Tonight, the lovely Regal Ballroom in Northcote is full of punters enjoying a lazy wine and a meal before being entertained by the legendary Tex Perkins and his Band of Gold. The latest Tex craze is a band of colourful (and perhaps, not so colourful) country cover songs. It’s a far cry from Beasts of Bourbon and The Cruel Sea and as those who are aware of the Tex phenomenon; there is plenty of his music for all sorts of listening ears. The Band of Gold’s music concocts a contemporary sound of country, blended with Tex’s fine humour giving it that warm tasty palate in the mouth feeling. If you’re not into country music, then this band and music probably isn’t for you, the songs are mainly about wanting to be with a girl and breaking up with a girl and a touch of wanting too many girls (isn't all country lyrics about this I hear you ask!).
Band of Gold is Tex Perkins and Rachael Tidd on vocals with Steve Hadly on bass, Matt Walker on guitar, Shane Reilly on slide guitar and ukulele (or as Perkins says, "the sewing machine"!) with Shannon Bourne on guitar and Dave Folley on drums. I daresay this clan derived from the Man In Black (Johnny Cash theater shows) which were, and still are, a huge success around the country. I say this as most band members in Band of Gold are from Man In Black.
Tex Perkins deep, growly voice and Rachael Tidd’s stunning vocals blend together perfectly and together they complement each other to bring us some fine country crooning songs. I feel seeing them live is the preferred experience for me, the album at home is one to chillax too, to have on in the background to enjoy, but live, the humour of Tex Perkins and the magical notes of the band give stealth to the music.
Now, I did head to The Spiegel Tent the night prior to see the band and I thought they were funnier and more relaxed than tonight’s performance, but I’m not here to review The Spiegel Tent's show so onward and upward I go!
Every seat in the Ballroom was filled and the punters were saturated with anticipation as Tex, Rachael and co graced our stage and Tex uttered “I like that quiet respect, it’s a kind of fear isn’t it, you’re right to be afraid” (due to the fact no-one clapped until he said this), and into 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' (Kris Kristofferson) and the vocals of Perkins and Tidd moved through the crowd and their stage presence made a few of us wonder if Tidd, who is pregnant, was carrying Perkins baby (just kidding! love their stage togetherness). Thunderous applause came and receded and Tex says “we’ll be singing a lot of sexy songs tonight” and the lush guitar filters the room while 'Silver Wings' (Merle Haggard) is sung with stunning slide guitar that creeps throughout the song and gives the song a presence of being in Hawaii.
This is the fourth time I’ve seen Band of Gold and they appear to sing the songs in the same order as their released debut album. Next Shane Reilly brings out a much loved instrument, the ukulele, and 'Anyhow I love You' (Guy Clark) takes hold of the room, a catchy, rhyming style of a song that gets the feet tapping. Throughout the rest of the evening songs like 'I’d Rather Be Sorry' (by Kristofferson and “the best song about philosophy” says Perkins), 'Gypsy Rider' (Gene Clark) which is my favourite of the set due to the passion in the lyrics, starting off with Matt Walker on guitar and beautifully set to slide guitar, it really is a magical tune and the lovely 'Kathleen' fill the air tonight.
The first set is over and it feels like time has gone rather too quickly and into encore we head with a great rendition of the Leon Payne’s 'Psych'o (which was covered by Perkins band Beasts of Bourbon around 1993 – “29 years ago” says Perkins) which is brilliant, just brilliant.
The night ends on a Rolling Stones cover called 'The Worst' and I decide the night is one the best in this beautiful venue that is the Regal Ballroom.
as seen at the au review
http://www.theaureview.com/melbourne/tex-perkins-and-the-band-of-gold-regal-ballroom-170212
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