Friday, February 21, 2014

Eddie Vedder at The Palais Theatre

Band: Eddie Vedder and Glen Hansard
Venue: The Palais Theatre, St Kilda - Melbourne
Date:
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder


 
Glen Hansard is a fitting support for Eddie Vedder as both musicians are talented and can sing. Simply put, they are great mates, share some sad history together but through this they have helped each and become great friends. Tonight’s set from Hansard was no let down. What a voice this man has, singing hits from the show Once as well as from his albums. Many people who didn’t know this man sat upright and were locked tight. Many who didn’t think they knew him were ablaze with knowing the songs and were happy to hear them live.

Eddie Vedder has returned to The Palais Theatre in St Kilda for three sold out shows, playing varied set lists each night (check out
http://www.setlist.fm/search?query=eddie+vedder) and playing an amazing show full of story telling, cover songs, pearl jam songs, plectrum throwing, hand shaking and even getting ladies on stage for dancing . Eddie has passionate fans, very passionate fans, they love Eddie and they respect him. As soon as the man steps on stage, the nearly three thousand people are his. The final show had many more hecklers in it, throwing out ‘I love you Eddie’ to various song titles. Eddie often responds to the crowd and often laughs as he cannot understand what is being shouted out. Eddie told the Wednesday crowd that this was the best crowd on the tour and you could tell he wanted to keep the crowd happy and he probably wished he could play more shows in Australia. Eddie has been here for six weeks and says that 99.8% of people he meets are awesome.

I don’t think I can capture (like Springsteen) what being at a Vedder show is really like. I went to the last tour in 2011 and this tour, I feel, captures the essence of Eddie with sprinkles of that Pearl Jam sound. Put simply, it was more desirable and I didn’t want these shows to be over. Let’s face it, the majority of punters want PJ and it’s the PJ songs that gain the highest cheers and applause. Vedder is one talented bastard, he plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, ukulele and sings with a bold and energetic voice. (Just going back a few days; Sunday night he tells us he is hung over but he still put on a top show and I was and still am impressed).

I feel that the passionate fans have a lot to do with the feeling that is in the air at his shows, they line up at merchandise, they come into a room clutching their purchase’s and they sit down wondering where the night will take them. They heckle, applause, jump up and dance, sing along to songs and seem to be genuinely at their happiest.

Songs like Immortality are just amazing live, what utter soul and devotion is in this song, and I melt each time. Better Man sounded perfect for the acoustic sound whereas Porch was eerie with the harmonica. Behind Vedder on stage was various curtain changes, some complete with stars that lit up for the appropriate song. The stage was set up like a camp site and a faux fire would flicker at times until Vedder blew it out and out it remained. A Seahawks jersey was hung up, favourably displayed in amongst the ‘camp site’. The Hunters and Collectors cover of Throw Your Arms Around Me wasn’t bad but nothing like Seymour’s voice can do that song justice, song from Into The Wild, Bruce Springsteen Covers as well as songs from Eddie’s two solo albums, only about a quarter of the set includes these songs, the rest is a variety of everything else mentioned.


Towards the end of the show you just know people are in a tether and they must get close and try they do, but they don’t get far. Most are happy in their seats and stay till the music comes on and even them they are searching around for plectrums and trying hard to suck up the roadies for set lists.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - AAMI Park Melbourne (Saturday 15.02.2014)

Band: Bruce Springsteen, Hunters and Collectors
Venue: AAMI Park
Date: 15th February 2014
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder




Its a very hard job to review a man who is seriously one of the best live entertainers in the world. A show that is around three and a half hours in length and a show that can boast some amazing talented musicians with one hell of an amazing front man. Put all that together and add in a guest appearance from Eddie Vedder and you have just witnessed history.
Bruce entered the show with an almighty arm thump and the crowd goes nuts and Bruce introduces a special guest, Vedder and into Highway To Hell they belt followed by Darkness on the Edge of Town. The crowd go insane, and with about 33,000 punters, insane sounds incredible.

After a cover of The Saints - Just Like Fire Would and some sign requests it was into the Born In The USA album, sung in its entirety. The album title had the crowd beyond nuts, a song that isn't often played at gigs and as Bruce says - "I played this at a few shows in the USA and I'll play it for Melbourne".
Shackled and Drawn is still a live favourite for me from his newer album and after about three hours I had to find a seat, yes I admit I came to the sense that having sore hip and feet wasn't worth standing anymore. I managed to get a close seat as a few people had left and it wasn't long before other people from the front snuck into the seats around me.

For those who haven't been to a Springsteen concert yet, you will find;
* passionate fans
* signs held up by fans relating to many things ie will you dance with me, will you dance with my mum/cousin/dad etc, can you play this song, can we get married on stage and so forth, I think you get my drift.

When you are faced with fans who have queued for hours, fans who have been standing for hours on their feet you will notice the fevour in their eyes and it won't be long until you get it.

I thought instead of writing about how amazing the show is, how about you learn about what to take to a Bruce Show;

1. Very very comfortable shoes. You will most likely be standing in them for four hours.
2. Plenty of water, will keep you hydrated and alert,
3. Hoodie with pockets. The hood in case it rains and pockets to place food items in to graze throughout the show,
4. Nibbles - nuts are a great source of energy,
5. Massage all over body prior to the show. May help alieviate muscle pain,
6. One cardboard sign - put what song or message you want on it but unless you are close to stage he won't see it,
7. Camera for the all important ONE TO FIVE photos but don't stand there all night snapping away, it really is annoying to those around you,
8. Money to buy the expensive merchandise if you wish, or for $20 you can get a copy one outside most venues,
9. Bandaids for blisters; and most of all,
10. Energy for a great nights of entertainment.

