tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61312061262242644082024-03-13T13:05:26.610-07:00SHORT BACK & SIDES : ADELAIDE REVIEWSStarted as a blog for my fringe reviews in 2010, it is about to transmogrify into all my reviewy outpourings about Fringe, cabaret, rock gigs and movies. I hope you will enjoy.
xx ianDJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-13066632676259985752016-02-25T20:27:00.001-08:002016-02-25T20:27:59.022-08:00LISA-SKYE & NICK CADDAYE - GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMhG6hiZtxI/Vs_UDlu4j7I/AAAAAAAABF0/XTqc3SW6tOY/s1600/lisanick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMhG6hiZtxI/Vs_UDlu4j7I/AAAAAAAABF0/XTqc3SW6tOY/s400/lisanick.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gentlemen's Agreement</div>
<br />
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Mayall Room, Tuxedo Cat<br />
11pm til Sat Feb 27</div>
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<br />
<st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city>
stand-ups/comedians Nick Caddaye and Lisa-Skye are an odd couple. I mean, they
are not a 'couple', but they are indeed odd. This two person sketch comedy show
has some great juxtaposition between straight laced order of grumpy Caddaye and
fluro haired Anarchy explosion Lisa-Skye's boundless enthusiasm. There is a bit
of light audience participation (nothing to worry about) and a great line-in
really well prepared sketches and ones where the wheels could fall off at any
moment. I'm loathe to break down the particulars of any sketch shows
performance but a trip over the River Styx and the fine products of Gary
Gazebo, were highlights for me. Both performers are from <st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place> were their reputations are huge. Lisa-Skye
is fast building a loyal fan-base in <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city>
and Caddaye is so fantastically likable despite his 'gruff' personae that he
is doing the same. There is only a couple more shows, so do yourself a favour. </div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-11877189101455584872016-02-25T20:24:00.000-08:002016-02-25T20:24:07.230-08:00LATE NIGHT NUMBERS & LETTERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-nKe6BQTbA/Vs_SYRWnNzI/AAAAAAAABFo/r7yKkzQuhsQ/s1600/LATE%2BNIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J-nKe6BQTbA/Vs_SYRWnNzI/AAAAAAAABFo/r7yKkzQuhsQ/s400/LATE%2BNIGHT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Late Night Numbers & Letters</div>
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The Science Exchange (<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">Exchange Place</st1:street>, <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city></st1:address>)</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">9:30pm til Sat Feb 27</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
The SBS TV show Numbers and Letters was much loved and clearly is still missed.
Based on the </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
show Countdown which is currently in it's 73rd season, it's a game show where
people have to find words in collections of randomly selected letters and do
maths equations with similarly random numbers while racing against the clock. It's the geek/nerds perfect game show. Now add comedians (and often alcohol) and you
have Late Night Numbers & Letters. Returning for it's third year, Late Night
has found an eager audience of dictionary challenging wordsmiths and
calculating mathematicians. Hosted by </span>lovable <st1:city style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne </st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16px;">curmudgeon, Nick Caddaye </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">with guest comedian dictionary guardians and contestants each night, Late Night Numbers &
Letters manages to stay close to the originals format and intent, while being
utterly hilarious at the same time. Unlike the TV show there are actual prizes
to be won. The Science Exchange is tucked away in </span><st1:street style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Exchange Place</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> in the city (enter from </span><st1:street style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Pirie Street</st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-size: 12pt;">). </span><br />
<br />DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-80039915970119312702016-02-25T20:17:00.002-08:002016-02-25T20:17:54.788-08:00GREG FLEET - THESE THINGS HAPPEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_VD9QeB0Cs/Vs_PiPFs2iI/AAAAAAAABFg/5kUjBguiXpw/s1600/FLEET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_VD9QeB0Cs/Vs_PiPFs2iI/AAAAAAAABFg/5kUjBguiXpw/s400/FLEET.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Greg Fleet<br />
These Things Happen<br />
Rhino Room Beer Garden <br />
7:30pm til Sunday Feb 28<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There is something special about seeing Fleety
at the Rhino Room. People may know that Rhino, </span><st1:city style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and the Adelaide Comedy Family has
played an important role for Greg Fleet in the last few years. An environment
that has helped him cope with his demons, be a safe and nurturing </span>home base <span style="font-size: 16px;"> at times and help spur a jag of creative output from an incredibly talented man. In the last couple of years Fleet has written and performed an award winning play (This is Not a Love Song), appeared in a great Zombie Movie (Me & My Mates Vs The Zombie </span>Apocalypse<span style="font-size: 12pt;">), created a great TV show about the Australian comedy scene (Die Standing Up) and released an amazing memoir (These Things Happen)
and continued to do great work as a stand-up comedian. The show tonight (which
shares it's name with the book), in the intimate Rhino beer garden, is a great
example of his masterful story telling.
Not afraid to tango with uncomfortable truths (of which he has many), Greg
Fleet is a funny bugger and takes us on a bumpy roller coaster ride of vignettes
from his life, observation and self examination. It's structure is more
theatrical than straight stand up, there is much that is hilarious, but it
works as a complete piece with the audience enraptured til it's completion when
they erupt with heartfelt ovation. A sterling slice of masterful comedic work.
Highly recommended. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-13012874247003186122014-06-22T09:32:00.002-07:002014-06-22T09:47:25.815-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r3YiYKz37s/U6cC1eId84I/AAAAAAAAAxc/XjrC8Y0naQg/s1600/darlene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0r3YiYKz37s/U6cC1eId84I/AAAAAAAAAxc/XjrC8Y0naQg/s1600/darlene.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<b>DARLENE LOVE</b></div>
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<b>An Evening With Darlene Love</b></div>
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Festival Theatre</div>
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June 20 2014</div>
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One show only.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You never know who you will be sitting next to at an event
like this. I suspect the gentleman sitting next to me doesn't get out of the
house much. On the stage one of the greatest singers of all time is singing, my
neighbour is asking me <i>"How old do you think she is?"</i>, <i>"This is a great song isn't?"</i> and
most annoyingly of all <i>"I've never heard of this one. Do you know it? I've
never heard of it."</i>. After a while he tires of me not answering and gets
back to his other favourite in concert pass time, singing along. This, he is
determined to do, despite not know the right words.<br />
<br />
<b>
Darlene Love</b> is one of the great voices that define the 1960's. As part of the
<b>Phil Spector</b> Wall of Sound. She was the
voice of <b>The Crystals, Bob B Soxx & The Blue Jeans</b> and the <b>Blossoms</b> and has
sung with everybody from <b>Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley</b> (she is even on the <i>'68
Comeback</i> special) to <b>Cheech & Chong</b> (seriously! She does backing vocals on
<i>Basketball Jones</i>). She also played <b>Danny Glovers </b>wife in the<i> Lethal Weapon</i>
movies. As a solo artist she had some success but most people are here for the
evergreen sounds of the 60's.<br />
<br />
An impressive ten piece band and four backing vocalists, provide a suitable
lush backing for powerhouse vocals of Ms Love, who at 72 can still sing people
a fraction of her age under the table. Her voice is rich, full, it's powerful,
soulful...brassy. Amazing pipes, and great legs, damn! Pipes and pins. And
tonight seems to whiz by between doing most of those Spector era songs she is
known for and some medleys by friends like <b>Marvin Gaye</b> and <b>Roberta Flack</b>. There
are some good stories about people she has worked with. <br />
<br />
Last year Darlene Love featured strongly in the amazing <i><b>20 feet From Fame</b></i>,
which won the Academy Award for best documentary. Love was the one that
accepted the award on the night and one of
tonight's highlights is her take on the<b> Bill Withers</b> classic <i>Lean on Me</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Phil Spector stories don't really go into too much
detail of his famous mistreatment of his artists, but just the way she refers
to him as <i>'Mr Spec-tor'</i>, tells a story of it's own. <i>"Over the years, with
Mr Spec-tor......I learned not to hate him or dislike him. Because I have
places to go and people to meet and he is not here with us. He has been put
away for life."</i>. Like some other music greats, it is sometimes difficult
to separate their crimes from their creative output. Do the child abuse
allegations against <b>Michael Jackson</b> make <i>Billie Jean</i> any less of a brilliant
song? Does <b>Wesley Snipes</b> going to jail for tax evasion make me like the <i><b>Blade</b></i>
movies any less? And does Phil Spectors terrible treatment of his performers
and ultimately the murder of a women in his home, make <i>Be My Baby</i> or <i>Da Doo Ron
Ron</i> any less epic, timeless classic songs? The answer is no, It makes me have
to do a little compartmentalizing in my brain when I hear those songs, I can love
the song and loath the actions of the man. Spector was always eccentric and
there are countless tales of him doing seemingly oddball or dangerous things (listening to
the opening chord of <i>Rock'n'<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Roll</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">High School</st1:placetype></st1:place></i> for 14 hours
in a row, waving guns at people) that go from a bit weird to downright sinister in the light of his
conviction. As Darlene says, he was a genius. He did incredible things and certainly
gave her a career, but the implication is she is more than happy to never see
him again, and that he will end his days in a prison cell. So when she does
<i>He's A Rebel</i>, it's all about the glory of that song. The strident dismissal of
negative feelings towards a teenage girls affection for her no-good-nik hoodlum
boyfriend. She knows he is a rebel. She knows he's never, ever going be any
good. She knows he's never, ever going do what he should. She knows, that just
because he doesn't do what everybody else does, is no impediment to delivering
to the aforementioned rebel, all of her not inconsiderable love. It was a
glorious anthem of rebellion and teenage love when it was released in 1962 and
fifty years later is still a cracker.</div>
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<br /></div>
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She finishes with a song that should have been hers. She did
the original demo of <i>River Deep Mountain High</i>, but Spector instead gave it to
<b>Tina Turner</b> who turned it into it into a bona fide rock & soul classic.
It's five decades later and it is clear that action still stings, Ms Love sings
the heck out of it tonight and suddenly she is gone.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was a brief show (just over an hour and no encore) and
one suspects there are more songs to sing and stories to tell. I hope we have
the opportunity for our paths to cross again.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ian Bell</div>
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<br /></div>
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Setlist.<br />
<br />
He's Sure the One I Love</div>
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Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home / Da Do Ron Ron</div>
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Today I Met The Boy I'm Gonna Marry</div>
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Marvin Gaye Medley : Ain't That Peculiar / You're All I Need
to Get By / Ain't No Mountain
High Enough / What's Going On? </div>
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Roberta Flack Medley : Killing Me Softly / .....<br />
A Fine, Fine Boy</div>
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Lean On Me</div>
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He's A Rebel</div>
<br />
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Deep</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place>
High</div>
<br />DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-70091319729901942792014-06-22T09:20:00.000-07:002014-06-22T09:20:25.113-07:00DAN FINNERTY & THE DAN BAND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YE3PuX2b_i8/U6cB8E2QpAI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/8bCymncl8Fc/s1600/dan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YE3PuX2b_i8/U6cB8E2QpAI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/8bCymncl8Fc/s1600/dan.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>DAN FINNERTY &
THE DAN BAND<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Dirty Men Sing Songs
of Strong Women<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Friday June 19</div>
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Festival Theatre</div>
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One Show Only<br />
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<b>Dan Finnerty</b> is
married to <b>Kathy Nijimy</b> who was one
of the big draws of this years festival. Their shows were pretty different. <br />
<br />
After appearance in the movies <b><i>The Hangover</i></b> and <b><i>Old
School</i></b>, <b>The Dan Band</b> have
become cult favourites. <br />
They are rude. <br />
Sometimes filthy. <br />
Offensive. <br />
It says so right there in the Cabaret Festival guide. So I am surprised by some
of the walkouts. Let's make it pretty clear, The Dan Band is a one joke act.
However it is a pretty good joke. Men singing songs by women, not changing the
gender of the lyrics, leads to some funny things. </div>
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It's a bit wrong. </div>
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It's a bit misogynistic. </div>
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But it is very funny. <br />
<br />
They arrive on stage to the <i>Wonder Woman</i>
theme and <i>S&M</i> by <b>Rihanna</b>. And before too long they are
smashing through a breakneck <b>Abba</b>
Medley. Then there's a <b>Salt'n'Pepa</b>
medley, so you see where we are going with this. Some of the best 'wrong town'
moments are the interactions with the audience. </div>
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Dan "Hey Shelley were you C or V? C-Section or vaginal?
