Dave Graney & Clare Moore @Civic Hotel, Perth (9/3/2007)

Mon 12th Mar, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Given the opportunity to say anything he liked to Perth, Dave Graney said “Hello”. The show at the Civic Hotel on Friday night was minimalist in presentation and audience size.

What it lacked in numbers, it made up for in atmosphere; The audience were at a ‘70s costume party for the 40th birthday of a fan named Nick. Dave Graney and Clare Moore had given a private performance for the party invitees earlier in the evening, a dream come true for Nick. Graney’s other fans, unaware of the reason for the costumes, were surprised by a bar crowded with ‘70s rockers and platform-heeled psychedelic flare-wearing 30-40 somethings.

Graney himself stood at the door in his safari suit greeting people as they arrived. Support act Stu D (Le Comte D’Alucard) played a six string electric bass set, singing blues covers and trying to engage an audience that mostly ignored him. Nevertheless, he provided ambience for the party, and did not demand attention.

Dave Graney sat undisturbed at a table during Stu D’s performance watching the audience through his sunglasses. He was welcoming and willing to chat when joined at his table, discussing football, politics and his support for Australian music, mentioning Perth bands Snowman and Schvendes, of whom he is particularly fond.

The familiarity of years was evident in the on-stage relationship between Moore and Graney as they put on a show that was polished without being stale. Clare Moore played vibraphone and backing vocals, and performed Alphonsus Will Get You with Stu D singing backing vocals and bass. Graney played 12 string acoustic guitar, sang, shared stories and opinions while performing reworked songs from their extensive back catalogue, including Million Dollars in a Red Velvet Suit, Night of the Wolverine, and You’re Just Too Hip and a beautiful cover of Suicide’s Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne.

The sparse stage, the tables around which the audience were seated and the subdued lighting created the feeling of an old fashioned bar, while Graney’s easy rapport with his audience and his willingness to be among them was such that they walked away from the show feeling as though they had shared an unexpected intimacy.