The backlog of significant music industry identities from the past 40-plus years being inducted into the SA Music Hall of Fame is all but complete after two years of successful AMC showcases at the Goodwood Institute. The sessions will still continue, but with fewer inductees and at a range of venues; there are also plans to also take the music showcases on the road to regional areas.

Don Morrison performs at Friday’s AMC session. Photo: Peter Tea

Friday night’s AMC session was held in the more intimate setting of The Jade, which provided a different experience. The music component of the evening was led by Troy Loakes, from the sadly now-defunct Huckleberry Swedes, who showcased his soulful incredible vocal range with a selection of originals and classic covers.

The legendary Don Morrison followed with his sometimes witty, often sentimental, always interesting original tunes, He played his self-made DonMo guitar, fashioned from galvanised iron and timber discovered in derelict buildings in long-abandoned South Australian Mallee towns.

There was just one new Hall of Fame inductee at the session: the much-loved record producer/engineer/mentor Brett Sody, from SodyPop Productions, who has been recording excellent CD releases from his Norwood studio for an amazing array of original Adelaide music acts for 25 years.

Sody’s attention to detail and incredible ear for sound, coupled with an impressive array of equipment and the ability to make his artists feel at home in the studio, all contribute to the success of Sodypop recordings. I recently completed a CD with my band Chica Chica Electrica under his guidance and it was a fabulous experience – one echoed by the many musicians present at his induction.

After Sody was interviewed by Gary Burrows, the AMC All Stars took to the stage. Enrico Morena (drums), Stuart Day (guitar), Quinton Dunne (Bass) and Richard Coates (accordion) supported previous Hall of Fame inductees Chris Finnen (blues guitar wizard), Trev Warner (violin/fiddle country music virtuoso) and Dave Blight (blues harp for Cold Chisel).

The band was cooking and the crowd enthusiastic as Adelaide’s finest powered through a set of country and blues classics, with Warner’s blisteringly fast and imaginative fiddle work a feature. It culminated in an encore performance of Finnen’s signature “African Marketplace” composed by South African pianist Abdul Ibrahim.

Hall of Fame inductee Brett Sody being interviewed by Gary Burrows. Photo: Peter Tea