Botanic Blues, Roots and SoulFestival Day 1 Featuring JamesBrown and The Cat Empire @Kings Park, Perth, 03/04/04

Wed 7th Apr, 2004 in Gig Reviews

The Godfather of Soul was in town for one night only and until the moment he stepped on stage I was sure he’d be upstaged by a group of Melbourne’s finest, to whom he was surely one of their many influences. After almost happening last year, the Botanic Blues, Roots and Soul Festival made it’s Perth debut, setting a precedent for future years with a star studded line up of local and international talent. The number one draw card of course being none other than James Brown.

 

Freeloaders beware! Those hoping to perhaps sit on the outskirts of the venue and catch a free glimpse (as is often the case for outdoor concerts) would have been disappointed when approaching the venue. A huge area around the Pioneer Women’s Memorial was fenced off and patrolled by security (deterring jumpers, I presume). From the perimeter there was little to no view of the stage and its delightful setting. As you handed your ticket in at the gate you entered the grass embankments that surrounded the stage, littered with picnic blankets and people settling down for an evening’s entertainment. Surrounding the grassy slopes was food stalls aplenty, the all-important bar and off to one side the smaller acoustic stage. The main Botanic Stage was set back behind a pond (half the dancefloor was built over the top of it) at the bottom of the hill.

 

With the main stage being between acts at the time of our arrival it was a perfect opportunity to go check out the acoustic stage. Simon Cox and Wayne Freer with their electric piano and bass were entertaining a small appreciative crowd. Also making an impression later on were Lucky Oceans and Lois Olney, with the accompaniment of tuba and piano, laying down some sultry jazz standards. Unfortunately we didn’t venture back too many times – once you got yourself a comfortable position at the main stage it was very easy to get caught up in the headlining acts.

 

Xavier Rudd drew an early crowd on to the dancefloor when he graced the stage shortly after 5pm. With the assortment of instruments on display you could be forgiven for thinking various musicians would join him on stage throughout his set. However he proved to be quite the multi tasker as he juggled guitars, bongos, didgeridoos and harmonica (often more than one at a time) to deliver a stomping one-man show. His free spirited reflections drawing favourable response from certain elements of the crowd.

 

Bomba were up next and despite the clouds obscuring it’s presence; their music was perfect for the setting sun. As the sky turned darker shades of grey the bright oranges and reds from the stage lights shone out brighter and brighter into the amphitheatre, providing a warm atmosphere for the laidback blend of funk and reggae the Melbourne six-piece had to offer. At this stage of the night most were content to eat (the wait time at the pizza stall being testament to this), drink and relax. Those who ventured on the dancefloor were rewarded when the band brought the show off the stage and in amongst them for an interactive sing day-o type along.

 

The Cat Empire increased the energy levels and lived up to their reputation as one of the most talented and entertaining Australian live acts. “The Empire Strikes Back!” they shouted out but it seemed to be a case of preaching to the converted as they unleashed their hybrid of rock, ska, jazz, hip hop and more on an appreciative crowd. Covering favourites from last years self titled debut album such as How Life Is, Hello and The Chariot, it was a joy to watch the Melbourne six-piece (plus additional horns) extend the songs into funky jams, each time bringing it back and reminding you what song they’d started with. Felix Riebl and Harry Angus wooed the crowd with their contrasting vocal styles and uniform of patched baggy pants. It was clear that James Brown and co would have to put in more than a token performance to surpass this.

 

It felt like a take from the final concert scene in The Blues Brothers. The band were on stage jamming to a funky beat and then an old MC in a white suit came and started babbling about the band, James Brown and seemingly life in general. I couldn’t help thinking Mr Brown’s limo had broken down enroute and they were stalling for time until he arrived. But sure enough right on cue The Godfather of Soul put rest to my fears and ran on stage in a crimson suit with a smile that beamed brightly for the next 90 minutes.

 

When James Brown comes to town he doesn’t do anything in halves. Whereas The Cat Empire had bohemian charm with their casual demeanour and spontaneity James Brown and Co were an impeccably dressed finely polished act. A nine piece backing band (including three drum kits) all in matching red and white; three female backing singers, two go-go dancers (wearing progressively less each time they came out); a male backing singer and his wife Tommie Rae all joined in on what was an incredibly tight and finely rehearsed performance.

 

The big question was “has he still got it?” and from his first utterings of the words “let’s get funky” you knew it was a resounding yes. Brown worked his band, his singers, his audience and most importantly himself. Every bit the entertainer, Brown was always beaming the pearly whites and ensuring everyone else was enjoying themselves through leading by example. From the manic Cold Sweat to the crooning It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World Brown showed his form. With a back catalogue a mile long it’s only his age that excused him for handing the microphone to backing singer Cynthia Moore for a more than credible version of Respect. However letting wife Rae, a Vegas stage singer, perform her own Janis Joplin tribute can only be described as a PR stunt. We wanted more Brown!

 

Never the less with half an hour to go Brown came back on stage and saved the best to last with spot on renditions of I Got You (I Feel Good) and Get Up (I Feel Being A) Sex Machine. He howled, shuffled the feet, got behind the keys and proved once and for all he’s still the Godfather of Soul.

 

With a crowd ranging in age from those born in the latter years of last century to those who could have well followed Brown since his very first record it was great to see such a broad cross section of the community getting together for the love of the same music. Who knows if we’ll see Brown grace these shores again but let’s hope the Botanic Blues, Roots and Soul Festival is here to stay. Impeccably organised, the only thing it needs now is continued support by all those who appreciate the roots of the music they love.