Most will only know Colin Hay from his time as the frontman for
A great show to delve into if you want to get a broad overview of the artist’s work.
In Get Rid of the Minstrel, we are treated to some of Hay’s most famous work in familiar and unfamiliar forms. Between the songs we are recounted with stories, anecdotes, and quips. He is joined onstage by a band including guitarist San Miguel Perez. There is a good selection of songs spanning his career, including his most famous. With such a long career, some people's personal favorites might not make an appearance, but this a setlist with broad appeal. Despite the many great songs to be heard it’s actually a cover of AC/DC that provides the highlight, a song I’ve previously despised.
A good chunk of the songs are standard renditions but a few have been literally jazzed up. It's a good mix of the familiar with new flavours. Down Under serves a springboard for each member of the band to sidle into solos. Hay is originally from Scotland and although he didn’t spend much time here, it certainly seemed to form his sense of humour. Although he doesn’t delve too deeply into his life, it’s good to hear some context for what was happening when he wrote his songs. The story of his dad singing in the car is a real delight and plenty of wry jokes are scattered throughout the show to brilliant effect.
This is a great show to delve into if you want to get a broad overview of the artist’s work. For fans of Colin Hay, it strikes a perfect balance between the new and the familiar.
