Category: Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackie Bristow, Rick Price, and Mark Punch @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 12 January 2008

Gigs are a lot like singles really. Most of the time you’ve got your standard format: the big commercial success and the B-side. Everyone’s there for the big hit while the B-side, which may actually be very good, tends to act as a bit of padding.

But occasionally you happen upon a show that’s a double A-side: two accomplished artists sharing the bill without any hint of ego. Last night I was lucky enough to attend such a show when Jackie Bristow, Rick Price, and session guitarist extraordinaire Mark Punch graced the stage at Lizotte’s.

I wasn’t familiar with Jackie’s work before the show, but the New Zealand songbird instantly drew me in. She performs with such joy and honesty, it’s impossible not to like her. Jackie’s songs are simple and heartfelt, and their stripped back acoustic delivery allowed the lyrics to shine. I was captivated by her voice: pure and sweet like honey. Needless to say, I willingly forked over some cash for a copy of Jackie’s album after the set.

In constrast, Rick Price seems like an old friend. I first saw him in the early 90s when, as a pimply-faced teenager, I skipped school to see him perform at my local shopping centre. We’ve both aged tremendously since then, but some things never change. He can still take me back to my youth with songs like “Not a Day Goes By,” “Walk Away Renee,” and “Heaven Knows.”

But Rick is more than a faded popstar looking to cash in on a nostalgic crowd. His new songs were magical, showing us that he’s definitely still got it. Without a trace of ego, Rick invited Jackie on stage to accompany him on a cover of The Everly Brothers’ ballad “Let It Be Me.” Watching Rick, Jackie, and Mark together on stage was one of those moments where you know you’re witnessing something special.

I left Lizotte’s with that sensation still lingering. What a night.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Get Ready" – Human Nature

Human Nature have been doing their Motown thing for so long it’s easy to forget they used to be a boy band. But all that is coming to an end with the release of their final Motown experience, Get Ready.

After pumping out a few of these soulful nostalgia trips, there was always the risk the third album would become stale. To prevent this, The Nature headed to Detroit and enlisted the help of some of Motown’s finest artists: Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, and Smokey Robinson.

The result is an album that’s full of energy and loads of fun. You might think that by the third album, Human Nature would have already covered all the good tracks. The wonderful thing about Motown music is that no matter how many albums come before it, there are still great songs to record. “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Tears of a Clown,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” and the title track “Get Ready” all benefit from the Human Nature treatment. I could have done without the inclusion of a Motown-style “Jingle Bells,” but that’s what I get for buying the album around Christmas time.

There’s nothing earth-shattering or revolutionary about this recording. If you didn’t like the first couple of Motown albums, this one probably won’t rev you either. But there’s a reason why Human Nature have sold millions of Motown records around this country. Quite simply, these lads have four of the finest voices in Australia. And when you get them singing some of the greatest songs ever written, the result is always going to be sublime.

Image sources: Human Nature website and jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Bigger Better Power Ballads II" – Various

I’ve just arrived home after five days road-tripping. As every seasoned traveller knows, you need two things for a good road trip: good company and good music. My husband took care of the former, but after about 15 hours in the car, we started to tire of the CDs I’d packed. Thankfully while buying petrol in Bairnsdale I stumbled across EMI Australia’s massive compilation album, Bigger Better Power Ballads II.

I’ve heard a few compilation albums in my time, but none have impressed me as much as this one. Power ballad veterans like Journey and Queen sit comfortably alongside newer artists like Nickelback and The Fray. Power ballad enthusiasts have long overlooked the contributions of women, but this compilation doesn’t forget female masters like Pat Benatar and Tina Turner. But unfortunately the Australian content is a little light on, with only Moving Pictures and Youth Group flying the flag.

You’ve heard all the songs before, which makes it excellent for a long car trip. My husband I loved singing along to Toto’s “Africa” and Mr. Big’s “Be With You.” At three discs it’s also the perfect length, because once you reach the end of the third disc you’re ready to hear disc one again.

If you’re road tripping these summer holidays, and even if you’re not, Bigger Better Power Ballads II is a lot of fun. It’s so good it’s inspired me to track down the original.

Image source: Chaos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lionel Richie, Marcia Hines, and Mahalia Barnes @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 8 December 2007

Attending a concert the day before moving house may be insane to some, but that’s exactly what I did last Saturday. I left the chaotic mess of boxes in my apartment for a little music therapy at one of the Hunter Valley’s famous Day on the Green events. This time around I was treated to the musical stylings of Mahalia Barnes, Marcia Hines, and Lionel Richie.

Jimmy Barnes’ little girl Mahalia proved she’s all grown up with a killer set of original soul tunes and some classic covers. She’s got an amazing set of pipes, and injects such passion into her performance that it matters little whether you know the songs or not. Her closer of “Proud Mary” was every inch as good as Tina Turner’s.

