Greg came east way back in April 1997 & appeared at my local folk club. Bob Bolton took photos & I'll scan them & post on the Bush Music Club Blog - good thing my scanner has been fixed - I'll be back soon!

I still remember some of his songs - Testing, testing 1-2-3 is my absolute favourite song & I have been known to sing the refrain under my breath at times ...
He was a great didgeridoo player & I loved his story about the Japanese tourist on his little put-put motor cycle.

old facebook page
Greg's website
website - lyrics After seeing many a night 'ruined' by mismanaged sound systems, Greg penned this song.

TESTING 1, 2, 3

For many years I've sung in places all around the world
No sweeter than the human voice in chorus can be heard
But now with our technology all reason has been lost
Sometimes I wonder if the end defeats the cost.

CHORUS
Cos it's testing, testing 1, 2, 3
We don't need electricity
Don't need a microphone to sing a song
So nice to hear the music back where we belong.

Once not long ago if you had a mind to sing
Friends would gather round you and make the rafters ring
But now with these amps they run in mortal fear
With the booming of a microphone ringing in their ear

CHORUS

Now the local musos gather round
With their ultra quado phonic sound
The crowd was stunning nearly yelled for more
When one he counted up to four !
His quiet little voice was made to sound
Just like Michael Jackson in the London underground
With digital delays, effects by the score
Just one check blew his audience through the door

CHORUS

I stayed at that club till just a few were there
Speakers the size of tea chests standing on a chair
I checked, it buzzed, everything went wrong
When I finally got to singing, the audience had gone.
Saying why can't you just sing to me
Without this testing 1, 2, 3
We long for the day you can do without
Because it's far too loud and it hides your mouth.

CHORUS

Yes, I feel acoustic music is music of the soul
Sharing it in harmony should always be our goal
The way things are going it's very plain to see
Before we can speak we'll have to test 1, 2, 3
But they'll flick a switch and they won't say when
Before you know we'll have to sing again
But I can sing to you and you can sing to me
There'll be no more testing 1, 2, 3


Copyright Greg Hastings ©