Hill Community Arts Centre, enr Combarton and Station Sts, Mon 7.30pm.

9878 4535. FRIDAY lequontla, featuring music by Abbess Hildegard of Bingen, St Patrick's Cathedral, city, 11.30pm. SATURDAY Schubert and Soler Guitar Duo, Melba Conservatorium of Music, 45 York St, Richmond, 3pm. 9558 4251. SUNDAY Michael Kleran and Denlse Papaluca, Eyton on Yarra Winery, Yarra valley, $2015, dinner and concert $45.

(03) 5962 2119. MONDAY Mertyn Quarfe, soprano, with Trio "Hamlsh was best blues-type player I ever came across." How has Bert Jansch's music changed over three decades? "I don't rely on the guitar as much," he says. "I need the guitar parts to be part of the song. Over the years, the guitar has become an accompanying instrument rather than an instrumental piece." Bert Jansch plays the Port Fairy Festival on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and the Continental in Prahran on Tuesday and Wednesday. He also plays Basement Discs, city on Tuesday.

Toy Balloon is out on Festival. world music FRIDAY Domino Theory, (Brazilian samba and lounge music), The Stage, Fitzroy, 8, $183. Landing, Sub Terrain, Nth Fitzroy, 9, $5. Melanie Shanahan, and friends, Songlines, St Margaret's Church Hall, Pitt St, Eltham. 8.

Rumberos, (Afro-Cuban dance music), Ritmo Cafe, 400 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. SATURDAY Espiritu Latino, Velour, 121 Binders Lane, city, 10. Leona Kaki, CD launch. Prince Patrick, Collingwood. Mumbo Jumbo, (Latin American), The Havana Room, Toorak.

Orquesta del Barrio, Ritmo Cafe, 400 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Tropical Dreams (Latin American dance band), The Stage, Fitzroy, 10, $227. SUNDAY Brazilian Percussion Workshops, with Carlos Ferreira, Dance of Life Studio, 284 Smith St. Collingwood. 015 098 022.

The Safari Brothers, (qawwali singing), Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Clayton Campus, 8pm. 9905 1111. TUESDAY Paelle Trio, Cafe Bohemio, Collingwood. WEDNESDAY Mark Twigden, (Brazilian guitar) Cafe Bohemio, Collingwood. Tango Dance Workshops, The Stage, Fitzroy, 7pm beginners, 8pm intermediates, $10.

Xylouris Ensemble, Cherry Tree Hotel, Richmond. THURSDAY Cze Meledo, (French guitarist-singer) Cafe Bohemio. Collingwood. Lost In Clave, (Latin jazzfunk), The Stage, Fitzroy, 9, $3. Melbourne Samba School, Ritmo Cafe, 400 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9.30pm.

dub events Chasers, 386 Chapel St, South Yarra. 9827 6615. Sal: T.U.S.H. with Dj's David O'Leary and John Course, 10pm, $108: Delirium, retro night with Steve Wide and David O'Leary playing hits from the 60s to the 80s. also Mickey playing house and garage in the Sake Bar.

10pm; Wed: Hard 'n' Fast, alt. grunge, metal and indie night with Dj's Stratos, Skinflint Jackson, Francis Leach, Beat Nick in the mainroom. from 10pm. Emotion, opening night, funky house dj's. 1st fl, 139 Bourke, St, city.

Sun 7.30pm-3am. The Lounge, 243 Swanston St, city. Tonight: Cocoa Butter, with funk master Kano and guests: Sai: Purveyors: album launch by Adam F. also Dj Ransom and guests: Sun: Ranch-O-Relaxo, experimental and live sounds with Dj's Mars, Hok and guests, free: Wed: Club Filter, acid techno with Djs Mad Rod, Rudeboy and guests; Thurs: P.L.U.S.H. with Miss Krystal Pussy Cha Cha and guests.

