More Info →Warratahs Keep Out the Cold

Description: This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 12th July 1989.

"The Warratahs, the Albert, July 4, reviewed by Chris Bird. King Wally's rampant Aussie league side wasn't the Only Game in Town last Tuesday night. While the Lewis boys were sending the President's men into a spin at the showgrounds, across town at The Albert the Warratah boys were setting the Woods on Fire themselves.

Outside it's cold. Inside singer/guitarist Barry Saunders and company are warming it up double quick for "Mum, Dad and the kids". The enthusiastic down-to-earth approach to their music by the Wellington five washes across the crowd -- the young ones hit the dance floor first and the foxtrotters follow suit soon after as the band breaks into their latest offering on the singles charts, St Peter's Rendezvous, you kinda know you're glad you're not outside at the league. The pace of the night doesn't slacken ... the mixture is right between ballads, good old foot stomping country and a smattering of honkey-tonk -- thanks to the extra exposure of Wayne Mason on keyboards and accordian [sic] and Nik Brown's fiddle.

This extra use of the mandolin, accordian and harmonica is a feature of the band's latest album, Too Hot to Sleep, which debuted in the top 10 in hometown Wellington and has already climbed to No. 28 nationally. The album is closer to the band's country roots with a more balladish content about it than the hugely successful first offering, The Only Game In Town. That's why the boys are in town -- it's the first stop on a nationwide tour to promote the new album.

The crowd mood bubbles along nicely right till the end and no one's worrying about stepping on anyone's feet on the dance floor, cause Mum, Dad and the kids are having a great time and everyone's smiling ... it's the infectious nature of the music -- something for all ages. A Chuck Berry number Brown-eyed Man really gets them going and so does Drivin' Wheel and Setting the Woods of Fire -- two rock 'n' roll gems from the Only Game In Town album.

Mixed with the ballads, Hands of My Heart, Burned All of My Love, Maureen and a real pearl from the new album Nothing Ever Happens, and we have a night to remember. The concert only confirms that the Warratahs are the only band in their league on the country rock scene, and they aren't about to be kicked into touch.

[Pictured] Keyboard man Wayne Mason on the accordion ... a key element on the Warratahs' latest album, Too Hot to Sleep."