IIVE

Rip It Up, Issue 124, 1 November 1987, Page 40

IIVE

TheWarratahs, Al Hunter Band Wildlife, Oct 29 & 31 It was a double bill made in t.onky tonk heaven, with New Zealand’s two hottest country acts sharing the Wildlife stage. It seemed risky to be doing a rock club, and the first night crowd didn’t bode well, but by the end of the weekend it filled out — so now the Warratahs and Al Hunter have probably made a lot of new friends, as well as satisfying the converted. The Warratahs just seem to get better each time they come up here, their playing grows in feel and assurance, so that they’re bouncing off each other with controlled abandon. Nik Brown squeezes from his fiddle and Wayne Mason tickles from his mini-upright piano the perfect honky tonk glissandos and grace notes, double stops and runs. The rhythm section are understated and loose, but there, while Barry Saunders’ supports his warm, true vocal with twanging acoustic solos. Their new single ‘Hands of My Heart’ sits well among such classics as ‘Setting the Woods on Fire,’ ‘The Only Game in Town,’ and especially the motorvatin ” Drivin ’ Wheel.’ On the Saturday night Nik Brown’s absence was filled by Tex Pistol, who gave his distinctive Hank Wilson (aka Leon Russell) phrasing a rare outing on ‘Rollin’ My Sweet Baby’s Arms’ and ‘Why Don’t You Love Me (Like You Used to Do).’ For many months now Al Hunter’s Monday night Shakespeare gigs have exposed the virtuostic strengths of three of the finest performers in

local music, not just country. Al’s fluid, heartfelt vocal, Red McKelvie’s pedal steel and Cath Newhooke’s fiddle now interact with telepathy. It’s in front of a band though, that Hunter really shines, singing with verve, dancing and laughing, while the band of seasoned pros just cooks behind him. The emphasis was on the rockier end of Hunter honky tonk —you can cry to the ballads at the Shakespeare — driven by Peter Warren, who is growing into the country feel. Hunter’s originals such as ‘Country Music’ and ‘Still Lovin’ You’ sit with pride alongside the (too many?) Dwight Yoakam covers, and fine interpretations of ‘Jealous Guy’ and 'Folsom Prison.’ The Hunter band plays infrequently, but after a couple of gigs they’re always humming. Take a risk on country music — you might just have a great time. Chris Bourke Trash, Puddle, Seedcake, Son of Goblin Mix, Mr Big Nose, Look Blue Go Purple Dunedin, Oct 30 & 31 There was not a thing hallowed nor weeny about this lot. Assembled at the Oriental for a six-band extravaganza that promised to be a darn sight more fun than the Mongy convention the week before — for all parties. Appearing unashamedly from their Trash Hotel rock operetta were Trash, discovering new concepts in creative feedback, and sounding like a swarm of angry hornets trying to sting a bulldozer to death. Leading the aural onslaught, Bruce “Preacherman” Bleucher tells it like it is. Music to start a cult to. The Puddle came on and washed all the pain away. Playing a diverse set ranging from outright ethereal, flute caressing, interspersed with some tough sounding pop from a nononsense rhythm section. The

Puddle have really tightened up their sound and are coming across as a far more convincing rock entity than their EP suggests. They should tour.

Last on for Halloween-eve was Son of Goblin Mix. A three-quarts mutation from their forebears, and doing Daddy proud. The packed Oriental lapped up every drop while they played some powerful renditions of Goblin Mix classics. At this stage no one was feeling any pain except perhaps for the odd few whose ears were bleeding. If Friday was the rock’n’roll shitkicking nite, well Saturday was more poppy than an ANZAC parade. Fresher than a steaming cowpat were Mr Big Nose, who surprised everyone with a worthwhile set of new songs. And so they should too, featuring some big names in the musical Dunedarena. Rediscovering their roots like no other “party boys” could. (... Now if only Steiny could sponsor ’em.) Seedcake, the fifth band for the weekend, and they’re becoming a classy act. As a three-piece the rhythm section was the anchor for David (guilt-hero) Kilgour to pour out his happy/sad pop woes. “... I like living coz there’s nothing better to do.” Play in a band for god’s sake! Look Blue Go Purple arrived and it was great to see them back after rumoured Look Drummer Go London. They’re getting to be a band with such good songs (after two EPs and more worth) that it’s hard forthem to be bad. And some of the newies prove to be real foot-stompers too. The crowd went crazy when after repeated calls for the “Indian one” they erupted into ‘Haiawatha’ closely followed by a volcanic version of ‘Codeine.’ All in all a helluva halloween showcasing Dunedin as champ still of NZ music. What can I say .. well come down, see lots of great live music and maybe even get Martin Phillipps' autograph as he steps off the 737 at Momona. Ken Stewart