Venue: Ruby's Lounge
Date: Sunday 10th December 2007
Reviewed By: Heather. Photos are as good as they get from a mobile phone (thanks, Lyn!)
This particular night was a first for me on three fronts.
1. My first girls-only night out to see a band with Lyn - Yay!
2. The first time I've seen Abby Dobson
3. My first viewing of Lyn's beloved Tex in the flesh
I fronted up to Ruby's a little nervous. The reason? I was seeing Tex with a Tex fanatic. I wasn't sure if I'd like his music, and what do you say to an ardent fan who has bought you a ticket to see her favourite artist if you don't enjoy yourself?
Thankfully there was no cause for worry. I had a fantastic night.
Abby Dobson was gorgeous. Her very Jewel-like voice kept us spellbound. The former frontwoman of Leonardo's Bride has only improved in the ten years since the peak of the band's popularity and the track "Even When I'm Sleeping" in the late nineties. Her voice has taken on a more earthy tone while maintaining its unique characteristics, as she delved into a soulful and beautiful performance.
Abby was joined on stage by Melbourne boy Eden Altman from Moon Jelly. His electric guitar and her acoustic, as well as their vocals, were fused into one for the whole set.
Suffice to say I was impressed. Impressed by the quality of the performance, by the smooth way Abby conducted herself onstage, by the songwriting.
After such a good support set we were ready to stand up and get ready for the main event. I was still a little uncertain about whether I'd enjoy the performance, but my worries faded after the first song.
Tex and James (accompanied on stage by a small plastic horse mascot affixed to the keyboard) were nothing short of phenomenal showmen. Their antics were hilarious, their music was great, their song choices perfect, Tex's ripped jeans very fitting for the occasion. [Side note: do people actually rip their jeans up on purpose, or do they wear them so much they fall apart?]
Tex's gravelly voice is classic Aussie rock at its best. And I mean classic. He could stand up alongside Paul Kelly and Jimmy Barnes and hold his own impressively. The faster songs rocked. The ballads were absorbing. The storytelling lyrics read like the thoughts of the working man at the end of a hard week who has found out his girlfriend has moved out. OK, I can't really connect to them. Female, wife of a white-collar worker, mother, part-time worker in the IT industry - none of what Tex sang about relates to me. I am not an Aussie rock fan - I wouldn't play a Men at Work CD in my car if my life depended on it. But I appreciated the honesty of the songs - and the way they were delivered, without taking anything too seriously, was refreshing.
From the technical point of view of a "proper" fan, Lyn has let me know that the setlist included Here I am, Another Rain Song, Half of Nothing, Paychecks, The Singer of the Song and Anybody But You. His repertoire included songs from several bands - The Cruel Sea, Tex and Tim, Tex, Don and Charlie and Dark Horses. Of these I know nothing, Tex virgin that I am. I was content to simply enjoy the experience.
Amidst enjoying the impromptu comedy routines and banter between Tex, James and the sound man came the clincher for me. Tex threw back his head and launched into a spirited recitation of the lyrics to I Am Woman Hear Me Roar. I usually only laugh that hard when confronted by a particularly witty Adam Hills routine. I wish I had a video camera so I could relive the moment. In fact, I'm convinced that if music just doesn't work out for Tex (as unlikely as that is) he has a promising career on the stand up comedy circuit.
So after yet another superb night of music at Ruby's, I can honestly tell Lyn I had a great time. No, I'm not going out to buy every CD Tex has made, but I do subscribe to the idea that Tex is a very credible artist, a fantastic showman and I am not surprised he's on his way to becoming an Aussie rock icon.
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