Tom Curren kicks out the jams above the cliff of Uluwatu. The surfing shapeshifter recently played a fundraiser for Project Clean Uluwatu that featured a few funky licks, drum solo fireworks, and an awkward farewell atop his son's shoulders.
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Comments
Was that Buddha on drums?
I was lucky enough to see Mr. Curren here in Japan last year in a small dingy club. Probably only about 300 people crammed into this place meant to hold about 100. Boiling hot, beer flowing freely and he put on a great show.
As me and a mate were the only two English speakers there he singled us out to chat a few times over the evening. He's a really cool cat, humble and without a hint of pretence.
People say you should never meet your heroes, I'm glad I did. Top bloke.
Maybe he'd play better backstage with the band and let the babe do all the singing.
He was alright being a bit harsh peterb. Just a cruisy little ditty and he was mostly in tune. Good fun although I admit he is a great surfer.
I was the best surfer in the world for three minutes at Currumbin in 1961 and still don't have a record contract.
For his lack of singing talent, good luck to him for the fun of gigging. He was a great surfer! :)
He did a gig like this in Raglan pub about 3 years back with a band called Switchfoot from the US. Pretty fun night and hardly anyone knew about it but word got round town quick. I got lucky enough to have a couple of surfs with him and he was still amazing
Going to a Curran gig is like going out to watch Eddie Vedder surf ...
Says the man whose last live music gig was probably watching Wickety Wak at the Lismore Workers circa 1982.
No it wasn't, it was Weather Report at the Horden Pav ... and what is it with all the adulation you blokes heap on Curren, whatever he does?
Probably because like you, he's pretty good at what he does.
Surely not everything he does? We'll have Slater writing bloody cookbooks one day.
Didn't say everything he does but I reckon people are judging his musical talent on the strength (weakness )of that one choppy clip.
I saw his show and enjoyed it, met the bloke and thought he was a nice fella and have admired his surfing in any waves since day dot.
Cooking by Kelly... Hmmmm, kinda has a nice ring to it.
Fanning's Fabulous French Fries ... I can see it coming.
Ha ha, next thing you'll be saying Fanno will be producing his own line of craft beer....Oh, hang on.
Music is like surfing to the extent that you do it because it feels good, any attention you get for either is simply a bonus. If people want to listen, get up there and play, it's a buzz,
No, it's something other than that. It's as if the more we know about a champion the better it makes us. There might be a thesis in that somewhere.
.......or a song!
Haven't read anywhere that Tom Curren said he was a brilliant musician. Looks like he's having a lot of fun tho. Geez what a crime. Go Tom & anyone else that's just out there having fun, surfing and/or playing music :)
Grab an instrument that you love the sound of. Then see how go, even get a few pointers. Then see how it feels when the sound you produce sounds the way it should sound. A great feeling and truthfully it ain't easy just as lining up that little green room ain't always easy.
My point is, tonybarber and all, if it wasn't Tom Curran playing there wouldn't be so many people listening. It's a relationship thing we have with champions, it transcends their talent and is highly subjective.
Is it ok to talk this way in this place? You blokes have got me wondering ..
Yes, I understand what your saying and of course that 'transcends' many sports, not just surfing. Why we do all do this is, I don't know but human nature, I suppose. I am a bit biased with Curren, as a good mate beat Curren in the world amateurs back in 81 (I think) in France. Curren goes onto to be world champ several times over and my mate, a good surfer, surfing the local.
Talk the way you feel - in any place, I say.
Music wise - love the sax, try to play and appreciate it when others master an instrument.
We flugging love Tom Curren, I sat there watching him jump on a trampoline for 3 hour once... Best trampolinist I've ever seen, a flugging demon some might say. Does this satisfy your needs?
Not at all Pete, fire away, good point.
30 odd foot of grunt springs to mind and their last concert at Nana Glen.
could it be Weather Report karaoke?
Tonyb, If Wayne Shorter was to go out at Avalon for an early would you show up to watch?
definitely - wld paddle out and try to meet him too. which is basically your point as i understand it.
he's older than me and doesn't surf so i'd probaby get a few waves from under him too.
Absolutely, would try to surf with Shorter. Even if he didn't surf much. Would have to make conversation with him - somehow. I can understand what your saying but seeing another element of ability of someone who is already a known specialist can be bloody inspiring and interesting.
Who the F*&^ is Wayne Shorter? And I think your point is valid. Take Slater and his guitar playing - great surfer/sportsman/ eco business man...can't play beyond a few chords. Steph is similar although she isn't front and centre and just smiles at everything she does. Yes in Melbourne Curran wouldn't rate a gig or would have to do it in upper woop, woop and do it for nix. But hey in Bali, land of surf, the guy walks on water, literally.
Peterb, not sure why your surprised that Tom Curren isn't a great musician yet people still want to see him play live music. Pretty sure you answered your own question above somewhere there.
I don't think the concept works in reverse like you suggested, a great well known musician goes surfing & people flock to the beach to watch. Maybe Jack Johnson? Although he was known for surfing before music wasn't he?
Respect your opinion tho :)
Maybe Wayne Shorter can tap dance, rabbits68, I'd sure like to see that.
He rips on guitar. Again typical tall poppy comments here. Good on Curren for giving it a crack!
He should be giving it a crack at places where no one knows him, he'd find out his true worth as a musician with an unbiased crowd. But even humble men like their ego stroked.