Dust settles on Uruzgan

FROM being the first Australian diplomat to be posted to Uruzgan two years ago to a current singer-songwriter, Fred Smith’s Dust of Uruzgan is a powerful collection of 12 songs that reflect his experiences.
Smith served 18 months in the Uruzgan province, where his job was to build relationships with tribal leaders to improve co-operation between the local community and the Coalition Forces.
His unique position allowed him to act as a bridge between two vastly different cultures, and the experiences of soldiers and civilians are made available through the eyes of Smith’s vignettes.
Fred Smith is known for his comic performances and Dust of Uruzgan is laced with dark humour. His comic tune entreating Dutch soldiers not to do unspeakable things in the portaloos around the base, became a hit with the Dutch military.
Fred Smith will be performing songs from Dust of Uruzgan in a show that includes a stunning series of projected photos from Afghanistan this Friday, 7pm at the Berwick Folk Club, Old Cheese Factory on 34 Homestead Road. Visit: www.fredsmith.com.au.