Old Man River, Passenger @ TheAnnandale Hotel, Sydney(11/02/11)

Tue 15th Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Old Man River and Passenger stand apart sonically in many ways, yet they share that ability to play story telling music with an elegant, stripped back simplicity. Both musicians, as well as special guest Daniel Lee Kendall, played acoustic sets; an approach that could have meant drowned out vocals by a rowdy crowd at The Annandale Hotel.

You had to stand close to the stage for Lee Kendall’s breezy sounds to have the full effect above the loud chattering, yet Ohad Rein (aka Old Man River) and Mike Rosenberg (aka Passenger) met an appreciative silence with the very first notes that they played. Old Man River has earnt his chops on the Aussie music scene with the recent release of his second album Trust, while Passenger is making a strong case for gaining an ever expanding fan base. A complementary pairing for the co-headline tour, both artists captivated listeners with intimate lyrics and indisputable talent; made all the more evident with their decision to go acoustic.

David Lee Kendall is an up and coming singer and guitar man, creating sweet atmospheric sounds. Bringing out an impressive amalgamation of electronic synths with soft guitar and breathy vocals, Kendall’s music is interesting and enjoyable. Adorning his tunes with the occasional whistle and jam on the harmonica, the singer songwriter exhibits upbeat pop influences. His most catchy pop melody was Lost in the Moment, a sweet song that had heads bobbing along in time to the tune. Lee Kendall may not have held the attention of everyone in the venue as his quiet singing demanded full attention, yet for those who did tune in, they were treated to a charming performance.

As soon as Passenger sang his first line, everyone in the room was captivated. An Englishman who funded his latest album Flight of the Crow with busking money, Passenger’s passion for his music is undeniable. Playing folk songs with great verve, it is hard to believe that people passing by this man busking on the street wouldn’t decide to stop and stick around for the full set. Delivering a cocktail of sad, romantic and comical songs, the Englishman has an impressive range.

His most playful number was the short and sweet, The Rain, quipping midway through the song, “It’s funny, isn’t it?” In contrast to such material discussing the problems facing the RSPCA were it to actually rain cats and dogs were Passenger’s intense, emotion fuelled pieces. Apologizing for playing rather depressing songs for a Friday night, Passenger covered themes of loss and heartache. Pronouncing his lyrics eloquently, audience members were able to follow his poignant narratives, such as those of the breakup song The Last Unicorn. His choice to cover Simon and Garfunkle’s The Sound of Silence was well made, as it allowed Passenger to open quietly, gradually building up to a dramatic, emphatic chorus. Using silence as an instrument in itself, Passenger times his build ups and pauses brilliantly, imbuing his entire performance with emotion.

Far more interested in looking on the bright side is Old Man River, giving us a rich set showcasing his range of talents. From walking off the stage onto the bar top for his opening number, to treating us to a short rendition of the Ghostbusters theme song, Old Man River is a dynamic, engaging performer. His first song Open Up Your Eyes is an earnest, understated melody that had a beautiful simplicity to it when delivered without backing or microphone. Indeed a portion of Old Man River’s material has a softness to it that is open to being seen as monotonous, yet at a closer look this is not the case. Rather, the sweet sincerity of his lyrics and vocals accompanied by gentle guitar is enchanting for the raw emotion that Rein fearlessly displays.

Old Man River had clearly set out to get audience members to enjoy themselves and to get involved, using a good few tricks to achieve this. For instance, the singer announced that upon going to a yoga retreat over New Years Eve, he came upon a technique of follow-the-leader style singing. Getting us to sing along after him, the crowd followed wholeheartedly. The singer also showcased a selection of his work that is at once vibrant and relaxed, including Wake Up, Norway (I Like It Like This) and Sunshine. Old Man River’s voice has a smooth, calming quality which made for a beautiful performance of Kaiyuma’s Lullaby, a tender, soul bearing piece of music.

When banded together, these three musicians provide a varied yet cohesive show. Joining forces at the end of the night, the trio sang Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, actually doing this twice because they enjoyed it so much. It was at this culmination of the night that that the point of it all became most clear; that these singers were out to share great music and to have a great time doing it.