Mick Harvey, Celery @ TheToff, Melbourne (21/05/2011)

Sun 29th May, 2011 in Gig Reviews

It’s somewhat humbling and surprising to note that even bona fide musical legends have to put up with a couple of the most irritating live music problems: that of the rattling PA and a talkative audience. Both were present at Mick Harvey’s launch for his latest solo album Sketches from the Book of The Dead, and both issues required adept handling to ensure they didn’t derail the event for all concerned.

Long a source of contention for music lovers, gig talkers have the very real chance of ruining the night, as my mind wonders as to exactly which expectations were not being met here that led those inclined to have long, mundane discussions above the music. A cursory book-by-its-cover glance around the room spelled out no obvious clues: bespoke suits and designer outfits mingled equally well with black t-shirts and facial piercings. The audience was as diverse as the artists’ career, which spans iconic outfits The Birthday Party and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, as well as a bevy of film soundtracks and production credits. Perhaps people are just a bit rude, as Harvey himself was forced to note mid-way through the set?

Sound issues were top of the list of grievances for one-woman support act Celery. A chugging electric guitar sawed through the din, but failed to make up for a muddy and dense mix which left her vocals somewhat detached and low. With a keen sense for sparse, spacey tunes, what could be heard sounded delicate and simple. The set highlight drew curtains on the support slot – a cover of Depeche Mode’s Dirt .

It took Harvey a good half of the set to wrangle the sound issues and crowd problems; the latter curtailed thanks to a few choice words from the stage which mobilised the army of shushers to quietly collar the most offending talkers. October Boy’s staccato off-kilter rhythm hit early and highlighted the effortless drama of Harvey’s first album since leaving the Bad Seeds. The unadorned stage could not have been further from the Bad Seed’s previous All Tomorrow’s Parties tour (which included a double drum kit among other accoutrements).Here, just a single amplified acoustic guitar was backed by a double bass and a part-time keyboard/second guitar, matching the understated simplicity of the music on offer.

Sketches from The Book of The Dead easily lends itself to over-dramatisation with its central theme of mortality. But live, as on record, Harvey’s solid no-nonsense delivery kept the tone warm and accepting of fate. The Ballad of Jay Givens was a rambling tale of a life lived, full of evocative imagery. The Bells Never Rang and Frankie T and Frankie C were gorgeous touches mid-set, with comforting echoes allowing a fully immersive experience. It is this duo of songs which highlights the tenderness of Harvey’s baritone, which never thrusts itself front and centre, but certainly allows the full depth of story-telling to come through.

Contrast this with a couple of offerings from 2007s Two of Diamonds and Harvey’s development over the years is stark. Everything Is Fixed and Photograph were both harsh in comparison: a possible insight into the mind which penned them (the same mind which has since admitted to a level of frustration with his musical direction around the time those songs were written). Furious and eager, the tunes helped propel the set toward its conclusion and possibly the most obvious nod towards his most recent musical past. Famous Last Words was a swaggering and jaunty song and is one singer away from being a Bad Seeds classic. It was curious that the set led to this peak, considering Harvey’s recent comments about his unhappiness with the musical directions the Bad Seeds were travelling in which lead to his severing of ties. Irrespective of that, the evening was a succinct romp through a career renewed, if the new tracks are a barometer.