'Hidden Vale' CD Launch - Bob Brown With Monique Brumby and Steve Crump

On Thursday 10th December 2020, fifty lucky people were the audience for the launch of Bob Brown’s “Hidden Vale” spoken word CD based on his poems from the 1970s, my music for them, and the performance and production magic of Monique Brumby. Being 2020, seats were limited by CV-19 restrictions, but David and Leanne at Ferntree Tavern arranged the space so that the launch had a ‘supper club’ feel, whilst still compliant with the protocols for this pandemic.

The “band” performed 5 of Bob’s poems: Along The Road, On Cradle Mountain, Winter Night At Liffey, Considering Life and The Birds, with Bob giving extended accounts of the experiences for each of them that led him to put pen to paper. In this video, “Considering Life” features, with Bob’s brave and powerful reading, my melody played on an old piano from Berlin, and Monique’s show-stopping emotive guitar and vocal. The audience was spellbound and the night served as an antidote to what had been a difficult, trying and at times depressing year as ‘covid’ struck families, businesses and communities without discrimination and often without warning.

Bob’s place in the heart of Australians was assured long ago but this launch was a chance for those fortunate to be there to show their love, respect and gratitude in person, generating a warmth and vibe that lingered long after the performances as people sought out Bob to say a few words and get an autography or two!

Poems written and performed by Bob Brown.

Piano music composed and performed by Steve Crump.

Vocals and guitar composed and performed by Monique Brumby.

Filmed recording and video editing, Tess Crellin and Stephen Anderson.

"Singing Currawong" artwork generously contributed by Jon Kudelka.

Special thanks to Fran Newman who saved her copies of Bob’s poems, otherwise lost when Bob’s house was ransacked.

Launched by Tabatha Badger, Restore Lake Pedder Campaign Manager.