It's important." <br />
Shelley "Who cares?" <br />
Dan "Your mom cared!"<br />
Shelley "Maybe she died!"<br />
Dan "HAPPY CABARET FESTIVAL EVERYBODY".<br />
</div>
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Then they do a speeded up version of the disco hit <i>Ring My Bell</i> (complete bell ringing
solo). When they do <b>Shakira</b>'s <i>Whenever Whenever</i> Dan gets to sing the
line "My breasts are small and humble", it's silly, it's a bit wrong,
it's really funny. </div>
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<br />
Dan sings the songs and his two man 'band' is made up of two middle aged
bespectacled guys who look like they should be work in the resources department
of your office. They provide backing vocals sure, but it is their utterly
hilarious choreography that is often the star of the show. They hula hoop,
flounce, do hand stands, dance and all the time looking incongruous, like they
shouldn't be there, but you are glad they are. <br />
<br />
During the set there are songs by <b>Britney
Spears, Christina Aguilera, TLC</b>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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When they do <b>Wilson
Phillips</b> <i>Hold On</i> it is a
highlight and people go crazy, but it's nothing to the reaction for <b>Bonnie Tyler</b>'s epic <i>Total Eclipse of The Heart</i>. Because folk
be going loco for that one. There are a couple of false encores including a
fully choreographed <i>Single Ladies</i>
with Lady Bey on the screen behind them. Extremely funny.<br />
<br />
The show stopper was <b>Pink</b>'s <i>Glitter in the Air</i> complete with some of
the dodgiest 'rope' work you'll ever see, hysterical, unco, brilliant.<br />
<br />
As I said, kind of one joke band, but it's a great joke.<br />
<br />
Ian Bell. </div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-73413087780876959452014-06-22T09:15:00.000-07:002014-06-22T16:17:59.569-07:00HAIL TO THE KING Adelaide Cabaret Festival June 19-21 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T08s32zWL_g/U6cA0C0AI_I/AAAAAAAAAws/5gcGe5Gn-Og/s1600/hailtotheking01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T08s32zWL_g/U6cA0C0AI_I/AAAAAAAAAws/5gcGe5Gn-Og/s1600/hailtotheking01.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itHGDNKJdOE/U6cA0Ygun8I/AAAAAAAAAw0/IPM-S7JOzdw/s1600/hailtotheking02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itHGDNKJdOE/U6cA0Ygun8I/AAAAAAAAAw0/IPM-S7JOzdw/s1600/hailtotheking02.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>HAIL TO THE KING<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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June 19 - 21</div>
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Space Theatre</div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a strange bit of programming for me tonight I
see <b>Hail To The King</b>, four women
singing Elvis Presley songs and then go directly to The Dan Band three men
singing hits made famous by women. Take that gender stereotypes!<br />
<br />
Hail to the King, is a straightforward idea, girls singing songs by one of the
manliest men in music history. Not impersonations exactly, but personalized
homages. Each singer does a solo set with some duets and cross overs. <b>Stella Angelico</b> is up first and enters
the stage in a cape and sequinned jump suit with hot pants affair, that we can
be grateful the King never favoured himself. She starts with <i>Fever</i>, the <b>Peggy Lee</b> classic (Elvis does do my absolute favourite version of
this song) and then it soon become apparent that this wouldn't just be a
greatest hits collection. Angelico delvers all these numbers with a shimmy and
an <b>Amy Winehouse</b> twang. There are
certainly classic Elvis Hits, but the selection of 'road less travelled'
Presley songs like <i>Big Hunk o'Love</i>
and <i>Too Much</i>, immediately impresses
and gives this show a point of difference above the obvious. I am especially
impressed with the inclusion of <i>Devil in
Disguise</i>, the song I made my public performing debut with, lip syncing it
at a Sunday School concert in a crepe paper cape with a gold crown on the back
and cellophane stuck to my black national health glasses when I was 9 years
old. A duet with <b>Mojo Juju</b> on the
excellent <i>Crawfish</i> from <b><i>King
Creole</i></b> is a sterling cross over. Mojo is wearing a pink and black
jacket and is evoking the early Elvis. <i>Heartbreak
Hotel, Love Me, Hound Dog</i> and <i>Blue
Moon</i> all delivered with Presley-esque quiver and sexuality. Local girl <b>Simone Page-Jones</b> takes the stage in a black
vinyl jumpsuit and her mums knee high boots and playful energy. She starts with
<i>Animal Instinct</i>, a pretty obscure
song from the movie <b><i>Harem Scarum</i></b> and follows that with another soundtrack song, the
smouldering <i>All That I Am</i> from <b><i>Spinout</i></b>.
<i>It's Over</i> and a raucous <i>Baby Let's Play House</i> are excellent.
Special mention of the band must be made here. A tight little combo to be sure
but the wild and authentic 'licks' from guitar player <b>Felix Pattier</b> are splendid. Simone introduces the fourth and finale
lady to the stage and it is a genuine surprise that it is <b>Christa Hughes</b>. Ex-<b>Machine
Gun Fellatio</b>, Cab Fest regular and welcome last minute addition to this
line up. Wearing a full body gold lame jumpsuit that I imagine she just had in
her hand luggage 'just in case', she rips up <i>Viva Las Vegas</i>, with Page-Jones before a cracking <i>Trouble</i> (also from <b><i>King Creole</i></b>). In fact all
but one of the Hughes songs are from Elvis movies <i>Little Egypt</i> (<b><i>Roustabout</i></b>), <i>Edge of Reality </i>and <i>A Little
Less Conversation</i> (both from <b><i>Live a Little Love a Little</i></b>). The
non-movie song <i>Long Black Limousine</i>.
Hughes has a loud and infectious on stage personae she is clearly the most
comfortable performer on the stage. Her voice is bold and brassy but there are
some liberties taken with the lyrics (I say liberties, but they may just been
mistakes), but in the spirit such a fun show, this is a minor and forgivable
detail. Everybody is back for the rip roaring finale of <i>Suspicious Minds</i>. <br />
<br />
It's a fun show and there are late shows this Friday and Saturday night at
10pm. <br />
<br />
Ian Bell </span>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-35251290236674408402014-06-22T09:10:00.000-07:002014-06-22T09:10:09.417-07:00VANDEMONIAN LAGS Adelaide Cabaret Festival 18 June 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsrmI5oB85s/U6b8zlY5pVI/AAAAAAAAAwg/45ZEUCgsnu8/s1600/vandemonian+lags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MsrmI5oB85s/U6b8zlY5pVI/AAAAAAAAAwg/45ZEUCgsnu8/s1600/vandemonian+lags.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<b>VANDEMONIAN LAGS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Festival Theatre<br />
18 June 2014 (One night only)</div>
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Cabaret! The word conjures images of feather boas, cocktail
glasses, slightly risqué content, Broadway and razzle dazzle. When looking
through the Cabaret Festival guide this show, looked, well it didn't look very
cabaret-ish. A collection of songs about petty criminals being transported to <st1:place w:st="on">Tasmania</st1:place> as convicts in
the 1800's? Sounds a bit...depressing. But wait a minute. These songs are
written by former <b>Weddings Parties
Anything</b> head honcho <b>Mick Thomas</b>
and the cast includes <b>Brian Nancurvis</b>
(Rockwiz), <b>Darren Hanlon</b>, Aussie
blues legend <b>Jeff Lang</b>, <b>You Am I</b> front man <b>Tim Rogers</b> and a stellar
cast of other singers and musicians. <br />
<br />
It is a half full Festival theatre this evening which is a damnable shame,
because Vandemonian Lags is an amazing piece of work. Yes the content isn't
always cheery (mostly un-cheery in actual fact), but all of the songs have
incredible emotional impact. There is a connectivity, a sense of 'there but for
the grace of God go I', a spirit of humanity and even hope, that is both
melancholy and rare. <br />
<br />
Nancurvis and Rogers mostly take roles as narrators in guises as upper class
gentlemen or easily offended judges casting people to transportation to the
colonies for stealing or larceny. Both are exceptional in these linking roles,
and <st1:city w:st="on">Rogers</st1:city> is
such a natural in his various characterizations I wonder if we will be seeing
him in Pirates of Penzance before too long. The 17 stories told see each
'convict' tell their sorry tale about how they come to being shipped off to <st1:state w:st="on">Tasmania</st1:state>, considered the
'prison with no walls', or how they survived. Tales of love and loss, desperation,
injustice and redemption. The songs range from sad laments, jaunty folk
shanties to some rip roaring rock and roll. </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Without going through each song and it's back
story, they are mostly true stories and when the Lags was premiered in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Tasmania</st1:state></st1:place> last year,
several descendants from the subjects of these songs were on hand to hear them.
Favourites for me were the almost square dance jig of <i>Martha Hayes, Van Diemans Land </i>by Lang, and <i>Jane Gilligan On The Town </i>and an amazing <i>The Book Thief</i>. Special mention has to be made of Tim Rogers
raucous take on a story of prostitutes being run out of the Launceston medical
facility, the hilariously titled <i>Sex
Hospital</i>. But the shining star in the programme is also the most hopeful
story. After being transported for poaching and serving 20 years, Samuel tried
his hand at prospecting and quickly hit it rich and returned to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> bought the
manner he formerly worked for and was reunited with his wife after two decades.
<i>The Wildest Dreams of Samuel</i> is
utterly beautiful, sad and glorious and the most hopeful tale in this
programme. <br />
<br />
Mick Thomas has created a remarkable piece of work here. It is an powerful
emotional journey, with fantastic songs and very strong performances. These are
songs and performances that will have a resonance long after the curtain
closes. I believe this to be a work that will have a long life and I can see it
performed by an ever changing cast long into the future.<br />
<br />
Ian Bell</span>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-54797339755967503912014-06-15T04:30:00.002-07:002014-06-15T04:30:30.335-07:00COLIN HAY Adelaide Cabaret Festival 13 June 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-TgphUwPwE/U52DvrNOqzI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Nf3wyxa0ex4/s1600/colin+hay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-TgphUwPwE/U52DvrNOqzI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Nf3wyxa0ex4/s1600/colin+hay.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />COLIN HAY</div>
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Dunstan Playhouse</div>
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June 13-15</div>
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<br /></div>
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Colin Hay walks onto the stage to an instrumental version of
<i>Down Under</i>. "That is my
favourite version of that song, The South Australia Primary Schools
Orchestra.". We are all on side immediately, before he's even played a
note. He picks up a guitar and starts to play <i>Wayfaring Sons</i>. "My name is Colin Hay and I was born in a town
on the south west coast of Scotland." and proceeds to tell a lovely story
about his family's move to Australia, and when he gets the sentence "We
arrived on the 13th of June 1967, 47 years ago to the day" everybody loves
him, and he has not even started to sing.<br />
<br />
When a band has the kind of mega-success that Men At Work had in the early
1980's it easy for them to be relegated to the musical junk bonds of 'one-hit
wonder'. The reason that band and those songs were such a huge success the
world over was there was more to them than <i>Down
Under</i>. They had a great sound, fantastic songs (mostly penned by Hay) and
at their peak Men at Work's debut album was number one on the US Billboard
charts for FIFTEEN weeks. Think about that for a minute. Who has a number one
album for three and a half months any more? That kind of fame is still fleeting
though and Hay's excellent Cabaret Festival show is peppered with hilarious,
well-told anecdotes about the highs and lows of being mistaken for the guy from
A Flock of Seagulls, or people thinking your big hit was <i>Turning Japanese</i>. The stories are fantastic, like a
self-deprecating stand up show, and punctuated by excellent songs. <i>Who Can It Be Now</i> has a lovely
sing-a-long part for us to join in on, and the audience response is deafening. <i>Beautiful World</i> from his 2002 Company of
Strangers album, is a wonderful song about simple pleasures of life, preceded
by a hysterical story about shark attacks. That combo really sums up this show
in many respects. <br />
<br />
"Sometimes people still shout out 'play <i>Down Under</i>', and I always think '@#$% me I never thought of that,
good idea pal'". He tells a quite long and laugh-filled story to introduce
his biggest hit and the only mention of the controversial copyright case is
right before he starts to sing: "Here's a song we wrote, no matter what
you might read". As 'one hit wonder' or 'novelty' songs go, <i>Down Under</i> is still head and shoulders above
the crowd. It is a celebration, it name checks Kombi's, vegemite sandwiches,
the land of plenty and you have heard it a million times, but it still holds up
as a solid timeless classic song.<br />
<br />
While the iconic songs are the obvious crowd favourites, it's on lesser known
gems like <i>There's Water Over You</i> and
the as-yet unreleased <i>Scattered In The
Sand</i>, that you see the true talent of the man. Hay's voice is rich and
emotive, his guitar playing beautiful. When he introduces <i>I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You</i>, a heartbreaking tale of
lost love, he can't resist pulling the rug out of his own song's emotional
weight. "But you do though, get over people. One day you wake up and
think, actually I feel pretty good". <br />
<br />
<i>Waiting For My Real life To Begin</i>
seems to be a pivotal song for Mr Hay. Not only about waiting for the highlife
to come back to you, but the realization that waiting til the time is right is
a false economy. The time to do things, any things, is now. This is your real
life. Right here and right now. And tonight in this place Colin Hay is one of
the great joys of our real lives.<br />
<br />
He finishes with a great with an exhilarating version of Men At Work's <i>Overkill</i> (covered so brilliantly by
Perfect Tripod only days earlier in their Cabaret festival show) and the
beautiful <i>A Simple Song</i>. </div>
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Songwriter, singer, funny man, raconteur - Colin Hay was an
exceptional inclusion to this festival. He has two remaining shows this
weekend. Consider yourself recommended to go.<br />
<br />
Ian Bell</div>
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<br /></div>
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Setlist <br />
<br />
Wayfaring Sons<br />
Who Can It Be</div>
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Beautiful World<br />
Down Under</div>
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There's Water Over You</div>
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Scattered In The Sand (unreleased)</div>
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I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You</div>
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Waiting For My Real Life To Begin</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Overkill<br />
A Simple Song<br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-37292565508789745792014-06-11T09:24:00.001-07:002014-06-11T09:28:31.183-07:00PERFECT TRIPOD, June 9 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLbbC6GSM_s/U5iBep2y0LI/AAAAAAAAAv8/_73ht3L5j8c/s1600/Perfect-Tripod-album-cover-Australian-Songs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QLbbC6GSM_s/U5iBep2y0LI/AAAAAAAAAv8/_73ht3L5j8c/s1600/Perfect-Tripod-album-cover-Australian-Songs.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>PERFECT TRIPOD</b></div>
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Festival Theatre</div>
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9 June, one show only</div>