Next up was Australian Idol judge and soul diva Marcia Hines. Miss Marcia’s been doing this for around thirty years, and it shows. She had us dancing in the aisles with disco standards like “Shake Your Groove Thing,” “Disco Inferno,” and her own smash hit “You.” We were also treated to some more reflective moments from her new album Life, including brilliant takes on “Everybody Hurts,” “No Ordinary Love” and “Get Here.”

While Marcia and Mahalia wowed us, it was clear that there was just one person the crowd was there to see. That man was Lionel Richie. He’s not the most handsome man in the world, but there’s something about him that had the females from 15 to 50 on their feet.

Continue reading “Lionel Richie, Marcia Hines, and Mahalia Barnes @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 8 December 2007” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Rock-Bottom Jackpot" – Dé Jah Groove

Dé Jah Groove’s debut release Rock-Bottom Jackpot may just be the perfect soundtrack for the summer.

The Melbourne outfit has earned a reputation as one of the most explosive bands on the live circuit, and they’ve managed to bring that energy to this album. Their combination of jazz, funk, roots, rock, and hip-hop reminds me of early Cat Empire recordings, which is a good thing.

With six band members, it’s little wonder that Dé Jah Groove has a really big sound. The horns are loud, layered over the percussion of the drums and bass. It’s also refreshing to hear the Australian accent in Harley Stewart’s vocals.

Standouts include the easy grooves of the first single, “Mellow Stages,” the far from lazy opening track “Lazy Sundays,” and the fantastically fun “One Drop High.”

Rock-Bottom Jackpot is in stores now. Dé Jah Groove is currently on the road to support its release. Check their MySpace page for all the dates.

Image source: Dé Jah Groove MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Elton John @ Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley – 1 December 2007

On Saturday I made the trek to the Hunter Valley’s Tempus Two Winery to see rock music royalty, Sir Elton John.

Young soul singer Eran James kicked off the event with songs from his new album, Ten Songs About Love. It blows my mind that this kid is just 18 years old. He’s got such a strong emotive voice, and the simple acoustic guitar backing let these songs really shine. But this wasn’t the venue for Eran. The punters were a lot more interested in chatting amongst themselves and sampling the winery’s goods than listening to this talented young singer. It’s a shame, because he really was very good.

The most startling thing is that the throng didn’t settle down for the main event. The rowdy drunks behind us loudly sang the wrong songs, or the wrong lyrics. The chain-smoking couple in front of us also put a dampener on my concert experience. I might suggest that I just got bad seats, but looking around I saw so many people getting up and moving around during the show that it staggered me. For the life of me I’ll never understand why people spend good money on a concert if they’re going to be disruptive or get so drunk they won’t remember it.

Again, it’s unfortunate because Elton did everything right. He strikes such a commanding figure at the piano, with his masterful playing and dazzling sequined jacket. Other artists may need a band to provide such a rich sound, but Elton does it effortlessly alone. He took us on a journey through his catalogue, opening with his first hit “Your Song.” The set was peppered with monster hits, and a few more obscure songs from the die-hard fans.

Continue reading “Elton John @ Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley – 1 December 2007” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"No Man’s Woman" – Various Artists

Some say the concept album is dead, but don’t tell that to the folks behind No Man’s Woman. The album features some of Australia’s finest male artists covering songs made famous by iconic female figures.

The results are surprising. I would never have expected some of the song choices, like Josh Pyke’s Kate Bush cover, or The Vines’ reinterpretation of The Veronicas. Some of the artists are faithful to the originals, while others opt for dramatic reworkings. Despite these different approaches, all the musicians involved ultimately show a respect for the original artists.

Now I’ve had the disc for a while I find myself repeating Lior’s glorious cover of “Landslide,” Angus Stone’s poignant version of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and Dan Kelly’s ukelele-driven interpretation of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” But I still can’t warm to Tex Perkins’ menacing “I Am Woman,” or The Vines’ dirge-like “4Ever.” Many of the tracks won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but that’s part of the joy of an album like this. There’s enough diversity here to keep everyone satisfied.

No Man’s Woman is currently available with a limited edition bonus disc, featuring nine of the original songs (or technically eight and Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U”). It’s a great reference, giving listeners the opportunity to see where these new interpretations came from.

Image source: No Man’s Woman MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Flynn @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 1 November 2007

Who’s the most influential artist to come out of Australian Idol? Is it Shannon Noll, whose skills saw him working with some of America’s best songwriters on his new album? What about Anthony Callea, who’s earning rave reviews for his work in musical theatre? Well, if you believe this year’s Australian Idol finalists, the one that’s made the greatest impact is Bobby Flynn.

He may not have set the charts alight or packed out an entertainment centre, but last year’s seventh place-getter inspired more Idols this year than any other.

“I believe he completely changed Aussie Idol,” said Matt Corby. “He changed the rules,” added Jacob Butler.

