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| LIVE REVIEWS |
| BILLY BRAGG AND THE BLOKES TIVOLI THEATRE, 18/9/03 For weeks now I have been building up to this night. If you asked me if I thought I would ever see a Small Face live in concert, I would have laughed in your face. No chance, not possible! Well, boys and girls, I got my wish. But first I feel I should mention someone else who played a small part on the night... Mr Bragg. I readily admit to being a complete novice in the works of Billy Bragg, apart from the odd radio airing, but even a novice has a fair idea of what to expect at one of his shows. The songs were livelier, and Bragg was more animated, than I had expected. The Blokes provided ample support, although some looked as though they needed support themselves. The crowd seemed satisfied with the setlist, singing along at every opportunity, occasionally forcing Bragg into the role of backing vocalist. But I guess you don't go to a Billy Bragg show without expecting to hear his views on something topical, and he didn't disappoint tonight. His soapbox sessions ranged from the deeds of the World Trade Organisation, the war in Iraq, unionism, and, perhaps surprisingly, but then again perhaps not, the much forgotton ability of America to do good in the world. Personally, I was looking forward the experience of listening to someone who actually had something to say, and I found these interludes both entertaining and rewarding. But really, why was I there? For Mac, of course, and what a show he put on! I felt absolutley priveleged to bear witness to his light little fingers gliding effortlessly over his piano and Hammond, the later of which absolutely shone when required. The man has lost nothing with the passing of the years, and although the silver hair hinted at a man past his prime, we were convinced otherwise. And as the Blokes returned for their second encore, we got our wish. The band delivered "Debris" the Faces tune from "A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse", written by Ronnie Lane. It was stunning. A moment captured in time that I will never forget. I saw the Mac... |
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| SHUTTERSPEED BRISBANE EXHIBITION, 16/8/03 This night will go down in history as one of the most memorable Shutterspeed shows to date. And anyone who doubted the validity of the "Shutterspeed Curse" will not be so cynical next time. The weather had not looked promising all day, and when the heavens opened at 4:30, only an hour and half before the scheduled kickoff, things did not look good. There was confusion amongst the gathered few... would the show go on? Would the people come? Could they make it work...? As the time drew near, it was evident from the few punters who braved the conditions to watch the soundcheck that the crowd would be there. Some would cower under tents and peer at the stage from afar, while others stood firm in the face of common sense, and prepared to get wet. Finally, as the woodchopper's beer tent emptied, and the field began to fill, Shutterspeed took to the stage to begin the festivities. Accompanied by their much lauded horn section, they burst into "Under Control", and those souls intent on grooving the night away at the front of the stage began to boogie. It was hard to tell if it was the music or the cold, but they wouldn't stop all night! The hits came thick and fast... "Different Breed of Cat", "Good Little Monkey", "Dancing With the Devil"... you know the list. Edwin Starr's "25 Miles" is demanding a permanent spot in the set these days, becoming more Shutterspeed with every night. As the last strains of the unfortunately shortened "Start Over" sailed into the rain soaked ether, good vibes echoed around the showgrounds, and people ran for cover. There was almost a feeling of mutual admiration permeating everything Shutterspeed did that night... the band appreciated the die hard masses who danced on despite the adversity, and the crowd certainly appreciated the efforts of the band in dreadful conditions, conditions exemplified by Anthony Detorri's slip slidin' dramatics. A night to remember? Not half... And as we ran for the comparitive comfort of the beer tent, to regale our friends and lovers with stories of how we survived the deluge, something happened. The clouds, steadfast all day, and brutal for the last hour, relented, and parted. The curse, it seems, has a sense of humour... |