Tiddas reform to join Archie Roach dancing with his spirit to his “lost” album

‘90s vocal trio Tiddas are reuniting to join Archie Roach on a one-off national tour to celebrate the release of his “lost” album, Dancing With My Spirit.

It was recorded over two decades ago by producer Jen Anderson.

Circumstances at the time saw it shelved and virtually forgotten, until now.

Tiddas – Amy Saunders, Lou Bennett and Sally Dastey – at the time were seeing their debut album Sing About Life achieving gold record sales. It won an ARIA award in 1994.

They appeared on Dancing With My Spirit, with Bruce Haymes (keyboards), Dave Steel (guitars), the late Stuart Speed (bass) and Archie Cuthbertson (drums).

Hayme and Cuthbertson join Tiddas on the road.

Sally Dastey says about Tiddas’ return to the road, “This is a special and long-awaited opportunity to come home to a safe place.

“When us girls first started singing together we were at a loss for a name.

“It was none other than the great songwriter, (the late) Ruby Hunter (Roach’s wife and muse), who dubbed us the Tiddas. “Well you are sisters,” she said back then. All these years later her words ring true.

“This is family. It will be an honour and a joy to stand alongside the Tiddas and Archie Roach and sing together, uplifted in harmony.”

Adds Amy Saunders, "In 2000, when Tiddas disbanded after 10 years together, we left behind a swag of memories, the touring Tarago, cassette players (I still have the cassettes though) and more than a few backing vocals on various recordings.

“From TV and movie soundtracks, a couple of Powderfinger albums, and Uncle Jimmy Little’s 1999 award winning album, Messenger, the one recording that left an indelible impression was for Archie Roach.

“Jen Anderson had produced an incredibly warm and inviting recording, Archie’s songwriting and vocals welcomed the listener like a cherished friend and we, Tiddas, were left to add our bits and bobs.

“That recording never saw the light of day until now.

“So here we are, 18 years after going our separate ways, about to embark on a journey to honour that moment in time".

Dancing With My Spirit features the title track as well as the likes of ‘A Child Was Born Here’, 'Dancing Shoes', ‘Colour Of Your Jumper’, ‘F Troop’, ‘Heal The People’, ‘My Grandmother’, ‘Morning Star’, ‘Nowhere To Go’, ‘The River Song’, ‘Give Unto Caesar’ and ‘Hold On Tight’

According to Jen Anderson, "The combination of these three women and Archie singing together created a magic that’s rare and precious, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have witnessed this creation.

"I suppose it’s just that Dancing With My Spirit has been waiting for the right time to reveal itself to the public.

“That time has now come, heralded by the Tiddas’ announcement that they are reforming especially to sing with Archie once more, and to showcase the songs from the album via a series of performances around Australia...

“Some things are truly worth waiting for."

Dates are:

Sun 6 May - Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne

Wed 9 May - Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Fri 11 May – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Sun 27 May - Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra

Fri 8 June - State Theatre Centre of WA, Perth

Fri 15 June – Odeon Theatre, Hobart

Fri 22 June – Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide

Sat 23 June – Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide