On Sunday night Larry and I, along with our friends Scott and Jeanne, headed to Santa Monica to see the insanely talented Colin Hay perform. Never heard of him? He used to be the lead singer of Men at Work…I see you smirking as images of goofy Aussie's bounding around the desert go run through your head.
He has since moved on to a solo career of singer/songwriter greatness. The kind of greatness that has, sadly for him, gone largely unrecognized, but lucky for us because we got to see him at Santa Monica College in an intimate 100-seat venue.
So up-close and intimate, that at one point Hay looked into the crowd, pointed at me and said "I see a little red light there. Are you taping this for YouTube?" [at this point Jeanne moves as far away from me as physically possible] Oh, Colin, you know me so well.
Here's one of the videos I uploaded–yes, to YouTube–of him signing one of his most beautiful songs "The Melbourne Song.'
Hay also has the gift of telling a brilliant story. Partly because he is Scottish, I suppose. Here is one of my favorite stories he told about Russell Crowe and drinking. I was awfully fond of his story about Sting's shoulders as well, but I was busted and had to put my camera away before I got that one on tape.
This reminds me a little of this story from my other favorite Scotsman, Craig Fuguson.
After the show Hay signed CD's and graciously greeted every adoring fan. Including us…
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. If you've ever had a dream, and waited for it to come true…and waited…and waited, "Waiting for My Real Life To Begin" will speak to you.
ahhh Colin Hay, once you mentioned Men at work I clicked that’s where i knew his name from. Aren’t they from australia? I like their song “who can it be now” and “I come from the land downunder”
I loved Men at Work. No snickering here. And now? Off to iTunes!
I still love listening to Men At Work.
You are so funny….you got busted? Lucky you are not int the YOU TUBE Jailhouse right now!!
I’ve heard great things about Colin Hay. Thanks for posting the video, I love it. What’s a good album to start with?
Note to Suz: Electrical tape over the red light. Every bootlegger knows that…
I am so glad you enjoyed your night with Colin. I just think he is amazing and soon his greatness will catch on. Thanks for sharing your bootlegs.
I posted a comment on my blog already to you…I was saying I can’t get the song to play or there’s no sound…something for me isn’t working. I’ll try and look it up elsewhere.
You are the loveliest, suz.
Colin Hay is awesome! He is the most underrated musician in the world. The song Brilliant Feat is one of MY all-time favorites. Great post, Suz. I love that he busted you. Honestly, he needs all the exposure he can get.
Oh my gosh! I absolutely LOVE this song too! (Have I told you that already?) This sounds like a fantastic night. I’m going to share your post with my husband, it will make him so happy.
And… I would LOVE to hear about the Sting-shoulders story ;->
I think that its AWESOME that you MET Colin Hay! Back in the 80’s, I LOVED “Business As Usual” and “Cargo”. Unfortunately they kind of dropped off the map on pop charts after that, but I agree with you on Hay’s solo work. He is very talented. Hopefully some day he’ll make his way back to Cincinnati. I’d love to see him perform sometime…
“note to self” do not got to a concert with Suz…just kidding, it cracks me up that you got busted by Colin. Hey we still need to get together for dinner???
Your hubby is TALL or you are SHORT…
Thank you for awakening my love for Colin AND Ferguson! Living overseas now and don;t see Craig’s show, but I sure miss him. There was something very real that caputured my heart and made me start watching him (and suffering sleepiness for it! ;-)) – but he was worth it.
Wished to tell you too – I have been afraid for too long to fully live, to fully be ME — and you show me it is possible and that I should not be afraid to live fully, each and every moment. I mean God has TOLD me this, and I knew it…but I don;t know — He used you to kick me in the bum and I am listening, and LIVING large! ;-P
“Waiting for My Real Life To Begin” is awesome!
Any minute now my ship is coming in
I’ll keep checking the horizon
And I’ll check my machine
There’s sure to be that call
It’s gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
It’s just that times are lean
And you say,”Be still, my love
Open up your heart
Let the light shine in”
Don’t you understand?
I already have a plan
I’m waiting for my real life to begin
Umm, yeah, that was me singing along, LOL!
oh. what a way to start my sunday. the melbourne song, one i’ve never heard before. how shameful that it’s #68 on itunes. suzanne, you have the best taste in music
Suz–I’ve never heard of him before, but I love it! He reminds me a little of Van Morrison. Love acoustic and his voice is so smooth…Going to down load him from iTunes now! Any other suggestions of his songs?
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Love him. Never heard of him before, but just downloaded a TON of his stuff!