That Bobby could do so much during his relatively short time in the competition is a testimony to his talent. It’s something I was lucky enough to witness for myself last night at Lizotte’s. This intimate little venue in Kincumber is a world away from the massive Idol stage, but that’s a very good thing.

Bobby was ably supported by Canadian singer/songwriter Brian Campean. I can’t decide whether Brian was a genius or a madman. He could be both. His soaring voice was reminiscent of Jeff Buckley’s, and his guitar skills were incredible. But his unconventional melodies and lyrics struggled to connect with the crowd, who seemed more intent in gossiping amongst themselves. It’s a shame, as there was a lot to enjoy in his unique performance.

The chatter died down once Bobby took the stage. His original songs draw you in, with their ethereal melodies and his haunting vocals. I didn’t know most of these songs, but it allowed me to focus on their beautiful words. He’s not conventionally handsome, but his natural charisma casts a spell on his adoring audience. Watching him is indeed magical.

Songwriting is Bobby’s first love, but he’s not afraid to pepper his set with the cover versions Idol fans voted for. I was delighted to hear his evocative cover of The Church’s “Under the Milky Way” and his show-stopping rendition of “Superfreak.”

I caught up with Bobby after the show and was impressed by his gentle nature and his willingness to spend time with his fans. This was his third sold-out show at Lizotte’s, and he’s already making plans to return. I personally can’t wait.

Image source: Jaymis Loveday @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Ripe” – Ben Lee

Ben Lee has released the feel-good album of the year. The appropriately titled Ripe is a mature effort, bursting with happiness and good vibes.

A more cynical critic may argue that this disc is weaker for its lack of angst, but such positivity is refreshing and very easy to listen to. These critics tend to equate negativity with depth, but to dismiss Ben Lee’s newie is to miss the album’s subtleties.

He’s a very clever lyricist, and this prevents the album’s love songs from drowning in a sea of frothiness and fluff. The quirky phrases are modern and intensely believable. The single “Love Me Like the World Is Ending” is a great indication of the original romantic tunes contained on the disc. The 50s-inspired duet with Mandy Moore, “Birds and Bees,” is also really sweet.

But it’s not all about love. Lust gets a run too in the brutally honest “Sex Without Love.” Ben’s ode to an American urban megastar, “What Would Jay-Z Do?” is surprisingly more convincing than it sounds.

Continue reading ““Ripe” – Ben Lee” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daughtry Showcase @ The Gaelic Theatre, Sydney – 25 September 2007

Sydney was treated to an outstanding rock show last night when American band Daughtry joined Brisbane’s Small Mercies at The Gaelic Theatre. It took me some effort to drag myself to Sydney for the show, as I’d been feeling unwell all day, but I’m so glad I did.

The tiny Surry Hills venue was crowded with hundreds keenly anticipating Daughtry’s first Sydney appearance. The upper level, usually the place to be for a relaxed concert experience, was reserved for VIPs, leaving the average punters packed in like sardines. I really didn’t think I was up to standing all night, but a lovely security guard took pity on my poor health and promptly found me a stool and water. I may not have lasted til the end of the show without him!

Now comfortably sitting and a little more hydrated, I was feeling pretty good when Small Mercies took the stage. I’d never seen these guys before, but they’ve been big in Queensland for years. After seeing their set, I’m glad the rest of the country appears to be catching on. The four-piece showed real diversity in their half-hour slot. Their heavy tracks pleased the rock-loving crowd, who also enjoyed singing along to the new single “Innocent.”

Daughtry were up next, with a blistering set that matched the anticipation in the room. They made it clear they were there to rock, opening with “Crashed.”

Chris Daughtry is such an engaging frontman. He didn’t take his foot from the throttle at any point, delivering each track with maximum intensity. And there’s no denying that he’s sexy as all get out.

But I also appreciated the way he engaged with the audience. Yes, he encouraged the crowd to sing along and clap their hands, but his efforts went beyond that. He’d only been in Australia for a few days, yet he managed to weave some of our more colourful terms into his banter. He called us “mates,” asked how all the “sheilas” were, and even admitted that he was a “bogan.”

The concert was billed as an album showcase, so it was little surprise to hear most of the tracks from Daughtry’s self-titled album. Their killer cover of Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell” was an unexpected treat. The hour-long set was over far too quickly and soon we were hearing the last song of the night, the frantic “There and Back Again.”

Chris said they’ll be back next year, and I look forward to doing it all again then. Of course, next time they’ll play much larger venues than this, and the tickets will be more expensive. Knowing this just makes me appreciate last night’s gig that much more.

If you couldn’t make it to the show, or you’d just like to relive it, here’s a video my husband took last night during “It’s Not Over.” Unfortunately he realised he was filming side-on a little too late, but he does right it during the first chorus!

Image source: own photo