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It looked like it might be a bit too, y'know, serious, this meeting of two of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>'s greatest musical comedy acts. Tripod have been together for almost two decades and have been combining laser precision comedy, tight musical skills and mad harmonies for that entire time. Eddie Perfect has been together for ages too and through his shows like <i>Shane Warne The Musical</i> has demonstrated his own impressive vocal range. Combined together they complement and enhance each other and bring an incredible range and texture to their music. They had done a song together on the Tripod Christmas CD a few years ago and after another collaboration on <i>Meet Me In The Middle of the Air</i> for a project of cabaret artists doing Paul Kelly songs, started to hatch idea of a show that showcased their combined and considerable vocal talents. This is that show, <i>Australian Songs</i>.<br />
<br />
I once saw an <i>acapella</i> outfit called The Nylons who, when asked what <i>acapella</i> meant replied, "It's Italian for how to save money on the band". There is something utterly fantastic about people making beautiful music with nothing but the sound of human voices. All cultures sing. Massed singing is a major part of most religions and tonight is almost a religious experience. I love doo-wop, I love <i>acapella</i>, I will even admit to having a soft spot for American Collegiate Choirs. It can be horrendous, cheesy and embarrassing, but when <i>acapella</i> is good it is heavenly. And make no mistake, heaven is exactly where Perfect Tripod is taking the close-to-sold-out Festival Theatre tonight.</div>
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They enter the stage and launch into <i>Waltzing Matilda</i> which then segues into Gotye's <i>Heart's a Mess</i>. And right from the start it's remarkable. Perfect's subsonic baritone gives the arrangements a deep and rich bottom end, and leaves The Podsters to do all the mids and highs. They mention early on that one review described this show as "Tripod with balls"; fair call. The song selection is genius. Yes, there are songs by Australian Crawl, Men at Work, The Bee Gees and (as Gatesy is keen to flag early in the show) Little River Band, but they have mostly not gone for obvious choices. So when they do Oz Crawl, they choose <i>Errol</i> over <i>Beautiful People</i> or <i>Boys Light Up</i>. It's followed up by Men At Work's <i>Overkill</i>, not their biggest hit, but a fantastic song nonetheless and a smashing arrangement.<br />
<br />
Anybody worried about there not being enough 'funny' in the show was soon relieved at the between-song banter and in-song visual gags, changed lyrics, and hilarious choreography. Silverchair's <i>Straight Lines</i>, was written by Daniel Johns, we are reminded during the song in four part harmony. Kylie's <i>Better The Devil You Know</i> is reconfigured as a doo-wop number and <st1:street w:st="on">Lanie Lane</st1:street>'s <i>Oh Well That's What You Get Falling in Love With a Cowboy </i>is a highlight, with Perfect in a cowboy hat grinding suggestively at people in the front row. While introducing the heartbreakingly beautiful Claire Bowditch song <i>The One</i>, Yon says "Just because you are in a relationship, married or whatever, doesn't mean that one day you won't see somebody in a bar that you could totally go to town on. This song is about that". It's a gorgeous song about meeting somebody you know you could, but you know you can't.<br />
<br />
Perfect then takes lead on Tripod's fantastic original <i>The Blueprint</i> and then Tripod take the driver's seat of a Perfect original, <i>What Are You Going To Do To Me Next</i>. Which brings us to Gatesys LRB number. <i>Reminiscing</i> is one of the most played songs in radio history, and the song Frank Sinatra called the most romantic song ever written. However, I suspect the version Frank heard wasn't peppered with the backing vocalists working in the phrase 'shut up' all the way through it.<br />
<br />
Some of these songs are not on the CD for sale in the foyer afterwards (along with tea towels and stubbie holders), which leads one to be hopeful that Perfect Tripod maybe an on-going, if occasional, project in its own right. The Reels <i>Quasimodo's Dream</i> is a case in point, and as a fan of Dave Mason's work for several decades this is a 'reel' highpoint for me. It's magnificent. The Bee Gees <i>How Deep is Your Love</i> lets the Podsters go all falsetto on us before they break out the National anthem. Their version of <i>You're The Voice</i> is hilarious. Replacing big chunks of the musical backing with them singing "Johnny Farnham, Johnny Farnham" has everybody howling with laughter and yet they it hold together musically all the way through.<br />
<br />
http://youtu.be/RAIG4Dy-3Ww<br />
<br />
They return for <i>Meet You In The Middle of the Air</i>, which is incredible. You could hear a pin drop as the entire auditorium is enraptured with the dizzying beauty of the song and this astounding performance. The applause is deafening. They finish up by getting the audience to join in with three-part harmony on Archie Roach's <i>Little By Little</i> and remarkably it works really well. The standing ovation is richly deserved. </div>
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<br />
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Turns out to make a perfect tripod, you need eight legs.<br />
<br />
Ian Bell</div>
</div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-58554895794603946672014-06-08T19:46:00.001-07:002014-06-11T09:34:03.351-07:00THE BOSWELL PROJECT - Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h2JSaAZBUc/U5UftYclhvI/AAAAAAAAAvs/YlzDJH0Lk50/s1600/boswell-project-900x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4h2JSaAZBUc/U5UftYclhvI/AAAAAAAAAvs/YlzDJH0Lk50/s1600/boswell-project-900x600.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Boswell Project</div>
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Ballroom, Festival Theatre</div>
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June 8 & 9 only.</div>
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There are not masses of local acts in this years Cabaret
Festival, but this one, is amazing. In the 1930's three musical sisters from <st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city>, created a
unique form of three part close harmony jazz. They did their own arrangements,
organized their own tour, traveled without chaperons, worked and influenced
many people who are legends who legends 80 years later, so how come you've
never heard of them? <br />
<br />
The Boswell Project featuring the substantial talents of Louise Messenger, Kylie
Ferreira and Valeska Laity as well as a crack combo of five of <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city> finest jazz musicians, do an amazing
job of recreating this unique sound and breath new life into the Boswell's
music and story. Most people have heard of The Andrews Sisters, well they got
their start as a Boswell cover band. Ella Fitzgerald's idol was Connie Boswell.
But in the 1930's there was no TV, limited radio and so forth, so it was a lot
harder to reach a mass audience. So unless you have hunting for them they have
fallen through the cracks of musical history to some degree, and it looked like
they were doomed to be forgotten.</div>
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<br />
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Well not if these three plucky gals from <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city> have anything to say about it. This
show is put together with a lot of love, attention to detail and good humour.
The vocals are nothing short of heavenly, the band is impeccable and the banter
between songs is informative and often hilarious. There are unique versions of
songs you should know already (It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That
Swing) and songs you really ought to (Coffee in The Morning and Kisses in the
Night). There is some great shtick, special guests and some mean nose trumpet
(trust me). <br />
<br />
The reception is enthusiastic and by the shows conclusion thunderous.<br />
<br />
They have been invited to perform in <st1:city w:st="on">New
Orleans</st1:city> at a Boswell themed event later in the year
and are running a Pozible fundraising campaign to get them there. Details can
be found at<br />
<br />
http://www.pozible.com/project/181856<br />
<br />
www.theboswellproject.com<br />
<br />
Terrific show and one that the performers and <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city> should be extremely proud of.<br />
<br />
Ian Bell. </div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-79914099814965478482014-02-26T01:34:00.000-08:002014-02-26T01:34:06.534-08:00NAKED GIRLS READING (In the Garden).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVOT_MCKR-g/Uw2zvInJG4I/AAAAAAAAApM/_zxzoFAQC2o/s1600/1609803_783773471635341_903338749_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SVOT_MCKR-g/Uw2zvInJG4I/AAAAAAAAApM/_zxzoFAQC2o/s1600/1609803_783773471635341_903338749_n.png" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>NAKED GIRLS READING IN THE GARDEN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10:45pm Campanie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Garden of Unearthly Delights</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well here is a show that does exactly what it says on the
box. <br /><br />Four attractive and completely nude women sit on a chez lounge and read
bits of books to us for an hour. The ladies in the undressed state are all
obviously very comfortable being sans clothes in front of people (most are
burlesque performers and so forth) and are clearly enjoying the juxtaposition
of ideas at play here. On one level it's quite funny. There are nude ladies,
they are reading books. Sections of the (mostly male) audience seem a little
confused. As if the title of the show being so literal, has bamboozled them. A
few late comers come in snickering and are soon glancing at each other seeming
to say 'are they just going to read?'. People further back are having a little
trouble seeing the nakedness and there is all manner of subtle (and unsubtle)
head shifting in order to see the various nakedness on display. <br />
<br />
The girls themselves <b>Frankie Valentine, Vesper White, Strawberry Siren</b> and <b>Emma
May</b>, look like they are having a ball. Valentine and Vesper are the regulars
and the rest of the couch is a changing line-up. The theme of the readings
changes each show and we have wisely picked the theme of 'The Rude Bits'. The first literary
masterpiece to be read tonight - <i>Gene Simmons, Kiss & Make Up</i>. It's a
passage I remember well in which Mr Simmons tells the story of finding a new
use for his famously long tongue. It's a pretty icky piece of rock star self
myth building but when read out loud by a naked girl, surprisingly funny. Next
is a piece by <i>Anne Rice</i>, well known saucy vampire writing person and an excerpt
from <i>Tipping The Velvet</i> by <i>Sarah Waters</i>. The stories range from the <i>Marquis De
Sade</i> to...well I'll get to that in a minute, but each is read in an amusing
salacious tone, that has the other naked girls, laughing like schoolgirls
finding rude words in the dictionary. I have two favourite reads tonight. One
is a piece about legendary sex therapist/performance artist <i>Annie Sprinkle</i>. A
one time Adelaide Fringe guest herself Ms Sprinkle had a unique finale to her
show which is described (but not reconstructed) this evening with enthusiasm
and good humour. Yes there are bad words, but if you are worried about bad
language why would you be going to a show called Naked Women Reading in the
first place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favourite tonight though, is <i>Harry Potter</i>. Yep a naked
girl reading <i>JK Rawlings</i> story of the gifted wizard <i>Harry Potter</i>. It's from <i>The
Goblet of Fire</i> and the chapter is <i>The Weighing of the Wands. <br />
</i><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia;">"</span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Hmm…"
he said. He twirled the wand between his long fingers like a baton and it
emitted a number of pink and gold sparks. Then he held it close to his eyes and
examined it carefully. "Yes," he said quietly, "nine and a half
inches… inflexible… rosewood… and containing… dear me…" … "Mr
Ollivander ran his fingers along the wand, apparently checking for scratches or
bumps…</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span></span> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes it makes the pre-Triwizzard tournament preparation sound
FILTHY. It's childish, puerile and pretty bloomin' funny. Especially as all the
naked ladies on the couch are jiggling with laughter. The longer the piece goes
on the funnier it becomes.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">"Rather thicker than one usually sees… quite rigid… ten and a
quarter inches…<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><em><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Avis!</span></em><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">" The hornbeam
wand let off a blast like a gun…"<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This late night show in the Garden has a tag line of 'You can't have literature without T & A'
and there is plenty of all three. </span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Titillation? Titty alliteration? Clitariture? It's an
interesting night. There are shows right through til the end of the Fringe, I'm
going to try and get back for the one that has the theme 'Smut'. See you there!<br />
<br />
Ian Bell.</span></div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-27849296067347079032014-02-26T01:26:00.001-08:002014-02-26T01:26:45.661-08:00IT'S FRINGE TIME AGAINHi There,<br />
<br />
I've been somewhat remiss in keeping this pet project up to my usual exhaustive pace this year, but I have an eleven month old daughter in the house so my annual craziness of going to see four shows a night during the Festival Season is a much more moderate mode this year. That said, I've been going to some things (as should you be) and I'll attempt to get these reviews up quickly as well as some recommendations for the second two weeks of Fringe and the Adelaide Festival.<br />
<br />
Have a great Festival Season everybody!<br />
<br />
xxx IanDJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-32147892175210906622013-02-13T08:27:00.000-08:002013-02-13T08:27:34.768-08:00ADELAIDE FRINGE 2013 RECOMMENDATIONS AND HEADS UPS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well kids - it's here
again. The reason I started this blog in the first place. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> Fringe. Freaky February and Mad
March. Four weeks, where unlike other more sensible cities all over the world,
Adelaide decides to stage every comedy, burlesque, arts, film, writers, car
race and cultural festival, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I sometimes wonder what was
going on in the brain of whoever was in charge of that decision. let's fill the
city up with lovely people who are interested in art, culture, humour, wit and
put them in exactly place and time as tens of thousands of people who want to
drink beer and watch cars go round. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I started this blog to
collect my reviews of Fringe shows and to make recommend things that you should
consider getting along to see. And this is my pre-Fringe suggestion list. It's
pretty epic. But so are you and you deserve it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm going to break this up
into sections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">COMEDY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This years Fringe is
missing some of the comedy acts that have become my favourite regular visitors
for fringe, so this year there is no Felicity Ward, Axis of Awesome, Dead Cat
Bounce, etc but we are not left wanting with masses of top notch comedy heading
our way, with not only international and national acts appearing, but one of
the most exciting line-up's of home grown shows in years.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ANDREW McCLELLAND feat DJ IAN BELL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">HANG THE DJ<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Deluxe , Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 8 & 9, 15 & 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Okay I admit, recommending
my own show first may seem a little...forward. But there is a lot of shows for
you to read about in this post and I'd hate for you to lose interest before I
suggest you come to ours. HANG THE DJ is a late night comedy show about music,
DJ's and DJing. You are in good hands with myself and Melbourne's Andy
McClelland AND then it turns into an funtastic dance party til extremely late.