Prince of Wales, 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda. Tonight: Pimps, Players and Private Eyes, 70 black music, films and fashion, with dj's Johnny Topper, Taske, Michael van Raay, and the Soul Train Dancers. Revolver, Chapel St Sth Yarra. Sal: bass heavy grooves and reggae laden beats, with Sam Delay, Ernest Dubious and guests, 2-tipm. free.

not a thing I consciously think of," he says. "I did meet Hendrix once. I have no Idea what he really said about me." Nor does he care. Jansch's latest album, Toy Balloon, is an Inspired work featuring some ornate saxophone work from Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown, Van Morrison). "I wish I had written more tunes for him to play on." Inspired by American blues guitarists Brownie McGhee and Big Bill Broonzy, the teenage Jansch became enthralled by guitar, took lessons from Len Partridge and was galvanised by fellow Scots Davy Graham and Hamlsh Imlach.

Redlinera, Station Hotel, Prahran, 5-7pm. TUESDAY Andy Taylor's Cajun Combo, Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. WEDNESDAY Honeydrippers, Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy, 9pm. Judy Flynch, Cafe Bohemio, Collingwood. Uoyd Spiegel, Joes, 432 Church St, Richmond, 8.

Merillo Simmons, 5 10 Cafe, Fitzroy. THURSDAY Highly Swung, 5 10 Cafe, Fitzroy. country FRIDAY Headbelly Buzzard, Railway Hotel, Nth Fitzroy. SATURDAY Honkey Tonk Kings (ex Moonee Valley Drifters) Old Homestead Inn, Nth Fitzroy, free. SUNDAY The Loose Lariats, Rising Sun Hotel.

Nth Carlton, 4-7, free. acoustic foak FRIDAY Co ogees Harass, North Eastern Hotel, Benalla, 9. Melbourne, Melba Hall, Royal Pde, Parkville, l.ltlpm.free. TUESDAY The Other, spontaneously composed ensemble music by Brigid Burke (clarinet), Gary Costello, (acoustic bass violin), Oadvid Toley (semi acoustic bass violin). Gryphon Gallery, Melbourne Uni, Grattan St, Carlton, H.3()pm.

rhythm FRIDAY Phil Smith, Highway 31. 743 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 8. Tlnsley Waterhouse Trio, Palmerston Hotel. Sth Melbourne. WHigiiardi, Rydges, Carlton, 5-8 pm.

SATURDAY La Trobe Rhythm and Blues Festival, with Chicken Head. Andy Cowan, Electric Gypsies. Powerhouse Blues Band, Strangebrew. Moe. (03) 5126 1295.

Midnight Special, Red Eagle, Albert Park. 9. Paramount Trio, Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy, 4.30, free. Phil Smith, Highway 31, 743 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 8. Tlnsley Waterhouse Trio, Armadillo Bar, Mentone.

SUNDAY Harper, Station Hotel, Prahran, 3. PhH Smith, Highway 31, Brunswick, The Folk Police, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton, 9.30. free. Qwinevere Widget, Earl of Lincoln Hotel. Richmond, free.

The Hooligans, Molly Blooms, Pt Melbourne. Jody Henry, Renown Tavern, Fitzroy. John Cameron Band, Armadillo Bar, Mentone. Shaun Gardener and Andrew Groves, Highryder Saloon, city. SATURDAY Coogans Heroes, Celtic Club, city, 9.

Ice Cream Hands, Town Hall Hotel, Nth Melbourne. Jody Henry, Kim Janz and Marissa Yeaman, Sub Terrain, Nth Fitzroy, 9.30. $4. Marko, Newmarket Hotel. St Kilda, 9-lam.

Sean Slmmonds, Ministry of Sound, Prahran. Tlnsley Waterhouse Trio, Armadillo Bar. Mentone. Victorian Folk Music Club Bush Dance, feat. Harvest Moon, East Ringwood Senior Citizens Hall.

Laurence Gve, East Ringwood. 8pm, $6, children free. 9885 5756. Webster, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton, free. SUNDAY Brian McLaughlin 4.30; Erin Pride 8, Dan O'Connell Hotel, Carlton, free.

Bushwahzee, Guinness Tent, Port Fairy Folk Festival, 7.30. Coogans Heroes, Molly Blooms, Port Melbourne, 10. The HooHgns, Bridie O'Reilly's, city, 5..