Everyone is familiar with the work of Harry Angus as the trumpet player and vocalist of Australian collective The Cat Empire and Jackson Jackson, but I’m sure those attending this gig had no idea how things were going to pan out at this special show as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival. The description given in the official festival guide proclaimed that Angus and his band would be performing songs from the post-war era, with elements of nostalgia and reminiscence for those of older generations. Yet the majority of the crowd this evening appeared under 30, which goes to prove the power that members of The Cat Empire have over their adoring fans, considering they have only been around for just on 10 years.
It is fair to say Jive was the perfect venue for this performance, with the theatre style stage evoking images of the movie 'Ray', where Mr. Charles himself was depicted playing tunes to dim-lit bars in front of many swingers looking for a good time. This affair however was far more laid-back, with many choosing to sit down and soak up the immense ability of Angus and his band. There was a minimal amount of fanfare upon the band’s entrance, with a subdued Angus introducing the first track 'Shake Me or Break Me'. This subtlety would continue throughout the set, as the trumpeter opts largely to let the music take over.
The tracks on show this evening were very much in the style of vaudevillian swing, with a twee-like harmonious jazz element. Songs like 'Just A Closer Walk With The' and 'I Thought About You' all involved harmonies between band members, almost in a barber-shop fashion made popular throughout the 50s and 60s. Angus’ voice is absolutely sublime, and in this setting, has a far deeper timbre than his work in The Cat Empire; the vocalist has the ability to hit notes that many wouldn’t dare attempt, all the while keeping control of each note as the brilliant 5-piece backing band picked up the pieces. Consisting of saxophone, trombone, Hammond organ, double bass and drums, the accomplished band was a real standout of the evening. Of particular note was the saxophonist’s ability to really enhance the authentic swing sound that the band had re-created, and even singing on 'Just A Gigolo', which also featured the beautiful harmonies mentioned previously.
A few of the band’s favourite tracks were also thrown in for good measure, with Angus introducing 'Stardust' as possibly the greatest song ever made, while 'Drybones', now more familiar as a children’s sing-a-long, was performed succinctly with the movements to match. Finishing with 'Murder', a track that evoked some sort of Hitchcock thriller, the band left the stage with a rapturous reception, and returned to the crowd’s delight with one more track in 'Shanghai Honeymoon'. After a 90 minute set of classic tunes and great stories, it was hard to know where the time had disappeared to at the show’s conclusion. For the majority, this performance was most likely an education both in the history of this classic style of music and also the ability of Harry Angus as a genuine all-round performer. His musical appreciation is far and wide, and it is clear he has more tricks up his sleeve than just his other party-starting band. Through all this he still knows how to make people have a good time, and this was certainly evident at Jive this evening.
- As a sidenote, The Cat Empire play 3 Adelaide shows as a part of their 10th anniversary tour this April. The shows at the Crown & Sceptre Hotel on the 28th and Jive on the 29th are completely sold out, however tickets are still available for their performance at the Thebarton Theatre on the 30th of April.
This is a great homage to the old time greats from the Gumbo to the Dixieland eras. Listen to this and just try and sit still! Great vocal harmonies, fantastic instrumentals but mostly,,, it's great fun! Melbourne needs a clarinet player though, so if you live in Melbourne and have a clarinet, get practicing and perhaps you'll be worthy of these guys efforts.
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