Miles
From Nowhere are
arguably the acoustic/vocal pop outfit in the country today. With
two EPs and countless live performances behind them, it was felt that to
capture one of those gigs and release it on CD would be ideal for the next
outing. So with the help of "Magic" Hugh Webb at the controls on the
night, the folk at Melbourne's Continental and the folk at ODS, "13.4.99 Live
at the Continental" is that very release.
"Yellow Jellybeans" (as it doubtless will become known) opens
disappointingly not with the flurry of excited applause from an audience
enraptured to see their favourite music artists but with the fade of a song
that was omitted from the track listing for the CD. Overcoming this hurdle,
every track of the "Magic" desk was used to optimal effect
through the ensuing songs, with separation of the guitars, drums and each
vocalist into the biggest sound so far captured from these four Northside
Brisbane boys, while making the listener want to be at Your House too,
and Girlfriend an absolute joy to which to listen.
America: MFN's tribute to their
heroes and so obviously the inspiration behind their lyrical humour; Inside
Out and Tide In The Sky are other stand-outs from this set, the
latter two being personal favourites from previous live and CD encounters. I'm
not sure that the dub 'n' bass remixes were a good decision for the closers,
although this version of Brain could be a single in itself, but while
leaving the false-start in You Touched Me added to the overall live
ambience, the audience could have been mixed up into the recording a little
more.
A great night, obviously, but presentation-wise "13.4.99 Live at the
Continental" has a few flaws which could have been worked out a little
better. Let this not be a deterrent, though, from seeking out this fine example
of work from four of Australia's most talented vocalists ««« ¾