Last two Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks for your indulgence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ADELAIDE</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> COMEDY
360 GALA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Arkaba - MON FEB 18 7:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Debuted at last years
Fringe the Adelaide Comedy 360 Gala was a massive success. Essentially a taster
plate for some of the best acts in the Fringe and a great way to get an idea of
show's you'd like to see. The format is unusual as the stage is in the centre
of the room with audience on all sides. Acts announced on </span><span style="background: white; color: #171717; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 5.5pt;">www.adelaidecomedy.com</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> very soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ADELAIDECOMEDY.COM INAUGURAL ROAST : GREG FLEET<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ARKABA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mon Feb 25<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Greg Fleet loves <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city></st1:place>. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> loves Fleety. This may well all
change after Mr Fleet is popped on the comedy rotisserie and given a flaming by
a gathering of top comedians. Another first for Adelaide Comedy. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">JAMES McCANN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">NUNOPOLY : HOW TO PLAY WINNING MONOPOLY & LIVE
A FORFILLING LIFE IN CHRIST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room - <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Beer</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is a position vacant
in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Vatican</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and there are many people making suggestion for who would be a good decision
for the top papal gig. I think it's time for a woman. Or at least a male
comedian dressed as a nun to be Pope. One who knows how to win at Monopoly.
James McCann is the nun for the job. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E6Pq-O0zfY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ANGUS HODGE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ANGUS HODGE HAS PENT UP REGRESSION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Runt - Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I saw an early preview of
this show and it's pretty damn good. Young Master Hodge has developed into a
sterling stand-up and this show has some crackers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0CYHJLd3QU<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CHRIS KNIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">FUNCOMFORTABLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Runt - Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 2 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He is a strange fellow
this Chris Knight chap whose full and manly beard can sometimes make him look
like a Xmas tree decoration of Santa. His brain and his humour weave a
hypnotic, sometimes confusing, but extremely rewarding path paved with comedy
gold. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">LORI BELL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A GOOD RED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Crown & Anchor<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 25 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She's a legend. She wins
awards for doing this stuff. She's my favourite lesbian. Five shows only. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">RUBY WAX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">OUT OF HER MIND<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Deluxe- Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ruby Wax is American but
was part of the 'New Wave' of alternative comedy in 1980's <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>. She has
made great TV, appeared in movies, been a stand-up forever and this is her
first tour of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">WOLF CREEK THE MUSICAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">FORMAT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 4 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There has been several
previews of this show and I missed every single one of them. At one of these
previews the guy who made the real <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Wolf</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Creek</st1:placename></st1:place> movie secretly
turned up and gave them his nod of approval. Great cast, great idea - I will
see this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DAVID QUIRK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">SHAKING HANDS WITH DANGER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room - The Howling Owl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's no secret that I am a
big fan of David Quirk's work. He goes to some seriously dark corners of comedy
but it's always worth the journey. In the guide it says 'a good show by a bad
person'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1LK68AS3Qo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DAVE CAMPBELL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BIPOLAR BEAR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room Beer garden<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 16 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">He dresses like Slash with
ADD and he is a bit of an oddball, but in the best way possible. One of the
stalwarts of Adelaide Comedy who keeps getting better and better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GEORGIE CARROLL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">NURSE CASE SCENARIO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Maid (Stepney)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Feb 28<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With good reason Georgie
Carroll was the recent winner of Adelaide Comedian of the Year and a national
finalist in Raw last year. Her natural stage presence, A1 material and
impeccable timing has fast made her one of the most loved stand-up's in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city>. She is a nurse
so if anybody dies laughing she'll be able to revive them without too much
trouble. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkaCV8qY4Aw<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">FRISKY & MANNISH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Deluxe - The Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Frisky & Mannish are
like a two person comedic Scissor Sisters. It's glitz and glamour and mad
humour, pop music parodies and buckets of fun. Totally pumped to be sharing a
venue with these guys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-15C5WkWOc<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DUNGEON CRAWL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gluttony - Pig Tales<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can't begin to tell you
how excited I am that Dungeon Crawl is coming to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city>. It's a monthly event in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> that see a cast
of comedians improvise their way through a Dungeons & Dragons style story,
but always with a twist. Sometimes it's a musical, sometime Star Wars themed.
The brain child of excellent <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city>
folks Ben and Richard McKenzie Dungeon Crawl will quickly be a word of mouth
smash. Consider this your heads up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7MFJClhl7U<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">LINDSAY WEBB<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CHITTY CHATTY BULLSHIT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room - Howling Owl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The hardest working man in
Ho Ho Business returns to his adoptive second home. Webb is the consummate
stand-up. Lightning quick wit, smart, delightful stage presence, great
material, great face that can deliver a punch line with the rise of a solo
eyebrow. Lindsay always pulls a big crowd in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> and is a firm Fringe Festival - book
early. Mr Webb is also hosting Adelaide Comedies Sunday Sessions at the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Marion</st1:place></st1:city> each Sunday
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GOLDEN PHUNG<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GOLDEN PHUNG SELL OUT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Harrys</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bar</st1:placename></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 20 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fantastic collection of
local talent doing live sketch comedy - It's fast and furious and fucking
funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUL0XbXH_wc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TYFWCAHC9Q<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">EUROWISION ADELAIDE 2013<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gluttony - Pig Tales<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 9 ONLY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It breaks my heart to know
I am going to miss this years EUROWISION as it clashes with my own show.
Comedians from around the world come together to battle it out for the title,
complete with crazy European-ish hosts. Last year was fantastic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DEANNE SMITH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">LETS DO THIS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tuxedo Cat - Cat Bowl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Laser precision comedy
from a smart cookie. She's Canadian. They are like us except they have more
Mooses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvP3JuiYKHo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GORDON SOUTHERN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">THE KERFUFFLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room - Howling Owl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last year the irresistible
Southern thrilled sold out houses with his show A Brief History of History
(which he is also doing two shows only of at Rhino Sat 16 & Sat 23 Feb)
which included some of the some of the most enjoyable stage time of the entire
Fringe. I like him - go see him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onVPaLly5hE
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BRYN ADAMS & DEMI LARDNER <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Runt - Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 2 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Demi Lardner is going to
be a big star. She looks like a 12 year old boy. Her material is sophisticated,
polished and extremely funny and she is a natural on stage. Bryn Adams likewise
is set for a big future is extremely likeable on stage. Both specialize in
wonderful awkwardness and you should while you still can. Opening night sold
out already so get on it!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DAVE CALLAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room Upstairs <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 2 (No Sun/Mon)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of the highlights of
Dave Callans excellent show last year was him perfectly busting out the Single
Ladies dance at the end of each show. The site of the large beardy Irishman
getting all Bootylicious on yo ass was a festival highlight. In his new show he
promises 'A Little Less Conversation' and more utterly hysterical dance moves.
DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW - WILL SELL OUT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SZMvZvrLtI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CELIA PACQUOLA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DELAYED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room Upstairs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Without wanting to sound
too overly dramatic here. This show is NOT TO BE MISSED AT ANY COST! Celia
Pacquola, from <st1:city w:st="on">Melbourne</st1:city> (and part of the
excellent Anarchists Guild sketch comedy group) has been living in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> for the past few years and we are on the
verge of losing her to mother <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>
permanently at any moment. I saw this show at MICF last year after trying to
get tickets eight days in a sold-out row, and finally lucked out with a last
minute cancellation - it is fantastic. A great comedienne, fantastic material,
awesome storyteller, magnificent stage presence. I have a comedy crush. Ten
shows only.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DENISE SCOTT & JUDITH LUCY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">THE SPIRAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Vagabond - The Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 9-11 Three shows only.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Two of the countries best
and legendary stand up's together for the first time. Only three shows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">RANDY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">RANDY IS SOBER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Vagabond - The Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The purple headed one did
one performance of this excellent show last year and those lucky enough to have
caught it raved about it. I was one of them. It's a show about giving up
drinking amongst other things and you'll be amazed at the emotional depth of
what is essentially a glove puppet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCsU4BmFz-U<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">SAMMY J<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">POTENTIALLY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Umbrella Revolution - The Garden of Unearthly
Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The skinny non-puppet one
from Sammy J & Randy also returns with a new solo show. I'm not sure why
the dynamic duo are not doing a show together this year, but solo shows from
each is still a bonus. He released a splendid CD last year and I never leave a
Sammy gig without being astounded how anybody can remember and deliver so many
lyrics in such machine gun perfection. The loveliest many in comedy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfahRnzvrLo&list=PL33303F68D2DC9C6F&index=1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">MARK TRENWITH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">AFTER DARK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room - Howling Owl<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now living in Melbourne
one of Adelaide's favourite comedy sons returns with a show called After Dark
which will start in daylight hours (6:15pm - see even the timing of his show is
funny). He really is a smashing performer - I love his material and I'm really
looking forward to this show.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ARJ BARKER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GO TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 15<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Arj Barker should just
move to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and be done with it. Always fantastic, world standard, brilliantly funny and
unmissable. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">MORGAN & WEST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CLOCKWORK MIRACLES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Le Cascadeur<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One of my absolute
favourite discoveries at last years Fringe were Morgan & West. I'm not
really one for 'magic' shows or the many 'slight of hand' performers that swarm
over the town at this time of year. But after going to see these Victorian (era
not state) raconteurs on a whim last year they were INCREDIBLE. They do things
that are impossible. Things you will not believe and things that do your head
in a bit. Astounding.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">SAM SIMMONS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">SHITTY TRIVIA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Romantiek - Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fresh from the success of
his first TV series 'Problems', the master of the surreal Sam Simmons. Always a
favourite of mine, last show (and inspiration for some of the TV show) was a
10/10 show, with possibly the best pay-off joke of any Fringe show I have ever
seen. He's loud, he's an oddball, he back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">TOM GLEESON<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">HELLO BITCHES!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Umbrella Revolution - Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After many years of doing
shows at the Rhino Tom Gleeson fever went through the roof last year, with a
sold out run and extra shows added all over the joint. This season he's moved
to the Garden and is in the gi-normous Umbrella Revolution for the entire run
of the Fringe. Never fails to deliver a brilliant show (and I'm sure he'll be
turning up at Rhino's late show at some stage).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">JASON PESTELL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">LET'S GO<br />
Rhino Room Upstairs<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's been a big year for
Jason Pestell. He saved a mans life with his iPhone. He faced a comedians worst
nightmare the possible loss of his voice before going under the knife. Now he's
back, with a great new show. He's a lovely man (who is a bit obsessed with U2)
go and see his show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151288000163407<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GRAVITY BOOTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Holden Street Theatre - The Arch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mon 2 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">These newcomers are set to
become huge. Some of the smartest, well written, seriously hilarious comedy for
ages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CHRIS TAYLOR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">THE <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">TAYLOR</st1:place></st1:city>
LECTURE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Paradiso - The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Garden</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Unearthly</st1:placename></st1:place>
delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 9 - Mar 11 (three shows only)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That Chaser boy, Taylor
delivers a lecture on the state of Modern World. Expect feathers to be ruffled.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">HANNAH GADSBY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">HAPPINESS IS A BEDSIDE TABLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Deluxe - The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">garden</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Unearthly
Delights</st1:placename></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hannah Gadsby is right up
there with my favourite comedians from anywhere. A gifted story teller whose
last three shows have all been utterly brilliant. You might have seen her on
the telly, you should go and see her in the really life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwchUNbdW-8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">PAUL McDERMOTT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">PAUL SINGS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Arts Theatre<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 5 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The man, the legend, the
God. I spent many nights engulfed in the bosom of the glory that was the Doug
Anthony All Stars. I loved seeing Gud. Good News Week in all it's permutations
and the Sideshow. And now McDermott (this years Fringe Ambassador) brings his
first solo show to the Arts theatre for ten shows. Welcome back you sexy man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUpioV2I-8U<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">MARCEL LUCONT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GALLIC SYMBOL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tuxedo Cat - Yellow Room<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sadly missed last year,
say Oo La La, at the return of the most fabulous Frenchman you could wish to be
mocked by. Amazing improviser with magic timing. Marcel Lucont is Tres Bon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_8KGSMBnE4<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DAVE THORNTON<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">TALL & POINTY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Le Cascadeur - The Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Another former <st1:city w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:city> boy made good <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thornton</st1:place></st1:city> is now one of the best stand-ups in
the country. Supreme confidence, great material <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">BARRY MORGAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ORGAN IS NOT A DIRTY WORD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Campanile - Garden of Unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love Barry and his organ
and the promise that he will tackle both Lady Gaga and Skyhooks this time round
should really be all I have to say. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DAVE BLOUSTIEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GRAND GUIGNOL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Piglet - Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">also<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">SOCIAL CONTRACT REDUX<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Piglet - Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Popeye<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ex-Adelaide stand-up
Bloustien brings two shows to the Fringe this year and one of them is on the
Popeye - seriously. Grand Guignol is "five rib-tickling tales of terror
told by grotesques in outrageous hats". Social Contract Redux takes place
on our most beloved <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">South Australia</st1:state></st1:place>
vessel - so you don't want to be late for this show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWBBIjim0NU&feature=share<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ABANDOMAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">THE LIFE & RHYMES OF ABANDOMAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Cupola, Garden of unearthly Delights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">improvised comedy rapping
by genius Irishman. Has been described as Flight of the Conchords meets 8 Mile.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">PAUL FOOT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">KENNY LARCH IS DEAD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cinema Nova<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 13 - Mar 17 five shows only<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In a festival where there
are all kinds of weirdos, they all should all bow down and worship their new
weirdo King. Paul Foot's over the top show last year had him doing a pre-amble
explaining what the show would be from behind a curtain for ten minutes and
escalated to him climbing over the audience and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">COMEDY ACTION RANGERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Harrys</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Bar</st1:placename></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> (<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">12 grenfell Street</st1:address></st1:street>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mar 6 - Mar 16<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Four of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city>'s most promising young comedians
bring their absurdist "silly, high and low brow" show to an exciting
new venue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">AMOS GILL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">YOU'VE CHANGED<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhino Room<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Feb 15 - Mar 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amos Gill is one of the
brightest young comedians in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city>.
Narrowly missing the top prize in last year Raw. He has great material and
stage presence. This show is about growing up, which coming from a stand-up
comedian is pretty rich. Really looking forward to this.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'll do a quick round up of stuff other than comedy
in the next day or so but this turned into a bit more of an epic than I had
intended.</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-37933598570926098042012-04-22T09:12:00.001-07:002012-04-22T09:14:05.830-07:00MICHAEL BOLTON Adelaide Thursday 19 April 2012<br />
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<b>MICHAEL <st1:place w:st="on">BOLTON</st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Adelaide Festival Theatre</div>
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Thursday April 19th 2012.</div>
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In the spirit full disclosure it must be said that <b>Michael Bolton </b>and I have had our
issues in the past. When he was super popular in the 1980's and 90's he was the
antithesis of anything I considered good in music. I found him to be pompous,
overblown and over rated and could not for the life of me work out why he was
more popular than <b>The Smiths </b>or <b>Pulp</b>. Then there was an incident I
witnessed when he toured in the 90's and stayed at the same hotel as <b>Depeche Mode</b> involving <b>Dave Gahan</b> having an argument with Bolton
and his minders because MB wouldn't sign a poor lady's programme. And there was
the hair.</div>
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However there have been four things happen since that have
made me put a few ticks in the Yes Bolton column in my ledger of rock. 1) Some
years back I was watching <b>Letterman</b>
and he introduced <b>Luciano Pavarotti </b>and
Michael Bolton duetting on Pav's signature aria <i>Nessun Dorma</i>. This, I thought, should be hilarious. I mean he's
Pavarotti, and Michael Bolton is well...Michael Bolton. <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place>
<i>DESTROYED</i> Pavarotti, simply and
un-arguably sang him under the table. His voice was astounding and the
performance was spellbinding. 2) Last year he showed he had a great sense of
humour by recording the hysterical <i>Jack
Sparrow</i> with the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b>Lonely</b></st1:placename><b> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype></b></st1:place><b> </b>comedy rock band. The video of which
saw him kissing seagulls and being dressed as <b>Johnny Depp, Forrest Gump, Scarface</b>, and most disturbingly <b>Erin Brockovich</b>. 3) <st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place>'s most hirsute band <b>The Beards </b>have a Michael Bolton cover
band side project called <b>Bolty Bolt
& The Bolton</b>'s and watching them I discovered how many of his songs
were in my brain already. And lastly - he cut that hair!</div>
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The Festival Theatre is packed to the brim with Bolt-Heads
(I swear this is what fans are called) and the presence of the excellent <b>Adelaide Symphony Orchestra</b> mean we can
expect a lush sound this evening. As the band and Orchestra vamps on <i>Soul Provider</i>, <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place>
arrives on stage to a rapturous welcome. He is very charismatic and works the
stage. In between songs he fields people yelling out well wishes like a stand
up comedian<i>. "We have people
strategically placed around the auditorium to shout things during the
show."</i> he deadpans. His voice
is absolute dynamite, strong and powerful and perfect for the sort of power
ballads that made him the King of that oeuvre in the 80's. He does a great
version of the <b>Bee Gees</b> <i>To Love Somebody</i>, before doing a
stripped back rendition of his 1993 hit <i>Said
I Loved You..But I Lied</i>. <i>You Don't
Know Me</i> from the <i>Vintage</i> album
has people behind me coo-ing and ahh-ing all the way through. He introduced one
of his many special guests to the stage and it home grown rock guitar chick<b> Orianthi</b>. He name checks her mum and
her dad, her sister, in fact her whole family, which impresses everybody. They
crank up the volume for a smouldering <i>Sweet
Home Chicago</i>, with Michael and Orianthi trading blues licks at the front of
the stage. They are powering along and <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place>'s
saxophone player and backing singer/clarinet/trumpet player are wailing away.
However there is a full horn section sitting at the rear of the stage doing
nothing and it could have been cranked up to a whole new level by utilizing
them. It is often a problem when a 'rock' band does stuff with an orchestra, getting
the balance right. You don't want to over use a symphony orchestra, but the
opposite is also true.</div>
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The band and ASO do <i>They
Can't Take That Away From Me</i> while Michael goes off for a change of
clothing for the Swing section of the show. In 2006 he released the <i>Bolton Swings Sinatra</i> album and his
voice really suits the style. <i>Fly Me To
The Moon</i> is excellent, and he introduces guest vocalist <b>Kelly Levesque</b> to duet on the next few
numbers. A great take of <i>Over The Rainbow</i>
and his massive hit <i>How Am I Supposed to
Live Without You</i> lead to the classic <b>David
Foster</b> song <i>The Prayer</i>. </div>
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He tells a lovely story about working with Luciano Pavarotti
and dedicates <i>Nessun Dorma </i>to <i>"The Greatest Tenor the world has ever
known"</i>. It is a show stopper. His delivery and the grandeur of the
Orchestra is spine-tingling. Incredible. He has probably earned a little break
so he excuses himself while the stunning Ms Levesque does a medley of songs
Michael has hits with for other people. <i>We're
Not Making Love Anymore, I Found Someone</i> and <i>Forever</i> where hits for <b>Barbra
Streisand, <st1:place w:st="on">Cher</st1:place> </b>and <b>Kiss</b> respectively. As a long time Kiss fan I would have preferred <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place> to sing <i>Forever</i>
himself, but it was still pretty great. He returns to the stage to introduce
his saxophone player <b>Michael Lington </b>to
play his top ten jazz hit <i>You and I</i>.
