“Performing on the road is a great joy for me, it’s quite wonderful,” says Combe. “After 20 years they still love the songs so much and sing them with such enthusiasm. It always gives me goosebumps to see young adults singing the songs as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
“Of all the things I do in music, performing is always the most enjoyable,” muses Combe. “It’s the reward for all the effort. Inspiration doesn’t always come easily. Writing, arranging and recording are also hard work – they can be complicated things to organise.” No wonder, when over 90 musicians joined Combe in recording his latest album.
The release of the album, Quirky Berserky (The Turkey From Turkey), marks 30 years since the release of his first album, Vagabond. Combe evidently has not suffered from a lack of inspiration, despite the fact that Quirky Berserky is his 22nd release. Every possible minute the compact disc format has to offer is packed full. “There is actually a physical limit to the amount of music you can fit on a compact disc,” asserts Combe, who has certainly tested that with album. “There’s only about 25 seconds unused on this one!
“Good children’s songs are characterised by memorable melodies, well-written lyrics that often have a quirky edge to them and are what I call ‘trend resistant’,” Combe says. “They’re a bit like a good recipe or a loved folk song that gets passed on to the next generation with a great deal of affection.”
The new songs include Combe’s interpretations of classic fairy tales, a highly instructive set of songs reminding kids that in Australia Z is pronounced ‘Zed’, not ‘Zee’ (thank you, Peter), and multiple tracks featuring the vocal talents of children including Combe’s grandson, three-year-old Oliver, who completely steals the show.
“It was almost an after-thought,” says Combe of Red Says Stop (Just Oli) which features a solo performance from his grandson Oliver. “I played it to a few people and they all loved it. It’s rather like a bonus track – the last song you hear on the album. Most three-year-olds can’t sing in tune, because they simply don’t know how to, but Oli is a remarkably musical boy.” Combe insists he’s being objective when it comes to “the best three-year-old singer in Australia”, and the evidence is plain to hear. Oli can really sing. “It took a little while to get a good take in the studio, but once he got it there was no stopping him! I have a funny feeling it’s going to end up as the hit track on the album and I’ll end up being completely upstaged.”
Combe is in no danger of being upstaged, having sold over a million albums and DVDs, performed to thousands at Falls Festival, and sold out a season at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. “I find I share a similar sense of humour to children,” shares Combe. “I laugh at what they laugh at. The inner child has burned very brightly inside me all my life. I’m very healthy, which helps, and my sense of humour keeps me young. I still very much enjoy making music. I am really very fortunate. I have four wonderful kids and a very supportive partner.”
Combe’s two upcoming live shows at the Northcote Social Club, one for adults and one for both big and little kids, will include great tracks old and new which families will be able to enjoy together including the title track from Quirky Beserky about a young turkey and his geographically confused adventures, the rather cute I Heard There Were Fairies…, Combe’s entertaining take on The Emperor’s New Clothes, not to mention the classics.
BY JOSH FERGEUS
