Right Here, Right Now, I’m looking at a framed, slightly crumpled, A4 poster ‘1990 Labour Day Concert’ featuring human rights activist and musician ‘Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America, Guitarro y Canto, with Yorta Yorta, Archie Roach and Mixed Relations’. The place and time, Melbourne Concert Hall, Monday 12th March, 1990 8pm.
Even before living in Spain in 1976/7, I’d been interested interest in South American politics. I can remember being disturbed by the death of Chilean president Salvadore Allende and the return of the Dictator, Augusto Pinochet in 1973. When teaching English in Madrid in friends introduced me to the music of exiled Chilean musicians in ‘Inti Illimana’ and ‘Illapu’ and the bars at which exiled Chilean musicians could be found. I remember the haunted faces of the singers and the moving, troubled words of the songs they sang, the poetry they shared. When I left Madrid, friends gave me cassettes of their music, one of which I still have. On return to Australia, I built up my collection of the music of the Chilean exiles, and in doing so came across the wondrous voice and music of Bolivian human rights activist, Mercedes Sosa.
In 1989, Chilean exile musicians Illapu came to Melbourne. I attended concerts at the Melbourne Concert Hall, and also two concerts in Castlemaine, near where I lived in Daylesford.
The following year, in 1990, Mercedes Sosa came to Melbourne. Advertisements appeared in ‘The Age’ for her Labour Day public holiday concert at the Concert Hall, I booked my ticket, thrilled to be able to see Mercedes Sosa in person, but also interested in hearing the music of the First Nations Australians who were her supporting acts.
While Mercedes was incredible, the high point of the concert for me was my introduction to the music of Archie Roach. Archie had a way of quietening, of soothing his audience to a reflective state which enabled them to take in the words of the beautifully crafted songs he sang. This certainly was my experience that night. He had not long released his first album Charcoal Lane, which included ‘Took the Children Away’. I can still remember the incredibly powerful effect it had on me, and still does.
During interval, I noticed Archie standing alone at the side of the room, quietly watching the mingling crowd. I had been so moved by his music I felt that I wanted to let him know this. In a brief encounter, I went up to Archie, explained how profoundly moved I was by his music, and thanked him. He nodded, thanked me quietly, and I moved away.
In 1989, Chilean exile musicians Illapu came to Melbourne. I attended concerts at the Melbourne Concert Hall, and also two concerts in Castlemaine, near where I lived in Daylesford.
The following year, in 1990, Mercedes Sosa came to Melbourne. Advertisements appeared in ‘The Age’ for her Labour Day public holiday concert at the Concert Hall, I booked my ticket, thrilled to be able to see Mercedes Sosa in person, but also interested in hearing the music of the First Nations Australians who were her supporting acts.
While Mercedes was incredible, the high point of the concert for me was my introduction to the music of Archie Roach. Archie had a way of quietening, of soothing his audience to a reflective state which enabled them to take in the words of the beautifully crafted songs he sang. This certainly was my experience that night. He had not long released his first album Charcoal Lane, which included ‘Took the Children Away’. I can still remember the incredibly powerful effect it had on me, and still does.
During interval, I noticed Archie standing alone at the side of the room, quietly watching the mingling crowd. I had been so moved by his music I felt that I wanted to let him know this. In a brief encounter, I went up to Archie, explained how profoundly moved I was by his music, and thanked him. He nodded, thanked me quietly, and I moved away.
The treasured poster, which I’ve had for over thirty years know, evokes vivid memories of listening to Archie sing on Labour Day, 1990, and of speaking to him after the show.
At 9am this morning, before leaving Melbourne for Warrnambool; Archie’s cortege drove through inner Melbourne, briefly at places including Charcoal Lane and Cleveland Gardens . At 2 pm, as we began our class, Archie’s cortege is expected to arrived at the Gunditz Mara Health Service, Warrnambool for a gathering from 2 to 3pm.
Rest peacefully at Framlingham, Archie. Thank you for your music.
Beverley Lee
August 22, 2022
At 9am this morning, before leaving Melbourne for Warrnambool; Archie’s cortege drove through inner Melbourne, briefly at places including Charcoal Lane and Cleveland Gardens . At 2 pm, as we began our class, Archie’s cortege is expected to arrived at the Gunditz Mara Health Service, Warrnambool for a gathering from 2 to 3pm.
Rest peacefully at Framlingham, Archie. Thank you for your music.
Beverley Lee
August 22, 2022
Post-script - I searched on Trove to see if they had information about the Concert - other sources may appear over time, but I did find this one from 'the Tribune'