On Friday evening I attended the Blow Up the Pokies rally at the Republic. Even though I consider myself to be a 'True Believer', the main attraction for me was the marvellous Tim Freedman, singer from The Whitlams. I am a huge Whitlams fan and already have tickets for their May Hobart gig. Needless to say I was really looking forward to hearing Tim play, however, I didn't expect that his music would make me so emotional that I would shed a tear or two.
The evening started with Rebecca White sharing a moving story about man who had had a gambling problem and the devastation that this caused him and his family. I am please to say that 5 years ago he kicked it the habit and is rebuilding his life without "guilt or regret". Tim Freedman then shared stories of friends that he knew that had problems with gambling.
Tim then played "No Aphrodisiac", "You Sound Like Louis Burdett", and "Gough" possibly my three favourites. It was great but the audience wasn't that engaged and there was lots of loud talking and laughing. Then he played "Blow Up The Pokies". An eerie hush came over the room as Tim sang the first verse. As he played the chorus the crowd spontaneously sang along "I wish I could tell you the right words, to make you feel better walk out of this place". The singing was not loud and raucous but more hushed in muted plea to a higher power. After hearing the stories of hardship it was extremely moving and I found it impossible to stop a tear or two escaping. Fingers crossed.
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