This show was a 20th anniversary performance of Moon Pix, which was recorded in Sydney in 1998 and only sinks in deeper for me as the years roll on,[*] done with full band including Mick Turner and Jim White (which made me realise how distinctive and crucial their contributions are), strings x 3, flute and piano. Given that, it's not completely surprising that it was a special concert, but it's still also kind of amazing.
With a couple of exceptions, she stuck close to the recorded versions, and the overlaying of the live singing and the greater texture, warmth and dynamism of the live instrumentation with the intense familiarity of the songs themselves and how she sings them made for a powerful experience, with the more muted (post-"American Flag") first half of the record particularly enriched; "Metal Heart" packed a particular punch. The exceptions were back to back, as the Moon Pix part of the set started its run home: "You May Know Him" reinvented with saxophone as the through-line, building to a full-band triumphant swell, and "Colors and the Kids" fleshed out from the piano and voice recorded version.
An extended exit from the stage, then three songs that were just her at the piano (including "I Don't Blame You") and a few more with the band back on, which I was so pleased included "Good Woman" and "The Greatest", before some heartfelt words about what Moon Pix means to her and how things have changed for her since that time (see also). All through, very very wonderful.
(w/ Hayley)
[*] I called it my seventh favourite album in 2005 and again in 2009, and if anything I reckon it'd be at least a couple of notches higher these days.
With a couple of exceptions, she stuck close to the recorded versions, and the overlaying of the live singing and the greater texture, warmth and dynamism of the live instrumentation with the intense familiarity of the songs themselves and how she sings them made for a powerful experience, with the more muted (post-"American Flag") first half of the record particularly enriched; "Metal Heart" packed a particular punch. The exceptions were back to back, as the Moon Pix part of the set started its run home: "You May Know Him" reinvented with saxophone as the through-line, building to a full-band triumphant swell, and "Colors and the Kids" fleshed out from the piano and voice recorded version.
An extended exit from the stage, then three songs that were just her at the piano (including "I Don't Blame You") and a few more with the band back on, which I was so pleased included "Good Woman" and "The Greatest", before some heartfelt words about what Moon Pix means to her and how things have changed for her since that time (see also). All through, very very wonderful.
(w/ Hayley)
[*] I called it my seventh favourite album in 2005 and again in 2009, and if anything I reckon it'd be at least a couple of notches higher these days.
