The Robertson Brothers Concert Ipswich 2023
The dictionary speaks of the Suspension of Disbelief being the avoidance – often willing, of logic in order to believe it for the sake of enjoyment. The Greeks did it in the amphitheatres where the audience ignored the unreality, to experience the fun or drama. In Hollywood on the big screen, they blow up cars into the sky and back again which in real life would only give the same small burst when the gas shoots out of your Sunday barbie. We buy that narrative because its entertaining. Unreal as it might be, there’s no hassles. It’s computer-generated images (CGI) on green screens and other handy photographic manipulation. Sheer months of editing.
Forrest Gump in 1994 was a movie that took this to whole other level, the Soundtrack alone sold reportedly sold over 8 million units in 14 countries making it the third biggest movie soundtrack of all time. But why? It put us in touch with our own cherished memories. Great music, unforgettable songs with words that charm a raft of emotions out of hiding, coupled with cinematic tricks that to this day baffle us.
Which is where we found ourselves in Queensland’s magnificent Ipswich Civic Centre.
Seated laughing and baffled. Baffled in a good way.
It’s The Robertson Brothers Television station broadcasting their 1960’s TV Variety show on a limited range, taking live feeds from across the globe and broadcasting something out there. For sure this is true, as the photographer and I parked behind what seemed to be their O.B. vans.
I was still baffled even after seeing a number of their brilliant shows – and decided at that point to frankly give up and suspend my disbelief. It was kinder to my brain, I felt much better and besides, the entire Ipswich audience had done it, so I was amongst friends I had never met.
This nights’ performance became a sensory overload with visual reminders from our collective TV experiences and flashbacks to artists and their songs sung by the amazing – and I mean that – Robertson Brothers, whose harmonies left me speechless. Some of the best songs are from the 60’s, especially if you’re feeling down. You won’t be, after listening to them.
When those three brothers blended notes like my dear old Mum’s Sunbeam mixer did to her cake creations you are at the mercy of your own emotions, permission to weep is granted freely. Stunning stuff.
As if this wasn’t enough, they introduced two thoroughly relaxed and professional artists, Dean Bourne whose Roy Orbison Special Tribute on RBTV was nothing short of magnetic. All eyes were on this man, his glasses, guitar and gut-wrenching life story in song. Think of “Only The Lonely”, “Penny Arcade”.
And yet more? Indeed, Simon Brook McLachlan superbly delivered a platter full of Sir Cliff Richards wonderful hits, like “Summer Holiday” and “Living Doll”
And so the TV show closed, cameras shut down one more time, but not before the three Robbos did in acappella “He Ain’t Heavy”, the song made even more famous by the Hollies in 1969.
In my opinion, it defines the brotherly love going onstage and the crazy fun we all enjoyed with them.
The couple next to us have already penned next year’s date in. You should too.
Reviewed by 101FM Radio Presenter Stu Robertson www.101fm.com.au
Photography by Michelle Cop (MC Photography)
