Mundy Turner - November 2003 - review

Welcome back Mundy-Turner Cambridge Folk Club went down under on November 23rd with a taste of modern Australia provided by the energetic duo Cath Mundy (fiddle, keyboards, percussion) and Jay Turner (guitar), braving their first winter in the UK on their current tour.

Mundy-Turner's material was varied, ranging from the romantic love song 'Separation Street' set in today's urban Australia, to the haunting 'Rainmakers', whose rhythms and timbres evoke the timelessness of Aboriginal culture. Further contrast was provided by the comic story line and underlying social comment of 'High Life in Paradise'; the audience joined in the chorus to bring the fist half to a rousing conclusion.

Still to come in the second half was Cath's impressive, almost infamous kookaburra imitation. Another gem was their unforgettable tribute to the Aussie national sport, surfing, in the number 'Wayne wants a surfboard for Christmas,' the melody of which bore a strong resemblance to the Christmas carol, 'I saw Three Ships.' Two wonderful sets of music, verve and vigour, from a duo with complementary skills and sonorities.

Truly an evening for those with eclectic tastes. It began with the splendidly varied repertoire of accomplished local guitarist Alan Bailey.

For those who would appreciate another chance to see Mundy-Turner, they are supporting Fairport Convention on their Winter Tour appearance at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on February 7th 2004.