Recently, I discovered that Phil is another Kiwi musician who arrived in Australia during the years the book covers (1959 – 1976). He arrived in 1974. And started life in Oz, not in the traditional main cities like Sydney or Melbourne as most other Kiwi musicians did but he went to WA with mates who worked in the mines. Because he didn’t have a qualification to work underground he formed a band to play for the workers in the pubs.

On Sunday he and his trio performed at the Way Out West Club in Newport. Arriving at the venue by train was enlightening. Coming up from the station, across the old rickety wooden bridge, through the station car park moments after his 1st set began was a treat. The band could be heard from the car park.

The venue at the Newport Bowls Club was packed; fuller than usual one of the organisers said. The crowd was mostly in the 40+ age group. They knew all his songs and sang along. We’d known he was influenced by Hendrix so expected something from that songbook. Stone Free did not disappoint.

Now I’m looking forward to hearing him play again somewhere soon.