West Coast Blues and Roots @Fremantle Park, Perth(17/04/11)

Wed 20th Apr, 2011 in Gig Reviews

There the sniffer dogs were as the gates opened. There they were as one of the cute pooches investigated the cargo pants of a loitering hippy. There they were as he was escorted away. With the crowd saved from almost certain danger at the hands of a stoned hippy, the tax-payer dollars were justified.

The increased police presence made one feel somewhat more secure amongst the intimidating crowd of picnic-ruggers. Somewhat more secure amongst the undesirable likes of young Dads in three-quarter-length shorts and mandals. Forty or so of them looked to establish their thuggish authority early as they gathered for local lad James Teague and his band.

They appeared to have what it takes to survive on the vineyard circuit they are heading for. Teague’s voice proved to be an acquired taste, with some of the crowd looking perplexed at his erratic delivery. They blended country romp songs with darker waltzes accented by a frontman who resembled Marilyn Manson without the make-up.

SBS’s Rockwiz live in the tent was an ingenious move. Guest appearances from Augie March’s Glenn Richards, Marcia Hines and Tim Rogers were welcomed surprises. Collars were loosened with plenty of Brian Nankervis and Julia Zemiro-led laughs and a Tim Rogers version of Keith Richards’ Before They Make Me Run.

Elvis Costello pulled a crowd with his name, but besides a lively Everyday I Write The Book, he didn’t do much to hold them with a stock-standard set. Mavis Staples did the opposite. As her name suggests, she had no problem holding her crowd together and it continued to grow with bodies thriving on her glistening vintage soul. Tracks like The Weight made the Costello sacrifice a no-brainer.

But not even an icon like Staples could fill the tent the way Gurrumul did. It was a worthy reception for the mystical performer, but as you politely fought for position, you realised this was not the best way to experience him. Michael Franti better lent himself to that sort of behaviour and became a part of it when he launched himself amongst the main stage crowd. There was a questionable Summadayze vibe to his uptempo re-working of Everyone Deserves Music, but the kids were having fun regardless of the snide remarks coming from grumpy critics.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band’s set induced the best white-boy dancing of the day which basically turned the tent into a Dave Chappelle sketch. For a man who learnt his pedal-steel-guitar craft in the church, Randolph sure made people do some sinful things… but sinning is just so much God-damn-fun. He eventually sent everyone to the confession booth with a rollicking take on Voodoo Chile.

Rodrigo y Gabriela were predictable but totally enjoyable nonetheless. A fedora-clad Bob Dylan was surprisingly rocking in the early stages of his set and everything else has already been said about him.

The wait for Toots and the Maytals had some looking a little edgy after they’d passed the dutchy a few too many times. It was inevitable they would be put back in the right of frame of mind though and with tracks like Monkey Man and 54-46 That’s My Number, the angst was converted to skanks (skangst). Dejected Bob Dylan fans drifted over and by the set’s end the Jamaicans had the tent billowing like a freshly-pulled party bong.

Fellow countryman err.. woman Grace Jones followed with the most spectacular and loudest stage show in Blues and Roots history. Watching her on the big screen was like watching a horror movie where a she-devil shags men to death. Perverted camera angles left little to the imagination as she posed erotically in a leather thong that hardly covered her vi-jay-jay. Close-ups of her shuddering gluteals would have had Nicki Minaj taking notes. The costumes she was barely wearing included a disco ball hat that reflected its own laser show. Oh and there was some music too, funky 80s time machine numbers like Pull Up to the Bumper. Then you realised a woman older than your Mum was getting you all hot under the collar… and you were enjoying it.

Were the problems from last year rectified? Mostly, besides the line-up for toilets. Was Bob Dylan as unengaging as everyone expected? Yes. Did most people still watch him anyway? Yes. Was this the best Blues and Roots line-up ever? Most likely.