These three undisputed titans put on a magical show of epic proportions – immaculately crafted and exquisitely executed musically – and embellished with rapier wit and philosophical discourse. On a stage almost as barren and sparse as the start of Stop Making Sense, these three performed in solo and duo configurations.
Reel man Dave Mason was accompanied only by his guitarist and played a blinding set. From Bad Moon Rising to According To My Heart, Mason delivered. In between, he found time to engage the audience both surreptitiously and brazenly. Topics of Melbourne supporters, Tony Abbott, euthanasia, striped shirts and so forth were covered by the keen eye and sharp Mason mind. Heck, is our Dave Mason a Perry Mason of sorts. Love Will Find A Way, Number Three, Prefab Heart, This Guy’s In Love With You and, of course, Quasimodo’s Dream all got a run.
Looking stockier, healthier and more like a librarian than the lanky figure of yore, Mason does not fail to enchant in his infrequent show. Next was Steve Kilbey in similar acoustic, but solo mode. Tristesse was followed by a Marc Bolan cover and even a new Church song, Old Coast Road, was unveiled. It was disappointing that Wolfe was cut short due to tuning problems and played at double speed. In the meantime, Kilbey even attempted some stand up comedy. This was mercifully brief. He is much better at saving his observations to topical quick fire snippets then to what he called “dad jokes”.
The stage was well warmed now for Robyn Hitchcock. After the first couple of songs, The Abyss and Museum Of Sex, his phrasing included elements that made him appear like an oversized Tiny Tim with a leprechaun voice. But the entertainment quota continued to rise when he made some self-mocking observations. The British are miserable, see.
“What makes their day is to see someone’s day not made.” Or observing that Americans become concerned and angry when things do not get done, the British, although miserable, save their mental health when things are not done and the Australians simply accept that things cannot be done and furthermore, don’t care anyway. It was appropriate he played Ole Tarantula as he spun his web which included The Wreck Of Arthur Lee, I’m Only You, Me And My Dead Wife and Adventure Rocket Ship.
Then he was joined by Kilbey for the final quarter of the evening’s entertainment. Providence and Under The Milky Way complemented cover versions of Syd Barrett and Bob Dylan. The night then came to a conclusion when the Egyptian and fellow cosmic traveller combined on Velvet Underground and Rolling Stones covers, Heroin and Dead Flowers respectively. A brilliant three and a half hours of entertainment.
BY BRONIUS ZUMERIS
Loved: How the simplest things are often the best.
Hated: No hate just disappointment that a classic was missed by the hordes.
Drank: Sprite, fizzy and bubbly.