You will find that you will probably sweat more than the band who didn't look as though they broke a bead. Bruce was saturated but he does often put in head in a bucket of water that is on stage for him, to cool down - smart man.

Get yourself to a future gig - nuff said.




















James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite Roar at Melbourne Zoo twilight Review

Band: James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite
Venue: Melbourne Zoo Twilights
Date: 14th February 2014
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder

Arriving with minutes to spare (blame the traffic) I arrived at the Melbourne Zoo to find a few thousand had beaten me and were already into the swing of things, but after a five minute wander I managed to find a patch of bark and got comfy in my chair, spread out items from the picnic basket and scoffed into chocolate and strawberries washed down with Coroner beer. Tonight, humans and animals are joined together at The Zoo Twilight for the Grammy award winning Daryl Braithwaite and James Reyne. The animals no doubt gaining a noise explosion as they nestle into their beds or for the nocturnal animals venturing out of their slumber to a cacophony of sounds. The humans are engaging in catching up with friends, queuing for a alcoholic beverage and pulling lids of Tupperware containers to display their culinary delights to fellow mates spread out on their picnic rugs whilst the animals search for food and play around with fellow mates (not so different from each other).

Braithwaite came on stage first (and right on time) and into As the Days Go By he sang displaying vocals in a variety of ranges. He managed to get the crowd singing early in the set and a few punters got up and danced away to the music. Braithwaite’s vocals are impeccable and although I’m sure he must get tired of singing the same hits, you would never know. Each hit is played with pleasure and passion before a sold out crowd at The Melbourne Zoo. People come to this gig for a social gathering with great mates as well as capturing two great Aussie musicians at the same time. There is always lots of chatting and I noticed there aren't many children here tonight. Must be a load of babysitters out there! Tonight Braithwaite played music from his latest album Forever The Tourist, a cover of All Day and All of the Night (The Kinks) as well as all this hits.  Howzat gets the nostalgic fans in the audience going, Higher Than Hope, Summer Love, Beautiful Feeling, All I do, One Summer and the big hit Horses which by this time most people were up and dancing. Braithwaite is interactive with the crowd and displays a fantastic front man to the amazing band behind him.

As I go for a wander around I notice people are sitting anywhere they can. Many can't see the stage let alone the screen but they seemed perfectly happy. Visiting the lion cage draws many people and I witness the lions roaring, all three of them - even two of them laying on their sides were roaring away. I make sure I am back for James Reyne who begins the set with the hit Fall of Rome and I can tell you, his voice hasn’t faltered over the years. Into Slave, Beautiful People and the song about sharks; Hammerhead. As the evening wore on, the lights are more vibrant and the bats start to migrate from their trees in search of food. Even a few pairs of ducks fly over us. The zoo is looking chockers and the people are up and down constantly. Many are dancing on this balmy night as the songs continue; English Girls, Reckless, Motor Runs Way Too Fast and the cover Way Out West (The Dingoes). The screens are displaying what a lot of us can’t see and I cant’ help but wish the screens were situated in a better watching position for the people in the back rows, but I guess the Zoo has their reasons for current placement. Reyne continues into Rainbows Dead End, Errol and Oh No Not You Again which bring a lot of people to their feet dancing and chatting. You can see and feel people come to the Zoo twilight for the experience and enjoyment of sitting in the zoo grounds listening to the music and not necessarily to ‘see’ the band. Loads of people are chatting and laughing and having a fantastic time. The big hit Boys Light Up ends the night and most people are on their feet for this one, many are slipping out half way through to no doubt get ahead of the mass exit. Braithwaite and Reyne both sing the song and bring the set to an end and we all walk away happy with a great night out with friends and family and reminisce on how amazing it is to hear the lions roaring, only metres away, as we stroll out of the zoo grounds into our waiting cars.

as seen on www.thedwarf.com.au
 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The John Butler Trio - Flesh and Blood (CD Review)

Band: The John Butler Trio
Date: February 11th 2014
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder





John Butler is back in action with a new album and new tour lined up around Australia. Flesh and Blood is the 6th studio album, recorded over 2012-2013 at The Compound, Fremantle, Western Australia.
This album takes flavours from previous albums, long gone are the fifteen minute specialties that I personally loved about JBT when I originally fell in love with the band but the band still evokes that natural spirit and sound that this band is unique for. The songs are radio friendly and produced efficiently. Flesh and Blood still contains the JBT spirit – loads of strong vocals, guitar riffs, harmonies and a stunning back beat.
The first release off the album is Only One which is backed up with an awesome film clip, I recommend checking it out. I’m a fan of what the genre the clip is about and its great to see JBT expressing this. The song is a cruisy style, great for a road trip, sitting back chillaxing on the back porch and tapping those feet to the beat that is through the entire song.
Livin’ In The City embraces strong guitar with funk and beats whereas Cold Wind is haunting with its guitar strokes the lead into a classic guitar riff until John’s familiar vocals cruise in, they lick this song with familiarity and passion. Devil Woman is very upbeat, steam punk grooving song with harmonies and quick drum beats, a catchy number and perhaps the next single. Young and Wild brings the tone down with acoustic guitar and mellow singing. As much as JBT sings the mellow songs with passion and experience it’s the faster paced songs that I enjoy more. But in saying this, Wings Are Wide is just beautiful, gentle tone and I can almost say, one of my favourites on this album.
The album is out now at all good music stores.