It's pretty good in a 1980's saxophone player way, and I did wonder if there is
a dorm hose in LA somewhere full of tight shiny suit wearing sax men sitting
around waiting for <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place> or <b>Sade</b> to announce a tour.</div>
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The band starts playing When <i>A Man Loves a Woman</i> and Bolton appears out in the crowd belting out
the soul classic only centimetres from the fans, who are all desperately
whipping out their camera phones to snap their hero. Back on stage and straight
into <i>How Can We Be Lovers</i>. Even I
have to grudgingly admit this is a pretty good song, although I'm sure there
would be plenty of chaps willing to explain to Michael exactly how you<b> can</b> actually be lovers without being
friends, but there is no time for that now. He finishes the set with two songs
from 1991 <b>Steel Bars </b>and <b>Time, Love & Tenderness</b>.</div>
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There is little doubt he will return (bit obvious when the
orchestra doesn't budge), and when he does it's to perform an impressive <i>Go The Distance </i>from Disney's animated <i>Hercules</i> movie. They finish with a
powerful version of <b>U2</b>'s anthem <i>Pride (In The Name Love)</i>. Everybody is
back on stage, Orianthi, Kelly and it's sounding great. There are however 60
members of the ASO sitting round doing nothing. While <st1:place w:st="on">Bolton</st1:place>
with his band do sound epic I was longing for the orchestra to kick in and make
it the super epic it could have been. The slight under use of the ASO aside,
Michael Bolton turned on a fantastically entertaining night and truly deserved
the several standing ovations he received throughout the night.</div>
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So I think Mr Bolton and I are all cool now. Unless he
regrow's the mullet again, then we'll have to re-access.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ian Bell </div>
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SET LIST 19 April 2012</div>
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Soul Provider</div>
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To Love Somebody</div>
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I Said I Loved You</div>
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You Don't Know Me</div>
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Sweet Home <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city></div>
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They Can't Take That Away From Me</div>
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Fly Me To The Moon</div>
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That's Life</div>
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To Make You Feel My Love</div>
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Over The Rainbow</div>
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How Am I Supposed to Live Without You</div>
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The Prayer</div>
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Nessun Dorma</div>
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Medley : We're Not Making Love Anymore / I Found Someone /
Forever</div>
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You & I (Michael Lington)</div>
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When A Man Loves A Woman</div>
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How Can We Be Lovers</div>
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Steel Bars</div>
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Time Love & Tenderness</div>
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<br /></div>
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Go The Distance</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcdhBuBIxa8/T5QtahOhaBI/AAAAAAAAAYU/negnXyiRIac/s1600/bolton-snl_320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcdhBuBIxa8/T5QtahOhaBI/AAAAAAAAAYU/negnXyiRIac/s1600/bolton-snl_320.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pride (In The Name of Love)</div>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-32929567001672894882012-03-30T11:09:00.003-07:002012-03-30T11:34:09.410-07:00BRIAN SETZERS ROCKABILLY RIOT<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbmL3UpGWNo/T3X3TFQKI_I/AAAAAAAAAXE/fiXiZJwZuUc/s1600/setzer%2B016.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbmL3UpGWNo/T3X3TFQKI_I/AAAAAAAAAXE/fiXiZJwZuUc/s400/setzer%2B016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725754408470979570" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6n2vNPTtow/T3X3S_e7uSI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3-3pXSkx_hc/s1600/setzer%2B017.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6n2vNPTtow/T3X3S_e7uSI/AAAAAAAAAW4/3-3pXSkx_hc/s400/setzer%2B017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725754406922336546" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PEyVj2mKxOY/T3X3SFNB7EI/AAAAAAAAAWw/YosPdTCwcxQ/s1600/setzer%2B011.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PEyVj2mKxOY/T3X3SFNB7EI/AAAAAAAAAWw/YosPdTCwcxQ/s400/setzer%2B011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725754391277988930" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdQnCWd9xTE/T3X3R_BmCsI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ouI-2Zp0hkw/s1600/setzer%2B017.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdQnCWd9xTE/T3X3R_BmCsI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ouI-2Zp0hkw/s400/setzer%2B017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725754389619411650" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqhQmEyRI1A/T3X3RrV2QaI/AAAAAAAAAWY/kuTM1QE6aY4/s1600/setzer%2B019.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqhQmEyRI1A/T3X3RrV2QaI/AAAAAAAAAWY/kuTM1QE6aY4/s400/setzer%2B019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725754384335651234" /></a><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b>BRIAN SETZERS ROCKABILLY RIOT</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><b>LANIE LANE</b></st1:address></st1:street></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; ">Thebarton Theatre</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; ">Mon 26 March 2012</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Bowling shirts and greased up hair, 50's pin-up girls are all over Thebby and ready to rock'n'roll, with the head</span><b> Stray Cat Mr Brian Setzer and his Rockabilly Rio</b>t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><st1:country-region st="on" style="font-weight: normal; "><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s own cool rockin' sweetheart <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Miss<b> Lanie Lane</b></st1:address></st1:street> kicked thing off in fine form, and it seems like only five minutes ago she was playing the Glenelg Surf club, and now she is kickin' ass all over the Thebby stage. I won't go through a blow by blow of her set tonight, but I will say she was great, she's playing The Gov on May 11th and you should go and see her then, I'll see you there.<span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><b style="font-style: normal; ">Brian Setzer</b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "> is one cool cat. He dresses great (green brothel creepers - hellyeah), his hair is great, he sings great, he is an incredible guitar player AND he is hell of a showman. He takes the stage with </span><b style="font-style: normal; ">Johhny Hatton</b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "> on bass and</span><b style="font-style: normal; "> Noah Levy</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> on drums and they rip into <i>Ignition</i> from his short lived outfit </span><b>68 Comeback Special</b>, but from the first note - <i><b>IT'S ON DADDY-O</b></i>. Levy is swinging on his kit, and looks like classic 50's nerd kid who just got hip. Hatton (who has previously played with both <b>Elvis Presley</b> and <b>Bob Dylan</b>) has a huge quiff which is fluro green and is slapping the be-jesus out of his upright bass. They bang through songs from many of Setzers solo albums and a bunch of tunes from his <b>Brian Setzer Orchestra</b> too. Joined for some numbers by boogie woogie piano player <b>Kevin McKendree</b>, they do a killer version of <b>Johnny Cash</b>'s <i>Folsom Prison Blues</i> and finish the first part of the show with two tracks form his latest (and first completely instrumental) album. <i>Pickpocket</i> is excellent, but his blistering version of <i>Blue Moon of Kentucky</i> is totally mind-blowing. Johnny and Noah leave the stage and the stage is reset.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Brian introduces <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Melbourne</st1:place></st1:city> boy </span><b>Chris D'Rozario</b> on (green fluro flamed) double bass and original <b>Stray Cats</b> drummer <b>Slim Jim Phantom</b> and the crowd goes bananas. No surprises then when they tear into </span><i>Rumble In Brighton</i> from the first Cats album in 1981. Setzer is all over the stage, D'Rozario is flinging his green flame bass around like it's a toy and Slim Jim is playing like a freight train. When they start <i>Runaway Boys</i> I thought the roof was going to cave in, everybody singing and dancing. There's some teasing with the intro to <i>She's Sexy & 17</i>, before we're of again. <i>Stray Cat Strut</i> slows the pace but not the pulses and shows Setzers dexterity on the fret board.<i> Cry Baby </i>from the 1992 <i><b>Choo Choo Hot Fish</b></i> is a nice surprise for the die-hards. At some point both double bass players are on stage together having a bass off. What could be better than that? How about Setzer appearing with a third double bass and turning it into a three way battle! They finish the set with <i>Fishnet Stockings</i> also from the first Cats album.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">They </span><b><i>all</i></b> return for an explosive <i>Rock This Town</i> and finish up with an incredible finale of rockabilly classic <i>Seven Nights to Rock</i>. Such a cool night - if you get a chance to see these guys in the Eastern states <b>GO MAN GO!</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; ">Word and Photos - Ian Bell</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b>Brian Setzer Rockabilly Riot</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b>Adelaide Set(zer) List 26 March 2012 </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Ignition (Ignition 2001)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>48 mercury Blues (VaVoom 2000)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof (The Dirty Boogie 1998)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Drive Like Lightning (VaVoom 2000)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>8 Track (Ignition 2001)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Slow Down (Rockabilly Riot 2005)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Folsom City Blues (Johnny Cash cover)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Put on Your Cat Clothes (Red Hot & Live 2007)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Blue Moon of <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Kentucky</st1:state></st1:place> (Setzer Goes Instru-MENTAL 2011)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Pick Pocket (Setzer Goes Instru-MENTAL 2011)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Rumble in <st1:place st="on">Brighton</st1:place> (Stray Cats - Stray Cats 1981)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Runaway Boys (Stray Cats - Stray Cats 1981)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Sexy & 17 (Stray Cats Rant'n'Rave 1983)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Stray Cat Strut (Stray Cats - Stray Cats 1981)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Cry Baby (Stray Cats - Choo Choo Hot Fish 1992</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Red Hot (Rockabilly Riot 2005)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Fishnet Stockings (Stray Cats - Stray Cats 1981)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Rock This Town (Stray Cats - Stray Cats 1981)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><i>Seven Nights to Rock (Moon Mullican cover)</i></p><br /></div>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-1554272474032283452012-03-29T23:35:00.002-07:002012-03-30T08:31:13.834-07:00FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS Adelaide Mar 28 2012<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv7BgP8Ao44/T3VUtkUJsTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/WnuPKUThC-I/s1600/valli004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv7BgP8Ao44/T3VUtkUJsTI/AAAAAAAAAWE/WnuPKUThC-I/s400/valli004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725575643090497842" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3yFhAusKA0/T3VUtU8YUfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/YC3ZnOiPR-U/s1600/valli003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3yFhAusKA0/T3VUtU8YUfI/AAAAAAAAAV8/YC3ZnOiPR-U/s400/valli003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725575638964261362" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4nPqAAMtAg/T3VUsC1SswI/AAAAAAAAAVw/KD1klVwYhnQ/s1600/valli002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 199px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g4nPqAAMtAg/T3VUsC1SswI/AAAAAAAAAVw/KD1klVwYhnQ/s400/valli002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725575616922825474" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EW323V_jA-s/T3VUryDL0cI/AAAAAAAAAVk/OqDJ9p4m3uQ/s1600/valli001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EW323V_jA-s/T3VUryDL0cI/AAAAAAAAAVk/OqDJ9p4m3uQ/s400/valli001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725575612417692098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b>FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Adelaide</st1:city></st1:place> Entertainment Centre</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Tues 28 March 2012</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The last time <b>Frankie Valli</b> was in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Adelaide</st1:city></st1:place> was 1979, that's a long time between drinks and last night his South Australian fans were thirsty for the original Jersey Boy. Possessing one of the most unique falsetto voices in music history Frankie Valli was an American Italian kid, who had a massive string of 39 Top 40 Hits spanning the 1960's through the 1980's. Many of those songs still turn up in movie soundtracks and so forth a full 50 years after first being hits. In recent years massive new interest has been generated in Valli's music via the massive success of the <b><i>Jersey Boys</i></b> stage musical. So there are several generations of fans at the Entertainment Centre this evening and a lot of great songs to get through.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It's a big band, many of which have been with Valli for decades with a great all-Adelaide horn section (hats off guys, great job). I'm not quite sure why it was billed as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons though. There are four young singer/dancers providing the harmonies and the choreography, but none of them old enough to be members of any of the classic line-up's of the actual Four Seasons. In fact, they were much more 'Jersey Boys' musical theatre than Seasons, to the point where I found their enthusiastic twirling a little distracting at times. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">They open with <i>The Night</i> with the local brass section earning their pay packet right up front. <i>Dawn (Go Away)</i> is next and their are chills up our collective spines as those glorious layered harmonies wash over us. However it certainly does appear that while Mr Valli is still quite the showman, both he and his backing singers have more than a little vocal help via what I like to call the Morning Television effect. You know on <i>The Circle</i> when they have a guest chef on and he's saying you have to cook the flan for 45 minutes, BUT here's one I prepared earlier? It's like that except instead of a flan it is a note perfect vocal track. A few songs in it becomes obvious that not everything coming out of the speakers is coming out of the mouths on the stage live. This is very common place these days and major acts, especially those either doing lots of dancing (i.e. <b>Madonna, Janet Jackson</b>, etc) or older performers who at 60 or 70 don't have the puff to put on the same show they once did, will often have a little help (and sometimes a lot) on the tape. This is always a controversial thing to say, because the people who went and had a great time feel like you're telling them Santa Claus isn't real or something. I don't think in the scheme of thing anybody in attendance tonight was that bothered one way or the other, but it needed to be mentioned. It's also important to say this was not the case for the entire performance, as something's were absolutely sung live.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i>Opus 17, Working My Way Back To You</i> and their classic take of <i>I've Got You Under My Skin</i> (dedicated to Frank Sinatra) have people chair dancing enthusiastically. The run of hits continues with <i>Save it for Me</i> and the excellent <i>Beggin'.</i> Frankie sits on a stool for one of my favourite solo Valli numbers <i>My Eyes Adored You</i> from 1975 (I think I had it on the Ripper compilation album!). <i>Swearing to God</i> from the same year, is the first of his disco flavoured hits. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There is a section of songs from his latest album <b><i>Romancing the 60's</i></b> (which actually came out in 2007), where he covered a bunch of classic 60's tunes by <b>Petula Clarke, Ben E King, Everly Brothers</b> and the <b>Temptations</b>, but gave them a terrific 4 Seasons make over. So we get <i>Call Me, Let it Be Me, Spanish <st1:place st="on">Harlem</st1:place> </i>and a great medley of <i>My Girl </i>and <i>Groovin'</i>. But time's getting on and there are a lot of his own hits to get to yet. And the rest of the set is 100% solid gold classics. <i>Silence is Golden, Grease, Who Loves You</i>. A mass sing-a-long on <i>December 1963 (Oh What a Night) </i>is fantastic fun, and with the four singers and Valli all taking turns at lead vocals proof that some bits of the performance are live. After introducing the band the room is full of sighs as he starts<i> Can't Take My Eyes Off You</i>. How many countless people have I seen dance to this song at their weddings? And that is the real point of tonight, wether or not everything is live or not, these songs have been an important part of the soundtrack of peoples lives for FIVE decades, and we are all thrilled to be in same room as the guy who made these songs so important to us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Surely that must be all the hits? No way Jose. <i>Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don't Cry</i> and <i>Bye Bye Baby </i>round out the evening. He returns for <i>Rag Doll </i>and it's during the last song <i>Let's Hang On</i> that there can be no doubt he has some vocal help. Bent over signing autographs and shaking hands for most of the song, his voice doesn't falter at all. And I doubt that not one of the dozens of people who rushed to the front to shake this legends hand cared a jot.