CW STONEKING & BAND + ROB HERON
Mon 1st June @ The Cluny. Words /pics Juan Fitzgerald
It’s quite an occasion when CW Stoneking comes to town . It’s been quite a while too & entering into the Aussie songster’s show, would be like stepping into a 1930s Speakeasy as we have pre – war Delta Blues on the menu, mixed with exotic rhythms, early Calypso’s, Mento’s and Jazz laments . Stoneking with the voice of a rough old bluesman , weaved his magic, his deep baritone booming against the arch top guitar, all mixed in with the power of the brass section & the look of a Norman Rockwell painting of the 1950s. Like a Milk bar employee creates this overpowering sensory gig at the “sold out “Cluny of all places .
CW played tracks from all his three album starting “ Up The Country” to the pulsating “Thing’s I Done” and the gloriously vintage “Love Me Or Die” the charmingly eerie “Zombie ” then slowing things with ice cream tales as he’s “On A Desert Isle” then a “Handyman “ then off to the “Jungle Blues” & shakers and trumpet all over the place as he‘s finally “ Gon Boogaloo” .The show is like no other…. CW proclaiming that “ I’m just doing my thing, happy to dream and sing”
Special mention to his band, his regular Bass fixer + those two trumpet & trombone (& percussion) guys for creating such an awesome overall sound .
Excellent support too from our local singing cowboy Rob Heron with a saddle full of new tunes, and as always, some yodelling and also a couple crowd favourites like “Three Button Suit” & “Blood In The Water” . Some of the audience were even led to put on their fine threads for the occasion, and try to swing dance at the front of the stage, which was no easy task . Another exceptional Jumpin Hot Club co pro gig & maybe an early contender for the gig of the year.