Trip back to the 60s
Four years after the hit musical, Tamsin Carroll and Deni Hines reunite to celebrate Dusty Springfield's musical achievements with a two-hour spectacular highlighting the hit songs of Dusty and the effect they had around the world during the era of black and white soul.
In 60's costumes and set design, Deni and Tamsin will perform duets and solos, backed by a seven-piece band.
Dusty: the Original Pop Diva, The Musical was a nationwide success in 2006.
Details: Saturday, July 31, Penrith RSL, 47285200.
Westie tells a tale
Penrith girl Nicole Murphy has released her first novel, Secret Ones.
The book is the first in the Dream of Asarlai series, and features a story of magic and power set in Ireland and Australia.
Murphy, a former teacher and journalist, was born in Penrith and describes herself as a westie from a family of seven children, of which she is the eldest.
Her main character, Maggie Shaunessy, is ``gadda'', part of a hidden, powerful race, and she has a habit of annoying all the wrong people.
When Lucas Valeroso meets Maggie, he has no idea what awaits him: superhuman powers plus a smart and beautiful woman interested in more than unlocking his new abilities.
Details: nicolermurphy.com.
Dis appearance explored
Penrith writer K.A McDicken has published her first novel, Smoke and Mirrors.
The novel, set in the Sydney suburb of Priory, focuses on the death of a woman and the disappearance of her husband.
Can retired police inspector Jim Wright pull all the loose threads together and find answers?
Smoke and Mirrors is available for order at any Angus & Robertson store, Australia-wide.
Cole revives classics
For her latest recording, Australian country artist Beccy Cole (pictured, above right) decided to opt for something borrowed.
On Pre Loved, she offers a collection of 12 cover tracks that she says have each touched her in one way or another.
``I love covers records,'' she said. ``I love singer-songwriters as well, but I think it's such a great thing that we can do interpret other people's songs. Having a full album dedicated to it for me is a real thrill.
``It was very much a collaborative effort between Rod [producer/musician Rod McCormack] and myself. I'd come in and say `I've got this idea in my head, this kind of treatment for a new version of Slim Dusty's Biggest Disappointment' and he'd listen to it and go `OK, yeah, I can hear that'. The version that you hear on the record is our first take. Those kind of moments were pretty cool.''
Also given the Beccy treatment are tracks including Insensitive, Here You Come Again, Only The Beginning and Across The Great Divide.
Cole said she believed there was always a place for a timely cover song.
``I'm all for if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I know a whole generation of country music fans that have come along that weren't around when the originals came out and they deserve to hear it,'' she said.
``A lot of these songs need to be brought back, just because they're such great songs.''
Of course, Cole's solid reputation within the scene crowned by seven Golden Guitars has been based on her original material. And she's quick to point out there'll be a batch of new songs surfacing in the not-too-distant future.
Beccy Cole will perform as part of Penrith RSL's country music festival on Sunday, July 25. Sara Storer will also perform. Call 47285200.
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