Jason Mraz @ Prince of Wales,Melbourne (13/08/08)

Thu 14th Aug, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Walking to the Prince of Wales on a chilly August night I couldn’t help but be highly anticipated about seeing Jason Mraz and band. He had a Grammy nomination for his album “Mr A-Z’ and supported the Rolling Stones on their 2005-2006 tour. Melanie Horsnell, with her combination of folk and pop music, was a good choice of support for Jason Mraz and the crowd seemed to lap it up. When Melanie said “start singing now to warm up your vocal chords ready for Jason” the crowd erupted.

Thunderous applause erupted Jason and Ian enter stage followed by Toca on percussion sporting a gnome in hand which he lovingly places on the amp. The gnome dressed up for the occasion and waving at the crowd, one seems to think its smiling at what about is to unfold. Jason starts the night by talking about what kind of underwear we’re all wearing – as you do!

On stage is drummer Mike – œLeroy’ Bram, Ian Sheridan on bass, Eric Hinojosa on keys and percussion Toca Rivera. First song is a tune to get the crowd hyped up by saying “are we ready to make some noise” and then we’re listening to music and song about making noise! The Remedy brings the crowd into dance mode and the song includes some great bass riffs. The band produces groovy blues tunes with melodic pop. The backing vocals of the band members are synchronised and harmonised. Then out come the – œgroovealine horns section’ to woo the crowd and all I can say is – Wow! Carlos Sosa on sax, Fernie Castillo on trumpet and Ralo Vallejo on trombone give a stellar performance and again, the crowd lap it up.

Jason wears his trademark hat the entire time even though a punter asks him to remove it and he lovingly plays his acoustic guitar -sometimes changing to a smaller version. There is passion in his music; his new album is his most self assured effort to date. There are strong pop melodies inspired by self empowerment and self improvement. His music is a layer of influences including pop, rock, jazz, country and hip hop/rap.

Next tune is Remedy (I Won’t Worry) with part of the Oasis song, Wonderwall in it then Make It All Mine off the new album and tonight the music sounds great with tambourine and the added touch of shakers. Toca on percussion with his bling necklaces, shades and hat makes me wonder if Stevie Wonder knows Toca raids his wardrobe! The groovaline horns section hop onto the actual bar at one point, sending the crowd wilder and don’t the band just love the applause. Ian on bass has his eyes shut, just feeling the grooves and no doubt feeling the crowds love. The keyboardist seems like the quiet one with the gentle and graceful fingers playing the music to the crowd, though from many positions in the room as he was slightly hidden by the percussionist, although room had to be made for the brass section better plan could have given everyone their space.

The slower songs are bit like Jeff Buckley at times, just flowing with passion. Love for a Child is Jason’s heartfelt song about his parents breaking up when he was five years old. Only Human is a tune with that wonderful instrument, the triangle, played by Toca. Whilst the music is playing the drummer is fusing the beats and the crowd is melting with the band. The set takes a reggae swing that extends into rock beat with Toca singing the start and lots of crowd participation. The Dynamo of Volition is a fantastic song, with an intro reminiscent of Flight of the Concords banter and the crowd high-five during the appropriate part of lyrics. Next song I’m Yours has another reggae start again by Toca and this is the first single off the new album and reflects love and life.

Just when I think the crowd can’t get more vocal, enter the brass section again with two members wearing chicken and horse heads! Throughout the night the gnome is moved from bongo to amp, maybe he gets tired of being in the same spot and the audience sings most the words to the music that is Jason Mraz.

Life is Wonderful from the album Mr A-Z is a melodic song with swaying grooves of that Hawaiian island feel then blended with the sad sound of trombone (not always a sad instrument, just a little sad in this song). It’s a swirling music of plague proportion. Jason asks the crowd “what do we want to hear next” and many punters scream back at him an assortment of songs. So he and Toca give us 1000 Things with its harmonised vocals before Melanie Horsnell joining the band on stage for the duet Lucky a real pop tune which is for those who secretly love their best friend. The key stand out on this tune and Jason sings this with the passion that I have seen a lot tonight. A beautiful song which displays more of the talent of Leroy.

Encore time and the crowd goes mad once more; Jason and co must come back or I feel the crowd would run backstage and drag him out. No disappointment, back out they come and Jason is already thanking his future ex girlfriends and the crowd for tonight. Plane is played which is another lovely pop song with curious beats. The song No Stopping Us is played and the keyboardist goes crazy with synthesizer streams, the brass section full of smiles as they know that everyone has had a great night out.

The band is introduced and we’re given a musical array of beats to end on. Flowers are given to Jason by a punter and one can see that many girls would leave their partners for a dip in the life that is Jason Mraz. Jason and Co really give us all a fantastic time for almost 2 hours tonight and whether it’s his chatty banter or the making up of tunes or the amazing crowd input or the even more amazing show by Jason and co, but I can safely say tonight is one hell of a performance.