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Ian Bell </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The Night</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Dawn (Go Away)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Opus 17 (Don't Worry About Me)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Working My Way Back to You</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">I've Got You Under My Skin</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Save It For Me</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Beggin'</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">My Eyes Adored You</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Swearing to God</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Call Me<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Let It Be Me<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Spanish <st1:place st="on">Harlem</st1:place><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">My Girl / Groovin'<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Silence is Golden</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Grease</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Who Loves You</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">December '63 (Oh What a Night)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Band Intro's</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Can't Take My Eyes off You</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sherry</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Walk Like a Man</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Big Girls Don't Cry</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Bye Bye Baby</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Rag Doll</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Let's Hang On </p><br /></div>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-60983009072336406592012-03-28T22:08:00.004-07:002014-02-26T18:54:01.702-08:00DURAN DURAN Adelaide Tues Mar 20 2012<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5e9w98IUlLk/T3PvlziqJuI/AAAAAAAAAVY/5KbZC_Wauec/s1600/duran001.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5e9w98IUlLk/T3PvlziqJuI/AAAAAAAAAVY/5KbZC_Wauec/s400/duran001.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725182984087807714" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<b>DURAN DURAN<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Adelaide</st1:city></st1:place> Entertainment Centre</div>
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Tuesday March 20 2012</div>
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As you get older there are some things that just don't seem possible. One of those things for me this week was realizing that the first time I went to a <b>Duran Duran</b> concert was almost exactly THIRTY YEARS AGO!</div>
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Music from the 1980's, especially pop music, is often derided and ridiculed as being all style over substance and has been referred to as "the decade that taste forgot". And whilst I do concede that the era was a whirl of MTV videos, massive hair, shoulder pads, three quarter length coats and hyper colour t-shirts, the Eighties produced some of the best pop music and best pop stars ever. After the grim and gritty days of pub rock/punk rock/West Coast in the 1970's the video assisted, impossibly glamorous glory days of the New Romantics were fantastically exciting time to be a pop music fan. The charts were full of amazing peacocks like <b>Boy George, <st1:place st="on">Spandau</st1:place> Ballet, Pseudo Echo, Adam & The Ants, Toyah, Kate Bush, Prince</b> and standing above them all in their tailored Anthony Price suits, was the mighty <b>Duran Duran</b>. They looked great, sounded great, acted like they were <b>Bowie, Roxy Music</b> and <b>Hugh Hefner</b> all rolled into one. In this country especially we took to them with great enthusiasm and they were all over our charts way before much of the rest of the world caught on. The first tours in 1982 and 83 were crazy and it took over 20 years for them to get back but this is their third tour in the last ten years.</div>
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The audience is absolutely buzzing before the guys hit the stage. There are reunions and catch ups with old Durannies, friends and fans. I bumping into people I haven't seen for decades and it's great fun. But the support DJ's are drawing to a merciful end and we take our places.</div>
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Out of the darkness they appear; <b>Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor</b> and <b>Simon Le Bon</b> (guitarist <b>Andy Taylor</b> left years ago) and they launch into <i>Before The Rain</i> from their latest album <b><i>All You Need Is Now</i></b>. It's a bit of an odd choice because it's a little slow and most people don't know it, but we're getting by on adrenaline<i>. Planet Earth</i> sends the place into near hysteria. Everybody is on their feet, everybody is dancing and everybody is yelling <i>"Ba Ba Ba Baba Ba Ba Ba THIS IS PLANET EARTH"</i>. Their Bond theme <i>A View to a Kill</i> starts and everyone around me is smiling their heads off. They do quite a lot of tracks from the most recent album including the title track and there is some awkward robotic dad dancing from Simon during <i>Blame the Machines</i>. Fortunately the new album is pretty damn good, even if many in the audience haven't heard it yet. Simon heads into the pit to find a bloke to help start the next song. He finds 80's Superfan <b>Aaron Crocker</b>, a life long Duran fan. He gets to sing the introduction to <i>The Reflex</i> with one of his favourite bands, it was a highlight for everybody.</div>
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Next is <i>Come Undone</i> from 1993 is awesome, and one of the songs that saw them make a comeback of sorts and win a legion of new fans. Back to the present for <i>Safe (In the Heat of the Moment)</i> before returning to 1983 for <i>Is There Something I Should Know?</i> and the dancing has cranked back up and there's more singing. My favourite of the new songs <i>Girl Panic</i> is actually a terrific pop song and catchy as anything, people are singing along by the first chorus. However <i>The Man Who Stole a Leopard</i> which may have been the one song too many from the new one (six in all). It is always a hard balance when a band has been around this long. They want to play new songs, we all want to hear the old ones. <i>The Man Who Stole a Leopard</i> is based on a true story that they saw on a TV news item, which they incorporate into the songs closing. It's a hit heavy race to the finish line from here on out. <i>Notorious</i> is excellent. I love that they still insist on doing their cover of <b>Grandmaster Melle Mel</b>'s <i>White Lines</i> from their much mocked covers album Thank You. Released in 1995 it contained covers of some of their favourite songs and whilst much of it was great it was critically savaged with Q Magazine naming it as the worst album ever. Clearly that isn't true, as that title must go to any (or all) albums by <b>Nickleback</b>. So that Duran still play <i>White Lines</i>, just because they like playing it, is marvellous.</div>
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There is a massive treat for older fans when they play the instrumental <i>Tiger Tiger</i> from their <b><i>Seven & The Ragged Tiger</i></b> album. They used to use it as their play on music, but this tour is the first time they've played it live. The other hit from 1993 <i>Ordinary World </i>is dedicated to the people of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Somalia</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and one of their greatest songs.</div>
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Truth be told Le Bon has seemed a little tired for the first half of the show and it has taken a little while for him to 'vibe up'. But by now he is having a great time, dancing and smiling through every song. <i>Hungry Like The Wolf </i>is as electrifying as it was 30 years ago and the band is sounding great. Apart from the four original members there is some assistance from guitarist <b>Dom Brown</b>, percussionist/keyboard/sax guy <b>Simon Willescroft</b> and additional vocals from <b>Anna Ross</b>. <i>Reach Up For The Sunrise </i>is anthemic and everybody has their hands up in the air. The set closer is <i>The Wild Boys </i>from 1984. It's a huge song made even huger by them mashing it up with <b>Frankie Goes To Hollywoods</b> <i>Relax</i>. It's a perfect match!</div>
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They are not done yet of course. They return for an extended 'nite version' of <i>Girls on Film</i> which was mind blowing and they finish up with the equally thrilling <st1:place st="on"><i>Rio</i></st1:place>.</div>
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There was a bunch of hits they didn't do (<i>Careless Memories, My <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Own Way</st1:address></st1:street>, Save a Prayer, <st1:place st="on">Union</st1:place> of the Snake, New Moon on Monday</i>) but they more than thrilled everybody with the set list tonight. Duran Duran were and remain a fantastic band.</div>
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Ian Bell</div>
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Duran Duran set list</div>
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Before The Rain</div>
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Planet Earth</div>
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A View To A Kill</div>
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All You Need Is Now</div>
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Blame The Machines</div>
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The Reflex</div>
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Come Undone</div>
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Safe (In the Heat of the Moment)</div>
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Is There Something I Should Know?</div>
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Girl Panic!</div>
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The Man Who Stole a Leopard</div>
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Notorious</div>
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White Lines (Don't Do It)</div>
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Tiger Tiger</div>
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Ordinary World</div>
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Hungry Like The Wolf</div>
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(Reach up for the) <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sunrise</st1:place></st1:city></div>
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The Wild Boys / Relax</div>
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Girls on Film</div>
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<st1:place st="on">Rio</st1:place></div>
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DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-76904874985035454982012-03-28T08:13:00.003-07:002012-03-28T18:48:48.812-07:00NICK LOWE Adelaide 2012<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2uvm6el7w/T3O3qdi_bFI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7yvbS1cn4xA/s1600/NICK10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2uvm6el7w/T3O3qdi_bFI/AAAAAAAAAUY/7yvbS1cn4xA/s400/NICK10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725121491431812178" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EYw37IRzoI/T3O3pwRadfI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/FsVzUDOLXmE/s1600/NICK07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EYw37IRzoI/T3O3pwRadfI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/FsVzUDOLXmE/s400/NICK07.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725121479278491122" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTmv0LK4lU/T3O3plxlVFI/AAAAAAAAAUA/X3PZgOS9_mU/s1600/NICK03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTmv0LK4lU/T3O3plxlVFI/AAAAAAAAAUA/X3PZgOS9_mU/s400/NICK03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725121476460631122" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98mwupeU76I/T3O3pYlzRQI/AAAAAAAAAT0/4dHz7WkcAzk/s1600/NICK01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98mwupeU76I/T3O3pYlzRQI/AAAAAAAAAT0/4dHz7WkcAzk/s400/NICK01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725121472921552130" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoFt8bOFTww/T3O3pQ7WOQI/AAAAAAAAATs/_fg3l8qIrs0/s1600/NICK02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoFt8bOFTww/T3O3pQ7WOQI/AAAAAAAAATs/_fg3l8qIrs0/s400/NICK02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725121470864439554" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>NICK LOWE<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Norwood Concert Hall</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Saturday 24 March 2012</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was an intimate (that means quite small) but enthusiastic (that means enthusiastic) audience gathered at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Town Hall</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Norwood</st1:placename></st1:place>, to see and hear <b>Mr Nick Lowe</b>, one of the great English singer/songwriters of the last thirty years. Sure he may not be a household name, but he flippin' well should be. He started his career as part of pub rockers <b>Brinsley Schwartz</b> in the mid seventies. He was the first act signed to legendary punk label <b>Stiff Records</b>, and as their in-house producer was responsible for the sound of classic records by <b>Elvis Costello</b> and the first punk single <i>New Rose</i> by <b>The Damned</b>. As a songwriter he has written a bunch of all time classics including <i>I Knew The Bride, What's So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding, Cruel to be Kind</i> and <i>All Men Are Liars</i>. <b>Johnny Cash</b> was once his father in law. In short Nick Lowe is a pretty cool dude! In recent years Nick continues to produce incredible, if 'humbly' selling, albums full of songs of great warmth, depth and verve. His workmanlike attitude seems to be, if the radio doesn't play your songs, and your not on the telly that much, you have to take your music to the people and hit the road in all directions possible. Fortunate for us.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The evening opens with Lowe's touring keyboard player <b>Geraint Watkins</b> as support. "We can't afford a support band," says at one point. After we laugh he continues "..you may well laugh!", he says referring to the size of the crowd. Most people tonight haven't heard Geraint sing before, but his combination of jazz, boogie, old school rhythm & blues and Cajun and a voice like smooth gravel will mean there will be a bunch of us searching out his CD's. The entire audience is eating from the palm of his hand less then half way into his set.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a short break Nick Lowe arrives and treats us to a couple of acoustic solo numbers <i>Stoplight Roses</i>, from his latest album <i>The Old Magic</i> and his classic <i>Heart</i> from <i>Nick The Knife</i> from 1982. Right from the start it is obvious this is going to be a special night. These days it is extremely rare to see a singer so aware of his own voice, that he allows it to do all the heart work on it's own merits, without straining and having too many effects or sledge-hammering an audience with volume. His voice is rich and textured and put simply, he is a fantastic singer. Somebody yells out "Happy Birthday Nick" as it is his 64th birthday, when we attempt a quick audience version of Happy Birthday to You, Nick is quick to good naturedly wave it away. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As his band joins him on the stage he tells us he has a new album out. "I know what you're thinking, why do they do it? You come along to hear the songs you know and they play a bunch of new songs. Well let me assure you these songs have been tested by experts and they are really very good and will blend seamlessly in with the songs you may already know." Nick Lowe wouldn't lie to us. All the new songs really are 'really very good' and apart from being a great singer and raconteur, Lowe is an incredibly underrated songwriter. Yes people know his best known songs, but almost every song he performs tonight is classic A Grade material. You could be forgiven for believing they were written by <b>Bacharach & David, Leiber & Stoller, Ellie Greenwich</b> or a team in the Brill building. He tells stories of love and loss, heartbreak and hurt and delivers them with a melancholia, poison or joy depending on what song it is.