The Blue Ruins, Alice Cottee,Cherie Kotek, John Lollback @The Phoenix, Canberra(14/3/11)

Thu 17th Mar, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Which thing doesn’t belong? This being the question of the night at The Phoenix as patrons gathered for Cardboard Charlie’s Bootleg Sessions. The line-up consisted of three soul-oozing, crowd-capturing, inspiring local female vocalists – and John Lollback.

Lollback is a great musician with good original music but on Monday night he couldn’t stand out among the ladies. He struggled to capture his audience and therefore became the venue’s over-talented background music. Being the follow up act to Cherie Kotek of Three Quarters Hazel, did Lollback no favours at all. Kotek who has most recently been seen supporting the likes of Australian rock band, INXS was the MC for the event. Stepping into the role of musician she covered for a missing Sarah Daphne who was set to open the night. An inspiring set of foot stomping originals and Kotek’s love of involving her audience seemed to push Lollback’s humble performance aside. Bribing audience members to play percussion with the lure of free CDs, Kotek turned her one-woman show into a trio of improvising musicians.

Next up, a very sick Alice Cottee graced the stage with a ‘gland the size of a small whale’. She powered through her set, hot whiskey as her only aid and even still, she too outshone Lollback. Breezing through a range of her catalogue, she brought to life old and new songs including, Born Lucky from her current EP, Goodbye Winter and PJ Harvey cover, One Line. Cottee didn’t believe she could make it through her final song, originally by Canberra band, The Cashews; she struggled through and decided that with a broken guitar string and very little vocal chords left, it was time to bring her night to its well deserved end.

Hailing from Bega, father-daughter duo, The Blue Ruins were the feature band of the night. Showing off tracks from their yet to be released album, Allan and Kate winged their night, set list free. They played an array of old and new songs including, Fire Up, inspired by events that followed after a gig played at The Phoenix and title-track off their new album, Tin Pot Alley. Kate’s powerful voice filled the venue and kept heads turning to see the small performer tearing up her own stage. Whether she had guitar in hand or stood behind drums, she loved what she was playing and it came through in her entire performance.

Lollback could be competition for musicians like Watts, Kotek and Cottee, he simply needs to let his music bring him out from his chair, put the stomp back in his feet and set him free. Hopefully Canberra will get to see him grow not only as a musician but also a performer and these three ladies will be gracing our stages soon again to show musicians how it’s done.