Nemesis Defeated

A new year and a whole new set of artists to see and adventures to be had.  After such a wonderful year in 2017 I am picking up the cudgel again to take on my Nemesis, my comfy couch and flat screen TV.  There is nothing wrong with staying at home and enjoying a good Netflix binge, in fact, I intend to do plenty of that in 2018 but there are so many fabulous artists and musicians out there that will expand your horizons and make your heart sing.

My first post-Christmas/New Year gig was a Tuesday night trip to The Republic with The Blonde to see Danny Widdicombe.  Let me tell you, it was worth the trip out.  Danny is a member of one of our very favourites, The Wilson Pickers (their new live album is fab).  He was ably supported on stage by Luke Moller on fiddle.  Luke has played with the likes of Carrie Underwood, The McClymonts and Kasey Chambers.  Talented and fun.

They played for over three hours with only a little break late in the evening.  The audience interaction was the highlight, lots of laughs and good times.  The set list was brilliant The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon", Dylan, Cash, Hendrix.  The highlight was a slow version of  the Wilson Pickers "Shake it Down" which was excellent.  I was sad when the music stopped but the boys hung around and had a chat and a drink with us.  Tip for the evening - don't do Tequila shots.

On Friday night, The Blonde, our friend, Doozer, and I went to T-Bone Brewery to see Bridget Pross.  She mostly plays covers with the occasional original.  I would like to see her undertake more originals as they are really good.  Her performances are always fun and she is always up for requests from the audience. He sets feature songs by Pink, Chris Isaak, Crowded House, Roberta Flack.  This particular night she did a great version Cheap Trick's "The flame."

I have discovered a new live music venue.  Bright Eyes Cafe, on the sunny end Brooke Street Pier, has started regular spots for local blues artists.  On Saturday afternoon, His Grumpiness and I went to see The Patron Saints.  I have see The Patron Saints a number of times over the past 12 months and they are easily the most improved band I have seen.  They were pretty good before but now they have the banter down pat and the music is tight.  They play tradition blues from 1950s featuring Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, etc. The walking bass and groovy harmonica encourages swing dancers to attend their gigs and get their groove on which adds to the atmosphere.  The Patron Saints' version of "Baby Please Don't Go was particularly cool and I love their version of  Howling wolf's "Little Red Rooster". My favourite song of that they play is "Cal'donia", well it was until I heard their new original songs.  "You Ain't Talking to Me" with its cool bass-line which winds up as the song goes on and "Looking for a Change" which is very smooth and perfect with a drink of your favourite warming spirit.  I am looking forward to see where this band goes from here.

The best gig for the fortnight was Andrea Soler and James Ross at The Republic on Thursday night.  I had had a big day at work, the cricket was on the box and His Grumpiness was in a rare good mood.  I really wanted to stay at home.  But I was brave and stabbed my Nemesis through the guts.  I will go out for adventures (well I might go for 45 mins and catch the second set).

I walk in and a hip young chick was singing a Lily Allen tune.  After this song she took a break and the fabulous James Ross played a short solo set that included Eric Clapton's "Before You Accuse Me", Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" and Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle".   Andrea rejoined and they played a great original song which built into jamming and then call and response audience participation. Then another fabulous original "Earth on an Axis" which is the title track from he album.  End of set.  Hahahaha Nemesis I have you now.  I'm staying for another set!!!

A fellow called Sam, known to the artists, joined James for the first song singing Chris Isaak's "I Want to Fall in Love" which was pretty good.  James then played a song by NZ band Katchafire.  Then it got good - the sound system died.  No matter, Andrea and James sat on the edge of the stage and went acoustic.  It was intimate, fun and utterly fantastic.  We had a singalong with songs such as Men at Work's "Downunder" and Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" throw in some Marley and a fabulous original called "Clandestino".  I hung around to have a chat with both James and Andrea and they are good people.  They even invited me to a semi private gig they were playing Neil Murray.  Was I interested, was I heck!

On Friday night I went to the Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet to see Neil Murray.  This man is an extraordinary storyteller and songwriter.  His song, Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out from Jail) has been included in the National Film and Sound Archives as the first rock song to be recorded and released in Aboriginal language (Luritja).  Most famously he is the composer of the Australian classic "My Island Home".

Neil's songs have a real connection to country that make you want to go out and lie in the long grass and watch the clouds.  My favourite songs were "Burrumbeep Hill" and "Good Light in Broome".  I didn't want the gig to end. He'd sing a soft song and I just wanted to hear more ballads until he played a fast one the I just wanted to hear fast bluesy songs.  In the end the audience were dancing and much fun was had by all.

On Sunday, The Blonde and I went to see Mental as Anything.  I was really looking forward to this gig as I love their music and having seen them before I knew we were in for a treat.   I hardly ever have a negative experience when I go to gigs, however, I am a grumpy old woman and I do not like pushy crowds.  I like space to dance.  The venue had oversold the gig and we couldn't see the stage.  I don't mean the bloke in front of me was too tall.  We couldn't see because there were walls in the way.  Unless we wanted to push past dozens of punters who were already squeezed into a too small space that was really hot from the afternoon sun we had to be content to listening only.  The security was also a little dodgy so we decided that whilst the two songs that we had heard were fantastic.  As good as the Mentals sounded I could have the same experience by playing their CD at home.

All this made us feel very grumpy and stressed so went in search of music to sooth the soul.  We went to The Waterside Hotel to see Tim and Scott play.  To our great pleasure they were playing with a special guest on drums, Chris Coleman.  Sitting in the sun next to the river enjoying a quiet drink and some tunes was glorious.  Tim, Scott & Chris's music is fun and groovy, the best way to kill stress.  That is how a gig should be.