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So the set is peppered with old favourites like <i>Raging Eyes</i> and <i>Cruel To Be Kind</i>, but many of tonight's high points come from newer songs. <i>I Live On A Battlefield, I Read a <st1:place st="on">Lot</st1:place></i> and <i>House for Sale</i> are all crushing tales of lost love. But then there's beautiful and touching songs like the excellent <i>Somebody Cares For Me</i>, shows Nick is not all about the heartache and pain. He pulls out a sterling version of <i>Tower of Strength</i> the 1961 hit for <b>Gene MacDaniels</b> (in the <st1:country-region st="on">USA</st1:country-region>) and <b>Frankie Vaughan</b> (in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>). It is so surprising and joyous it takes us off guard. The set finishes with a great slowed down version of <i>I Knew The Bride When She Used to Rock'n'Roll. </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nick returns with Geraint to do one of Geraint's own songs <i>Only A Rose</i>. A toe-tapping version of <i>When I Write The Book</i>, is followed by his best known song <i>What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love & Understanding</i>. Written by Nick when he was only nineteen, made popular by his long time buddy Elvis Costello, it is the most intelligent non-hippy, anti-war song in pop music history. Hearing one of my all time favourite songs performed by it's original voice, is a treat indeed. The encore concludes with <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><i>Tokyo</i></st1:placename><i> <st1:placetype st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></i></st1:place>. Nick returns with an acoustic guitar and plays a dazzling version of Costello's <i>Alison</i> before bidding us a fond fair well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shortly after the lights go up a group of people hoping to say hello are ushered backstage, where Basher (as he is affectionately known) signed albums, posed for photographs and shared his birthday cake with the die-hards. A lovely end to a lovely gig.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 100%; ">words & photos : Ian Bell</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Stoplight Roses (solo acoustic)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Heart (solo acoustic)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What Lack of Love Has Done</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Raging Eyes</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lately I've Been Letting Things Slide</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Has She Got a Friend</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I Trained Her To Love Me</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I Live on a Battlefield</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I Read a <st1:place st="on">Lot</st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cruel to be Kind</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Raining</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sensitive Man</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Somebody Cares For Me</p> <p class="MsoNormal">House for <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sale</st1:place></st1:city></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Strength</st1:placename></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Without Love</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I Knew The Bride</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Only a Rose</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I Write The Book</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Peace Love and Understanding</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Tokyo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alison (solo acoustic)</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-73911774210740531382012-03-14T10:35:00.002-07:002012-03-14T10:40:32.870-07:00AXIS OF AWESOME - WORLD TOUR 2006<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnhTAN8dTB4/T2DYB5EsEoI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Mqpb16fXBEQ/s1600/Axis%2Bof%2BAwesome%2BWorld%2BTour%2B2006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnhTAN8dTB4/T2DYB5EsEoI/AAAAAAAAAS8/Mqpb16fXBEQ/s400/Axis%2Bof%2BAwesome%2BWorld%2BTour%2B2006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719809053772485250" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>AXIS OF AWESOME</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>WORLD TOUR </b><b style="font-size: 100%; ">2006 </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">The Vagabond</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Garden of Unearthly Delights</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">7pm til March 18</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">It's been a crazy twelve months for the boys from AOA. Formed in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city> and now based in LA and touring the world. Their YouTube video for their medley of four chord songs was seen by over 30 million people. Some, but not all, of those 30 million people are in a big tent in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Garden</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Unearthly Delights</st1:placename></st1:place> tonight. When you enter the Vanguard to see </span><b style="font-style: normal; ">Axis of Awesome</b> the stage is dominated by three huge banners of <st1:place st="on" style="font-style: normal; "><b><st1:city st="on">Lee</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region></b></st1:place> and...the kid from Jerry Maguire. It is the first of many jibes at <b style="font-style: normal; ">Benny's</b> diminutive size. The show's title <i>World Tour 2006</i>, is a sneaky nod to the fact that it is a 'best of' show of their last three Fringe shows. Partially one suspects because their audience has grown so quickly many here tonight haven't seen this stuff yet, and those that have are happy to revisit favourites. So favourites like <i>Bird Plane</i> and <i>Can You Hear The Fuckin' Music Comin' Out of my Car</i> are mixed with new songs far too funny for me to spoil the jokes of. Needless to say there is an epic song about a bespectacled wizard and another about an inflatable man. Four songs is here too and <st1:country-region st="on" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region>, Lee and Chicken Little are an Axis of actual Awesome which you should get to anyway you can.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-58593566684543239712012-03-14T10:33:00.001-07:002012-03-14T10:34:45.919-07:00LINDSAY WEBB - HUMANITY<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscYHi9e6y4/T2DWr2wP9TI/AAAAAAAAASw/q9kYA6RniGk/s1600/1fplindsay.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rscYHi9e6y4/T2DWr2wP9TI/AAAAAAAAASw/q9kYA6RniGk/s400/1fplindsay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719807575681135922" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lindsay Webb</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Humanity</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Rhino Room</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">til March 18th</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal; ">I see a lot of stand up comedy. A lot. Much of it is okay to very good, much of it is patchy, with good bits and not so good bits. Every now and again you come across a stand up who is head and shoulders above the pack. A comedian who is in complete control of his material and his audience, who interacts with people and takes the show in unexpected directions and is consistently funny for their whole set. A comedian who writes great gags, who is extremely likeable on stage and who can break up an entire room with a single facial gesture or even a pause. A comedian who is at the very top of their game. </span><b>Lindsay Webb</b> is such a comedian. This <st1:place st="on" style="font-weight: normal; "><st1:city st="on">Brisbane</st1:city></st1:place> comedian is nothing short of a complete pleasure from start to finish. He has great jokes that catch you off guard. Great timing and the fact that something like 14 Fringe judges came to see his show (the average is four) means he is a good contender to be walking away with some of this years Fringe Awards. If you can still get tickets you'll be glad you did!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell </p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-25542761972128789602012-03-14T10:28:00.002-07:002012-03-14T10:33:12.154-07:00ANDREW O'NEILL - ALTERNATIVE<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPGZv1aSi3g/T2DWUqeAs1I/AAAAAAAAASk/cLNwToqrhXo/s1600/1fpandrewoneil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPGZv1aSi3g/T2DWUqeAs1I/AAAAAAAAASk/cLNwToqrhXo/s400/1fpandrewoneil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719807177246421842" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>ANDREW O'NEILL</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Alternative</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Rhino Room</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">til March 18th</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">It's a bit hard to explain <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> comedian </span><b style="font-style: normal; ">Andrew O'Neill</b> to the uninitiated. Well he's a comedian. He's really funny but loves death/black metal. Oh yeah and he's a transvestite. None of these things should stop you going to see <i>Alternative</i>. Absolutely the best thing I've seen him do, and I've liked everything I've seen him do. He takes the piss out of himself and various other subcultures ("Some fat girls got cold legs tonight by the look of these red velvet curtains"). He sings weird little songs, tells great stories and even when the show hits an awkward bump in the middle, his recovery is so professional and charming that no harm is done. The bump? He asks somebody to turn their bright phone off and they reply "I'm recording". O'Neill replies "That is the worst possible thing you could have said" and is astounded as the rest of us that he then has to explain why it not alright to record his work without his permission. HE bounces back stronger than ever. Last years show has some bits that were a little too dark for some people, but this year Andrew O'Neill, black metal tranny stand up has well and truly nailed it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-20282349083386630432012-03-14T10:24:00.003-07:002012-03-14T10:28:11.983-07:00PAUL FOOT - STILL LIFE<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBIHRgHCX_c/T2DVHQf43YI/AAAAAAAAASY/4uNnn-fpWvQ/s1600/PaulFootWeb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBIHRgHCX_c/T2DVHQf43YI/AAAAAAAAASY/4uNnn-fpWvQ/s400/PaulFootWeb.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719805847425047938" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>PAUL FOOT</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Still Life</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Cinema Nova (early) / Umbrella Revolution (late)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">til March 18</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal; ">His last show was produced by</span><b> Noel Fielding</b> from<b> The Mighty Boosh</b>. It's worth mentioning because he shares some of the same absurdist humour as The Boosh. The lights go down and <b>Paul Foot </b>starts the off stage announcement, but it goes so well that he seems reluctant to start the actual show. He spends five minutes out of sight debating with himself wether people would prefer to enjoy a continuing off stage announcement instead of his actual show. When he does appear it's not on the stage but in the audience who he proceeds to get close up and personal with whilst animatedly discussing the pros and cons of celebrity cockerel sanctuaries and giving us a run down of how the show will run, once he starts it. I was in stitches for most of the night, but it wasn't for everybody and there were a few walk outs. But those that stayed absolutely loved it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-76998255752843081742012-03-09T08:40:00.001-08:002012-03-09T08:43:10.564-08:00JAMES McCANN AWAITING MY MOUSTACHE<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo-_0Vr86cE/T1oyyBnQy_I/AAAAAAAAASM/_J1AZ4JEv2A/s1600/1fpjamesmcannawaitingmyposter.jpg" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qo-_0Vr86cE/T1oyyBnQy_I/AAAAAAAAASM/_J1AZ4JEv2A/s400/1fpjamesmcannawaitingmyposter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717938511908228082" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>JAMES McCANN</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>AWAITING MY MOUSTACHE</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Funny Pork</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Gluttony</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">8pm til March 10th</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Playing your Fringe show in a tent (in this case Funny Pork) in a noisy garden venue (in this case Gluttony) can pose some problems for the most seasoned of Fringe veterans. Extraneous noise from show rides, vendors flogging hot dogs, even bleed form other shows in progress.</span><b style="font-style: normal; "> James McCann</b> is one of my favourites of the new wave of <st1:city st="on" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><st1:place st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> comedians who I suspect will have a long and interesting career in the comedic world. <i>Awaiting My Moustache</i> is his first Fringe show and he's off to a really strong start. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It's a brave move to start your show by announcing it has been cancelled and is being replaced by an Avant-Garde theatre piece. It is of course James, who makes an unusual entrance, before 'revealing' it was him all along! His material is smart and his on stage boy/man personae extremely likeable. He has extremely funny material about the <st1:street st="on" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><st1:address st="on">Rundle Mall street</st1:address></st1:street> preachers, being a student, growing up and interactions with the opposite sex. He does seem to lose his in the middle, with the aforementioned outside noise a clear distraction derailing his narrative briefly. But it is only this same noise that provides him with his best ad lib of the night when he pauses for a second, a disembodied voice from another tent declares clearly <i>"He's a lovely little performer"</i>, James nods in the direction of the voice and says <i>"Thank you very much!"</i>. The voice was correct by the way. Not much of his season left, so bump him up your list of shows to see.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p></div>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-16165674718821075692012-03-05T22:33:00.002-08:002012-03-05T22:43:15.915-08:00CHRIS KNIGHT'S ODD FUSION WOLF BEARD GIVE THEM SNACKS<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxKL18nJ8D0/T1Wx74s4_6I/AAAAAAAAASA/XYFHQGYy-9U/s1600/1fpchrisknight.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxKL18nJ8D0/T1Wx74s4_6I/AAAAAAAAASA/XYFHQGYy-9U/s400/1fpchrisknight.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716670944407781282" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>CHRIS KNIGHT</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>CHRIS KNIGHT'S ODD FUSION WOLF BEARD GIVE THEM SNACKS</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Crown & Anchor</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Wed - Sat, 6pm til Mar 10</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Yes it's an odd kind title for a show but he's an odd kind of fellow. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> stand-up</span><b> Chris Knight</b> has an utterly charming way about him and a full an impressive beard. He also has a lot of strange ideas which he shares with the audience through solid material, reviews of fringe shows that don't exist, pop culture references, a love of lists and some thoroughly endearing dance moves. It is his first solo Fringe show and a couple of minor opening night tech issues aside, Knight has a really interesting and hugely funny show, not to mention some fantastic haiku's. The show's title is explained and there are actually yummy snacks for audience members at the end. Odd Fusion = Lovely show.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">The spruced up Cranker has new stage curtains a lick of paint (and has possibly been disinfected) and scrubs up rather well as a Fringe venue this year. Well done chaps.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6131206126224264408.post-37897153966721283662012-03-05T22:12:00.002-08:002012-03-05T22:15:33.183-08:00RANDY IS SOBER<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTY6Np-D6Ok/T1WrerklGSI/AAAAAAAAAR0/WBFzY1DGzAc/s1600/97_pic-Randy_is_sober.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTY6Np-D6Ok/T1WrerklGSI/AAAAAAAAAR0/WBFzY1DGzAc/s400/97_pic-Randy_is_sober.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716663845597288738" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>RANDY</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>RANDY IS SOBER</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Umbrella Revolution </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Garden of Unearthly Delights</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Sun Mar 4 - one show only.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">It seems a bit weird that a purple puppet with a head like a testicle would deliver one of this Fringe's most fantastic shows. But that's exactly what </span><b style="font-style: normal; ">Randy</b> (usually seen with his human partner <b style="font-style: normal; ">Sammy J</b>) has done with his <i>Randy is Sobe</i>r. Sounds like for a puppet Randy was quite the drinker and when he gave up the firewater, he decided that wouldn't be hard enough by itself, so he gave up smoking and embarked on a long distance relationship all at once. He was already a vegetarian. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-style: normal; ">A near full house is completely captivated by Randy from the second he appears on stage (obviously he doesn't 'walk' on stage) and for a full hour he has us in stiches with his rapid-fire, hilarious material, dance moves and the slightest tilt of the head. His impersonation of Stephen Hawkings one of the piss-funniest things I have seen this Fringe. His audience interaction is priceless. </span><i>"Am I looking at you? These eyes don't work!"</i> and unscheduled biology lesson (<i>"You all know where the perineum is right?", "Nipples?"</i>, horrified Randy <i>"I think it's just as well we're having this little chat"</i>) is fantastic. The show itself is the story of his journey to sobriety and a bit of a love story to his lush days gone by. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">You forget that Randy is a puppet, even when he is reminding you. And the fact that he is so captivating is all down to his close friend Heath McIvor, who is pretty much a frickin' genius. A puppeteer par excellence, with impeccable comic timing, lightning fast reflexes and great material McIvor breathes more than life into his purple protégé. An hour whizzes by way too fast. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: normal; ">Ian Bell</p>DJIANMAIDENhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11643277967770224348noreply@blogger.com0