The Front Cafe and Gallery hosted the album launch for the most recent album, Sun and Moon, from the Andi and George Band, as well as the first EP, Goodbye Winter from Alice Cottee . Both releases have been highly anticipated. The Andi and George band, which also features Alice Cottee on vocals, have been gigging Canberra in a musical and dancing whirlwind as they prepared for their East Coast Tour, which the launch also kicked off. A stage had been built on the street outside of The Front in preparation for the expected turnout, although the numbers who arrived exceeded expectation. A host came to take part in the revelries. Filling Wattle Street the audience packed in tightly, huddling for friendly warmth between the freshly painted and tagged Andi and George Band tour bus, thrown open for all to enjoy, and under the much loved Front Cafe’s awning.
Alice Cottee began the night with Woodstock by Joni Mitchell. This lyric driven piece setting the tone for her set. Alice then took an attentive audience through the songs of her beautifully crafted EP. Mr. Lagoon, featuring Elyane DeFontenay on violin, mixed elements of darkness and sadness with beauty and freedom. Gold explored drugs and personal relationships the crowd responded with interest to Born Lucky, explained as an autobiographical piece. Goodbye Winter, title track to the EP, followed with its deep melancholy. Then the political Rally. Its rocking roots and Alice Cottee’s strong voice got the crowd moving. The set ended with the epic instrumental Flying Song; the crowd was bound by this beautiful song, composed for a close family friend.
The Andi and George Band then claimed the stage with their unique mix of acoustic roots, folk and a strong dose of the tropics. The band opened with Lady’s Auxiliary, which seems such a favourite of the band and showcases Andi Kerwin’s singing. The opening series of songs also include This Girl I Know – featuring Alice Cottee on vocals, Mick Elderfield on sax and Lina Andonovski on flute – had the crowd jumping and cheering. Calling out and Rub a Dub also gave the crowd what they wanted – the chance to dance. At the middle of what was to be the first set but became the Bands only set also featured Man Alive and another crowd pleaser Strike Song. But it was the two songs, This Girl I Know and the sexy I Like the Way You Dance that stood out over the evening.
Unfortunately this event came to an abrupt close, that crowd that had arrived had exceeded expectations, and the venues outside capacity. And, as the band played into the night the law shut down the event, bringing the evening to an early close. Still, the Andi & George Band, supported by Alice Cottee, have began their East Coast tour, check out both artists’ MySpace sites for a taste of their music and tour dates.
