“Let me hear you shout ‘Volia’ ”, exclaimed excitable host Andrew Denton.
“Volia”, was the muted response from the assembled throng.
“That was pathetic. Let me hear you shout ‘Volia ”, exhorted Denton.
“VOLIA”, shouted the crowd.
The Ukraine word volia can be simply translated as ‘will’ or ‘freedom’ but it actually means much more: the internal driving power to overcome all obstacles. Volia enables the Ukraine nation to keep striving against the aggressor.
Volia became the catchcry for a brilliant night of music, discussion and fundraising at a dinner and show with the soul band The Bluesberries at the Vanguard music and entertainment venue in Newtown, Sydney. A feature of evening was the launch of the Morning Sun project, a collaboration between The Bluesberries and the Mariupol Chamber Orchestra ‘Renaissance’, so-called because the orchestra has been reformed around a small group of musicians who escaped from the Russian siege of Mariupol. As conductor Vasyl Kryachok has said, “We all saw how our past lives and ideas about the future were destroyed. But we were together, and I am sure unity and creativity bring hope.”
The project aims to pay tribute to the many sacrifices made by Ukrainians, to bolster spirits and to raise much-needed funds for those injured by the Russian invasion. The Morning Sun song and music video was recorded in Kyiv and Sydney and is very much the brainchild of Sydney journalist, editor and saxophonist Dan Fallon. Working as a producer for the BBC in Sydney, and specifically tasked with providing coverage of the war, Dan was deeply affected by the stories and scenes emanating from the struggle in Ukraine and decided to do something tangible to assist. Dan co-opted two friends, English producer and music director Paul Beard and Sydney businessman and budding saxophonist, former Adelaide lad, John McMurtrie AM to the cause. Morning Sun was co-written and produced by Dan and Paul with John as executive producer.
It is the second project designed to assist the Ukrainian people. In 2022, The Bluesberries joined forces with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine to record versions of ‘Blue Skies’, a song designed “to promote peace, to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to raise funds for displaced refugees via UNHCR”. Blue Skies was started by Dan on piano during a screen break before being co-written with Paul and John at Aviator Studio in Sydney. Ukrainian opera singer Maryana Danchenko contributed Ukrainian lyrics and her beautiful voice to versions of the song. Led by violinist and arranger Illia Bondarenko – an emerging classical star in Europe – the 33-piece orchestra also performed a symphonic arrangement of Blue Skies at a cathedral in Düsseldorf, Germany.
To the night at the Vanguard with The Bluesberries, the third such gig for this talented group of musicians. The Vanguard is something else. Outside, a very ordinary street façade: inside there is a transformation. Dark blue drapes cover the walls. There is soft lighting and a long, well-worn, obviously well-adorned wooden bar. A sold-out dinner and show for 150 patrons. Stirring musical offerings from a band of accomplished musicians, a wonderful sound system, good company and a decent red wine. What more could one ask for?
The opening act, Jaga, a duo comprising skilled Bluesberries violinist Mariana and her accordionist partner, played an up-tempo set of high energy Ukrainian wedding dances because “everyone dances at Ukrainian weddings”.
The Bluesberries band of eleven musicians plus three singers, Bronwyn Mulcahy, John Field and Ciarin Gribbin (the last of the lead singers in the late lamented INXS) played a resounding mix of rhythm and blues, soul and contemporary songs.
Bronwyn Mulcahy performed a great version of ‘At Last’ (Etta James) and there were terrific solos from Dan Fallon (saxophone), Danny May (trumpet), Adam Pringle (lead guitar) and Paul Beard (keyboard). And John McMurtrie had his moment in the spotlight as he coaxed out his sax solo on ‘(Way Down Upon The) Swannee River’.
John Field performed a first-rate version of ‘Shake’ (Sam Cooke) and played guitar as he and Bronwyn sang ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ (Kris/Janis). For mine, the best of the night were the versions of ‘Unchain My Heart’ (Ray Charles), ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy’ (Cannonball Adderley), ‘St James Infirmary’ (Everyone) and ‘Ophelia’ (The Band). Love that song.
Between sets Andrew Denton discussed the Morning Sun project with Dan Fallon and Paul Beard and the song/video was played for the audience. There was a poignant moment as Ukraine soldier Nazar was introduced. Nazar has been brought to Australia for medical treatment to injuries sustained in the conflict. A Ukrainian army flag was auctioned for a very large sum of money and there were other very generous donations to the cause.
Also in the break, the Ukrainian ambassador, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, spoke of the struggle and the determination of the people of the Ukraine. He thanked Australians for their generosity and left the audience to ponder the statement:
“Everything will be fine in the end. If it’s not fine then it’s not the end.”
And a final word from Dan Fallon, “Music brings us together – we stand with them”.
You can find more information about the Morning Sun project here
https://futureukraine.org.au/events/morning-sun-a-fundraising-song-for-ukraine/
Disclaimer: John McMurtrie and Peter Crossing shared in a number of batting partnerships for Prospect District Cricket Club many years ago. Some were successful, many were brief.
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About Peter Crossing
Peter Crossing loves the pure 'n natch'l blues. He is a member of the silver fox faction of the Adelaide Uni Greys. He is something of a cricket tragic although admitting to little interest in the IPL or Big Bash forms of the game.
Beautiful. Reaching out with friendship, engendering trust and hope; sharing and caring.
A wonderful story of a great show by excellent people.