Review – Kirsten Allison + Karen Jacobson + Natasha Davis@ Cat & Fiddle Hotel Brasserie 10Nov99 What they have done to ye ol’Cat is astounding! Which is probably why they call it a brasserie now… Keep your eyes open when you get there – things have been moved about and you’ll get lost if you think you remember where you’re going! The press for the evening promised a unique opportunity to see three talented female singer/songwriters on one night. Natasha Davis opened the evening with her one woman-one guitar Suzanne Vega/Ani Difranco/Janelle (Cozmetyx c.1994) Hewitson style. With a crowd as small as this promised, being inattentive would lead the artist to either seek you out after the set or pay out on you between songs. Those that came for the early spot were treated to a gifted and observant songwriter who would do more justice to her work by having one or two others accompanying her. Those of you familiar with Bert’s Channel 10 morning show would also know much of Karen Jacobsen’s work through that programme. Much of tonight’s adult-oriented set was post-“Strong Woman” and Karen breezed through the show with the same conviction and presentation usually kept for the telly or for higher-key gigs. Accompanied by Campbell Hapi, quite the Tim Friedman/Brett (John Farnham) Garsed, and partner-in-crime Gary Holgate, quietly and confidently carrying the set rhythm-wise, Karen is very much in touch with her demographic as well everyone in the audience here tonight. It seemed the majority of the small turn-out was here for Ms Jacobsen and those that left after Karen’s set missed out on one of the “chillest” jazz sets I have seen for sometime. Featuring Didi (TJ Eckleberg) Mudidgo on fretless electric bass and Cameron Andrews on keyboard, Kirsten Allison’s presentation is a little static but no less emotive than anyone else on tonight’s bill. The mood was set for more traditional jazz with acoustic bass, a softly brushed three-piece, long flowing evening gown and famous musicians through the smoky barroom. Love that soul, love that feeling, love to see more! All blended together beautifully, all worked together really well and all rounded off the evening perfectly. The trend in my age-group is tending toward the Mix/2CCR/2NSB side of the spectrum and while I still prefer new alternative music, it’s good to get away from the walls of feedback and relax with a few ales and a couple of quiet sets such as was tonight’s fare. Well done, ladies!