RAW: Lanie Lane presents Betty Baby & the Blues of a Bygone Era – Festival Centre
Lanie Lane’s musical style – an eclectic mix of old style blues and modern fashions – is matched in her physical appearance; emerging in a short 1950s style dress, complimented by sparkly black leggings, and with coiffed hair she presented an interesting blend of old and new.
Lane credits her guitar, Betty Baby, as her long time song-writing partner and, following a small hitch with the amplifier which rendered Betty mute for the first track, together they played a set of both original songs and covers. Adding a fuller sound to the evening were Paul Derricott on drums, David Symes on bass and Jared Masters on grand piano. Together they made a pleasing overall sound.
One of the more interesting covers of the show was her interpretation of Britney Spears’ Toxicity, the rearrangement of which was pleasantly unrecognisable. A harmonica, hanging around Lane’s neck, appeared to be for aesthetic purposes only but eventually got a play during Hoochie Coochie Man; one of the crowd favourites. The final track, What Am I To Do, was an audience sing-a-long number, with many still humming it as they left.
While Lane, and the group as a whole, were musically right on the money, and the applause was quick coming for each song, the banter in between was somewhat lacking. Lane’s fey, innocent little girl persona became a little grating and more could have been made of the song introductions to make the show into more of a cabaret experience.
Kryztoff Rating 3.5K
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RAW: The Bedroom Philosopher – Jive Bar, August 12
about 14 years ago - Comments Off
A highly entertaining and aurally pleasing night out. The Bedroom Philosopher capably mixes music and comedy in such a way that going to see him perform is worth it every time. Joined for the first time in Adelaide by his backing group The Awkwardstra, the performance had a more robust sound to go with his amusing lyrics. 4K
RAW: European Masters: Staedel Museum – NGV – Till 10th Oct
about 14 years ago - 2 comments
As a tour through styles across 200 years, European Masters stands on its own. But, as a result, visitors will need to maintain an open mind and not allow their own preferences to prejudge works or rooms. It has items from across two centuries, with a strong Germanic core and spanning all manner of styles. Unlike perhaps how the publicity posters feature it, this is not however another Impressionists wonderland. 4K
RAW: Tex Perkins in The Man In Black – Her Majesty’s
about 14 years ago - 2 comments
Tex Perkins provides a wonderful tribute to Johnny Cash in this pleasurable and condensed serving of his life and music. The audience crossed many demographic boundaries, showing the wide appeal of this show, and reacted with great enthusiasm. As good as the film ‘Walk the Line’ was, there’s something about hearing the music played live that really gets the heart soaring and this production certainly did that. 4K
RAW: Ziggy Diagne – Nexus – 23 July
about 14 years ago - Comments Off
Senegalese, Ziggy, (who, in a white jump suit adorned with small flags and with his hair in a bun on the top of his head looked like a cross between Whoopi Goldberg and Buzz Aldrin) showed brilliant control of his formidable kora that seemed to inject boundless hand energy into his two drummers, Funkalleros and Dunumbra. The interplay between them was spellbinding as the reggae funk, rap and jazz beat grew in intensity, the groovy M’balah rhythms, unique to Senegal, roaring through. 4K
RAW: Mumford & Sons – Thebby 22nd August
about 14 years ago - 1 comment
Mumford & Son’s have managed to create the perfect balance of folk and rock; pairing banjos and mandolins with heavy drum beats and intense guitar. The whole room was bouncing and the joy in the air was palpable. Happily, the new songs included in the set list left no-one in any doubt that there is much more fantastic music to come. 5K
RAW: Superheroes – Space Theatre, until July 24
about 14 years ago - 1 comment
Though probably not appealing to those who prefer their theatre more straight forward and plot driven, this show incorporates both powerful and humorous imagery and presents many ideas worthy of consideration and rumination. 3K
RAW: Greenberg – Film – 3.5K
about 14 years ago - 2 comments
At it’s core Greenberg defies the conventions of plot, instead focusing on the intricacies of relationships and the title character’s manic depression, which a brave Stiller plays without the comic stylings that we’re so accustomed. 3.5K
RAW: Inception – Film – 3.5K
about 14 years ago - Comments Off
Right from the start, writer and director, Christopher Nolan has Inception burst forth and many may find they lose their way from early on. The dreams are multi layered, each existing in its own time zone and all possessing baddies with guns who don’t seem to be able to aim straight. But as much as the dreams are constructs of the imagination, the inconsistencies of plot add to the viewing dilemmas with the impact of dying in a dream just one imponderable. Sci-fi fans will love it and a second viewing may assist in understanding but many I suspect will allow the non-stop action to entertain well after the machinations of the plot have passed them by. 3.5K
RAW: Superheroes – Space – July 20-24
about 14 years ago - Comments Off
The publicity image of a prone Superman may suggest Superheroes, which enjoys its world premiere at the Space this week, is a light hearted romps. On the contrary, this Stone / Castro production explores weightier issues reflecting on war and exploring man’s vision for the domination of the earth.
RAW: ABBA World – Melbourne – To End Oct
about 14 years ago - 3 comments
Not cheap at $35 for an adult but one can spend a good two hours wandering the various levels of ABBA World which covers everything you would wish to remind yourself of and if all that downloading stuff takes your fancy, then good value abounds. A great visit back in time to timeless popular music but expect to be humming Ring Ring long after you have got home.
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