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Barrie Davis is an Aussie songster - that's a term we don't use much any more - who sings material (mostly written by others) that relate to his country, its geography, its people, and the forces that have made Australia what it is. Including, of course, British colonialism, an abused Aboriginal underclass, outlaws like Ned Kelly, some of the strangest animals in the world, Bondi Beach, sheep shearing, Henry Lawson, and the most hospitable, friendly people on the planet. Canada hasn't had anyone quite like him, at least since Alan Mills and Wade Hemsworth left us.

I won't say more. Barrie Davis ain't "hip" and his voice and his songs won't get him onto commercial radio, but I've not heard many people who can charm you into understanding a story, or a whole continent, in the way that he can.

Richard Flohil, Publicist, Toronto, Ontario

Barrie is a very talented and entertaining artist. He has really easy, comfortable stage presence, taking to the audience as if they were all old friends, and putting everyone at ease.

Barrie has a deep, resonant voice, with an easy, flowing singing style.

His music is good. Funny, touching, whimsical - he covers it all. As he put it "I never stay serious for long". He varies the pace and keeps up audience interest. His hour flew by leaving us all thinking he'd only been playing for five minutes.

Louise Peacock, Outrageous Fall, Toronto, Ontario

Barrie Davis is an engaging entertainer who loves to travel, tell a great story, and invite us into his world through visual lyrics and his warm voice. Not only are we invited in as listeners, but we want to stay in that space a while, rest.... and become arm chair travellers through his musical 'walkabouts.'

Laurie-Ann Copple, CKCU FM, Ottawa, Ontario

In the fall of 2004 we arrived as usual to take in another musical performance at Rock Island. Little did we realise as we took our seats what we were about to experience. As soon as this imposing man began to sing we were held spellbound by his deep, melodic voice. His selection of songs and stories mirrored the landscape of his native Australia and ranged from boyhood fantasies to humour to human frailties and tragedies. His environmental concerns and ethical values are interwoven into carefully crafted lyrics. His CD Rain On The Tin has become one of our musical treasures.

Gail & Will Smith, Wawa, Ontario

Just in from Australia - Barrie Davis, a tall dark man with a deep, dark, warm voice wowed Victoria Folk Music Society tonight. He's in town for a week, just finished a whirlwind tour and gigs on Vancouver Island. He can draw the audience in and hold them with stories in song about people, Australia and even silly things like not being able to get a cup of real tea.

Hearing his voice you immediately feel the warmth and connection he establishes with each audience. I saw him capture an entire room and involve them in the song within the first verse. His skill as an entertainer is impressive. Barrie is also famous for his sizable collection of railroad songs. Railroading, farming, life in the outback and in the city --Barrie has songs for everyone.

Juliana McCorison, Victoria Folk Music Society, Victoria, BC

Barrie Davis is an engaging performer who easily draws in an audience with humour, a warm voice and marvellous songs. His distinctive repertoire ensures a performance many audiences will not forget.

Jan Vanderhorst, Just Us Folk, CKPC-FM 92.1, Brantford, Ontario

Barrie is a great entertainer with a rich deep Aussie voice. He mixes his material well and effortlessly switches from songs which tell stories to delightfully witty and humorous ditties. As well as being well entertained I learned a lot about Australian people and culture from his concert! Makes you want to go there!

Allan McKeown, Sarnia, Ontario.

Barrie is not just a folk singer, but is an entertainer. When he's on stage the audience is treated to not only a fine voice, but a repertoire of songs that ensures there's something for everyone, all tied together with stories that will make you laugh and cry

Cam Kemp, Black Walnut Folk Club, Kitchener, Ontario

Barrie Davis voice has a rich, deep quality reminiscent of Stan Rogers. His stories engage the audience.

Sher DiCiccio, Executive Director, Waterloo Community Arts Centre, Waterloo, Ontario

Truly one of Australia's soon to be classic performers. Barrie Davis’s voice reminds me of Bing Crosby - truly a classic.

Glenn Stevenson, Music Coordinator, The Big Breakfast and Wired, A Channel, Calgary, Alberta

We hosted our first House Concert last summer and were blessed with a dynamite artist, folk singer Barrie Davis!

For one too short, but wonderful evening, Barrie brought to our home the need to visit Australia if we have not had that pleasure and the strong desire to return if we have. And for those of us who will only visit in our dreams, the sense that a tiny bit of Australia had made its mark in our hearts.

His songs, his stories and his affable personality 'wowed' all of us, and left my fellow Canadians a sense of kinship with the people of Australia. A wonderful evening thanks to a true ambassador for Australia,

Good luck Barrie and Godspeed!

Marg and Gary Miron, Acton Island, Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada

Before I attended the concert at Rasputins, I had never even heard of one of Australia's best kept secrets, Barrie Davis. This man, with his 6 foot 4 frame is a striking figure when you first see him and, as he walked to the stage, I had no idea what to expect. The first strum of his warm 12 string guitar immediately made me relax and lean my head back to take it all in. Then, a rich, mellow baritone voice began to dance over the underlying chords and I was taken on an odyssey that I would gladly experience again.

Not only was Barrie Davis a man with a golden voice, he also proved to be a masterful storyteller. He captivated the audience with the intriguing tales behind his songs, making us laugh, making us reflect, making us want more. He educated us on the scarcity of rain in Australia, and how his song "Rain on the Tin" tells the story of an Australian farmer and his wife waiting for the rain on the tin roof to tell them whether they would have a crop or not that season. He made us laugh with the comical story of "The Vicar and the Frog", a brilliantly funny and satirical social commentary. The song "Mrs. Thomas Moore" recounted a tale about Australia's past as a convict settlement and the sad plight of, in particular, the female convicts who were sent to Botany Bay.

I found it amazing to experience how effortlessly Barrie Davis took me from sad to happy to reflective to downright splitting my sides laughing. Then, of course, there were the times he invited us to sing along with the chorus of songs we had never heard before, but sing we did.

Many times I have gone to concerts and enjoyed myself, but by the end of the evening I felt tired and ready to go home. This was one of those rare occasions when the end of the evening came too quickly and I didn't want to go home. I wanted to stay for one more set, one more song and I didn't want to hear that he would be returning home soon for the start of Australia's summer. What a rewarding evening!

Hazel May Lebrun

There is a wonderful feeling that fills the listener when presented with familiar songs delivered in well crafted original arrangements matched to a voice that can evoke heartfelt emotion. Barrie delivers that feeling.

Dean Verger

Rasputin's Folk Cafe, Ottawa, Ontario

Barrie has a great voice and a very interesting and varied collection of songs

Dennis McMaster

Rocky Mountain Folk Club, Calgary, Alberta