There was time to revisit some Laughing Clowns material, Collapse Board and Eternally Yours, but with the “Today Wonder” touch, all led Sir Ed to indulge in a prolonged ramble on the virtues of Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You. This monologue was an exercise of gilding the lilly, but most of the audience knew what to expect so there was little to be displeased about. The sparse set up, acoustic guitar and drums provided the duo with plenty space to fill and delight the sold out room with ingenious improvisations and frequently complex rhythms in a strangely compelling environment of creative tension. That tension was perhaps assisted by several broken strings and minor technical problems, due in no small part to the national carrier, Quantas.
Amongst the rather caustic observations we received a concise glimpse into why Kuepper is such a gem and represents the intelligent side of quasi-country music. Not the whining rhinestone variety but visionary storytelling presented in a tough but tender voice. The set list included If I Were A Carpenter, What You Don’t Know, I’d Rather Be The Devil, Pretty Mary, Today Wonder, Car Headlights and Sentimental Jokes. Interspersing the music was plenty Kuepper bloody mindedness, such as steadfastly all calls to play Electrical Storm on account that he did not have an electric guitar. Well, maybe not bloody minded but logical.
The strident unearthly guitar sounds and driving drum beats were evidence why Kuepper and Dawson are such a thrilling, pounding, unfettered combination and just the perfect way of presenting these songs with balance and clarity. Sam Hall and The Way I Made You Feel were quintessential Kuepper. There was no truck for sloppy songwriting or lazy playing. Just credit to Kuepper for being an original in his field, who opened up the green door and scattered the seeds of his idiosyncratic depth of vision.
