Review – Dumb Things: A Tribute to Paul Kelly
A troupe of playful, skilled local musicians led by Jimmy Meegan and The Mirrors paid tribute last Saturday to arguably Australia’s greatest songwriter. The night ran in two brackets, during which the group rotated singers almost every tune to keep the night bubbling away. At times the small stage seemed a little crowded in Dunston Grove, Stepney, although with four guitars it can get that way at times.
The flow worked well, however, and some songs were left to just one or two performers while the others took a breather. In a way, a Paul Kelly tribute can’t really fail. Kelly’s extensive back catalogue provides an array of quality tunes: including plenty of classics to which we all know the words. Triple J completed such a venture back in 2009 to great success. Yet the challenge was not to simply arrive and play out the songs. A gig like this needs to come with a particular atmosphere and sensibility, and the young group delivered.
The highlight of the performance, other than “To Her Door” at the end, was the manner of the entire show. Too often I find any gig I attend is far too loud, to the point that the actual playing of the music can’t be enjoyed. Further, I’m used to crowds that talk through sets and performers who seem to take themselves ever so seriously. This show was almost entirely different from those experiences.
Certainly being outdoors helped, but it wasn’t simply that. The guitars were tuned just right, the solos were teased nicely, the rhythm was tight, and the performers brought a level of intimacy that all seemed to enjoy. Overall, for a one-night-only show, the performance was of a high standard. No one even seemed to mind one singer restarting his song about 20 seconds in. The night was a glowing tribute to a great Adelaidean by some talented locals. Could we see their return next year? It could work with perhaps a different tribute in 2015. The Go-Betweens or Powderfinger would certainly make for just as good a show. In any case, the boys and girls from The Mirrors, The Seeds, Jungle Babe and Jimmy Meegen himself should be proud of a lovely evening of Australiana.
