Fifty years later, a four-piece, Melbourne-based band Canyon marks Woodstock’s 50th anniversary with a sold out concert at Melbourne’s Caravan Club. In keeping with the Woodstock vibe, the band will continue to share the love touring 18 regional Victorian towns as part of the Cafe Culture Series during August and September. Canyon’s line-up includes singer, songwriter and guitarist Peter Chapman, singer, co-song writer and percussionist Louise Dempsey, Bruce Packard on vocals, bass and mandolin and Josh Bennett on vocals and multiple guitars.
Canyon’s tour will include tastefully-arranged and impressive acoustic versions of many of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s greatest songs, including some of those first heard by the world 50 years ago at Woodstock, which also inspired and became a major influence on the distinctive sound of Canyon’s original compositions about deserts, forests, raging water, open highways and broken hearts.
The concert also features many other great songs from the ‘Laurel Canyon, Westcoast’ tradition of the 1960s and 1970s, such as America, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, The Band, Little Feat, Seals and Crofts, Emmy Lou Harris and Joni Mitchell.
‘‘As a harmony group we know that vocal arrangements are a time-consuming labour of love and Crosby, Stills Nash and Young set the blueprint,’’ Mr Chapman said.
‘‘Their songs have stood the test of time and their influence is omni-present.
‘‘Canyon looks forward to celebrating their milestone Woodstock anniversary and paying our respects to a band that were politically fierce and musically even better.’’
Canyon invites you to set the scene at the show by embracing your inner hippie and reaching into the depths of your wardrobe and dressing in your most colourful and peace loving, flower power outfit. There will be a prize at each show for the best dressed.
Doors open at 7.30 pm for a welcome drink and nibbles pre-show, with a sumptuous supper served during interval.
If you are interested to hear some of the greatest songs ever written, along with Canyon’s originals performed in splendid four-part harmonies you can secure a seat for the Yarroweyah hall performance on Friday, August 30, at 8 pm, which is presented by Moira Arts and Culture Inc, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
Tickets are on sale online at www.trybooking.com/WYJZ