|
 |
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds + Darling Downs Thebarton Theatre, Wed 18 May To find out who would be filling the support slot for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, I conducted some vox pop-style research amongst peers in the know. An early tip of Cat Power only did the eastern states shows, and closer to the show the names Kim Salmon and Died Pretty were bandied about. Curiously, Darling Downs were confirmed, and my research was (kind of) right: with Kim Salmon on acoustic guitar and Ron Peno, distinctive vocalist of Died Pretty, at the mic, Darling Downs opened with a performance that is meant to be seen up close. Taking a seat in the comfy two couches further back in the Thebbie, their combined, unique power could be sensed, if not totally indulged. Peno's strange, insistent vocal was like Michael Stipe had been taken up a mountain and back in time, whereupon he met his hillbilly guide: a gentle soul in a two button suit with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Salmon helped carry the load with his updated country blues strumming and hints of his rock history. I can't wait until they play the Grace Emily. The opener for the Bad Seeds, Abattoir Blues was like a sound check (Cave's vocal mike wasn't properly on and the high end was piercing), which had the effect of ensuring next song Get Ready For Love came like an onslaught, a command, the first of many Cave would make from his ranging about the stage, pointing, gesticulating. The power he had behind him was certain, exhilarating for the audience. There were twelve Bad Seeds this time round, if you count the four gospel singers: The London Gospel Choir was essential to the success of 'Lyre of Orpheus/Abattoir Blues', and the four onstage were able to replicate the faithful fervour here tonight, along with no less than two percussionists and organists, one bassist and the mighty Warren Ellis forming the best Seeds that Mick Harvey has had the pleasure of fronting. Material was derived largely from the dual release of 2004, with the single There She Goes My Beautiful World fully realised, one of the many occasions the ensemble was in full flight. It was matched by the gospel and blues of Get Ready For love, Hiding All Away, Lyre of Orpheus, and the lament O Children were highlights from that material. While it was difficult at times to deal with Cave's "for the kids, no really for the kids" sincerity, and hearing him gently intone "panties" was somewhat nauseating, there is no disputing this tour is one of their best. Renditions of the classics Deanna and The Mercy Seat are testament to this: near two decades old and not at all out of place. In fact, the songs benefited from the big Bad Seeds; driving, gathering menace from all the dark corners of the Thebbie. The set must have been over an hour, and the first encore paved the way for Stagger Lee to end proceedings. One of his best songs from recent years, it rose in my top five after that fulsome, malevolent outing. There was no soul left unsaved after that.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine