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Karma County Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Fri 5 Nov There's something rewarding about defying the rain and the cold and the urge to stay at home in front of the heater. Going out to see a band instead is what rainy nights in July are all about. Only it's November! Perhaps the unseasonable shift in weather explains the poor attendance to witness Karma County's recent Friday night show. Thankfully the sixty or so souls that did make the effort to get along to The Gov applauded and cheered as loud and enthusiastically as an audience three times their size. Karma County didn't seem to be phased by the reduced numbers, but were obviously buoyed by the enthusiastic crowd responses, making jokes, playing several audience requests, and clearly having a great time on stage through two fantastic sets. Their first set revealed many great songs from all five of their studio albums, but personal highlights include On The Vine, Kiss Me, Postcard and the ultra cool instrumental title track from their new album 'Pacifico'. The second set saw the band start slow with Brendan Gallagher swapping his guitar for a seat at the baby grand piano. Both Til and Happy Birthday Dear Customer were wonderfully mellow moments, but Gallagher was soon back with his electric guitar and the trio let loose with rocking versions of Lasoo, Dexter & Sinistra, and The Men Who Ran Away From The Circus. The highlight of the set though was clearly their moving rendition of This Is Not the Real World. Although Karma County had already played two lengthy sets, the meagre but eagre crowd pounded tables, stomped feet and cheered for more. A short encore had half the punters crazy-dancing through Good Times Come To Me Now and a bluesy cover of Tom Waits 2:19. When Karma County ended the night on the slow The Lifesaver's Love Song, Gallagher encouraged the audience to keep dancing but warned they would have to slow waltz. Most sat down, but one brave man made a nearby chair his partner, snatched it into his arms and swept across the floor in amusing if not graceful configurations. Strange weather, great music from a band in fine form, interpretive dancing with furniture. It was a very peculiar evening indeed. I'm glad I stepped beyond my door.  |
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