"God Bless America" - Fred Smith and Magda's present 30th April, 2.30pm Bookings

You may remember Fred from the ABC's Australian Story: "A Sapper's Lullaby".

Coming after his immensely powerful work, " Dust of Uruzgan", Fred will present his tragicomical musical safari through the USA (that troubled country just south of Canada). With America going nuts, Fred Smith leads a musical safari through the main streets and back roads of the ‘United States of Anxiety’ in an attempt to offer some sort of explanation for it all.

Fred spent three years living and touring in the US and returned to release the album Texas, a song cycle documenting America a divided, shaky and a little hungover from the first term of GW Bush.

The critics loved it. Warwick McFadyen in the Age, wrote “Smith breezes across country, folk, soul and blues to deliver his wry observations on American life”, and the SMH described it as “a wonderful, quirky and irreverent look at the United States and its idiosyncrasies.”

Fred will be presenting songs from Texas and a few more he has written since, interspersed with yarns and observations from his inconclusive experiences in the home of the free. He will be accompanied by Liz Frencham on double bass and Carl Pannuzzo on percussion.

This is Fred Smith doing what he does best: weaving song, story, images and comedy to convey a nuanced comprehension of a complex society - a nourishing journey for those who don’t mind a bit of protein with their music.

Here's Fred on ABC "Australian Story"

Bookings essential. Doors from 2pm; Blessings from 2.30pm

Basic bar and light refreshments.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRgJ3SfABl8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Omn8ut9Dw